The Washington herald., 1906-10-29
MTLLTONAIRES TO sing
Chorus of Rich Men Coming
Here from Vienna.
CHOIR INCLUDES A PRINCE
Most Exclusive Society In Europe to
Sing Before the President-Wiil Be
the Guests of the Washington
Saengerbund Next May-sang Be-
fore British King and Queen.

Composed OF d prince. count and 900
members. fifty of whom arc miliionaires'
and not one Of them worth less than
half million, the Wiener N9ennergesang
Verein, or Vienna male choir, will make
its appearance in this city in May, 1857,
10 render a~song concert before the Pres
dent, and to give a public concert at one
Of the theaters in this city.
The Washington saengerbund, whose
guests the Vienna millionsires Win be
while IN lhis city, has received 4 letter
from the Vienna society accepting the
Invitation of the Washington society 10 be
their guests. An elaborate programme
for the entertainment Of the distinguished
visitors IS contemplated
This most remarkable Of all vocal or
CARNATIONS in the world last summer
sang before King Edward Of England
and London audiences went en- nasse TO
be sung 70 by millionaire threats. whose
owners aggregate wealth was something
ike $SJo.C00 coo. Waen in England. King
Edward was q delighted listener 10 their
music. and Queen Alexandra herself cali
ed for several enCores.
Many Are Composers.
Though ii is strange that this wonder
ful choir should largely be composed of
millionaires. it is stranger still that they
really can sing. Every member is per-
fectly trained musician; in fact. nearly
every one Is a composer.
No one-u0 matter how much money
he might command-can become a member
of the Vienna choral society unless he be
a genuine musician. Each person, be-
fore being admitted 70 membership. must
pass rigid preliminary examination and
undergo the most difficult musical tests.
even when the late Herr Krupp. whose
daughter got married two weeks ago,
wished 10 Join the choir-with which be
was associated for many years-his vast
wealth PLAYED little part In his accept
ance By the committee Of selection He
always was one Of the most assiduous
and Woodworking members Of this So
ciety. and & was bis splendid loyalty ana
enthusiasm that placed the choir where
It Is to-day
they have for many years devoted
particular attention 10 the cultivation u
church music Every summer they give
rublic concerts in the Vienna parks and,
besides these eutertaiuments-stip uiated
for In the statutes Of the Organization
they give many other recitals- They al
ready nave performed IN Grand concerts
ia times, TO say nothing OF the hundreds
or other appearances Of O minor charae-
! ter. A position in the famous choral So
cietv is considered a great honor on the
continent, and several members OF the
austrian Parliament are among its nleH1-
bers.
Sings Before Kings.
So much distinction has the choir Won
that the Emperor OF Austria has often
/ commanded il 10 sing before him, and
on al state and municipal occasions its
I services are requisitioned. At the invita-
( tioH OF Prince Metternich some years ago.
the choir sang before the Duchess Of
Kent. mother Ct the late Queen Victoria
/ and ia 1851 they were invited 10 assist
at the musical festival on the occasion Of
T q visit from Napoleon III 10 Austria.
/ On the twenty-ffth anniversary Of the
choir Emperor Francis Joseph presented
+ Il a magnificent banner, inscribed in
/ letters Of gold: Franz Josef ZUm Wiener
/ Maenaergesang Verein." On the fiftieth
anniversary OF the choir wonderful
/ musical pageant was held in honor OF the
company This was attended by the En-
/ peror of Austria, the King OF SaXCuy, and
other royal notabiities. while delegates
from musical societies from all parts OF
the world attended the ceremonies A
noteworthy feature OF the organization is
the fact that all the money they make in
ali their various concerts IS devoted 10
charitable purposes They already have
contributed over $-59,o5o 70 hospitals.
IA
This organization was founded IN 1913
/ the idea originating with Dr.. August
Schmidt. one Of the best known musical
| editors and critics in Europe. Beginning
/ with only thirty members, the choir soon
attracted the attention Of musicians
throughout Europe. and many famous
! composers Joined its ranks. So high was
the standard Of excellence that the choiE
soon won for itself recognition from the
most distinguished composers of the day,
/ Schumann. Meyerbeer, Mendelss0hn, List
1 Wagner BruckneT. Johan Strauss, and
other famous musicians have actually
dedicated certain OF their compositions to
the choir. Several of these composers
were honorary members OF the society of
singing millionaires-
/ one Of the most important works under
taken by the choir has been the per-
petuation of the memory OF famous com
posers. In the "Stadtpark," or principal
park of Vienna, the choir erected in
1872 a magnificent marble monument TO
Franz Sehu cert; and the Schubert medal
also was founded for the purpose CT en-
cOuraglng male choral music.
Worth $500. OOO.O 900.
The following is Il list of some Of the
most prominent members, who win enjoy
the Saengerbund's hospitality, and the
amounts of their fortunes: NJ. c. Kalafati,
race horse owner. $16,00o0o0 Herr Moser,
portrait painter. $10.0o900o; Herr Antropp.
/ dnancier, SS500.0o0; Herr Schueiderhohn.
straw hat maker 900; Herr EngeI-
hardt, inventor, Se,5Jo,00O; Herr Dusch-
nitz. ropemakcr, $6.25o 600; Count Mems
dorff, S5,1o,Oo0; Herr Herrelfeld, paper
manufacture, S5.50o0o0; Herr Won Leon
hardt baker. $500. 600; Prince Schvenberg,
feudal lord. 5000 600; Herr Enrich, $,O59-
G1o
MI John Waldman, the president OF the
ISaengerbund, and its members, are highly
elated over their success in securing the
lMaennorchor's acceptance of the invita-
ton # the Washington Saengerbund.
DEED IS NOT YET SIGNED.