The San Francisco call., 1898-01-13

turesque valley of Helene, near a rock which overhangs the river Schwechat, close to the Antoine grotto. The path leading to the grotto has remained fa- vorite walk with the numerous bathers whom the sulphurous waters of Baden and the beautiful scenery around the city still attract there. The monument will consist of a marble plaque ornamented with a bronze portrait of Beethoven; 1t will be embedded in the rock. It is hoped the monument will be finished this spring. Beethoven possesses already several pom pous monuments in Europe, in America, and if we are not mistaken, even in Aus tralia; but not one of them can boast of so romantic a situation as that on the rock of Helene, which the grand artist so often contemplated when the soft mur- murs of the little Alpine river flowing rapidly in it's narrow bed were, alas, no longer perceptible to the ear of the great master of music.
 The Liederkranz Orpheon of Mannheim lately gave a concert in the only hall the city possessed for that purpose. And as this hall had already been let for the pur- pose of exhibiting the valiant deeds of a lion tanner in a cage ornamented with six lions, the Orpheon had to resign Itself to singing in the presence of these formid- able brutes hidden, it Is true, behind the scenes. The lions, which, is well known, are great lONerS or muSlC, con- ducted themselves admirably and the public never suspected their presence, but after sentimental duet between the ten or and soprano an old lionesS could not prevent herself from expressing her sat isfaction by a formidable roaring, which might have been taken for an enthusias- tic encore. There was some difficulty in tranquilizing the audience.
 About two years ago the tenor M Broulik, brought an action against the manager of the Budapest Opera-house which has been frequently spoken of in the papers. After having lost his case in two instances the artist carried 1t before the Court of Cessation, which ordered a new trial. Now the tribunal in the first instance after having again heard this cause gave a verdict in favor of the ar tist to the amount of 25,000 francs with the costs of the other trials, which amounted to a pretty large sum. The representation of "Rhine Gold" in which the singer had refused to take part, after having already sung in three other Wag- merriam operas during the week, will have cost the Budapest Opera house an ap- preclable quantity of Danube gold.
 The year 1897, which began so badly in Chicago, was true to itself and ended badly. First Rosenthars unfortunate ill.,
 
 ginning of the season. then the disaffec- tion of various former members of the Grau Company threatened that organiza- ton with collapse Nothing drew in large numbers and only private enterprise prevented the year from being not only a financial, but an artistic failure And lastly, the inimitable Sembrich, who had been announced to close the musical sea- son of 1897 and open that of 1898; tele- graphed her regrets that illness prevented her coming. magnificent house was as- sured and hosts of warm admirers awaited her. but the week closed and no hopes were held out of her being able to visit Chicago.
 The Carl Theater of Vienna celebrated last week the fiftieth anniversary of its existence Constructed in IS47 bv the di rector, Carl de Bernbrunn it was inargu rated the 10th of December the same wear which was a Friday. The theatrical world, which is very superstitious. proph- esied all sorts of misfortuneS for this theater, which, however has had a for tunate career and has survived two Vien- nese theaters of much later date. the Treumann Theater and the Ring Tbeater both destroyed by fire. Of all the artists who took part in the first performance in 1S47 two alone have survived-MIle. Her. zog, who assisted at it's fiftieth anniver- sary. and Mile. Schuselka- w Wohlbruclx who lived a long time in Paris and has now retired into the suburbs of Vienna. There is also one of the dressing women still living.
 The opera at Vienna is preparing for the benefit of its retired members a reu- resentation of La Tsigane," by Johann Strauss, which will be truly original and very attractive In the ball scene of the second act all the retired members of the theater will figure among the invited guests. They will also take part in a grand chorus which terminates the act. There will be seen Mme Materna. as tha Valkyrie; Mime. Papier, as Orpheus; Mime. Ehnn, as Marguerite; M. Walter, as VII