The San Francisco call., 1906-07-15

n
markable vocal organization
in the world. the Wiener Maennerge-
sang Nerein." or Vienna Male Choir,
which numbers Prince and a Count
among its members, but which is prin-
cipally composed of millionaires.
It is no eXaggeration to describe the
Vienna organization as a choir of mill
1ionaires," for among its 500 members
IL numbers more men Of wealth than
probably any other private company in
the world. One of its leaders. Herr
Krupp, Of the famous un-making firm,
IS worth s4O,O0O.0O0. at the lowest esti-
mate. while there are at least fifty
other members each OF whom claims
from one to ten millions in his own
right. AS q matter of fact, practically
every member is worth not less than
half a million, the majority being
nearer million than under it.
Here, for example, is a list Of some
OF the most prominent members of the
choir, together with the amounts Of
their fortunes:
Herr Krupp. gunmaker. $4,000. 600:
Herr Schneiderhohn, straw hat maker
S6.5Oo.00O: Herr Duschnitz. rope-maker.
$6,25O,00O; Count Metzdorf, S575OOOo
N c. Kalafati. racehorse owner. SI6.-
100000; Herr Herrenfeld. paper manu-
1acturer. s5,500.0O0; Herr Won Leon
hardt, baker, 5,000, 900; Prince Schven-
Ehrlich. s4,500,000; Herr Antropp,
sfnancier, sS,50O.O0O; Herr Engelhardt.
inventor, S6,500, 900: Herr Moser. por-
1rait painter, s10,5O0,OO0
One dozen singers. total 5000 600;
average wealth per man. $1000O,000.
AS will be seen, however. the fore
going list comprises only members of
the Vienna choir who are men worth
more than 100000.
II gives a most pleasing sensation
TO be sung TO by a millionaire. At
iEarPs Court recently thousands of Lon
doners gladly paid fifty cents a head
TO listen TO an aggregate vocal wealth
OF something like s30o,00o.OO0. and the
literally golden notes were so much ap-
preciated that encores came thick and
fast. Moreover, the men of wealth
seemed most anxious for public ap-
proval, for they responded to their calls
with great alacrity showing thereby
that musical fame was indeed dearer
70 them than money. Indeed. it was
said by one Of the millionaires, Herr
Ehrlich, that the money kings were
musicians first and millionaires after
ward. and that had they not been inde-
pendently wealthy they would have
been professional musicians.
MUSIC ABOVE DOLLARS.
The opulent singers are known all
over Europe as the Musical Million /
aires" Everywhere they go, and they
travel extensively throughout the Con-
tinent, they are welcomed in truly
regal style. They have the entree at
most Of the European courts. and their /
audiences frequently include kings and
emperors. When in England recently /
King Edward was delighted listener
10 their music. and Queen Alexandra
herself called for several encores. Her
Majesty, who is a musician Of no mean
l.
pany, so much so that she caused per-
sonal messages Of respect TO be sent'l
10 several whose voices Impressed her
most favorably. At their last perform
ance, before leaving England. they
were listened 70 by the Duchess of
Manchester, Mrs. Leopold Rothschild,
Prince Francis Of Teck and hosts Of So
ciety folks. They covered themselves
with glory and the musical critics
raved over them.
Though IL is strange that this won
derful choir should be largely COM
posed Of millionaires. it is stranger still
that they really can sing. No one, no
matter how much money he may com
mand, can become attached to this
Vienna. choral society unless he be a
genuine musician. Each person, before
being admitted TO membership, must
pass q rigid preliminary examination
and undergo the most difficult musical
/
required TO read music at first sight.
and his vocal qualities must be of the
very highest order.
Even when Herr Krupp wished to
5oin the choir. with which he has now
been associated many years. his vast
wealth played little part in has ac-
ceptance by the committee Of selec-
tion. He had to undergo severe ex-
animation and his voice. which is a
very rich one, was tested in every pos
sible way Herr hrupp is one of the
most enthusiastic members of the as
sociation. He comes forward on every
occasion and pays far more than his
interests OF the company.
It might be thought, as most of the
members Of the Vienna choir are mill
lionaires. that they would run things
practically to suit themselves, taking
as much time on as they felt inclined
20 DO and not working unless the spirit
moved them. This is far from being
the case. AS a matter Of fact, members
when at home are most diligent in their
studies and meet regularly once a |
week, and sometimes oftener. for prac-
tice.
Their duties at home are very serious. 1
They have for many years devoted par
ticular attention TO the cultivation of
church music. Every summer they-I
give public concerts in the Vienna
parks, and besides these entertain
ments, stipulated for in the statutes of
the organization, they give many other
recitals They have already performed 1
in grand concerts 775 times, to say
nothing of the hundreds of other ap-
pearsnces Of minor character.
HoNORED BY COMPOSERS.
A position in the famous choral So
ciety is considered a great honor on
the Continent and several members of 4
hte Austrian Parliament are among its ]
chief singers Others of its members I
move in the highest ranks of society 4
And yet the inner organization OF the 4
choir is a democracy in every sense of
the word.
Wherever the millionaire choristers
so they have the best that the earth 4
in its fullness supplies. They invariably ]
stop at the swellest hotels, where their Z
entertainments are of such lavish char
acter that, as a rule, their sumptuous
arrangements attract as much atten-
tion as their musical programme.
When in London recently Herr Krupp /
gave a dinner to the members of the
choir at the Savoy Hotel The lower
portion of the hotel was converted for