New-York tribune., 1909-07-03
GLUCKS "ORFEO."
". Saint-Saens on the Composers s
Original Intentions.
Paris. June 70.

Paris June 26.
! NJ. Camille Saint-Sa9ns in Portraits ct
Souvenirs" brought out by the Librairie Cal
mann-Levy. gives his impressions of famous mu-
. siCians whom he knew The list includes Hector
Berlioz Franz List Charles Gounod, Victor
Masse. Georges Bizet, Louis Gallet and Anton
Rubinstein Interesting personal anecdotes are
related. and the chapters dealing with musical
criticism and the authors appreciatons of the
different effects obtained by harmony and by
melody-a subject treated by the composer Of
Samson and Dalila" some years ago IN sep
arate volume-are OF special value to amateurs of
. contemporary operatic music. Saint-Saens, who
is a fervent admrer OF the works of Click, sug-
gests that 'Orfeo'' should be given with tenor
singing the title role, in accordance with the
original score, which was altered to enable Nine
Viardot TO sing the part, which she did with trl-
umphant success. Mile. Ravant, the contralto
: who sings the part at the revival of the Opera
Comique during the present season, has con-
tnued the Viardot tradition with success, but
true lovers Of music viii probably agree with NJ.
Saint-Saens that it is due to Clicks memory TO
present the work as he composed it. Moreover
, the part. although exceedingly difficult, Is a
superb one for a really fine tenor.
correspondence entire Victor Hugo ct Paul
Meurice' with a preface by NJ Jules Claretie
published by FasqueIle, reveals to what a sur
prlSlDS extent INc genius OF Victor 11uSp ny p
Noticed masterful writer's, such as Auguste
Vacquerie and Paul Meurice, and shows how the
author of Les Chatiments" by pure force of Will
imposed his wishes upon his two friends and ad-
mirers. THE two towers of Notre Dame Cathe-
draI form the capital letter H of Victor Hugo's
name" writes Paul Meurice. Many of the let
ters pertain to business transactions. domestic
. concerns. journeys and personal matters. They
/ supply glimpses of the home life of the poet to-
gether with many of his fads and fancies. The
letters cover the period from 1881 to 1878
La Voix de FOiseau," novel by NJ. Henry
Morane, published by the Librairie Plon-Nour-
/ rit, is a love tale having for its heroine Miss
Daisy Harden an American operate singer
| The action passes in Paris. New York Pittsburg
and San Francisco. and presents vivid contrasts
between the ways and ideals Of the old and new
worlds The sharp-witted young prima donna
has traits which in turn suggest the notion that
the author may have had in mind Miss Marie
Van Zandt Miss Bessie Abott, Miss Mary Gar
! den Nine. Eames There IS a mult-miliion-
aire named Carnobie who PLAYS important
part in the story. which ends by the heroine
being killed in the San Francisco earthquake
! just she IS about to wed Frenchman per-
| sonifying French traditions and sentiment
NJ. Paul Marguerite. in La Lanterne Ma
! gique." presents a quiverful Of bright attrac-
tive snort stories replete with slices Of human
! life" giving rapid magic lantern shots rs It
were into the inside mechanisns Of hearts and
! souls OF smart folk of the day. NJ. Louis Le-
/ febvre, IN lie Couple Invinciblc," deals with
the threadbare subject Of the union libre" in
} fresh and original way. party comprising
| hundred French men and women. most Of whom
| are youngsters, is shipwrecked during voyage
! to South America and reaches a deserted but
! fertile island where it POUNDS colony. In their
( Robinson Crusoe life the young people evolve
! a society, in which marriage forms and family
customs take new shape. The book contains
| curious and daring ideas I. l. b.