The San Francisco call., 1898-02-17

1 fiasco, whereas Mile. Petaluma and Mile Mflpeta might be winning world wide fame. Mile. Toronto is very gifted young woman, and, although only in the very beginning of her career, has already
 taken her place In the front rank of prima donnaS.
 There was a time when London was ac- cused of being an unmusicaI city, but, Judging from the Postal Annual it has now gone to the other extreme The Pos tai Annual gives the addresses of $500 professors of piano, singing guitar etc The population of London is at present about five millions, so that the city counts professor of music for each 1000 nhabi- tants. The proportion is in reality still more startling, for one must deduct the inhabitants who are too young or too old to figure In the list of students, as well as the poor who have no money to spend on musical instruction. In reality the proportion Is about one professor for each 200 inhabitants. It must be remembered, too, that the list of professors does not count many women teachers who are too modestly lodged for the Annual to take cogniZance of them. If with all these teachers London does not become the most musical city in the world it will not be for want of technical instruction.
 Thisis the historyin brief of Mile. Agnele Heraut-La Petite Heraut-the newest vaudeville star in Paris: She studied singing with poor Taskin, who predicted brilliant operatic career for her: sud- denly a severe attack of laryngitis de- stroyed at one blow the hopes of the master and the pupil. Most women would have given up all hopes of the theater in despair. Little Heraut said to herself: What does it matter having no voice if ones gestures are expressive, and, above all graceful?' And without waiting day Angele Heraut began to study pantomime Three months later she made her debut at the Casino de Paris in little act, where the public im- mediately appreciated her ability as mime. New creations at the Nouveau- Theatre and the Folies-Marigny followed, and now Little" Heraut has just signed splendid engagement with the Casino. The courageous singer who lost her voice has become one of the biggest vaudeville stars in France.
 Leoncavallo, the author of 'I Pagliac- ci' like Boito the author of "Mefiisto- fele," not only writes librettos for his own personal use, but also furnishes his confreres with books. Leoncavallo's lat est libretto is entitled Mario Wetter,'~ 1t has been set to music by Augusta Machado and will shortly be produced at the San Carlos Theater, Lisbon. Talk ing of the San Carlos recalls the fact that the Portuguese police still refuse to al- low that opera house to play "Andre Chenier," because one of the acts ends with the "Marseillaise." Every one seems at loss to understand this ridiculous ostracism, for the hymn of the French In ic nJ1b1 in
 so one would suppose that the Portuguese
 public might safely be exposed to its seditious influence. As all song lovers remember the "Marseillaise'' also comes in at the end of Schumanns set ting of Heine's poem, "The Two Grena-
 diers," which has been sung with i'm punity all over the civilized world.
 A rather surprising piece of musical news comes from the Transvaal, where hitherto the worship of the golden calf has been much more widespread than | the worship of art. A committee has been formed at Pretoria, the capital of | the little republic, with the object of | building concert hall and forming an l orchestra to play classical music. Dr. Leyds, Assistant Secretary of State, is | the president of the organization. The
 committee has demanded a site of the l Government in the midst of the public | park at Pretoria, and number of music | lovers have subscribed a sum equivalent | to $51 900. MT. Ten Brink has been com
 missioned to go to Europe, especially to
 England, in order to engage performers | and a good conductor. It is to be hoped
 that this interesting effort of Boor anna | teurs will prove complete success and | that in the twentieth century The Call
 will be furnishing It's readers with the
 news of important musical happenings at l Pretoria.
 German music publishers are making a | firm stand on the question of demanding l royalties for melodies reproduced me- l chanically by hand-organS and all other