Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1903-09-03

Richard Strauss and his wife
Madame Strauss de Ahne, and Vie
tor Herbert and his Pittsburg Or
chestra, will appear III Morgantowr
ON the afternoon and evening o
March 14th, 1904 In the afternoon
Madame Strauss de Ahne, will give
recital She will sing her hus
bands own compositions, and he
will accompany her on the piano
Madame Strauss has a voice which
the critics pronounce as fine as
Melba's or Nordica s. In the even
ing, the Pittsburg Orchestra will
give concert under the direction
ofStrauss. They will play two of his
symphonic poems. The remainder
of the program, consisting Of about
tenanumbers, will be played under
the direction Of Victor Herbert
The arrangements have been fully
made, and these two great musical
events are certainty.
When Dean Wrightson announc-
ed at the recital early in the summer
that he would endeayor to get
Strauss and Victor Herbert's orches
ira, few people regarded the under
taking as more than dream, albeit,
hundreds wished heartily that the
dream might come true Through
the energy, pluck and enthusiasm
of Dean Wrightson it has been
realized. 1t required a good deal
of that valuable quality, usually
called nerve to attempt such a thing
in town of 10000, but the Dean
had it, tackled the proposition and
came out a winner
WHAT IT WILL COST.
What the concert means in the
musical world is little understood
by most people. Ia the first place
it will cost $225S 40-Dean Wright
son has calculated it TO a penny
to get Strauss and Victor Herbert 5
orchestra here OF this sum, the
people O. Morgantown are expected
to contribute $3.50 and the people Of
the state $3.50. The remaining
$75S40 will be raised from admis-
sions. lean Wrightson will under
take to raise the $500. Several
Morgantown men have already sub
scri0ed, and he should receive the
heartlest support from everybody.
WHAT IT MEANS.
1t is a rare distinction for the
University School of Music, the
town, and the state, fer that matter,
to have Richard Strauss and his
wife here During their visit to
America, they will play in only
twenty cities Morgantown is one
oil these. They will not appear in
more than two cities in any state
West Virginia is the only southern
state in which they will he heard.
The West Virginia University
will be the only university, college,
school of music, or similar institu-
tion in America that will have them
This is indeed distinction, and
will give the school of music here a
prestige that nothing else could. 1t
will make it talked of the country
over, and if the building of a great
music school here is a matter ofanv
moment, the money expended is well
invested.
HOW THEY WERE SECURED.
Dean Wmohtson has had secret
hope of getting Strauss here ever
since it was announced last Noyem-
Der that he would visit America.
Last spring he set about to secure
them. Several prominent Morgan
towners were consulted, and agreed
to give some assistance. A few
weeks ago he wrote to Henry Wolf
sohm, who is managing Straus' tour,
Mr.. Wolfsohm is personal friend
Of Dear Wrightson, and largely on
this account March 18th was given
to the University Straus' price for
single performance is $500, but
owing to the friendship referred to
above, he was secured for two per
form4nces for that price.
THE ORCHESTRA.
Last week Dean Wrightson went
to Pittsburg and saw George Will
son, manager of Herberts orchestra.
Here again friendship exists which
came in valuable. Mr. Wilson con-
sented to nelp. He promised TO do
what he could to arrange for the
date, and yesterday sent word that
the orchestra would be here Tor GER
tain. 1t was secured at a greatly
reduced price.
This famous orchestra consists of
81 members. OF these never more
than so have gone on the road. But
Strauss music cannot be played by
less than G7, and it was finally ar
ranged to bring that number It
will be the largest orchestra that
ever went on tour.
Morgantown will be the only place
ia winch Richard Strauss aud his