Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-09

Of the highest possible form OF musical art.
From society, as We generally understand
the word, the opera must receive its i'm
pctus. for there lies the wealth and the
prestige required to develop 1t and stimulate
its growth.
As to the argument about opera being
sung in foreign language, there is this
to be said: 1t is unfortunate that one has
to hear such wel-nigh perfect singing as
the great companies always present and yet
be unable to understand in cold, plain, every
| day English the true sentiment expressed at
! the time Especially is this the case in
singing recitative, 1t does, one must admit
/ look silly to see a man dressed in strange
/ costume hurry across the stage and piercing
with a look a terrified but we'll meaning
/ woman of the weaker sex, sing to her some
! thing which to respectable member OF the
| Omaha Commercial club would sound like
"Tatatentcpatalla mestenyahpoleeterry
| and to have the aforementioned lady reply
| by raising her eyes to heaven, emitting
! shrek of agony. while singing the words,
! "SeeMoriartyAh Mory," falling at the close
! in a stage faint. while the cowardly gentle
man leaves the stage well pleased with what
! he has done.
But the modern program maker has con-
siderably alleviated this burden by having
! inserted a concise story of the opera in
the body of the program. Others, more
progressive, run translated librettos in the
| regular program and give them away, rely
| ing on the revenues from advertising for
| financial returns. In any case, the libretto
of an opera can usually be purchased for a
! small fee. OF course even this does not
answer the purpose fully, for ones eyes
must be constantly on the libretto instead
of on the persons who are playing the
roles.
OF course the ideal thing is grand opera
in English But until the English speaking
people decide that they want that kind of
opera by giving 1t liberal patronage con-
stantly in all of the English speaking coun-
tries 1t will not exist. There is not and
there never has been an Englshman who
has attained the perfection OF writing nee
essary to evolve lasting grand opera, so
far as the present scribe can recall Per-
haps the lack of imagination, commonly
ascribed to the British race, accounts for
this America is destined to produce the
first popular success in the way of English
grand opera. This may be rash prediction
in the minds of some. but It is made in full
confidence, and while the day may be dis
tant, it is sure to come; everything points
| that way.
Some time-some day-an American gener-
alton will listen to an Ineligible produce
tion which will be included in all the
grand operate repertoires.
The orchestra which accompanied the
| Ellis company last week was magnificent.
To hear that noble aggregation of players
was alone worth the price of admission to
the musc-hungry May they soon return.
Now that Manager Burgess has succeeded
again in operate ventures it is to be hoped
that ere long he will once more be en-
tranced, and thus act upon his impulses
that Omaha will have chance of doing
itself Justice by its audience of discriminat-
ing people.
The recital at the First Congregational
church on Tuesday night last developed the
fact that Mr.. Hans Albert has not yet
stopped in his progress toward the acme
of violin playing. That he is an artist has
always been known that he is even now an
ambitious student, devotng himself to his
beloved instrument with almost boyish en-
ergy and enthusiasm is a sure guaranty
that he has more realms to conquer and
that he will do it, His reception and the
appreciation so heartily manifested by the
audience at his concert we're worthy of his
genius
The same concert called to local atten
tion that one musician, who left town some
years ago, and has now returned, has KEEP
his eyes open. The result was the introduc
tion of an European idea in the way of pro
grams. An analytical sketch Of the com
positions played at the first class concerts
will do more to educate the public in the
best music than all the lectures, newspaper
articles and sermons in the country. Lands
berg is the one in mind.
Let the string quartet be organized.