The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-11

have to be left to the Pittsburgers to
decide.
Contrast with Mr. Herbert's unhappy
lot the serene success of Emil Paur
in New York. While he yet remained
in Boston, New York critics were wont
to elevate their noses, and describe MI
Paur as a good enough pedagogue, but
nothing great as a conductor, Now
one would think he was the biggest
man New York has ever had Such
playing has not been heard from a local
orchestra in recent years.
He struck a hard crowd, when he
tackled the old Philharmonic orchestra,
bound as it is to traditions and accus-
toned to having its own way, regard
less of the conductors wishes. Paur
is something OF a drillmaster, and re-
hearsals are obligatory under him. The
old band was not used to such methods
as Paur's, but they seem to have cap
itulated, and the predictions of insur-
rection have not been realized.
At first there was an ominous labor
trouble. The associated musicians de-
cided that Lafricain, the Boston trum-
peter, was not a good enough player
for New York, and at first they even
refused to swallow Leo Schulz, the eel
list, but they were finally brought to
their meat. The assertion that any
member of the Boston symphony Or
chestra was not competent to play IN
any New York band was too prepos-
ferrous to stand.
People who are fond of sensations
must be getting their fill Of them at the
Metropolitan opera this season. First
came the unexpected success of Sa-
lea, the new tenor, in Jean de Reszke's
own part and private property, as Ko-
meo in Gounod's opera. The popular
uproar over his performance had hard
~ subsidized when it was announced
that Jean would sail the next week,
and be in New York ready to appear
as Romeo, Dec. &c Miss Suzanne
Adams will be the Juliette, thereby
gaining a peculiarly fortunate INTRO
duction to New York.
The next sensation was the appear
ance of Nine. Sembrich as Rosina in
'The Barber of Seville" and then as
VioIetta in La Traviata" The en-
tbusiasm OF critics and audience was
remarkable. Of her singing in Verdfs
oDera, Mr.. Henderson of The Times
says
mime. Sembrich achieved such a
a triumph as no cOlorature singer has
won in this city since Adelina Patti
was in her palmy days at the Acad-
envy of Music And it must be added
that not Patti, nor Gerster, nor Mari
moni. nor Parepa Rosa, nor any other
colorature singer who delighted this
town. has ever equalled Mime. Sem
brichs delivery of All fors e hui The
soprano was called out half a dozen
times. and finally compelled to repeat
the 'Semper LIBERIA after which she
was again called out several times" 1t
is casually remarked that "even the
occupants of the boxes applauded, as
if they had never heard a singer be
fore"
There are three Romeos in the Grau
Company-De Reszse, Saleza and Van
Dyck. The Juliets are even more nu-
merous- Nine Media, Nine. Sembrich,
Miss Adams and Miss Engle.
Harriet Behnne, an American con-
tralto, who has had good success in
Germany. has broken her contract with
c. Fl. ELLIS, because she will have to
forfeit $3.50 II she leaves Breslau before
her engagement is up. She makes no
mention, however. of the $4,000 forfeit
which is due Mr. Ellis for leaving him
in the lurch. Rosa Olitzka, the sub
terranean contralto," has been sum
moned from Germany to take Miss
Behnnes place.