Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-24
Musical

UHE most difficult Of all problems
for musicians, says n writer In the
II New York Post. is TO persuade
men to attend their entertainments.
Too many men, especially in this coun-
try, still cling to the foolish notion that
music is a mere accomplishment not
much above the level Of dancing. They
should ponder the remarks of one of the
most eminent Of British statesmen.
Arthur BalfOur at the last Welsh Els
teddfod held in London. There cannot
be, he said, greater gift to any pcoula
than music. There cannot be a gift
which carries with il higher pleasures
pleasures moro easy Of attainment
pleasures which have no afterstiug and
no after-taste of evil. but which raise
and must raise the whole level Of civil
lied pleasure among the people who
practice them. Music knows no national
barriers. Music is not the subject Of the
barriers which unhappily beset Ian
guagcs. 1t speaks to men of all races
of all tongues, Of all nationalities in
tOncS understood Of all and i'm Ian
guage which appeals more Immediately
and more directly to the imagination
than perhaps any other Of the arts
More than this music Is, i'm the true
sense of that much-abused word, the
most democratic OF all the arts. Pic
lures are apt TO be the luxury of the
rich. They cannot have any univcs-
salty. Put them even in galleries omen
to all; they are not painted for gal
leries; they are not in their original
setting; they lose, and they must lose
something by the very fact that they
are merely gazed upon by q stream Of
passersby. They are not lived with as
pictures ought to be. Music is subject
to no such limitations. Music does not
pay death duties. We have not to find
G8OOOO to prevent music going out of
the country, We have not TO consider
whether the foreign millionaire will not
absorb all our works Of art as time goes
on. Music is of the. people"
s.
The monthly pupils recital Of the De
Chauvenet Conservatory Of Music will
occur Saturday afternoon at o'clock in
the studio rooms on South FiguerOa
street. Besides interesting selections
by the pupils, Prof. de Chauvenet will
execute his own "Rhapsodie SymphC-
nique," and Nine. de Chauvenet will
sing Massenets Air of Salome." The
odore Thomas will play De Chauvenets $
"Valse Chromatique." The recital is
open to the public.
Signor LucChesi has severed his con-
nection with the Van Stein academy
and will devote his time to private pu-
pills on vocal, pianoforte and compost
ton. He is giving the last touches to
his opera "Marquise de Pompadour."
and will start TO orchestrate it next
month. Arrangements are being made
to have it performed in New York next
spring.
The Rock Island railroad began this
month to furnish grand opera and con-
cert music as special form of enter
tainment for passengers on the Rocky
Mountain limited. running between
Chicago and Denver and now there is
a movement on foot to induce the west
ern railroads to extend this service
through to Salt Lake and the Pacific
coast.
The Rock Island has been a leader in
providing comfort and amusement fea-
lures for its patrons, having for a time
served tea in the drawing room cars
Of the Rocky Mountain limited. This
read is also known to have provided a
pastor for the accommodation of those
wishing to be married on its trains,
hut so far as known no judge has ever
granted a divorce hearing while trav
cling on the road.
s.
Composers of all countries are invited
to compete for the $3.50 to be paid by
the directors of the imperial Russian
court ballet of St Petersburg for the
best original ballet. to be used on tour
next spring. The music must be sent
ir before next December.
A company of italian children are
singing the operas La Sonnambula,"
lie Barbera" and the "Geisha" in Lon
don this season. This is decidedly
unique, and they are getting a great
share of London's patronage.
c,ox,,I,,foI, I,oc Gov eo,-oroI ,-oo &c
past made her home in Berlin. although
she has spent ubt a few weeks there
each season. Now that the prima donna
has moved to Switzerland, it will be
far easier for her to reach the noun
tains in which she takes her summer
exercise. 1t is to her six weeks spent
each year in mountain climbing that
Nine. Sembrich attributes her splendid
health.
While visiting Lausanne last autumn
completing arrangements fcr the fur
nishing of her new home, the prima
donna stopped at the postoffice one day
for her mail. Being unknown to the
postmaster she was told it would be
necessary for her to prove her identity.
Having no means Of doing so, she re-
sorted to feminine suasion:
Pm Nine Sembrich, the singer" she
pleaded.
But the postmaster was obdurate.
"That may be true, madame said he,
"but you must prove it,
But howe" she demanded.
The postmaster shook his head.
Suddenly Nine. Sembrich had an in
spiration. without warning she eston-
ished the official by bursting into
ia Traviata" The few persons in the
little postoffice turned in amazement,
while the astonished postmaster viewed
her in silent wonder. Without another
word he handed out the coveted letter,
and bowed Nine. sembrich to her car
riage.