The Washington times., 1902-01-23

hauser -...---....--........... Wagner
Ars. May Pomeroy-Graves Accompanist.
They were out in force yesterday after
noon at the Columbia Theatre-the Tschai-
howskyites, the Wagnerites, and the Her
bertites. And an enthusiastic lot they
were unusually so for Washington
audience.
Pit well might they be enthusiastic, for
it is not often that they will have the
chance of hearing such a satisfying or
chestral concert as Mr.. Victor Herbert
and his excellent band of Pittsburg in
strumentalists treated them to.
Again let me ask, Who dare say Wash
ington is not musical? The fact that it is
was once more emphasized on this occa-
sion. Let the good work go on.
To be sure. our Boston Symphony friends
have passed US by this season. When the
announcement was made that they were
not to play for us in Washington on ac-
count of lack of support. or something of
that sort, musical folk here shook their
heads sadly.
How can we get along without SYM
phony concerto" they asked one another.
is the art so dead in the National Cap
shoulder"
Cheer up. ye faint hearts. There is
hope! We can get alone very well with
out the Boston fiddlers and the Hubtown
bassoonists. Victor Herbert is good
enough for US. Long life to him!
/ have heard Tschaikowsf1y's Pathetic"
symphony played under the direction of
Damrosch, Seidl, Gericke, and Paur, but
never have l heard ii better played than
it was yesterday afternoon; never have
l heard il rendered with such a fine ap-
probation of its spiritual and emotional
significance. wonderful work it is,
the greatest-to my mind-of latter day
symphonies. 1t is an epitome of the spirit
of the age, a spirit of pessimism and
gloom and decadence. that, let us
hope, is passing away and may soon be
gone.
This. however. cannot detract from the
greatness of the work, and it can do none
of US any harm to hear it over and over
again. Fortunately, Mr.. Herbert had the
good judgment to follow it up with three
Wagner numbers, each of which was iE
direct antithesis to the character of the
Russian composition In the Siegfried
music we were close to the very heart of
nature. The Lohengrin prelude was
spiritual elevation. While the closing
number, the Tannhauser Pilgrimage"
concluded with Hymn of Faith, before
which the most cynical skeptic must bow
his head in reverence.
Such at least was the impression made
upon me by yesterdays concert. l am
sure everyone else who listened to it
thoughtfully must also have left the
music room feeling happier and better for
the two hours he had spent with Mr..
Herbert and his band.
OF Miss Bridewelrs singing there is not
a great deal to be said. She is one of the
contraltos of the Metropolitan Opera
House Company. She has fairly good
voice, especially in her lower and middle
register; she manages her upper notes
rather badly. She would be a much bet
ter singer, however. if she were more
musical and had a little temperament,
lack of which seems to be her chief de-
fciency. She did a graceful act in singing
as an encore. THE Sweetest Flower that
Grows" accompanying herself on the
piano.
After all. temperament is divine gift
and cannot be manufactured-even in
Paris.
When Mr.. Herbert comes here in March,
! hope to see the Standing Room Only
sign in front of the door. The pity is his
visits are so few. ! was quite surprised
to learn that the brilliant list of patrons
and patronesses printed on the p:o-
gramme was not a roster of the contribu-
tors to guarantee fund. The only
guarantor of the concert was Mr. Percy
Foster. who, l understand, planked down
his Individual check to bring the orches
ira here. and took his chances on win
ming out"
/ hope he did win out. II he did not,
more shame for the wealthy lovers of art
in this city. W. J. e.