New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-03
fAddress delivered the celebration OF Founders Day
In the Carnegie Institute that city last week by
II. f. krehbiei.

Ladies ano Gentlemen: Let confess at the
outset that my purpose with you is one of present
and pressing and local concern. Three consdera-
lions bid be frank: 1t Is wearisome TO listen to
q speaker who does not early in his discourse give
a clew TO his purpose, and would not weary you;
il was wise custom in the days of the old AGA
oemicians 10 begin discourse with definition, or
Is many definitions were necessary TO put their
subjects in clear highland / fain would emulate
the serious and the wise; the maintenance of a
high true and pure standard Of musical culture is
a matter that has enlisted my heart, hand and
voice for more than generation of labor at the
newspaper desk and the platform-and l come TO
present that matter as an urgent duty
munity which will not be true to itself and the
monuments of culture with which we are here sur
rounded If II neglects it. 1 come to plead the
Of the nobIest most eloquent and most potent
Of all cultural agencies in music: / come to ask
you let the Pittsburg Orchestra perish. /
see the questions which involved here from
point view which accessible to all of you
it is to me-let say that without vainglory;
and let with becoming modesty and humility as
of your townsInen. ask. YOU to mount with
me for a brief space ts the observation tower
which professional occupation in the American
metropolis has reared for
The musical season which has just closed in New
York was in many respects remarkable one but
in nothing more noteworthy than in the contrast
presented 20 the studious and serious minded OBJ
server by of its spectacles. For more than
twenty weeks an admired form Of entertainment
held sway theatres, both spacious and splen-
did in their appointments. Six times each week at
one house. FIVE times the other representations OF
grand opera given with opulent display OF
stage furnishings and lavish enlistment of artistic
forces Keen competition between astute managers
well conductors and singers Of lovely gifts
evoked astonishing performances on the stage and
equally astonishing exhibitions in the audience
Into the Golfers n the opera houses the peo-
pie of New York poured at least million and
half Of dollars and night after night thousands tes
titled frenetically to the sensuous pleasures pro-
vided for them by the singers OF Messrs. Conried
and Hammerstein. The sensuous pleasures, said.
and wish the term TO be understood in fits best
acceptation so far Of the operas given were
concerned: to characterize the delight given by
others yol may substitute the ignobler word Of kim
dred sound. Even if l not pleading the cause
Of loftier and more uplifting form would he
undutiful TO my conscience did / not say 10 you
that the prevalent tendency of latter day opera is TO
me abhorrent Its spirit is exhalation of intel
1ecJual. aesthetic and moral anarchy; spirit which
desires idealsm outraged. sacred unngs ridi-
culed high conceptions Of beauty and duty dragged
into gutter and ueliness brutality and bestial
ity placed upon a pedestal ostensbly under the
plea that all things which belong human nature
subjects artistic representation (Which,
protest. is not true. but really crafty con-
Stunning thirst for things hot III mouth. to give
quick and radical change from the mad manner
OF our Dorkaday life 4; a vicious thirst and
deplora5le, but il has to plead in justifica-
ton Of its existence thin the vulgar vanity, the
PEELED thousands throng opera houses in af-
fected pursuit of artistic ideals which beyond
their ken and out of the range q their honest at
fections.