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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (May 8, 1904)
tfHE SUNDAY OREGONIAN, PTTLAOT, 2JAY 8, 1904. 1. V- MADAME CALVE MAKES A SCENE Denounces Her Accompanist and Sings Cafe Chantant Songs Before Metropolitan Opera-House Audience NEW YORK, May 2. (Special corre spondence.) Perhaps it -will Interest the readers of The Oregonlan to know what all New York Is talking- about this -week. It is almost with regret that I chronicle the event and a few comments upon it. as I have always been an admirer of Mme. Calve on the operatic stage, but, alas! these delightful singers, and ac tresses are not always what they seem to the outer world, and once la a while they get beyond their own control. This hap pened to Calve on Sunday night at the Metropolitan Opera-House, where, before one of the largest audiences 3et assem bled for a Sunday night's concert, she created a scene which could hardly have been expected from any one else except one who was Intoxicated. If ilme. Calve was not intoxicated, there are few people who believe that she was not. The trouble seems to have been that the orchestral score of the accompaniment of the last song that she was to sing had been forgotten, and she was, therefore, compelled to sing It to the accompani ment of the piano, Felix Mottl, the great German conductor, being courteous enough to offer to accompany the song. After the first stanza was over. Calve stepped to his side and asked him to transpose It a tone, as she was not in good voice. This Mottl absolutely refused to do. It Is stated by some that she struck him on the head In public and fell into a violent rage. Shrugging her shoulders, she said In French, "I have no accompanist, and I have no score," after which she began to sing the loosest sort of French cafe chan ton songs, and deported herself in such a manner as to arouse the audience to the degree of hissing her. She left the stage In a furious temper, and Max Hersch came forward to announce that the Mad ame had hysterics, and could not sing, owing to indisposition. If he had said owing to nasty disposition, he might have been closer to the mark, and the audi ence would have had no difficulty in be lieving it. She did not make her appear ance again that evening, and it Is under stood that, on account of this, all nego tiations are oft between herself and Con rled for next season. That Madame Calve Is no angel, everybody seems to know, but that she should have made such a display of herself Is shocking even to such hero worshippers as would be glad to cover her with the mantle of such charity as the hero-worshipper always has on tap for those whom he, or rather she, wishes to protect. I am told, not, however, by an eye witness, that a few weeks ago Calve, in company with a lady who was evident ly trying to protect her, was in such high spirits that on Forty-second street and Sixth avenue, she commenced to sing and dance In the street, attracting men, wom en, children and gamins by the score. The more they enjoyed It and hooted, the more she enjoyed Jt and howled with them. Perhaps this was the same sort of an attack. But what a tragic iconoclasm, when one thinks of the nobility of that woman's art. Still, it is not noble, it never has been: it has been powerful, full of temperament, passion and all the wiles of art. but that It was such as might be called Inspired, or as might Inspire others, there certainly never has been the spirit uality behind it to make It so. However, Calve will be In this country next season on a concert tour under the management of F. C. "Whitney, of light opera fame, and no doubt this will either be forgotten or It will be regarded as ad vertising matter. I heard Calve In song recital last year; there Is a certain class of work which she does very well; It is that which is essentially and absolutely French, either ancient or modern, but as a true artist, the sort that you have Just hoard In Madame Schuman-Helnk or that you will hear In Madame Sembrich not by any means. Mr. Conrled will leave for Europe In a few weeks, where he will go to complete rxrangements for the opera season of 1904-05, and whereas there may be statements made now which will be contradicted In the future, that is but the history of every season, as the opera singers are uncertain quantities at the best. Campanarl will not be with the Metropolitan Opera Company, but In his place It Is