Omaha daily bee., 1898-11-20
MUSIC.


The international Opera company will ap-
pear In Omaha. Such was the pleasant news
which the musical people of this community
received through the columns of The Bee
yesterday morning and from the telephone
communications to both theaters for vertical
ton 1t would seem that the news was most
acceptable. The stimulus which the exposi-
tion gave to the musical interests Of Omaha
Is already bearing fruit, and, while st.
Louis was unable to support this company
as 1t deserved, and Kansas City followed
the example Of st. Louis, 1t is highly credit
able to Omaha that the demands Of the
people induced Manager Burgess to make
a special trip to Kansas City in order to
secure the filling Of the engagement II pos
sible. Another interesting indication Of the
interest manifested in good music at this
point is that during the last week it was i'm.
possible to obtain at music stores a copy OF
any Of the operas to be given, except by
placing an order in advance. Many people
have stated with much show Of authority
that Omaha would be unsteady dead after
the exposition, because the people would all
be bankrupt. These same people seem to
forget that a great amount Of money must
have been spent in Omaha during the last
six months by people from out Of town, and
IlCl " pOhlc nav " pCSu
stricken with poverty. The demand for seats
Is very brisk and indications are that the
season of grand opera will be a paying
venture. May it be so. II a local manage,
ment is encouraged at this early date In
the season it will mean the securing OF
splendid attractions later on.
The opening opera will be Faust" and
the date will be tonight. The Creighton
theater has been put to some severe tests
acoustically by opera companies In the past,
and it has proved thoroughly satisfactory.
Mr.. Homer Moore, whose opinion will be
valued by many people in Omaha, writes to
The Bee that he has heard the international
Opera company in st. Louis. and that any
praise given to the company in this column
will not be undeserved. 1t is a strong COM
pany. has a fine chorus and the orchestra
is thoroughly adequate.
The matinee will be given on Tuesday
afternoon and the bill will be the "Caval-
looria Rusticana." and I'll Trovatore.' To-
day night will have I'll Trovatore." To-
morrow night has been allotted to Lucia
A full synopsis Of all these operas was
given in the musical column of last Sun
days Bee.
In connection with the Woman's club
there has been considerable talk relative
to the fact that here is a strong organiza-
ton, with money to kindle, prestige, infu-
ence. and yet that Omaha's musicians never
get a chance to touch that pernicious and
abominable lucre, which is supposed to be
only for the worldly. and not for those
ethereal beings who have been unfortunate
enough to have been sent to this earth to
endure a short season OF purgatory. True.
Omaha musicians have not enriched them
selves by the receipts they have obtained
from this estimable organization, but whose
fault Is 1t? AS usual, the musicians them
selves are to blame.
II 1t comes down to the point, It will
be found that the musicians donate their
services, and then complain that they do
not get paid. The Woman's club is un.
derstood to have good credit, no collection
agency has been employed to collect bills
from them. Therefore,, to all those who
complain and rail at the club today. AMI
tomorrow play and sing for the club for
nothing, let this advice be given in the
spirit OF friendship: "The laborer is
worthy OF his hire; II you are worth a price,
charge It. II you want to give away your
means Of livelihood, keep quiet
OF course, this does not apply to those
who keep a stiff price, and have sought en-
gagements, and still have not been engaged.
To this class, which surely must be In the
minority, let a word be said. seriously and
without presumption. and that Is: Re-
member that the woman's musical depart
ment does not owe any one a living, and
the purchaser. by right OF all commercial
usage, reserves the right to choose his own
goods. But, on the other hand. the pur-
chaser can not dictate the price. The
M ll -.
noted. a conductor for the chorus. passing
over several who have in times past as
sisted the club. and would doubtless do II
again. But this is no reason that these
other instructors should feel aggrieved at
the introduction OF a new man. Rather,
in the true spirit Of art development. let all
unite in wishing the club musical depart
ment, its leader and its choral conductor
Godspeed.
Miss Kellogg, at her recital on Tuesday