The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-02-15
lI1dsiic


Grand opera house in New York city
early next month. There is no mere
picturesque figure in the musical world
today than this young British woman,
who has invaded the field of grand
opera. Miss Smyth produced 1.-The
Forest" last season in England with
flatteTing success, and it is said that
Herr Richter, the famous New York
conductor, who is to direct it's produc-
ton here, has assured the composer
that he fame Of her opera will go
around the world. Miss Smyth was
born in Frimley, near London, but she
has spent a number of years on the
continent, chiefly in Germany. This is
her first visit to America She has
had another opera produced, "Fanta-
STA" in Carlsruhe, under Felix Mott
land. 1t is said that she is now at
work on a third, for which Henry
Bennett Brewster is writing the Ii
pretto. The composer reveals an in
tefeStlng personality in a review pub
hshed last last week in one of the
New York papers.
In discussing music as a career Miss
Smyth said: You must know that the
life of any composer Who loves his
art better than his ease, and especially
that Of a woman musician, is one long
battle from start to finish. And that
think is one reason why so few Wom-
en- have lived to produce any very
great thing in the music world. It IS
the unending and ever-increasing
strain on body. mind and soul that
original work of this sort makes on a
woman that is so difficult for her to
bear. Now, have exceptional physi-
cal health. l golf, 1 ride, 1 have all
the outdoor sports. Otherwise the dis
appointments, the discouragements
the inevitable difficulties that have
baftied me at every turn would have
long ago broken my health. Other
women have had just the same mu-
steal ability, do not doubt, but it has
been my good fortune to win the race
1t seems to me the hour has struck
for women's work in the musical
world"
Discussing her opera, ''The Forest
Miss Smyth said: For some two
years the idea of the opera has been
with me, taking shape, growing, am
plIfying. For the last nine months
have practically done nothing else,
and for ten weeks previous to it's pro-
duction [ was, night and day, with
hardly time for meals, at work on it's
orchestration. That has been my
hardest point, for the work Of orches-
tration can only be mastered through
constant rehearSing, and that is what
L could not pay for, and so could not
command during my years of study.
In Munich l could often have a move
ment rehearsed for me by an obliging
orchestra. But it is bit by bit only.
in this way. that 1 have gained my
practical knowledge of orchestration.
And you see it has been no easy task
But now am going to believe in Herr
FIGHTERS prophecy for me, and be-
lieVe that the hardest part of my
work lies behind me-"
The Norsemen's Musical league is
the name Of an association recently
formed by the professional musicians
among the Norwegians of st. Paul and
Minneapolis. The membership is not
limited to this one nationality. how
ever and few other Scandinavian
musicians are already enrolled among
Its members. The main purpose of
this league Is to give, during the course
OF each year, q series Of concerts, the
programmes of which are to consist
exclusively of the compositions of
Norwegian music writer's. 1t is I'M
doubtedIy true that Norwegian COM
positions are being presented more
ana more, especially in orchestral mu-
sic, and that cOncert-goin people are
becoming acquainted to some extent
With the works of a few Norwegian
composers. But there is still a wealth
OF choice music, especially vocal mu-
SIC, which is seldom or never heard. 1t
Is the Intention of the league to make
TWO features prominent in these con-
CeflS, orchestral compositions and
chorus work. Efforts will also be made
TO engage the best available talent in
the line of solo performers. The asso-
citation will give it's first concert Fri
day evening, Feb. 81, in all probability
in the Central Park Methodist church.
DanZS orchestra has been engaged for
the occasion, and four large orches-
trail works by Greig and Svendson will
De produced. At least two large Choir
uses VIII be sung by a male choir of
not less than 100 voices, selected from
the singing societies of the Twin Cities.
Inc programme in its entirety cannot
yet be announced but the above will
indicate the character of the concert.
The officers of the association are:
John DAZZLE, st. Paul, president; Prof.
GunderSOn, Minneapolis, vice presi
dent; Olaf Halls, secretary; DR.. J. S.
Johnson, treasurer. The local arrange
ment committee is made I'D of Consul
=. II. Hobe, Harold Soraas and DR..
Johnson.
The programme Of the st. Paul con-
cert will be repeated in MINNEAPOLIS.
Tuesday evening, March 8.
After the prodigality of last week
(three excellent musical entertain
ments in one week is certainly an ex
travagance for St Paul., musical folk
must perforce content themselves for
a time, at least, with the customary
nbbIe. This coming week is not to
be entirely barren of concerts, for Fri
day night GauPs cantata, 'The HOLY
City" will be presented at Manchester
Park Presbyterian church by the Mac
alester college chorus. Harry 70.
Phillips, who has charge of the music
at the college, will direct the can
tata. The soloists will be Mrs. Inez
g Won Encke, Miss Marjorie Hail.
MI Herbert Corners and Mr.. Robert
Geddes. Two violins, played by Harry
Dorr and j. f. Haynes; a cornet. pIay-
ed by Benjamin Taylor; the piano pre-
sided over by Mrs. H. E. Phillips, and
the organ by Miss Annie McOuiIlan.
will provide the accompaniment. The
programme follows:
Part l. Contemplation
Observation-Disclosures
CRQruS-Tenor solo-"No Shadows
ATenor. Soul Is Att tTsae for C God
II,o o-At EVentide 1t Shall Be Light
They That Sow In Tears
AHr-Alto-"Eye Hath Not Seen
ChoruS-'For Thee. o Dear, Dear Coun-
Chorus.'Thine Is the Kingdom"
Part 2, Alteration
AlETM NJ rito[1a New Heaven and
Choral RAJ, Sanctus- Holy, Holy Holy"
(a( ChoruS-'Let the Heavens Rejoice )"
% Air-Tenor-'"To the Lord Our Cod"
tag Alr-Alto-"C Come. Ye Blessed of NY
(b9 ,Quarrtette-"The Filming Pot Is for