New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-11
THE WEEKLY CALENDAR
3. S. CONVERSE.

6unday-Carnegie Hall. 3 p. m, recital of piano
forte music by Josef Lhevinne; Metropolitan
opera House 80 p m, popular opera con-
cert; Hall Of the Institute Of Musical Art,
and violin by Mr.. and Mrs David Names;
H fPBS9ro Toe SSO r m concert by Victor
recital by Yvette Guilbert.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Opera House. D m.
Italian opera, lie Nozze Of Figaro; Wal
dorf $3.50 p. H. concert for charity.
Tuesday-MetropoHtan Opera House. 80 2. m
German opera, "G6tterdammerung': Men
oelssohn Hall ?. H. song recital by
Charles W. Clark; Hotel Majestic, p. rn
concert OF chamber music by the Mendels-
SOM Trio; Broadway Tabernacle. p. m,
tTee concert Of organ music by Walter c.
Gale.
Nednesday-Metropoltan Opera House, D. m
french opera Carmen; Association Hall.
Brooklyn. D. m. lecture on the programme
OF the Boston Symphony Orchestra by Louis
{. Elson; Holy Trinity Church, Brooklyn.
4:lb ,: N, free organ recital by Samuel A
Baldwin.
Thursday-Carnegie Hall. Sis p. m concert by
the Boston Symphony Orchestra William
Gericke, conductor; Metropolitan Opera
House, $50 ?. m German opera, "Hansel
und GreteI"; Cooper Union Hall. Sis .. H.
concert OF the Peoples Symphony Society;
Church OF the Divine Paternity. p. m, free
organ recital by J. Warren Andrews
neutrality-suspicious. Opera House. S ?. m. Ital-
ian opera, La GiocOnda"; Grand Central
Palace, S;l5 p. m. concert Of the People
Symphony Society; College Hall. recital by
Karl Grienauer. viOIoncelo; Baptist Tenn
PIE. Brooklyn. Sis ?. m concert Of the
Boston Symphony Orchestra
ssturdAy-Carnegie Hall. 2:sO p ul- concert of
the Boston Symphony Orchestra; SIS p. m,
concert OF the Russian Symphony Society:
Metropolitan Opera House, last day OF grand
opera p. m Italian opera, I'll Barbiere di
Siviglia" and "Tosca"; p. m, German
opera, 'Lohengrin"; National Arts Club S: 30
.. m. Manuscript Society concert
A critical expression Of what Mr. Wilhelm
Gerickes American activities have sgnified
during the years that he was at the head Of
Ar. Higgtnson's organization may be found else
where in tO-Gays issue Of this journal Here
we make room for few facts about his career.
Mr.. Gericke was the conductor who first carried
the Boston Orchestra's standard Of performance
high as 10 command the attention Of music
lovers all over the United States How he won
the opportunity be briefly told. On the even
ing Of October 20. 1884, Henry L Higginson the
founder Of the Boston Symphony Orchestra,
was # Vienna and attended q performance Of
AIDA" at the Imperial Opera House. The con-
ductor OF the performance was Wilhelm Gericke.
& mature musician, who had had experience at
the conductors stand IL concerts as well as
operas The next day there was interview
between the American banker and the GerTAan
musician and on the 22d il was arranged that
Mr.. GericBe should go to America the con-
dUctor OF the Boston Symphony Orchestra,
which Mr. Higginson had called into life, and
whose first conductor, Mr.. Henschel, had de-
cided 10 transfer the field Of his labOrs from
Boston 10 London. When Mr.. Henschel came
10 the front as the Boston orchestra's first
leader he was practically without experience
He learned the art enpirically but learned IL so
well IN three years that ne could establish him
self IN London al the head of series OF
years To the writer Of these notes ne said on
saying farewell in the summer OF 1854. that six
months Of his Boston experience with the or
chesrra had been Of more practical value 10 him
than six years Of labor in Europe.
Mr. Gericle came to Boston thoroughly
equipped drill master he had gone forth from
the Vienna Conservatory in 1865 and accepted at
once position as conductor in Linz. There he
remained until Vienna, in 1874 came 10 him with
an offer Of the second conductorship at the I'm
perial Opera. His associate and chief was
Hans Richter In 1880 he became conductor
also OF the Gesellschaftsconcerte and the Sing
verein- He was thus employed when Mr. Hig-
gibson brought him 10 Boston. Throughout his
first term Of 1--WE years he exercised absolute
sway the artistic side OF the orchestral
affairs. Desiring 10 reinforce the band with
young men Of unusual talent. ne brought all he
wished from Vienna and other European centres.
Thus came 10 Us Mr.. Kneisel Mr.. Roth, Mr.
Schroeder and many others whose names are Of
national repIte. IN everything Mr. Gericke
& complete Outnt Of viOllns of Niennese make
by means Of which Mr.. Gericke hoped Out IN
VainB secure greater hOmOgeneity IN the
quality Of the string-IOne Of the orchestra he
might have remained conductor Till now, but al
the end OF five wears he broken IN health
because OF The wear and tear on ms nervous
system and h declined reappolntment. he
returned Vienna. took q long rest, made an
extremely happy marriage, ana for a tune re-
suEned some Of the labOrs which he had put
aside IN favor Of his American engagement. He
again became conductor Of the concerts OF tle
Cfesellschaft der Musikfreunde, a post which had
been held by Brahms.
Nj Nikisah was Mr. Gericke's successor IN
Boston He came from Leipsic where ne was
for q time associated with Anton Sedl In the
direction OF the operas al the municipal theatre.
MI Nikisch did not serve out the term or MS
engagement and when he departed 70 become
conductor of the opera IL Budapest. Mr. Hisgih-
sons thoughts again turned 20 Mr.. Gericke.
Only an accident prevented him from coming 10
America IA the place Of Mr. Paur. II was ii
the summer vacation and Mr.. Higginson hau
practically concluded negotiations with him Dy
telegraph The signing Of the contract indeed
depended on p single cont agency. Mr. Geflche
wanted the assurance that The men Of the or
chestra Is well as Mr. Hgginson desired MS
return For this assurance he intended 10 wait