said that there will be a new Italian baritone by the name of Glraldone. Of course Sembrich Is coming back, and Caruso. Scottl, Journet and a number of minor singers have signed with Conrled; In addition to Mottl, both Hertz and VIgna are expected. "When the eteamer Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse sailed on Tuesday It carried a pre cious cargo of singers, who, having fin ished their season in America, are going to sing In Covent Garden, London. Some of these artists will return, and they have already signed with Conrled, and others will not. Madame Gadskl was one whose plans are not yet settled, as she has been asked to sing the role of Kundry In an English production of "Parsifal" to be given by Henry W. Savage, who Is really in earnest In this matter. Gadskl. how ever, was unwilling to make a positive engagement until she knew who the other singers were to be, and what the setting will bo. She has an engagement to meet Savage in Berlin In May. and then the matter will be settled. As I have said before In these columns, there Is a great deal Of feeling because Gadskl will not bo at the Metropolitan, as she Is a great favorite, and she Is really an Important artist who Is young enough to accom plish very great things In art. even before middle age. Ternlna does not want to come back; at least, at the present time she does not We will see of what opin ion she is when tho season comes around. Plancon signed a contract with Mr. Con rled. as did DIppel. Van Rooy, Edith Walker Frembadt and Homer. Conrled also stated that ho has a contract with" Melba for 12 appearances In New York and Philadelphia. Felix Mottl will also return in all probability, notwithstanding the fact that he was very much displeased with tho American conditions early in tho season. It is possible that he has be come reconciled to America as a land which, If minus of art, has at least dollars in Its favor. Another passenger to leae on this steamer was Dr. Stengel-Sembrlch. who went home owing to sickness In his family. However. Madame Sembrich was compelled to remain In this country to fill her dates, a number of which are on tho Pacific Coast. On Thursday Richard Strauss and his wife, Madame Strauss de Ahna. soiled from these shores after a visit in America which, all things consid ered, could hardly have been satisfactory to the great composer-conductor. He did not have the financial support In America that he expected, and, as might have been understood, there were many conflicting criticisms concerning his genius. 'No great revolutionist ever came upon a public and carried everything before him, neither has Strauss done so. In addition to this, he has been treated flippantly by many. Strauss cannot understand this because he Is not an American; the American treats everything flippantly; there is no subject too sacred, no art too great, for that dash of American humor whlc his one of the strongest characteristics of this country. It is for this reason that a few of the great musicians of Europe refuse to come to America. However, America certainly has benefited by the presence of Richard Strauss, and no matter how it looks to Strauss himself, it Is his own fault in a great many cases that the people will not take him as seriously as he takes him self. Whether he stated himself so, or whether it Is generally accepted that Strauss is a humorist, I cannot say; how ever, the humorist must be taken lightly. If not, it must be a dismal sort of humor In which he Indulges, and If Richard Strauss sees his own humor from a seri ous philosophical standpoint he must not expect everybody else to see It In the same light. To begin with, their heads are not shaped like his. and probably the matter Inside is not exactly the same. On Wednesday Dr. and Madame Strauss were received at the White House, where they were entertaind at dinner, and after ward Mrs. Roosevelt attended the after noon concert which marked his last ap pearance In America. James Kendrick Bangs Is always a hu morist, perhaps never more so than upon the occasion of his marriage, which oc curred a few days ago. when his son acted In the capacity of best man. Mr. Bangs has been in magazine work some time and not long ago It was said that he was Interested in writing the book for a comic opera, but as yet, we have seen nothing which would prove that statement true. Hereafter when people draw from real life for their subjects upon whom to build