The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-13
THE RICHMOND. SUNDAY,

ried. tho old Queen would never per-
NIT her to be asked to sing again at
any Of her state concerts. 1t Is known
that Patti felt keenly this tac,t re-
proach which the Queen was tho only
sovereign In Europe to intlict on her
But while her guests missed tho mr.
tistic treat which they would have de-
rived from PATHS singing. the appear
ance OF fair artistic on the program
OF ono OF the state concerts at Buck
ingham Palace became a sort OF royal
patent OF responsibility. 1t Is prob
able that King George and Queen Mary
will follow the example OF his grand
mother In this matter.
At Continental courts they have
somewhat different manner OF main
tanning respectability on the part of
distinguished nrtistes. If the private
life OF the latter Is above public re-
proach. they receive the honorary title
OF royal or imperial "Artistes dc Cham
bre." or kammersaenger, which CAR
ries with 1t n badge. II their private
life gives offense. they forfeit the title
and rs a mark of royal disapproval.
though it docs not necessarily follow
that the illustrious pcrsonages con-
ccrned will deprive themselves OF the
pleasure of listening 20 their music.
vocal or instrumental.
The arrangements with the artists
at the state concerts at Buckingham
Palace are left entirely in the hands
or the master of the Kings music"
whose 400 years old office in the royal
household Is now held by Sir Walter
Parratt The accompaniments are
provided by the Kings band. who
wear for the occasion dark blue vel
vet-faced coats, knee breaches. black
silk stockings and white wa.stcoats
the permanent employ of the King
but well-known professional must
clans. who receive small retaining
fee. about $3.50 TO $500 n year, In re-
turn for which the sovereign has the
first call on their services, and they
are Obliged to attend at whatever
royal residence the King may desire
They are thirty-four in number, and
there is one woman among them. who
plays the harp.
Sir Walter. their chief. who has
since he became organist OF St
Georges Chapel. at Windsor, more
than thirty years ago, has an official
residence In the castle, besides Il suite
of apartments at Buckingham Palace
He is a very busy man. for he ar
ranges the music for and conducts at
all the royal baptisms. contlrma lions,
weddings. funerals and commemora-
ton services. He prcsides and directs
the Kings band. which performs af-
ter dinner-bnt not during dInner-as
Sir Walter is always very careful to
point out lie of!ciatcs at the organ
in ST. Georges Chapel when the court
is in residence there. or in tie pri-
vatc chapel In buckingham Palace, and
has in his charge the wonderful and
uurivalcd musical library of that pal
ace Some OF It's greatest treasures.
including eighty volumes of flanders
works, in his own handwriting. ana
many other interesting and unique
musical manuscripts, have hcen loan
ed at his instance BY the King to the
British Museum, in London. whore they
are within reach OF students.
Sir Walter is man OF much hun,or
and rcpartcc. and possessed Of a most
marvellous musical memory. While on
a visit to Sir Frederick Ouseley. at
Tcnbury. Sir Walter was invited TO
Join party of some eight or ten stu
dents at St Michaels College, who
were spending tho evening together,
music and chess being among the d.
versions provided. Sir Walter was
challenged to pit himself In @ game OF
chess against two of the company
playing in consultation, while he re-
manned at the piano and played the
game and instrument from memory.
he accepted. Then, dcspite every pos
sible distraction, he played Bach,
Mozart. Beethoven and Chopin from
memory. and at the same time won the
game Of chess, without once seeing
the board
Copyright. 1913, by the Brentwood
Company