San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-03-25
Arthur Judson Adds to Success
as Manager of Big Orchestras

more. Washington. and several Other
cities which have heard Geraldine
Farrar's successor at the metropolitan
| indicate that Nine. Jeritza will b
able to repeat.
There never has been any doub'
/ about her voice. Its natural beauty
and warmth, and power, are unques
toned. What prompted the wise
acres TO speculate over was whether
the Viennese prima donna-whO has
stuck exclusively to opera-could holt
the public as firmly in any effort
which lacked scenic investiture. ant
the glamour which opera invariably
supplies.
The average Jeritza fee is $500 a
| concert. She will receive more II
some of the fourteen cities wherein
she is scheduled to appear
through the percentage arrangement
which several cautious local mana
gers insisted on.
A Fine Musician Gone.
There is sorrow in this section OF
the country over the death of Nelson
Z. Coffin, who served so faithfully
as conductor of the Worcester, Mass,
and other New England festivals, and
New York's Mendelssohn Glee Club.
Exceptional chorus trainers and
leaders are so rare that we can not
well spare one of them. Coffin was
in many respects the ablest We had
known in these parts in years.
His knowledge, diplomacy, enthusi-
asm, and straightforwardness made
I, UQ
in his craft. Each year found it nee
essary for him to decline valuable
posts, which he could have at his own
figures. He would have accepted
every offer if he could have found the
time. But he worked too hard as it
was. And hard work, too much of
it, was partly responsible for his
death.
Several Of the choral societies Of
which Coffin was conductor have sus-
pended temporarily their activities
as a mark of respect to his
memory. He will be greatly missed.
For he was man as well as a
musician.
Hardship which has stalked so con-
stantly in the wake of the German
this country some six weeks ago ap-
pears about to fade away. Such at
any rate is the present Indication
Financial assistance came at the
eleventh hour on the final day Of the
four weeks. engagement at the Man
haitian Opera House, when the Or
chestra musicians demanded "theirs"
forthwith. They are a canny lot,
union orchestra players. No organ
ization is permitted to owe them
money for more than a performance
or two, and generally not even that.
As for playing to "help out" a sit
uation-if they are union men-they
let the singers and others do it.
Several wealthy music lovers came
to the rescue of the German opera
visitors just when the long overcast
skies appeared to have grown backer
than ever. So the Lexington Theatre
engagement of three weeks began
more auspiciously, with a new man.
ager in the person of a Melvin II.
Dalberg.
There is talk Of a several weeks
tour of the country. If it is brought
about-with the best artists who have
been appearing here-it should meet
with a cordial reception. For there
can be no doubt of the interest which
has been aroused in many, cities TO
hear and see this organization.
Caruso Art Sale.
Questions having been asked con-
corning the sale of the late Enrico
Caruso's costumes, with the art col
lection which was part of the estate,
it may be timely to make some ex-
plantations. The original stage ap-
parel used by the tenor in Pagliacci
and other operas with which he had
been so long identified We're not dis
posed of; Mrs. Caruso retained them
for little Gloria.
She ALSO retained certain mementos
to which there was attached some
sentiment. But Mrs. Caruso had no
voice in the matter Of disposing of
certain specimens which belonged to
the Caruso collection. The Italian
court ordered the sale: it therefore
was carried out, according to legal
requirements.
More than S150,0O0 was realized.
The amount represents considerably
more than the great singer put into
these objects. Every day brought
some notables into the art rooms
where the auction was held. All in
all, it was sad affair. Too many
recollections of other days kept con-
stantly cropping up.
This is to be the final year at the
Metropolitan of Marie Sundelius. A
fine soprano, her services in concert
are In ever-increasing demand. But
she will slip over to Europe in the
summer. and sing in the early autumn
at the Royal Opera at Stockholm. Fol-
lowing concert tour through the
scandinavian countries, Miss Sunde-
Illus will return here next December.