a popular noved, it is as well for the good of the subject not to disclose its identity, as we are Just informed that Mrs. Mary Bass, who was the original of "Mrs. Wlrss of the Cabbage Patch," has been arraigned in Police Court for the abuse she thrust upon those who call upon her prompted by curiosity and interest in the novel. Mrs. Bass insists upon it that life Is not worth living as she has not a min ute which she can call her own, and she Is thinking seriously of bringing a dam age suit against the fortunate or unfor tunate writer of the said Mrs. Wlggs. The morbid curiosity of the majority of people Is something which Is beyond explaining In any reasonable manner. Indeed, It Is the same sort of sentiment that creates the hero-worshipper. In fact, It is hero worship In a certain sense. Miss Emily Smith, of Hazelwood, Ky., who entered the case against Mrs. J3ass. of Louisville, claims that she thrust herself upon the latter In a spirit of charity, believing from the book that Mrs. Bass was in need of assistance. However, they will be able to settle it in the Louisville court, and in the meantime Mrs. Rice will have material for another novel. ' Today closes the exhibition of a few pictures by John Elliott, an artist of Bos ton. In addition to the interest in Mr. El liott's pictures because of his great talent, he Is the son-in-law of Julia Ward Howe, and in the collection there is one of the most superb pastels of that grand old woman that I have ever seen. The work stamps Mr. Elliott as a great artist There Is, also, a superb piece of what is called sliver point drawing, which presents to us the portrait of Dr. Samuel Howe, who, notwithstanding the fact that he was a notable figure In Boston, was rather ob scured in the brilliant light of his noted wife. Mr. Elliott came into prominence as one of the decorators of the Boston Pub lic Library, and In this collection was shown some red chalk drawings of sec tions of those decorations. His great ver satility is perhaps one of his most dis tinguishing features, as In addition to the drawings, are pictures In the lmpres sonlst school, as also in the soft, melting reproductions of landscapes, according to the eye with which normal people see. Perhaps the most exquisite bit In the en tire exhibition is a small picture, called "Silver Birches," which belongs to Mrs. J. Montgomery Sears, of Boston; another in silver green, called "The Melting of the Mists," is stamped with a marked originality and a great amount of dreamy quality, which is powerful to an excep tional degree. This is a very large picture and one which could be hung In any gal lery to reflect credit upon the good taste of the owner and artist alike. One of the most remarkable pictures in the collec tion is "Dante in Exile," lent by Samuel Ward Boocock, the composition of this picture is very original and this, with an other pastel study of Dante, was made from the death masque. I am just Informed that the American tour of Josef Hofmann will open on, the Pacific Coast In October. This is done In order to keep htm In the East during the principal part of the musical season. Harold Bauer has Just arrived In New York, and he will sail for South America In company with Pablo Casals, the 'cellist, on May 5. Mr. Bauer has had an excep tional tour, and all lovers of the best In piano music are rejoicing over the Idea that he Is to return next season. Among the pianists mentioned for next year are D'Albert, De Pachman, Ernest Schelllng, and the two above mentioned. It Is not Im probable that Gabrllowltsch will be with us. although foat Is not announced. The Genius of Shakespeare Tribute to Master Dramatist "Who Still Holds Stage. SATURDAY, April 23, was the 340th anniversary of the birth of William Shakespeare, "the most Ilustrlous of the sons of men." After trie expiration of so great a period, as far as human life and human achievements are concerned, this figure stands uniaue. "The stream of time." as Dr. Samuel Johnson said, "which is continually washing the dissoluble fabrics of other poets, passes without Injury by the adamant of Shakespeare." Shakespeare is now, more than ever be fore, the glory of tho theater and race. The Mirror chonlclcs today as Incidents of the supremo affection in which the greatest of dramatists is held but a few of the many tokens in his memory that marked the recurrence of his birthday. Perhaps the most significant of these was the unveiling at