The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-02-01
Music.

ropolitan opera house for us?"
This is the question that New York
music lovers and those others who
make the grand opera an excuse for
a gorgeous exhibition of precious
stones, are anxiously asking each other.
For Maurice Grau has announced that
he will withdraw for a year. Season
after season he has borne patiently
with those little indisposftions" that
make great singers such uncertain
qualities, but now the great impress
ario's nerves have given out and he
must take a rest. Who will succeed
him? That is the question of moment.
Charles Frohman has been suggested,
and Walter Damrosch and Jean de
Reszke, but no,Ac Of these have sug-
geSted themselves. Indeed, it is said
that the great dramatic manager, Mr..
Frohman, has said very plainly that
he does not want it. De ResZke shrugs
his shoulders and says nothing. Mr..
Damrosch says nothing He does not
even shrug his shoulders. But plenty
of other impresarios would like the po-
sition. 1t is asserted that a woman
is an applicant for it. She speaks
(not over her name, hoWever) for the
position in the musical columns of a
New York paper. Woman" she says,
has suddenly shot into prominence
in every other branch Of musical ac-
music, she conducts orchestras. Why
shouldn't she manage opera companies?
The next paragraph contains little,
viperish touch that emphasizes the sex
of the applicant. I'VE are more eco
nom1cal than men, more intuitive," she
says, in fact, we have all the talents
necessary for good mana cement. We
would put up with no nonsense from
the prima donnaS when they are sud
denly indisposed,' and I am quite posi-
tive we could drive a much better
bargain than all the men managers put
together
Fancy the Grau songbirds being
forced to-Warble because of the relent-
less probings of such a manag Sure
ly they would fly away to SUMMER
chimes. The vicious bit in the appliea-
ton calls attention to woman's inhu-
mainly to woman. She can pity mis-
fortune but seldom pardons success.
Apparently this female impresario
means ito take it out" on the unfor-
tunate songstresses, If the opportunity
presents itself. Luckily for the prima
donnas, however, it is not probable
that woman will be chosen to fill the
coveted position.
The history of the Requiem to be
sung by the st. Paul Choral club at
the Peoples church Thursday even
ing, Feb. IL, reads most interestingly
The Liberia Me" was written original
ly for a requiem projected in honor
of Rossini, Verdi having suggested
that Italian composers unite in this
tribute to Rossini's memory. But the
completed work lacked cohesiveness
and was of uneven merit, Sc the matter
was quietly dropped. But the examiner
had been SO strongly impressed with
the merits of Verdis portion that he
requested him to compose the whole
requiem. When completed it was given
in honor of Manzoni, a dear friend
OF the composers and the founder of
the romantic school of romantic litera-
ture. The mass departs from ancient
tradition and is more properly cIassed
among the standard oratorios While
based upon sacred text, 1T is given
very free translation in the English,
in which language it will be sung in
the forthcoming concert. Four visiting
artists will be heard in the Requiem
Miss Shanna Cumming, Of New York,
is the soprano; Miss Jessie Lynde Hop
kins, the contralto; Edward Strong,
tenor. and DR.. Carl Duff, hasso.
There is rather a dearth of good lee
turers nowadays. The magazines
doubtless are to blame for this, for they
are quick 10 seize the best that a man
or woman has to offer to literary
public and send it forth to their read
ers between the covers of their period
1cal. 1t is the personal note, Of course,
that makes the lecture delightful. Mrs.
Charles w. Rhodes, who is to lecture
in st. Paul under the auspices of the
Schubert club, next Monday evening is
said to be woman of most attractive
presence and address. She has paid
particular attention to the cultivation
of her voice which, while far reaching,
Is sweet and low. Her lecture prom
ises to call out the literary as well as
the musical set, for Wagner was
great dramatist as we'll as a great mu-
sician. Mrs. Rhodes will include in
her lecture sketch of the life of Wag-
ner and description of the theater
at Bayreuth which Wagner built for
the production of his operas.
Edouard De ResZke has been engaged
for the spring tour OF Duss' Metropoli
tan Opera House orchestra, and will
have as an associate artist Nine. Nor
dica.
This aggregation makes a flying trip
during the month of May as far west as
Denver and in that short time includes
nearly every city of Importance east
of the Rocky Mountain metropolis.
1t has been the desire of Mr.. Duss
for number of years to have an or
chestra instead of a band, and at the
first opportunity that presented he
Metropolitan Opera House orchestra in
its entirety.
Miss Maude Leekley, the contralto
who sang the role Of Alan a Dale in
the opera of Maid Marian played by
the Bostonians last week, was formerly
a pupil of Mrs. Norman Nash McFacz
If off h g
sung with the Boston Lyric company
and with the Castle Square Opera
company.
Schumann- Heink may, after all, be
heard in st. Paul. The Y. M. c. A.
is making arrangements for the con-
cert which will probably be given at
contralto" aroused great enthusiasm
when she appeared here in a recital two
seasons ago. st. Paul music lovers
will have reason to rejoice if the Y.
NJ. c. AS negotiations are successful.
The regular monthly musical service
will be given at the Church of st. John
the Evangelist Portland avenue and Kent
street, this evening at 1880, by the vested
ooF q MY Fsrc goIEsS o9eP the de e
master. The selections sung by the choir
will all be by the great composer Gounod.
among which will be the. anthems, by
Lovely Appear and "UnfoldI Ye Por-
tails" (from 1.-THE Redemption and
1.-The Sanctus" from the Messe Solenelle.
II. E. Phillips will sing 20 Divine Re-
deemer." The seats are all free at these
services.
Four of the vocal pupils of Miss Jennie
Pinch, III. G. Palmer and ]. H. Mason,
tenors and ]. p. Jett Jr. and H. G. Ire,
-gillus, baritones, presented the following
musical programme at studio recital
given by Miss Pinch last evening: