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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (June 7, 1903)
27 SULLIVAN'S '"GOLDEN LEGEND" TO BE SUNG BY THE BOYER CHORUS, WEDNESDAY EVEN ING, AT FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. BAKER THEATER GEO. I. BAKER' Manager- THE SUNDAY OREGONIAN, PORTLAND, JUNE 7, 1903. SIR Arthur Sullivan's "Golden Le gend," Which Is to bo suns "Wednes day evening, 'at the First Congre gational Church, Park and Madis'on streets, by the Boyer chorus, assisted by an augmented orchestra, promises to af ford a rare musical treat to the lovers of choral music In this city, and the church ought to be crowded. It opens -with a prologue, in "which are depicted the impotent efforts of Lucifer and his attendant powers of the air. to I destroy Strasburg Cathedral. In the midst of a wild midnight storm. Lucifer drives his minions to their hopeless task, com manding them to tear the cross from Its station, to hurl the bells from their fast enings, break the painted casements and sack the house of God. All Is In vain. The powers of evil can touch no stone of the sacred edifice, and baffled, they are awept away, shrieking, before the raging etorm. Then, from their tower the bells peal forth, while within the cathedral are heard the swelling harmonies of the or gan, accompanying a Gregorian chant. The first scene of the poem proper opens -with Prince Henry, of Hohenheck, seated alone at midnight in his castle. Ill and melancholy. To him suddenly appears Lucifer, in the garb of a traveling phy sician. He questions the Prince regarding els malady, learns from him the only 'remedy which the doctor of Salerno can suggest the life blood of a maiden who iglves it freely as the price of his life fscoffs at the cure and offers him alcohol, 4eecantlnK on its marvelous virtues. Over. jpeiBuaded, the Prince drinks, with a i malediction, Lucifer disappears, while Vondraus vision, borne on waves of tcrystallne harmony, fill the Prince's brain, land as his senses leave him. angels, hov erlng near, sing words of warning and 'bewail his tempting and his fall. The sec ond sceno opens at evening In the -village where dwell the maiden, dale, and Ur sula, her mother. The villagers, gath ered from their labor, sing a majestic thyzna, of praise to the Creator for bring klng them safely to the close of another day. Prince Henry appears for a moment 'ag the hymn closes. Elsie, pitying, ex presses the wish that she might help him. Her mother tells her of the only remedy, hand Elsie then announces her intention of giving her life for that of her Prince. 'Vainly her mother pleads -with her she re- mains firm in her resolve, offering a prayer to the Redeemer for help in Its accomplishment. Prinoe Henry enters, and she tells him that she will die for him, "While angels sing "Amen." The beautiful Spring eong of Henry and Elsie; the fine old Latin hymn chanted by the pilgrims as they sturdily tramp along, "Interrupted but not disturbed by Lucifer's scoffing comments and parody, with Its mockingly pompous accompaniment 3layed by the brasa and wood winds only; and finally the splendid ocean hymn, form a whole that in dramatic contrast, rlch kness and beauty of orchestration, and re llgipus feeling, far transcends adequate description. The climax at the close of the ocean hymn, on the words, "Christe Elleson," is wonderful. Other remaining scenes in the work are highly dramatic and the orchestration Is rich, warm and thrilling. The cantata closes with a choral epilogue, in which dale's love and Intended sacrlfic are com pared to the llfeglvlng waters of a moun tain brook, which cool and fertilize the arid plain. In this, the beautiful melody is taken up in unison by the men's voices and women's voices successively, followed by a majestic fugue and final chorus, bringing this Inspiring work to a grand and fitting climax., This will be the last oratorio recital by the Boyer chorus this season, and it will be a memorable one. MUSIC IN BAKER CITY. Lectures on Great Composers by Mrs. Frances S. Burke. Although not possessing a choral union like that of tho 'Willamette Valley, or looking forward to a Mayfest like that of Boise, the music-lovers of Baker City have had a rare opportunity this Spring of studying and enjoying the great mas ters of musical composition, under the direction of llrs. Prances Strlegel Burke, planlste. The programmes began In February and were held every second week until the last of May. A complete sketch was given of the musical career and artistic theories of each composer, and several of her repre sentative works were played by way of illustration. Special attention was paid to the development of the science and philos ophy of music. The series formed a chro nological exposition of the principal move