Weimar, neat Goethe's Garden House, on Saturday, of a Shakespeare monument, on which oc casion Professor Brande, of Berlin, de clared that this was an unexampled honor shown by Germany to a foreign poet, a recognition of the position ac corded to Snakespeare and the indebted ness acknowledged to him by all writers, and of his unshaken hold upon the Ger man stage. This event was the more significant because It recalls the fact that while Germany thus materially marks its love for Shakespeare, all other na tions that have a theater more Indirectly pay homage to the master genius. There has been no great mind since Shakespeare's own day that has not exer cised itself to pay him honor, for he has been an Inspiration not only to all litera ture, but to all effort that has In turn In spired the Intellectual world. As ho trans formed the English drama of his time, if one Js to consider his work in Its imme diate) effect, so since he has been tho llgnt of all drama. "It was Its breadth of national interest and intensity of tragic power that made the English drama so Immeasurably superior to every other contemporary drama is Europe," said one contemplating Shakes peare's early influence, "and the work of his predecessors was carried on by Shakespeare with enlargement of imagi nation and Intensification of Are. By right of imperial command over all the resources of imaginative insight and ex pression, Shakespeare combined the rich dramatic materials already prepared Into more perfect forms, and carried them to the "highest polntof Ideal development. He quickly surpassed Marlowe is passion, music and Intellectual power; Greene In lyrical beauty, elegalc grace and narrative Interest; Peele in picturesque touch and pastoral sweetness, and Lyly In bright and sparkling dialogue. And having dis tanced the utmost efforts of his predeces sors and contemporaries, he took his own highest way and reigned to the end with out a rival n tbe new world of supreme dramatic art wnlch he had created." Tne lights of this generation hesitate to express their own admiration of Shakes peare although at times to deny that ex pression Is beyond their will because the lights of all preceding genefatlons since his time have exhausted the language of eulogy. The quiet statement of Emerson: "I am always happy to meet persons who perceive the transcendent superiority of Shakespeare over all other writers," sug gests the spirit of most moderns, who And it unnecessary to voice at large their appreciation of Shakespeare's profound and potent influence upon thought. "I care not," said Abraham Lincoln, "how Shakespeare Is acted. With him the thought suffices." And this describes still another shade of appreciation. Why Shakespeare dominates is thus expressed by De Quincey although a million others have uttered like Ideas: "Shakespeare WASHINGTON PARK 23d and Washington Sts. Beginning Today, 2 P. M. Every Night at 8 P. M. Durbano's Italian Band 32-STAR S0L01STS-32 Concert and Dancim ADMISSION lOc OPENING BILL MONDAY, 7:30 P. M. ARTHUR and CARLISLE Refined Comedy Sketch Artist First time in Portland. THE TRAVIOLAS Jugglers, Hoop Rollers and Head to Head Balancers. First time in Portland. ANDY RICE J Monologlst and Jew Impersonator. First time in Portland. THE GREAT WALSTEIN Champion Roller Skater of the World. First time la Portland. ADMISSION IOc NO HIGHER FIRST PERFORMANCE Monday Night MAY 9, 7:30 P. M. Seating Capacity 700 Largest in the City. ONLY FIREPROOF THEATER IN CITT LYRIC THE AT E R COR. ALDER AND SEYENTH KEATING & FLOOD, Managers. High-Class, Refined VAUDEVILLE 2:30 to 4:30. 7:30 to 10:30 P. M. Sunday, 2 to 10:30 P. 1L OPENING BILL MONDAY, 7:30 P. M. RAYMOND G. BALDWIN Baritone Soloist and Picture Melo dies. Direct from New York. First time in Portland. THE DE GARROS Meteors of the Air of Roman Rings. First time in Portland.; (NELLIE BRUCE In Her Great Contortionist Dance. First time in Portland. The Great Vitascope Showing Edison's latest moving pictures. Opening week "The Coast Guards Responding to Signals of Distress." Taken from life. Creat ing a sensation in New York and San Francisco. ADMISSION 10c NO HIGHER MARQUAM GRAND ANOTHER EVENT IN THE MUSICAL HISTORY OF THIS CITY THE ONLY APPEARAK'CE OF( MME. MARCELLA Sembrich Colorature Soprano DIRECTION LOIS STEERS FRIDAY NIGHT, MAY 13 PRICES . Ioitcp rioor .