Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-04-13

julius Benedict frequently tried to
lure him into opera. he remained true
to oratorio and the church. AS
glee singer he was considered unriv
allied -
Concerning Debussy's new pre-
ludes and his playing of them at a
concert in Paris, the English pianist.
Fanny Davies, wrote to the musical
critic Of the London Telegraph:
The Debussy group came second
in the program and I think it
worthy Of note that he ordered the
lid of the piano to be half-closed as
in ensemble playing. Then he arr:v-
ed, quite simply. with his music In
his hand. and after arranging it and
his chair he played three of his new
preludes deliciously, all perfectly
simple, in strict but never stif
rhythm, always flowing, but never
forced. His touch is beautiful, very
sonorous in Up. passages-it creates
an atmosphere of calm serenity. and
absence of all tuss-his tempt are
most moderate; in fact. he strictly
followed his own directions in each
case He has that "hineinlegen' in
the soft chords that Frau Schumann
always wanted, which carries the
chords into the air.
Melbourne has a new concert hall,
erected at a cost of 100000 1t has
a seating capacity OF 1000. which
can be reduced to 1000 If required.
It is to be opened in May by Clara
Butt. who viii be followed by John
Mccormack and Harry Lauder.
Liza Lehman who is with the ex-
ception of Nine. Chaminade, perhaps
the best-known woman composer OF
the day, has written a book of "Prac-.
ticaI Hints for Students" She was
formerly a singer herself, and as
child. she used to get hints by at
tending Jenny Liud's classes in the
Royal College. The book contains ex-
amples from popular modern songs.
with paragraphs pointing out the pit
falls and showing how they can be
avoided
Madame Labor. wife Of the emil
nent French lawyer. who is a leader
of the Paris Bar, has composed
new opera. which has been given a
gala performance at Monte Carlo in
honor OF the Geological Congress held
there under the auspices of Primes
| Albert. Madame Labori was for
l merly a Miss Okay, Of Montreal. Her
/ first husband was NJ. Pachman, the
/ pianist on the occasion OF her di-s
/ vorce Lawyer Labor pleaded for her,
/ won her case, fell In love with and
married her When Pachman heard +
/ of II he said: "Well, Labor will
make a good father to my five chill
/ dren."
Madame Labori's new opera is calls
/ ed "Yato" The hero is a Chinaman,
/ DR. Yamato, who has taken refuge
/ in Paris. He marries a French wom-
/ an and begins the practice of his,pro-TN
/ fession. He has almost gotten over
f his revolutionary ideals when his
sister Yato arrives and informs him
/ that China is ripe for revolution and
/ Republic. DR. Yamato's wife tries
/ to keep him, but he answers his coun
/ try's call and returns TO China.
The advice OF persons prominent in
musical circles has been asked BY.
those having the musical program
Of the Panama Pacific Exposition ia 5
/ charge as TO the best method Of OBJ.
tanning an opera to commemorate
properly the opening OF the Panama
/ Canal. When the Suez Canal was
/ opened Verdi under contract wrote
/ Aida" This great work stands, and
the hope is TO give to the world an
f other lasting opera in connection with
+ the exposition OF 1915. Puccini has
+ been approached, and 81 is said is
willing to undertake the task. II
I has been suggested that a compete
+ ton be held with a large prize SUI
/ fcient to stimulate the best compos-a
! ers Of the world. II has also been
/ suggested that such competition be-
/ limited to American composers
! The Oratorio Society OF New York
/ has recently completed its fortieth
/ year of existence. The event also
marked nearly the completion Of An
drew Carnegie's twenty-ffth year
( as President OF the organization. and 8
its first year under the dictatorship s
Of J.. Koemmenich as conductor. For
/ thirty-nine years consecutively one
| Of the Damrosch family was the4con-
/ ductor Leopold Damrosch for. the
+ first twelve and cne-half years Wal
1 ter Damrosch for the next thirteen
and one-half years and Frank Dam Z
rosch for thirteen years, up to the
time Mr. Koemmenich took sup the
baton. -5ss