ments In the history of music. The first programme was devoted to the life and works of Bach, and Incidentally to the elucidation of the fugue form. "With the study of Haydn was explained the Incep tion and permanent form of the sonata. The evening with Mozart was one of spe cial value, and emphasized the essentials of opera. With Beethoven came the crit ical study of the symphony, and with Schubert tho evolution of artistic song. Schumann Illustrated the rise of roman ticism In music, and Mendelssohn was considered in special relation to the ora torio. The evening with Chopin Mrs. Burke dwelt on the importance of the Slav in music, while she gave also a virtuoso performance of creditable excellence. "Wagner was considered as the exponent of the music of the future, and an Intel lectual pilgrimage was taken to the ar tistic seclusion of Balreuth. The series closed with a recital from tho modern composers. The lectures were of excellent value as critical studies, and could only have been written by one who had made music a life work. Mrs. Burko was a pupil of Leschetlszky, who taught Hambourg and Gabrlllowltsch, and reflects honor upon her distinguished teacher. ' . Mlas Connell's Piano Recital. An Interesting programme has been ar ranged for tho testimonial concert to be given at Parsons Hall. Tuesday evening, at S:30 o'clock, to the talented young pl anlste, Ella M. Connell. under the direc tion of Marie Soulo. The well-known dra matic reader. Miss Ethel Webb, and the boy soprano. Master Tom Dobson, and others, have been engaged to assist. The programme: (a) "Rhapsody Hongroleo" (Liszt), (b) "Hark, Hark, the Lark" tSchubert-Llsxt). Ella M. Connell: (a) "Butterfly Grelg). (b) "If I Were a Bird" (HesBclt). Luclle Collette; "The Part ing of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere" (Tennj-eon), Ethel Webb; caprleclo, B minor (Mendelssohn). Ella M. Connell, orchestral ac companiment played on second piano by Vein. Williams; vocal '(selected). Tom Dobson; "Shadow Dance" (E. A.McDo-nrell), Luclle Col lette; humorous recitation (selected), Ethel "Webb; (a) "Taraatelle" (Xlcode), (b) Polo natee. op. 53 (Chopin), Ella M. Connell: vocal (lelected), Tom Dobson; piano quartet, "Jubel Ouverturo" (V.on Weber), Mleees Connell, Holmes, Souls and Williams. Sacajcrrcn's Lullaby. One of tho most admired numbers at tho concert given last week at the Mar quam Theater lor the monument fund to commomorate Sacajawea, tho Indian wife of Charboneau. of tho Lewis and Clark expedition, was the pretty lullaby entitled -"Sacajawea'a Lullaby," composed by Miss Zlporah Harris, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Harris, of this city, who also wrote the words for the setting. It opons: Shu, shu, my pspooss, go to sloop, Shu, shu, wbilo Sacajawoa sings to you; Seo, the cimpflrc is burning low. The sun is irons down long ago." Ia her composition of this lullaby, Mlas Harris, who Is only a young girl, has shown marked ability. The melody is pretty, and tho compass will suit that of most sopronon. The lullaby Is composed of two ves and chorus, and la certain to mt with many friends. Miss Harris lived for several years at The Dalles, and, becoming acquainted with the Indians thero, she studied their conditions thor oughly and in this way has caught some of tho Indian spirit which Uvea again in her meritorious composition. It will shortly be published by H. H. Wright, of this city. In the Domain of Music There was a dramatic scene when Ko clan recently reached Xew York from Europe and surrendered to W. C Clopton the $30,000 Guarnerius violin he borrowed last November, and took to Europe with him, without the consent of the ownet. Koclan said: "I was 111-adylsed. I am sorry. My friends told me I was right in keeping it. I knew it as a mother knows her child, as lover knows a lover. Its wonderful organ tone was as the sound of a sweetheart's iolce. I felt I would rather part with life than with this treas ure. It seemed to need my care. At last I saw I was not doing right, and though it nearly tore my heart out I decided to return it." Sinking Into a chair Koclan gazed with, swimming eyes at the violin which Mr. Clopton was caressing. "I did not know you loved it the same aa L" continued Koclan. "Before you take it back forever you must let mo play on It Just once more." "Come to my room," said Clopton, and Koclan followed him. ' There Mr. Clopton showed Koclan his collection of fine Instruments, including a StradlvnrlaUfl nM nn Amntl TTniMnn nlavH "on these. Then he turned to the -violin ne naa just surrendered, placed it tenderly under his chin and played a slow, soft melody, the tears dropping one by one on .the Instrument. Finally he threw the bow from him, grapsed the violin In his arms and fondled It. "Can I not buy it from you?" he