$ 3.00 Balcony, first six rows 2.00 Balcony, last six rows 1.50 Gallery 1.00 Boxes 20.00 looses 24.00 SATE OF SEATS WEDNESDAY, MAY 11 Not more than 6 seats to one person. Out-of-town orders must be accompanied by check. NO SUBSCRIPTION LIST FOR THIS CONCERT MARQUAM GRAND THEATER On Tuesday Evening, May 10th, 1904, At 8:15 o'CIock ILLUSTRATED TALK ON THE BOER WAR 25-MInute Talk by Capt. Sheridan O'Donnell On The Tactics and Humorous Incidents of the War. 45-MInuteTaIkby General Joubert On the Early Settlement of the Boers In South Africa. His tory of the Country. PRICES Adults, 50c; children, 25c The advance sale of seats will open Monday morning-, May 0, at 10 o'clock. the protagonist on the great arena of modern poetry, and the glory of the human intellect. From his works alone might be gathered a golden bead-roll of thoughts the deepest, subtllest and most pathetic, and yet most catholic and unl ereally Intelligible; tne most character istic, also, and appropriate to the par ticular person, the situation and the case; yet at the same time applicable to the circumstances of every human being. under, all the accidents of life and all the vicissitudes of fortune." Harrison Gray Flske in Dramatic Mirror. Gaining Strength. Philadelphia Ledger. The Democratic party -will be stronger in the common esteem If it rid Itself' de cisively of Bryanlsm and Hearstlsm In all their destructive and repellant forms of socialism, populism and anarchism. PRESENTATION OF GOETHE'S FAUST DRAMA- FIRST AND SECOND PARTS 'BY Mrs. Louis Altaian Parsons Hall, Tuesday, May 10, at 8:15 Tickets $1.00. Teachers' and Students' Tickets 50c Tickets for Sale at Gill's and Ewing's Book Stores FOURTH AND STARK STS. AL ONKEN, Manager. NOT ONLY THE BEST IN PORTLAND, BUT THE Greatest Vaudeville House IN THE NORTHWEST CATERING TO THE BEST PATRONAGE EVERY EVENING AT 8:30 O'CLOCK MATINEE EVERY SUNDAY AT 2 P. M. Admission 25c. Loge Seats 50c Loges can be reserved In advance. Phone Main 4636 THE BAKER THEATER GEORGE L. BAKER, Sole Lessee asd Manager TIE, FASMI8AW.E F1PBLU-PBICE0 THEATER &F F01TLUQ PfeMt WW ? Farewell week of the New Neill-Morosco Com pany, beginning Sunday matinee, May 8, 1904, in George Broadhurst's funny three-act farce WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES Depicting in most laughable style the wonderful things that happened to an intrepid hymn-book drummer within the space of a few short hours. J THE NEXT ATTRACTION, BEGINNING MAY 22d, THE CASINO COMPANY IN WEBER AND FIELD'S REPERTOIRE CORDRAY'S THEATER Cordray & Russell, Mgrs. Portland's Popular Family Theater. 3 HAVE CAUGHT THE TOWN WHICH MEANS IOc 20c 30c THE NEW SCALE OF SUMMER PRICES We Have Set the Pace. Good Shows at the Lowest Possible Price Commencing Today Sunday Afternoon Matinee, Piatt & Stevenson, with an Excellent Company, Will Present H It "V WT T I! T ivii wire Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, May 8. 9, 10, 11 UNANIMOUSLY CONCEDED TO BE THE FUNNIEST FARCE OF THE PRESENT DECADE LAST HALF OF WEEK COMMENCING THURSDAY EVE, MAY 12, AND SATURDAY MATINEE A PERFECT PRO- 6 1 DUCTION OF EAST LYNNE" NEXT ATTRACTION 66 ISABEL IRVING IN THE CRISES55 ARCADE THEATER SEVENTH AND WASHINGTON STREETS HOME OF CONTINUOUS VAUDEVILLE 8STAR ACTS Starting Monday the Greatest Vaudeville Bill of the Season Opens. OLIO Producing the Electrical Sensation, "The Red-Eyed Monster." LOLA FAWN A Pretty Soubrette as "The Girl From Mugsvllle." THE MUSICAL HARTS In a Musical Novelty Act, Intro ducing Their Famous $1000 Chimes, the Largest Ever Made. PAUL STANLEY Character Comedian "Who Makes You Grow Merry. QUINN TRIO The World's Greatest All Around Juvenile Athletes. STARIN & RICKLING Versatile Comedy Sketch and Spe cialty Artists. HERBERT CARLETON Baritone Soloist in Illustrated Songs. . THE AMERICAN BIOSCOPE Flashing the Latest Novelty Mov ing Pictures Framed in Gold. THE VITAGRAPH The Newest Motion Pictures, Comic and Historical. Are Shown in the Lobby. Continuous Programme Today, 2 to 10:30 P. M. On account of the length and diversity of this 8-star act bill, 'the week day shows will start at 2:15 and 7:15 P. M. IOc TO AfNY SEAT Admission to Any Seat in the House JlOcl Continuous Performance, Sunday, from 2 to 10:30 P M. WEEK OF MAY 9th J LOMBARD BROS. a Comedy Conversationalists. e 2 The 3 Campbells Marvelous Jugglers. PHILLIPS AND MERRITT Australian Comedy Sketch Artists. ZARA AND ZARA Athletes. MISS LOUISE DU PONT In Illustrated Songs. Latest Motion Pictures On the Vltaacope The Very Latest. See the Best 10c Show In the City and Be Convinced