The herald., 1898-03-06
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Americans going abroad the coming sum.
mer must remember that there will be nc
Bayreuth festival this year. In its place
there will be Wagner festival In London
in May and June, under the direction of
Mr.. Anton Seidl, and with the greatest
casts ever heard Of In the Nibelung Tetral-
ogy. Two series are to be given, but the
present indications are that Americans
desiring to hear these performances will
do we'll to arrange with London friends to
have the matter attended to at once. The
situation is eloquently summed up In the
following from the London Daily News:
ut Is doubtful whether the Oldest opera
goer can recollect an announcement which
has excited such extraordinary interest In
0usical circles as that of the two Wagner
cycles at Covent Garden. We first printed
details of the performance and of the cast
only fortnight ago, and the house Is even
now almost sold out, more than four
months before the proposed representa-
tions can take place. The opera box office
is, OF course, not yet opened, and SO far as
these performances are concerned, 1t prob
ably never will be. The Covent Garden
subscribers have been duly cared for by
Mr. Forsyth, but otherwise the matter has
been In the hands of Mr.. Schulz Curtius.
Yesterday that gentleman was able to
hhtOuHSC tIut dll lHc seats DIT Ills ulSpOSdl
In the balcony and amphitheater stalls had
been applied for twice over within twenty
four hours. Today letters of regret will be
posted, with a bare intimation that II a
reply be sent by return Mr.. Curtius may
still manage to allot seats in the orches-
trail stalls. Stalls are. however. being rap
idly taken up by the libraries, and there
is no question that before next June they
will command very high premiums"
O o O
Miss Alice Beach McComas. the talented
daughter of Judge McComas of this city,
Is rapidly establishing an enviable reputa-
tion for herself as pianiste. Miss McCo-
mas has been engaged for Pietro MarinO's
concerts in San Francisco. The first Of
these was given last Wednesday. Marino
Is said to have made wonderful progress
during his two years tuition with Ysaye,
and the critics speak of his playing in the
highest terms. At Wednesdays concert
Miss McComas played Chopin's + sharp
nocturne, Lszt's Nightingale" and Il mi
nor "Polonaise."
The legal right of tenor to refuse to
Sing more than four times a week has been
asserted by Broulik, who was summarily
dismissed by the management OF the Ma
tional opera at Budapesth n month or so
ago. After his dismissal the tenor ap-
pealed to the courts of his country, and as
o result, has been awarded %, 900 francs and
the cost of his action and his position with
the National opera. The decision was
given on the gronud that it was injurious
to the voice to sing four Wagner operas
within the space Of seven days.
O O o
A good story is told of Brahms father.
xr-ae. 10, al t.
burg orchestra One day the conductor re-
marked that he was playing too loudly
whereupon old man Brahms retorted:
Herr Capellmeister, this Is my contra
bass want you to understand, and shall
play on 1t as loudly as please"
O O O
music:
have always loved music, and would
not give away for great deal the little
that know. / am not at my ease with
those who have contempt for music.
Music Is like a discipline-it makes men
sweeter, more virtuous and wiser One can
be sure of finding the germs of a goodly
number of virtues In the hearts of those
who love music, but those who have no
taste for 1t value as value stick or
stone. pretend, and declare it without
shame. that after theology there is no art
comparable to music. When natural music
Is perfected by art, We see, as far as we
are able. the great and perfect wisdom of
God in His fine work of music.
From news received here last week our
friends Of the Del Conte Opera Co. have
again come to grief, but the difference
which was between some Of the leading
members of the company and their manag-
er may have been once more repaired. The
Italian singers made big Jump from
Helena. Mont, to Winnipeg. Manitoba,
and In the latter place sang to crowded
houses. They then went to Minneapolis,
where the trouble occurred. Mrs. Geneva
Johnston Bishop has been travelling with
the company.
w. 8. Young of San Diego, who was to
have been director of the newly organized
Mendelssohn club of mems voices. has ac-
cepted an offer in the east. Harley Hamil-
ton has been selected to fill the place, and
work will commence next Thursday. The
rehearsals will be held once week in the
Southern California music hall. 1t Is in
tended that the rehearsing shall be most
thorough before the first concert which
will probably be given in June at Simpson
tabernacle.
Los Angeles may be treated to a visit
from the famous Kneisel Quartet of Bos-
ton some time in May. The quartet is COM
posed of leading members of the Boston
Symphony orchestra. Their concerts in
the east have attracted much attention and
1t is 10 be hoped the western tour will be
consummated.
Music at the Churches
Music at Emmanuel Presbyterian church:
Morning, Magnify Jehovahs Name"
Haydn; offertory, 20 Divine Redeemer,"
Gounod. Miss Jennie Winston. Evening:
1.-THE King of Love My Shepherd Is" Shell
ley; offertory solo, Trust in the Lord"
Marstow, Revel France.
At the memorial service for Miss Frances