Evening star., 1902-01-18
NJ U SlCAl ENTtO NJ


| In the fall of 1895, following the dedication
| of Carnegie Institute. Mr.. Andrew Csrne-
| gie's first gift to Pittsburg of a million
dollars for education provided for a music
1 hail as well as a. library and art gallery,
| and this was the incentive that brought the
! orchestra into being.
The first year ten afternoon and ten even
ing concerts were given by an orchestra OF
I, fifty, and the season covered twelve weeks.
Last season, the sixth in the history of
| the organization, the Pittsburg Orchestra
| gave lI9 concerts, forty-six In Pittsburg
! and the remainder in cities as remote as
Boston and Ann Arbor. Indianapolis and
Washington, including two in New York
city by special invitation of Mr.. Andrew
! Carnegie.
spirited citizens OF Pittsburg for an educa-
| tiona1 and artistic motive only, the Pitts
| burg guarantors sustaining exactly the
| same relation toward it as is done in Chi
| eago toward Theodore Thomas. and in Bos-
| ton by the gentleman who alone maintains
the Boston symphony Orchestra. 1t is. as
| Will be seen, one of the three strictly per-
| manent orchestras in this country.
| The players of the Pittsburg Orchestra
are bound by the most stringent contract
and give all their time to the daily rehear-
ssfs and concerts of the organization This
is the only foundation for truly perma-
| Eent orchestra.
Victor Herbert, the conductor the last
| four years, is by every qualification emf
nently fitted to continue the orchestra in
| its high position and advance It. Begin
ming early N life, his study of music under
| the best European auspices vas of the most
! thorough character. His first repute in
| America was earned as leading viofonceilo
! player with the Theodore Thomas Orehes-
/ ira, while during several years he was
| first violonceile player and associate con-
ductor with Anton Seidl. Mr.. Herbert has
| diSff ion nc in ha lar
forms and in the department of opera CO.
mique his works, "The Singing Girl" THE
4 Fortune Teller and others have been re-
peatedly heard in every theater of import
ance in this country, while extracts from
| them are played and sung by amateurs the
| country over.
Sousa has returned from his English tri-
umphs. 1t achievement of no
small magnitude to win the favor, plaudits
| and approval OF musical Britain. and Sou
| sa's conquest was complete. The entire
! British tour of Sousa and his band. from
! the opening concert at the Royal Albert
| Hall in London to the last appearance at
| Southampton, was a series of enthusiastic
ovations to the American musicians and
| their conductor. One English critic said:
/ The latest importation from America has
! proved inordinate success. Anything more
! thoroughly and typically American II would
| be difficult to imagine. Mr.. Sousa s band
| Is not military band at ALL 1t is
Sousa band, pure and simple, and that is
| the only name one can give 1t, because, as
| far as / am aware, there is no other body
of performers in existence that resembles
| it in the least. Its composition is original
| its playing is original, and its conductor is.
| perhaps, the most original of all" SouSa
comes here shortly. and his concert will be
| given at the Columbia Theater, Sunday
evening, February >. Maude Reese Davies,
! soprano. Dorothy Hoyle, violiniste. and Ar
| thur Pryor, trombone, will also be heard.
The deadly parallel is always interesting:
occasionally it is deiiciousiy funny. Here
is sample of the latter variety that is
worth perpetuating. Zeldenrust. the Dutch
! pianist, gave his annual recital in Paris in
| May. As is his custom. for several weeks
| prior to a recital or public appearance of
| any kind. Zeldenrust put in about eight
| hours a day at his instrument in the Hotel
Baizac, his home in the French capital A
couple of days before the date of his con-
| cert. the bell boy knocked at his door ana
| handed him the two appended notes. One
read: My Dear Zeldenrust-One of my
guests, lady, demands that you give her
moments respite. L should think your
fingers might be tired for today anyway.
Be reasonable" Signed by the host of the
hotel The other said: My Dear Mr.. Eel
denrust-NNe have been wondering who the
pianist. was who played so beautifully and
who has entertained us (unconsciously) for
the past three weeks. Imagine my surprise
and delight in recognizing, upon inquiry,
the name. j hope you have not forgotten
us, nor the writer at Hotel Powers, and
that you will come and see US and let us
thank you in person for the pleasure your
practictng (although 1t is too beautiful to
be called practicing) has given us. Very
sincerely yours, Janeb Driscoll.'
Mr.. Grau's opera singers are being loaned
for consideration to managers both in
|. New, York and elsewhere for concerts and
recitals. Scott, the baritone, who created
such a. favorable impression not only by his
| virile and artistic singing, but by his act
| ing, is, it is understood to come to Wash
ington next month for recital Miss
iBridpwen Will be here next week with the
Pittsburg Orchestra.
| In New York series Of operate and dra-
matte mornings at the Waldorf-Astoria is
ham, FRITZ Schsf and others of Mr.. Grau's
people will be heard. At one of these there
| will be the first production of Walt Whit
mans celebrated poem, THE Flight of the
Eagle, the music to which is written by
MI. Homer Norris Of Boston, a young
| American composer. Mr.. David Bispham
wiE sing the baritone part. New York
society will be represented at these matt
nees. Among those who are already booked
for boxes and seats are eX-Secretary Will
| liam c. Whitney, Mrs. Crocker, Mr.. and
Mrs Walter G. Oakman. Mr.. and Mrs. F.
S. Hastings. Mrs. Edna Macauly, VIM. Bay
ard Blackwell, Mrs. j. E. Martin, Mr. and
Mrs j. c. Boldt, Mr.. A. Tuckerman, Mrs
Simon Borg, Mr.. John J. McGarry Mrs
Charles T. Swan and Mrs. Robert Nichol.
Perhaps nothing win better show the
Hfghianders' Band, ''the kilties" than to
instance the army record of one Of its
members. Some Of the men have served in
East India, Burmah, Egypt and the Cana
dian northwest. but the most unique record
Is that OF Bandsman James Russell, who
has fought In no less than thirty nine diff
ferent battles. He has a striking facial
resemblance to Lord Roberts and began his
army life as a private in India, where Lord
Roberts held his first commission as a lieu
tenant. Mr.. Russell wears medal and two |
bars for his part in the relief of Lucknow
and siege Of Cawnpore. While many will
gaze in rapt admiration at the kilties'
seven-foot drum major, there are many |
to whom the bright. active and we'll
groomed veteran, James Russell, will be
even more interesting Bandmaster Slater
OF the kAties has served in two campaigns.
and Is bayonet champion of Canada, as well
as an expert swordsman.
Rehearsals for Barnby's beautiful ora
torio. "Rebekah-" are progressing very
satisfactorily, and the director Mr.. George |
Laurence, feels assured it will be great |
musical success. The chorus meets every
Wednesdays evening at 1127 10th street |