The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-10


atre In this city:
In this progressive Goth century new
branches are continually being added 10
the now long list OF woman's accomplish
ments and achievements. That woman
Is a successful factor In music Is well es-
tablished; that she Is a talented soloist
is proven by the names or Aus der one.
and Bloomheld-Zeisler, pianists. and the
late Camilla Urso and Maude Powell.
violinsts. As composers. Mile. Chami-
made. Mrs. Beach and Miss Lang have
shown their ability, and now. directly in
the concert line, as musical director ana
conductor OF an orchestra, Caroline Is.
Nichols. OF the Fadettes' woman's or
chestra OF Boston. has demonstrated that
II is quite possible for a woman TO achieve
success I'm a field hitherto given over
entirely to men,
A writer In an English magazine, Mu-
steal Opinion, was recently rash enough
TO venture his opinion on women's or
chestras as fact--a fallacy. caused by
his ignorance OF the subject I'm hand. AS
he admits never having heard compe-
tent professional ladies orchestra" he
suggests that I'VE should like TO know
how the proposal works out In practice
and says, that while women can and DO
play the various stringed instruments be-
comingly and gracefully" he thinks 1T
would be painful sight TO see young
women pinching their pretty lips playing
oboe or bassoon," or with redeemed
vissge or inflated cheeks. as unsentimen-
tai as an India rubber ball, putting at
cornet or trombone"
The author OF such absurd opinions
should be furnished with a passage TO
the United States and ticket of admis-
sion TO the forthcoming Pittsburg exposi-
tion. where the Fadettes will be one OF
the principal musical attractions.
''Je crois bien ga doit porter de Pavoir
dams une familie," said Father Barbeau.
and George Sand assures u.s. In the little
story of La Petite Fadette," that little
Fadette carried happiness In her pres
ence, healed the sick and comforted the
sorrowing by a charm known only TO
herself After the little heroine has been
named this orchestra, whose success
seems to justify the belief that with the
name has come also the power OF the
charm.
The orchestra's birthplace was Boston.
and the citizens have watched with In
terest its rise and progress. and are justly
proud OF having furnished one OF the
most unique enterprises or woman-an or
chestra organized by a woman, composed
entirely Of women. and today, as always,
managed In every detail OF music and
business by a woman. Almost all OF the
players come from Boston or hereabouts,
and New England, may virtually claim
the honor of this achievement.
Organized In 1855, the orchestra has
grown rapidly during the Intervening IA
years, increasing from the original six
members TO its present roster. which now
numbers % efficient and attractive young
musicians AS small orchestra they
were chiefly In demand for receptions and
social affairs in the homes OF the first
people OF aristocratic Boston. Later, with
added players they were employed at
fairs, private theatricals. etc. Success
tA..fr fVDx he. md
when, In 1880, their present director was
chosen to shape their musical destinies,
the organization was further enlarged.
II Is interesting TO note here that with
the demand for more complete instru-
mentation came the supply. Young
women OF musical temperament. fired
with ambition by the popularity and sue
cess OF the few pioneers, bravely struck
out into hitherto unexplored fields, and
as II became necessary TO add clarinet.
cornet. a trombone, drum, or even
that most unwieldly OF instruments, the
bass-fiddle," the players appeared and
applied for the work.
OF course the standard OF proficiency
could not be high then as IL Is now,
and with the increasing demand made
upon the capabilities OF the orchestra. IT
became evident that they needed most OF
all a competent leader and drill master
Cor mistress), and that somebody, fitted
by personality and education, must arise
from the ranks, who by superior knowl-
edge. tact and power TO control and
amalgamate, could form the now rapidly
improving young players into forceful
body OF musicians.
Caroline B. Nichols. the first violin and
concert mistress. was then chosen, and
set herself diligently to work by the earn
est study OF Instrumentation, orchestra
ton and harmony 10 prepare herself to
intelligently instruct and direct her as
sociates. This orchestra. the Fadettes
of Boston," Is now presented to the pub
lie as the fruits of her individual effort I'm
her chosen profession.
The old. town OF Dedham was her birth
place, and she inherits her love of music
from her father. who was musical en-
thusiast. a leader among his associates,
In church choir work, and prominent
member OF the Handel and Haydn and
other choral societies, besides being fine
orgnnist.
Mrs. Nichols musical education was be- |
gun at the old Boston Conservatory,
studying violin for FIVE years under Prof. |
Julius Eichberg. and later under Gustav |
and Leopold Lchtenberg OF
New York. Orchestration. harmony and
theory were her subsequent studies under |
such eminent teachers as Dr. Percy Goet- |
schius and Dudley Buck.
Among the orchestra leaders OF this |
ough masters of orchestration In Its most
practical form, and she personally ar
ranges many OF the selections the orches-
ira plays. as well as all accomplishments
for her various sooists.
In 1895. with six OF her associates. she |
formed a corporation and obtained
charter under the laws OF Massachusetts,
thus giving the orchestra the exclusive
right and title TO Its name. Then began n
most interesting controversy over this
now valuable name. "Fadette." as anoth-
er person claimed to have purchase that
right from n former manager OF the or
chcstra. The matter was disputed In
both the superior and supreme courts OF
the state. IL being finally decided fully I'm
the favor OF Mrs. Nichols and her asso-
ciates as "the original Fadettes."
Engagements were secured at the ex-
positions OF the Charitable Mechanic as
ISOLATION and the Boston food fairs held |
In Mechanics building for seven consecu- |
tive seasons. In the Columbian festival |
OF 1898 I'm the same building. the orches-