The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-24
Mu sic and Musicians.

The Musical Age interviews Paderew-
ski concerning his new opera, and this is
what he says
81 have composed a new opera which I
shall produce in Dresden on my return.
II is. OF course, somewhat in the Wagne-
rian style. as everything must be to-
day. IL is in three acts. but its name
have not yet decided upon
do you prefer composition to eXecu-
tion?"
"Ah. much" he replied. ct is a more
Imaginative, a higher art. and then. too,
execution on the piano is very difficult
very fatiguing. and besides nowadays
the plano is not so much popular favor
ite. II is the opera SO It is well to COM
pose operas ! began as "A composer in
Warsaw and before that l was a critic
on a newspaper
The latest American singer 10 win re-
cognition abroad is Miss Estelle Iiebling.
a nineteen-year-old New York girl. who.
after studying twenty-five months in Ber-
lin. has just been signed for three years
by the Royal Opera In Dresden. Her
voice is a high coloratura soprano.
Miss Adrenne Remenyi, soprano. will
give the first OF a series Of song recitals
at the Waldorf-Astoria on December 2lst.
The programme will consist of modern
French compositions
Mark Hamburg. the young pianist,
who Is to be the solost this week With
the Chicago Orchestra, Is by birth a Rus
sian. being born at BogutsrAar son %
Russia, May 90. 1879. and is therefore at
present but twenty years old He made
his first appearance in England a the age
Of II IN St. James Hail. He subsequently
studied I'm Vienna under LeschetzAy,
Where he won great honors I'm a concert
with the Philharmonic Orchestra under
Hans Richter His career from that time
to this has been one series Of brilliant
successes. His American tour began early
in November. and in this short time the
young man has stirred up about as much
controversy as could well be imagined.
One eastern critic speaks Of him ~ a
young man Of large hands and surprising
speed"
There is a controversy as 10 the date
Of Chopins birth The New York Even
ing Post has the following which IL
seems ought to settle the dispute.
Inc GATE usuallN tShfNAfN II MdAAh 4
or 2, 1909. but the following official cer-
tiicate from the Rev. Father Bielawski.
priest OF the Brochow parish church of
Zelazowa VIOLA. published I'm the Daily
News of May Is. 1896. settled the matter:
From most authentic documents. as well
as from baptismal testimony ana from
the record Of his birth made IN the civic
books Of the parish Of Brochow, we know
that Frederic Francois Chopin, "a son OF
Nicholas Chopin and Justine Krzyzanow-
ska. was born in Zelazowa Viola, district
Of Sochacsew. on February %. 1910, and
was baptized in the church at Brochow
on April 23d of the same year.
Paderewski. Jean de Reszke and Joseph
Hoffman are mentioned as prominent
shareholders I'm a company with a capital
Of over $4,000. which has been formed
az Warsaw for the purpose Of establish
ing regular symphony concerts in the
Polish capital. Mr.. Nikisch is 20 have
much TO do with the selection o. the
musicians and the concerts are 30 be COM
Quoted by such men as Weinsartner
Colonne Richard Strauss. Felix Mott,
Gustav Maeler and Siegfried Wagner.
The New York Commercial Advertiser
announces that Breikopf d lIartel have
extended 20 this country their system Of
exchange of concert programmes which
has been so popular In Germany for the
last few years. One would think that
this would be Indispensable 10 the con-
ductor OF orchestras and choral societies
who wish to keep abreast of the times.
for by this alone is II practicable for one
to know just what is being done by the
chief orchestras and singing societies Of
the world. The programmes are issued
in a handy form, are sent twice month
during the season. and the price IS real
~ only nominal There are two sets Of
exchanges, one for vocal and Instrumental
societies which employ an orchestra and
the other for vocal societies that 90 not
use a band.
The British Museum authorities are
preparing an interesting series Of musical
treatises, the first being on Beethoven
and Wagner and dealing. II is said with
everything upon the subject 10 be found
in the Museum library Handel and It IS
believed some British musicians. are TO
follow later on.
Sir John Stainer. mainly for reasons
of health, has resigned the post Of pro-
fessor of music at oxford University, 10
which he was appointed ten years ago
in succession OF the late Sir Frederick
Gore-Ouseley.
Smetana's "Bartered Bride" has been
played to empty houses at Dresden. The
cause OF this neglect OF the best work Of
the great Bohemian composer is TO be
looked for in the strained relations be-
tween the Tschek and the German nation
alities I'm a country so near to the Bo-
hemian frontier.
wagner's "Siegfried" r. soon 10 have
it's first performance In France at Rouen,
and In Spain at Madrid