New-York tribune., 1899-06-11

A pretty contribution to the question discussed
nv The Tribune two weeks ago Is made In an arti-
Gle contributed by Georg Richard Kruse OF st.
Call Switzerland TO a recent issue OF the "Tage-
blatt" in Berlin. 1t is accompanied by iacsiHhe
Of a plan drafted by Wagner while he was pot-
ical refugee in Switzerland for a new disposition
OF the orchestra which he proposed in order to bet
tor the performances of Martha and 'Sonnam
bula" The change consists in extending the or
chestra in q semi-circle into the auditorium. In
stead of stringng It entirely across the house in
front OF the stage The old plan was like that sti
pursued In theatres. while tho amendment is
something ike that In use at the Metropolitan
Opera House Commenting on this amount OF care
bestowed upon such operas as Martha" and Son
ambula" Herr Kruse recalls remark quoted
by Wagner made in condemnation of his followers
disposed too lightly 10 condemn Italian music.
You can learn what melody is also from Bellini.
Modern composers distinguish themselves by bov-
ertystricken melodies. because they adhere 10 GER
tain prominent weaknesses Of Italian opera. with
out paying heed TO the merits OF Italian composers.
OF course it's easier to sneer at them than to learn
from them"
There is a disposition in some journalistic circles
IN London to have the world believe that Queen
Victoria never heard "Lohengrin' until II per-
formed at Windsor Castle recently by Jean de
Reszke and his companions In honor of her egh-
tieth birthday. II the newspapers are right the
fact is certainly singular. for "Lohengrin' has
been on the London stage, since 1876 (hve years
after New-Yorkers heard It under Neuendorf at
the old Stadttheater in the Bowery), and Queen
Victoria was particularly interested in Wagner
when he went 10 London TO conduct the concerts of
the Philharmonic Society in 1855 Concerning the
attendance of the Queen and the Prince Consort at
a concert on May IA OF that year. Wagner wrote
TO Liszt:
You have probably heard how charmingiy Queen
Victoria behaved TO me. ! really seemed to have
pleased Her Majesty; and in a conversation had
with her by her desire after the first part of the
concert she was SO kind that was really quite
bert were the first people in England who dared
to speak in my favor openly and undisguisedly and
nueal outlaw. charged with III, high & treason z, and
wanted by the police you VIII think 1t natural
Emil Paur has been appointed musical director
OF the National Conservatory. He will next sea-
son conduct the four concerts OF the conservatory
orchestra preside the classes in ensemble play
ing and composition and be OF the judges In the
sixth competition for the best symphony best
overture and best pianoforte violin concerto 70
which money prizes offered.
! Adele Aus der Ohe will make a short tour In this
country beginning In January. 1900 She has al
ready been engaged for OF the Boston Sym
phony Chicago, Pittsburg and Cincinnati orches-
tras Nine Bloomfield Zeisler will not play in
America this season She has been engaged for q
European concert tour and will leave this country
early In the winter While abroad she will play In
Vienna Paris Berlin and London.
II musicians. prosaic. practical professional mu
sicans the blowers wood and brass and the
scrapers on catgut were but readers Of anything
except cheap newspapers. how much they would
he amused-some OF them perhaps also edifed-by
| tho letters OF Sidney Lanier which have been ap
| pearing In "Scribner's Magazine" under the head
ing."A Poets Musical Impressions" for two month,
past. Such ingenious, whole-hearted devotion tc
an avocation which them often only hand.