in quired. "I will give you my entire fortune everything I have. Surely you cannot love It as I do." "For 30 years I have been collecting vio lins," replied Mr. Clopton. "They are my children, and this is the treasure of af! my treasures. There is not enough wealth in the world to. tempt me to part with It." That settled the matter for good. From a New York point of view the past season of music was singularly une ventful on the artistic side, though not wanting In picturesque features. The Bos ton Symphony Orchestra, whose excel lence Is now too well known and widely apprecated to need any extended com ment, gave Its perennial series of con certs in Carnegie Hall, and caused a greater sensation than ever before by Its finished ensemble playing and purity of tone production; the Knelsel Quartet, an inimitable exponent of the purest form of music, filled Mendelssohn Hall to over flowing at each of Its six concerts; the Musical Art Society, under Frank Dam rosch, gave again. In two concerts., an ex ample of choral singing at its best, and Hertz, as conductor, made Wagner's or chestral scores once more an Important artistic feature of the opera. When Mar cella Sembrich's song recital Is mentioned, Hugo Heerman, the German violinist's va rious appearances are considered. Charles Glllberfs delightful singing Is taken into account, and last, but most Important, Frank Damrosch's performance of "The Dream of Gerontlus" is recorded, about everything of considerable musical Impor tance has been touched upon. OLnlnor Incidents, ranging in all sorts of combina tions from single Instruments to large orchestras, from solo voices to the mighti est choruses, there has been a surfeit. The Madison-Square Garden, New York, the interior of which has been fitted up as a miniature Venice for the Duss Sum mer night festivals, has been formally opened by John Duss and his orchestra, with Edouard de Reszke and Mme. Nor dlca as the concert singers. A consid erable sum of money has been spent in arranging there a cool-air apparatus and building the proper scenery. The Garden walls resemble the Interior of a Venetian theater, and the roof appears as a starry blue ,sky. the flood of light at the en trance dimming Into distant moonlight at the far end of the Garden, where Is disclosed a striking view of the harbor from the city gates. 'First in the view are seen some tumble-down, weather worn houses, with their brilliant shades, then boats swinging at anchor, then the now fallen Campanile, then the glimmer ing water, and finally an arm of the shore jutting Into the Adriatic After this familiar view has been noted, the sight returns to the center of the Gar den, where gondolas swing around a light little Island. On one of its ends Is a pillared platform supporting the busts of world-famous musicians and compos ers. It will be beneath thejr shadows that John Duss will lead his orchestra this Summer. In the course of a recent lecture at a conference of musicians in Dublin, Ire land, interesting particulars and aston ishing statistics were given relative to the amount of work accomplished by the brain and nerves in piano playing. A pianist. In view of the present state of pianoforte playing, has to cultivate the eye to see about 1500 signs in one minute, the fingers to make about 2000 movements, and the brain to receive and understand separately the 1500 signs, while it issues 2000 orders. In playing Weber's "Moto Perpetuo" a pianist has to read 4541 notes in a little under four minutes. This is about IS per second: but the eye can re ceive only about ten consecutive Impres sions per second, so that it Is evident that In very rapid music a player does not see every note singly, but In groups. probably a bar or more at one vision. In Chopin's "Etude in E Minor" (In the second set) the speed of reading Is still greater, since It is necessary to read S950 signs In two and a half minutes, which is equivalent to about 26 notes per second. Eula Howard, a young girl planlste whose home is at Grant's Pass, is now studying in San Francisco with Hugo Mansfeldt, and is making commendable progress. She has already played at more than one muslcale in San Francisco and Alameda, ind has received very good criticisms regarding her work. Playing entirely from memory, her friends think that she Is quite talented and has a prom ising future before her. Miss Howard recently gave this programme at a re cital at Mr. Mansfeldt's studio: Ballade, D major, op. 10. No. 2 (Brahms); "Ro mania sans Paroles, Premiere .Rencon tre," and song transcribed, "Ich Hebe dlch" (Grieg); novellette, F major, op. 21, No. 1 (Schumann); etude melodique, op. 130, No. 2, and valse de concert, op. 118 (Raff); romanze, F minor, op. 5 (Tschal kowsky); Intermezzo. B flat minor, op. 117. No. 2 (Brahms); "An den