Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-03-26

made honorary vice president. fitting
tribute to bestow on woman who has
always advocated the supremacy of her
sex. Mrs. William c. Whitney. wife OF
the cN-secretary OF the navy; Mrs.
George De Forest. Mrs. John c. Will
merding and other wealthy devotees to
the art OF music are numbered among
the vice presidents and patronesses
The active members are all professional
musicians.
Among the eminent founders are Mrs
Elizabeth Cady stanton, Mrs. Henry
Willard Mrs. Albert Morris Bagby and
ether people of brains and fashion.
Miss Martina Johnson the well known
Swedish violinst; Miss Leontine Gaert-
ner the Hungarian violoncello virtuoso,
and others well known in the domain
Of music are among the soloists,
Under the patronage of people re-
nowned in the world of art and fashion
the Woman's String orchestra gave its
initial concert and scored IA success.
The enthusiastic performers played en-
tirely ON instruments pertaining to the
violin family. the cello, viola and vio-
lin. The ensemble playing was fine. the
music being rendered with taste, skill
and infinite artistic feeling. The or
chestra found favor with even the most
carping critics and dlspelled the fallacy
in regard to the difficulty of organic
ing a number of women for concerted
work
String orchestral music is one OF the
luftiest forms of musical art and has
been recognized as such by the great
masters of harmony all over the world.
That number of young women should
SO distinguish themselves in this line
was surprise even to those who be-
lieved that. given the same opportuni-
ties, Il woman is as capable of attaining
the same heights as her masculine RI
walls.
The aim of the Woman's String or
chesta Is toward the promotion of Il
cultivated taste for music and to afford
ambitious young women a wider field
than has hitherto been accorded them.
Women have, as n rule, been debarred
from positions in theater orchestras ana
can find occupation only in those or
CARNATIONS where women are employed.
Nine. Camilla Urso pays glowing
tribute to the worth of her sex when she
says, Indeed there is much excellent
talent among women of the kind re-
quired that needs but an opportunity to
be heard"
Twenty years ago there We're but few
women who could WELD the bow deity.
violinists being rare and women cellists
totally unknown. Today the efficiency
of the ladies who play on stringed in
struments is acknowledged the world
over.
The Woman's String orchestra per-
forms the most difficult classic music
with as much ease as an orchestra
composed Of men musicians, even their
rivals conceding the fact. Aside from
classic and modern works. the society
presents new compositions by eminent
composers residing in America. each of
the last named works being conducted
by the composer himself.
The Woman's String orchestra is an
exclusive society, its concerts not being
open to the general public. As 1t is the
aim of the orchestra to popularize
string music, the yearly membership fee
has been placed at SO, This entities
members to tickets for four yearly con-
certs. About 800 people are comprised
in the membership. New members can
only be admitted on the recommenda-
ton Of a member. over 30 women per-
formers are enrolled upon the books,
these young women promising to do all
in their power to further the society
artistic aims.
outside of the regular performances
the orchestra has been invited to play
at number of private chamber con-
certs in the homes of rich women APP
preciatlng music.
COUNTESS DE MONTAIGU.