Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-14
MUSICAL MENTION

Iu " ~ l. " u ~ LII ~ IN L l. " 4S
The extensive preparations for the pre-
sentation of a complete cycle of Beethoven
nine symphonies and other of his works,
which are to be given in a series of live
concerts by the Philadelphia Orchestra in
the American Academy of Music, Philadel-
phia, this month, are nearing completion.
Arrangements have just been made where
by the Mendelssonn Club, one Of the larg-
est and strongest choral societies in Phil
adelphia, Is to take the vocal score in the
great ninth symphony, the rendition or
which will, by a strange coincidence, take
place on the seventy seventh anniversary
of Beethoven's death.
The nine symphonies have been so ar.
ranged by Fritz Scheel, conductor of the
orchestra, that they will be heard to the
best possible advantage The concerts VIII
take place ON the evenings of March 20, Il.
"a, % and 20, and each will be preceded
by lecture the program next to be
played, the whole cycle being prefaced with
a lecture on Beethoven and His SYM
phonies'' by Mr.. H. Z. Krehbiel of New
York.
This is the first time in the musical his
tory of America that such an undertaking
has been planned, and the project is at
tracing widespread attention both from
musicians and educators throughout the
country. Many musical centers outside of
Philadelphia will be represented at all the
concerts.
Mr.. Rafael Joseffy will have a special
class for teachers only at the National
Conservatory of Music Of America (founded
by Mrs Jeanette M. Thurber) during the
months of May and June, for the purpose
of making them familiar with his ideas in
MS recently published work School Of
ready included in the list of studies in the
Vienna Conservatory of Music.
Applicants should send in their names at
commodated. Address the secretary, the
National Conservatory of Music of Amer
ica 12s East 18th street, New York city.
have resumed rehearsals of the comedy.
entitled "Dora's Strategem," the produc-
ton of which has been delayed by the i'll
ness of one of the ladies of the company.
Mr.. r. F. ODonoghue, formerly member
of the late Augustin Days Company, New
York, is now directing the rehearsals with
the following competent cast: Peter Pop
kins an old bachelor Mr. R. F. O'Don-
oghue: DR.. Bentley young physician, Mr..
ID. E. Council; Miss Simpkins, an old maid,
Miss Elizabeth Lyons; Dora Curtis her
niece, Miss Erminie 1. Beatty
Last Wednesday afternoon Sig Guard
abassi, the well-known baritone of New
YORK, sang at tea given by the Countess
NdSSlul dl the RUSSIAN embassy. He gave
quite varied program of songs in five
dinerent languages. Mr.. Theodore Hansen,
the first secretary of the Russian embassy
played Mr.. Characteristics accompaniment
and also gave a piano solo. Mr.. Guard
abassi sang in excellent form and was
spiendidly received.
The public often hears strange stories
about the fabulous salaries paid operate
stars for appearing before the footlignts
Tor about thirty minutes, the time occupied
In dressing, &c, being, of course, thrown
In. These amounts are undoubtedly exas-
gerated, but 1t Is a fact that the services
or musicians and singers were never valued
as highly as they are at present. 1t seems
to make no difference whether a man is a
singer or player, If he is at the top he
can command his salary. The star
pianist can make as much money as the
star tenor. A case in point is that of
well-known society woman in certain
western city who thought few weeks ago
that she was on the point of securing the
services of Ossip Gabrilowitsch, who was
booked to play in that city, and the an
nouncement OF his coming caused quite a
futter, so much so that the lady decided
that 1t would be very smart thing TO
engage the talented pianist for a private
recital, She inviting fifty or sixty of the
-FOUR hundred, and thus making her footing
In society more secure. Correspondence
was opened, and in answer to the query, If
MI Gabrlowitsch could be secured for a
private recital on a certain night the. an
sWer came back YES" The lady was de-
lighted, for all that remained in her opln-
ION was to accept his terms. GabrilowItsch
mas shrewd manager, and soon con-
tract was sent on for signature. 1t was the
nrst intimation as to the price and the
services OF specialist in cases Of heart
trouble was necessary in one mansion
when the lady discovered that she had
practically contracted to pay 81 600 for one
hours entertainment. even though the en-
tertainer Is undoubtedly destined to be.
come as great In his profession as any
a ytalNI Tk l.
less to say the affair was postponed"
Miss Katie v. Wilson has secured Edouard
DE Reszke, the great basso of the Metro-
politan Opera Company, to sing here Nav
z His appearance will undoubtedly be the
event or the season unsteady. Already
great interest Is being manifested. and
boxes have been sold to Baltimore and
New York people who will come especially
to hear him.
Carroll Institute choir had another en-
1oyable rehearsal on Wednesday evening
last. The soloists were Messrs VIM A.
Graham, Cy Cummings and ]. Cassin How
ard.
The male portion of the Washington
Opera Club under the direction of Profs
II. p. SALESMAN and William de Ford, gave
another creditable performance of Pima
fore" Wednesday evening in aid Of the
Pythian fair fund. In the cast were r.
William Ernst. ]. Harry Stevens, James w.
Fainter; Alfred Terry. Charles E. Bell.
VIII Belshaw and Warren Furgerson. The
club Is rehearsng Patience"
The Leavitt Quartet Qadies) loses a valu-
able member In Miss Melissa Belle Farrell.
who resigned this week AT the solicitation
OF her many musical friends who sought to
dissuade her from accepting the place of
second soprano. She has strong rich
voice OF fine compass which places her In
the first rank Of amateur soloists
The Seriousness Of Glowing.
Francis Wilson In the Chicago Record Herald
LauRhm aking Is a serious nrnnosition II