The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-07-02

made honorary vice president, fitting
tribute to bestow on woman who has
always advocated the supremacy of her
sex. Mrs. William c. Whitney, wife or
the eX-Secretary of the navy: MIS-
George De Forest, Mrs John c. VIII
merding and other wealthy devotceS 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 violnist; Miss Leontine Gacrt-
ner, the Hungarian violoncello vrtuoso,
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 Il success
The enthusiastic performers played en-
tirely on instruments pertaining to the
violin family, the cello viola and VIC
lin The ensemble playing was fine, the
music being rendered with taste, skill
and infinite artistic feeling. The or
chcstra found favor with even the most
carping critics and dispelled the fallacy
in regard u the difficulty of G.su nZing
u number Of women for concerted work.
String orchestral music is one of the
lOfticst forms of musical art aud has
been recognized as such by the great
masters of harmony all over tn" world.
| That number Of young women should
So distinguish themselves in this line
was a surprise even to those who be-
! licVed that, given the same urportunt-
ties, a woman is as capable OF attaining
the same heights as her masculine II
| walls.
The aim Of the Woman's string or
! chcstra is toward the promotion OF g
cultivated taste for music and to afford
ambitious young women Il wider field
| than has hitherto been accorded them.
| Women have. as a rule, been debarrcG
from positions in theater orchestras ana
can find occupation only in those or
CARNATIONS where women are employed.
Nine. Camilla rrso 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 were but few
!
violinists being rare and women cellists
totally unknown. Today the efficiency
of the ladies who play on strnged 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 concoding 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 $40. This entities
members to tickets for four yearly con-
certs. About 500 people are comprised
in the membership. New members can
only be admitted on the recommended
tion of a member. over 80 women per-
| formers are enrolled upon the books,
| these young women promising to do an
| in their power to further the soCiety'S
! artistic aims.
outside of the regular performances.
| the orchestra has been invited to play
at a number of private chamber con-
| certs in the homes of rich women ap.-
preciating music.
COUNTESS DE MONTATGU.
Mrs. jefferson Davis is now engaged
; for a New York paper.