The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-05-07

| " u $50
| The critic of the Boston Journal
takes a shy at Nine Eames in this
amusing fashion: Have you observed
the gracious condescension shown by
Nine. Eames I'M allowing the other sing
ers-in enSemble-to enjoy applause
When the cheers are for another, Emma
feels no jealous pang. She takes the
hand of the singer and leads her to
the footlights, as though she were in
Producing her to the audience She
keeps herself we'll in front of the other
and bows and smiles, and smiles and
bows, pleased. oh, so pleased, at the en-
thusiasm over colleague."
The greatest musical instrument, or
rather, music box, ever constructed, will
be exhibited for the first time at the
Paris Exposition in 1900. It's inventor
and builder, Antonio Zibordi, an Italian,
devoted fifteen years of his life to con-
struct it. He has bestowed upon ..is
masterpiece the imposing name of
neutrality-suspicious. The music box
plays every style of concert music in
concealed $1,000 pieces of musical APP
paratus, which required an outlay of
COOS francs. In building this instru-
ment all imaginable forms of mechani-
cal and electrical appliances were util-
izad. They testify to the careful appli-
cation and patience of the constructor.
The giant music box will require two
express cars to transport it to its des-
tination. After it has been duly ex-
hibited it will be presented to Queen
Margherita of Italy.
Gabrielle d'Annunzio has completed
for Eieonora Duse Fame in which
she is soon to act in Naples. The poet,
who is said to sit sometimes for twelve
hours continuously at his desk, wrote
the drama at Corfu. 1t contains only
a few characters, with the hero domi
nant. Ermete Zacconi will act this part
with Duse.
In 1882 Mapleson was obliged to raise
PATHS salary from 81, eco a night to
$4,000. and finally 5000 a sum previ-
ously unheard of in the annals of opera.
This sum, moreover, was demanded at
2 o'clcck # he day on which Patti sang,
by her agent.
'Robin Hood" has been before the
public for nine years and has been per-
formed about 1900 times TO gross re-
ceipts estimated at $2,5OO,000. Of
those in the original cast, W. Fl. Mac
Donald, Jessie Bartlett Davis. II. G..
Barnabee and George rockingham
L1f 81 hi
illustrates the fact that the contraltos
and baritones outlast their fellow sing
ers with the higher voices, while the
constancy with which Mr.. Barnabee
clings to the role of the Sheriff of Not
tingham proves how much he likes it.
When Jerome Sykes was Barnabee's
understudy he was allowed free range
among all of the older mans other
parts, but was never given an oppor-
tunity to play the Sheriff He declared
that Barnabee would have played the
part if he was SO feeble that he had to
be carried on.
A year ago a Vienna piapo-house Of
fered three prizes of $400, $50 and S12O
for the best pianoforte concerros. No
fewer than seventy-two works wero
sent in, and the other evening the best
three of them were played by their COM
posers. Dohnany got 700 votes,
Brandts- Buys COZ. and Benin 59S.
London's opera season will begin on
May Sth with 'Lohengrin." The sing
ers engaged are largely those heard
during the past season in New York II
is likely that three novelties will be
lheard-Puccini's 'Boheme," Laio's LIE
Roi d'Ys' and Goldmark's ''The Cap
tive Girl" Humperdincks "Hansel ard
Gretel' will also be sung. There will
be two German cycles of six perform
ances each, including 'Lohengrin, =
Tristan" .'Walkure,'' "TannlaCser, u
"Fidelio,' and "Meistersinger." For
these a special German chorus will be
engaged and Motif will conduct Seven
operas will be sung in German. seven
in French and nine Gncluding two OF
Mozart's) in Italian. Eleven of the
twenty three operas will be by German
composers. Regarding the Covent Gar
den Opera house, the London 'Tele-
graph says: The promised smoking
lounge over the portico will shortly be-
come an accomplished fact; and an old
but cumbrous landmark will be removed
nv the abolition of the enormous act
drop and the substitution for that mass
of canvas of pair of curtains. parting
in the middle, after the modern plan.
Upon the stage an elaborate system of
electric-lighting is being rapidly COM
pleted. and, as lamps of four colors will
be used throughout the installation, the
stage manager will have at his disposal
series of atmospheric effects hitherto
unknown at Covent Garden. It is ir-
tAresting to note that the system will
be controlled from position beneath
the stage, which will enable the opera
tor to keep a constant eye upon the eff
fects he is producing. This in itself
is a new departure so far as London is
concerned"
DIR. Hugo Riemann appeals to COM
posers for biographical data and cor
rection Of any misstatements in the