The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-03-26
THE SETDL BOOk.
An Interesting Memorial of the Conducto,
Just Brought out.

volume Just issued by Charles Scrihner's Sons
in honor Of the late conductor. The edition
Of this work is limited to u o COPIES. and the
publishers announce that more than twp-
thirIS OF these have already been subscribed
for. The book. while primarily intended rs Il
tribute to the conductor from his friends and
those with whom he was associated. will he
sold for the benefit Of Mrs. Seidl. She has fui-
rished many interesting recollections OF his
life. and the other contributions were made by
those who were thro wn in contact with him.
The Introduction was written by Henry r.
Einck. under whose SUPERVISION the work was
prepared. and this IL followed by an account
Of the imrre ssive funeral services In the Met
roro.itan Opera House, written by Edgar j.
Ievev. Personal Tributes follow from the
Philharmonic Society. Albert Steinberg.
James q. Huneker. Henry Waller and Victor
Herbert. Henry f.. krehbiel. +. y. r. MARTINEZ,
August Spanuth. Charles ID. lanier and II. 7.
Finck have written appreciations OF the work
which Mr.. Seidl accomplished. while there are
letters to Mr.. Seidl from Robert G. Ingersoll.
Templeton Strong. Jules Massenet. Antonin
Dvorak. and Cosima and Richard Wagner.
The book contains a number OF Interesting eS-
tracts from Mr.. Seidl's writings on musical sub
Jects and some interesting tributes from the
singers who were associated with him here
during the golden days OF the German opera
regime at the METROPOLITAN.
The illustrations accompanying this hand
some volume include portraits OF Mr.. and Mrs.
Scidl and some facSimiles OF manuscripts by
Wagner and Seidl. The book closes with tes-
timonials from the Maurice Grau Opera Com
pany. the directors Of the Metropolitan Opera
and Real Estate Company. the Musical Protec-
tive Union and the Manuscript Society.
one o. the most interesting chapters of the
book is that.devoted to the letters written by
the singers to Mr.. Scidl. Some of these ar
fists began their successful careers as Wag-
ner singers here under his direction. and for
that reason they possess q particular value to
New Workers. Foremost is Nine. Lilli L.eh-
mann's letter. which reads as follows:
"A large part Of my musical existence died
with Anton Seidl. and only a sweet memory
remains where / always quietly hoped to see
new blossoms spring up in profusion. Our
Joint work belongs to the most sacred
memories of my career. II comprises not only
the time we spent together at Bayreuth. when
young Seidl assisted in moving the Rhine
Daughters. but also a period Of equal imror-
lance to both Of us. the German opera at New
York. There are few managers who could
lay claim to one thing which the artist singer
so often must dispense w%ith-that an artist
and q leader OF singers who felt and breuthed
with them stood in the orchestra
THAT com plcte devotion which seemed to
flow from his baton. the earn sstness OF his
person ality when he stood at the desk-for he
did not sit down like so many others. whom I
consider in the wrong. because the leader
when erect always secures greater attention
and does not tempt people to take things easily.
at the same time ~eNacting from the orchestra
increased esteem for art itself and the work
in hand -intluenced everybody on the stage
and inspired us to do our best. All this still
lives in my heart and sounds in my ear. and |
remember with deepest gratitude the CIori-
Gus time when we were permitted 10 work
with Albert NiemaEn. Marianne Brandt. Emil
Fischer and others who may never return.
when those sacred ties. which do not always
unite all the artists accidentally thrown to-
gcther uron the same stage. firmly united us
all. Seidl said little. but we felt everything
without hearing his words. and the heavenly
contentment with which the performances OF
'Euryanthe. Fidelio.''T %ristan.' and the Ring
filled our hearts can be compared with moth
ing in this world
Part Of Jean and Edouard de Reszke'. trib-
ute runs as follows:
He was thoroughly imLued from his boy
hood with the spirit Of the works he was des-
tined to interpret. ard he added to this an in.
stinct which is indeed rare among orchestral
conductors Of the modern school; he under
StOOu Singing. seemed 10 KNOW JF intuition
exactly VIII at the singer would do In every
ease and always helped him to do 1t well. But
he did not accomplish this by following tho
singer slayishly. There are many conductors
who can follow q singer in n ritGrttdndO such
as singers love TO make AZ the close OF a mu-
sirAl phrase, hut there are few who know en-
actlv how to catch ~ the rhythm again and
restore the equilibrium, a, Seidl did. with Iut
aIrar%4tlr affecting the shape of the musical
period in the least,
And how dear Se!dls whole heart was in
his work! What trouble lie took over every de-
tail! At rehenTsals he was conductor, stage
manager, me"hanician. electrician all in
ome; and When il came TO The pcrformance.
glance and insIiiinG. beat to gam absolute
confidence aud feel that lhev would be ably
cteered through any difficulty that might arise.
IL The course Of our work with Seidl our aimi-
ration for HIM soon grew to warm affection.
artist, who alwaIs gave US Invaluable assistance
and support ~ all our work. but also a very
dear friend. who enliycned many an, otherwise
ionshlp. We, shall never forget him"
Nine. Norlirn adds her testimony to Mr..
Seill : thoroughness In these words:
dramas, and his eNactness extended TO the
such inn %ortnnre. One day. after d~rvotIng
three hours OF his time TO me-. going over tho
t tSG 6sy 81 a T yeiI for i we YEN IN tn the s .r%adT n"i store Ire
asked for samples Of various kinds 81 tulle.
and. when they came. he seized one after an
through the air, 10 the great establishment Of
IN sl"pl"ri Hnd Ihongirl?: who were net
But he knew Just what he wanted.
with tn" quenching uf the torch he was
IIst aI luSiotent thar il should be thrust into
water and not sand to preven mt the spreading Of
the ilamrS from escaping alcohol. His devo-
ton 70, his work IN these details Vas mex
hIustlhle when matters Of inheritance
claimed his attention there. seemed room in
his mind Tor nothing elise. In encouragement
he was WAY realv with those earnest IN their
strivings and his knowledge was AZ their dis.
rpsnl, II Knowledge that meant To So many n
help Ia. advancement in their art. Even in the
DAYS when my voice was light he used often To
say 20 me; Wait: YOU will sing Wagner one
OF these DAYS When did, aud began to
taught It to me, Again il was Mr.. Seidl: who
aided me in the first study of Elsa tor Bay
r"uth, an aid Of such authority, enthusiasm
and assurance that it laid IA foundation of tu-
ture purpose and determination
Marianne brandt, Emma Eames-Story. An