The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-06-05

made honorary vice president, fitting
tribute to bestow on a woman who has
always advocated the supremacy of her
| sex. Mrs. William c. Whitney. wife OF
the ex-secretary of the navy: Mrs.
| George De Forest, Mrs. John 9. VIII
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
other people of brains and fashion.
Miss Martina Johnson. the well known
Swedish violinist: Miss Leontine Gaert-
ner. the Hungarian violoncello virtuoso
and others we'll 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 a 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 dispelled the fallacy
! in regard TO the difficulty OF organic
| ing a number of women for concerted
work.
String orchestral music is one Of the
/ loftiest forms of musical art and has
| been recognized as such by the great
masters of harmony all over the world,
That a number of young women should
so distinguish themselves in this line
was a surprise even to those who be-
| lieved that, given the same opportuni-
/ ties. a woman is as capable of attaining
| the same heights as her masculine ri
walls.
The aim of the Woman's String or
| chestra is toward the promotion of
cultivated taste for music and TO afford
! ambitious young women a wider field
than has hitherto been accorded them.
! Women have. as a rule. been debarred
| from positions in theater orchestras and
can find occupation only in those or
CARNATIONS where women are employed.
| Nine. Camilla Urso pays a glowing
/ tribute to the worth Of her sex when she
saws. 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 were but few
women who could WELD the bow deftly
vioIinists being rare and women ceilists
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 IT 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 300 people are comprised
in the membership. New members can
only be admitted on the recommenda
ton Of a member over 20 women per
formers are enrolled upon tho books. /
these young women promising 10 do ali /
in their power TO further the society |
artistic aims
Outside OF the regular performances |
the orchestra has been invited 20 play |
al number ~ private chamber con
certs in the homes Of rich women ap- |
preciaung music.
COUNTESS DE MONTAIGU. |