Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-03-08
The Musical World

By 0enevra Johna tone- Rlahor

America Plancon was intended for
mercantile career, but having peen an
enthusiastic singer from the age OF
years he reoelled against the decision
of his parents after having served a
short time in a fashionable store In
Paris. Theodore Ritter, the pianist,
heard him sing and was so delighted
with the beauty of it he advised him to
turn his attention to music, ana
through his influence Plancon was ad-
mitted to the Ecole Duprez. This step
was the means of mourning severe dis
pleasure from his family. Plancon
made his first appearance In Les
Huguenots" at Lyons as st. Bris. IN
1888 he returned to Paris and MADE MS
debut there at the Grand opera house
as Mephisto in Faust" part IN
which he excels. Other roles In which
this artistic basso has created the
chief parts are Francois I In Saint
Saens' "Ascanio," Don Gomez in Mas
senet's LIE Cid" and Pittacus in Gou-
mods "Sapho."
Plancon was born in the Ardennes,
but since he entered the musical pro-
fession he makes his home in Paris
Nth his parents, whose objections were
disarmed by his great success His
voice is a more refined voice than De
Reszl<e and his work artistic and fin
ished. He has never married
Julius Stockhausen was one of the
most remarkable singers of the CEN
fury. He was born in Paris in 1926.
The rich beauty of a noble voice, ar
tistic phrasing, great sympathy ana
intelligence all combined to make him
a wonderful artist For many years
Stockhausen has been one of the CHIEF
vocal teachers of Germany and re-
Gently celebrated his golden wedding
to the musical profession which he en-
tered in 1S4S. His early career was of
varied nature, for he took part In
concerts as singer, violinist, accom-
PIANIST and even played the drums. He
made his first appearance in oratorio
In 1S4S singing Elijah in perform
ance at Basic, and his great success
decided his future career. A writer
says "Stockhausen's singing in his best
days must have been wonderful. Even
to those who heard him only after he
had passed his prime 1t was something
never to be forgotten" His delivery
of opera and oratorio music was SUI
perb In taste, feeling and execution.
but il was the "Lieder" of Schubert
and Schumann that most peculiarly
suited him. and these he delivered in
a truly remarkable way. think he Is
still living In Frankfurt-on-the-Ma Main.
Myron w. Whitney, one of the great
est of American bassos, was born In
1886 at Ashbury. Mass. Mr.. Whitney
decided at an early age to follow a
musical career. For ten years he sang
in concerts and then went to italy,
where he studied with Vannucini and
later in London under Randegger. He
then made n tour of Great Britain. and
at the Birmingham festival sang the
role of Elijah in such a manner as to
make an immediate reputation for HIM
self IN England. He has retired from
the field now, but is dearly beloved by
all American people. The writer has
had the pleasure of singing many ora
,torios with this superb artist and his
reputation in his native land as a man
and an artist is unexcelled. He had a
superb. rich, powerful voice. which,
under lone and careful training, be-
came flexible and even and extended
nearly three octaves. Mr.. Whitney
sang In light opera for years. but ex-
celled in oratorio. He also gave an in
terpretation Of the king in "Lohen-
erin under the baton of Theodore
company was foated. which Is said to
have been finer than any heard in this
country IT that time. Mr.. Whitney OF
late wears lives near Boston with his
family. doing some teaching. He has
two sons both singers and both now
teaching in Boston.
Newt Sundays article will speak OF
van DN-h. hioA q Noi CIV
All Young girls who are eager to
learn to sing ought to be deeply inter-
ested in Nine Blauvelt's remarks made
recently as follows: "There are many
reasons why should advise all young
Girls to learn to sing; not the least inn
nortant is that 1t is good for the ply
steal health. I have known many
person to have been saved from con-
sumption by a course of singing les
sons. for they need to establish the
correct use OF the voice as well as
stimulate the natural love OF music.
In every one there is a germ of power
TO appreciate the finest music, and
The easiest way to express that appre-
citation is with the voice. All are
,apable of being taught to sing-to
express spontaneously the finer emo
tons.
II said all are capable of learning to
sing but to this / make one excep-
ton The person whose ear is physi-
rally defective not only should not try
TO learn singing, but cannot learn. In
regard to this I recall an incident told
TO me by Nine. Fursch-Madi. She
knew young woman who had most
beautiful voice, but she could only not
carry q tune but when she made any
approach to accomplishing 1t she al
ways sang off the pitch. She had a
scientiously but she was almost in de-
spair At last by the advice of Nine.
Fursch- Madi she consulted an aurist.
He made a thorough examination of
her ears and discovered that there was
some malformation in her inner ear.
The sound waves as they struck the
drum produced wrong Impressions.
She sang just as she heard, which was
incorrectly. She gave up singing and
devoted herself to the piano. AS she
aad the notes to guide her she was not
dependent on her ear, and So while her
singing was failure her music was q
success and today she ranksyas one OF
he leading pianists in Europe.
1T am a great believer in slow,
healthy, consistent development. There
Is no royal road to learning, and 1t Is
,nly by diligent study and incessant
work that one is able to grasp the inner
meanings of harmony. With musical
intelligence, artistic sensibility and per-
severance it is almost possible to
create a voice. Then, too, the taste Is
improved by contact with what Is ele-.
yated and refined, and the power to
EXPRESS the souls emotions is gradually
developed"
Blauyelt's concert in this city will be
March 20, at Simpson auditorium, and
The program follows:
Der Hirt Auf Dem Felsen" (SchuberD,
Nine. Blauvelt; Mr.. Rosenthal, celiist; Miss
Kellogg, pianist
Hungarian Rhapsodie.' "copper". Mr.,
Rosenthal.
Aria from ''Rodelina'' (Iandel); CHERRY