Fruehllng," op. 43, No. 6, and menuett, D minor, op.' 57, No. 1 (Grieg); serenade, op. 93, No. 5, and valse, op. S3. No. S (Rubinstein). The biggest pipe organ In the world is now in course of construction in Los An geles. It is the organ Intended for the great Kansas City Convention hall, and before being put in place there It will be used as the official organ of the St. Louis Exposition, not as an exhibit, but for con cert purposes, for which privilege the ex position management pays $15,000 to the builders. This organ, complete, will cost J67.000. It will have 140 musical or speak ing stops, as against 123 in the largest organ now In existence, which Is In Syd ney, Australia, and 93 mechanical stops and a total of 10,039 pipes, as against SSG0 In the Sydney organ. Besides being the largest in the world, this organ will be In every way the most complete, having Ave manuals, a double-touch device by means of which musical effects can be secured that are not otherwise possible, and many Improvements protected by patents and which cannot be found In organs made elsewhere. Rudolf Zwlntscher, who recently ap peared at the St. James Hall, London, as composer and pianist, and made a distinct success as both, was educated at the Uni versity of Leipzig, and while taking there an active and Intelligent interest in all his studies, music claimed most of his at tention, and It was music he looked to for a living when he left the university's pic turesque portals. But at this point of his career he was met by a difficulty which promised to bring great hurt and hin drance to his advancement as a pianist. He was called upon to furnish 12 months' service in the army the lot of all Ger man subjects and to get to work at once. Fortunately the King of Saxony, who was petitioned on thS matter of Zwlntscher's compulsory service, was in a soft and artistic mood, and the young musician was permitted to serve his military year in the band. A number of singers have been added to those already engaged by Hemrich Con rled for next Winter's grand opera sea son in New York, Including Mme. Selma Kronold, a soprano, who has signed a three years' contract. She sang abroad under the late Anton Seldl's direction, was a member of the Damrosch opera company here, with Mme?. Gadski and Klafsky, and was the original Santuzza In this country- Mme. Bouton, well known on the concert stage, has also been en gaged. She Is a mezzo soprano, and Is now studying repertory under Mme. von Doenhoff, in New York. Other engage ments are those of Miss Marcla Van Dres ser, formerly of the Bostonlans; Miss Heldenback. Miss Schoffer, from the con cert stage, and Miss Harris, a church 6lnger. Upon the Palisades, somewhere between Union Hill and Guttenburg, N. J., Is to be a structure built for the production of tho "Passion Play" and dedicated to sacred music The project Is an assured fact, according to the statement made by Dr. Wolfgang Goetz, of Hoboken. who has held a copyright on a version of the "Passion Play" since April 14. 1SS3. The building will be known as the Temple of Music, and will cost 51,000,000. Among the recent additions to the list of social or nonmuslcai members of the "Passion Play" Society, which is to bear the ex penses. Dr. Goetz says, are Miss May Van Alen, daughter of James Van Alen; Mrs. Hobart. widow of Garret A. Hobart; "Mrs. Hermann Oelrlchs and Mrs, Frederick Neilson. Comic opera may be dead, but evidently the greatest of all comic opera librettists is still alive. The latest Issues of the Pall Mall Gazette to arrive from London contains this characteristic letter: "To the Editor of the Pall Mall Gazette Sir: There is a line In your issue of yes terday that must have sent a thrill of joy through many a worthy home. I refer to a line in an article headed. A Naval Battle.' in which I am referred to as 'the late W. S. Gilbert.' ' "I am always sorry to spoil sport, but common candor compels me to admit (re luctantly) that I am still alive. Yours faithfully, W. S. GILBERT." At the recent convention of the bi annual National Federation of Musical Clubs, held at Rochester. N. Y., Mrs. Warren E. Thomas, of this city, was elected one of the vice-presidents to rep resent the Western section. Mrs. Thomas is congratulated on the marked compli ment paid not only to her, but to the Musical Club .of this city, of which she PORTLAND'S FASHIONABLE POPULAR-PRICE PLAYHOUSE WEEK COMMENCING THIS AFTERNOON at 2:15, with Matinee Saturday MR. RALPH STUART AND COMPANY . PRESENTING A- Q RAN D DOUBLE BILL The Lata ndtheCheru THE FAMOUS CHINESE PLAY BY CHESTER BAILEY FERNALD -AND- The Peacemaker A COMEDY IN ONE ACT, BY N MR. RALPH STUART AND DUDLEY A. BRAGD.ON Evening Prices 15c, 25c, 35c, 50c. Matinee Prices lOc, 15c, 2c. FAREWELL WEEF y Commencing; Afternoon JTJJ.E 14 THE VIRGINIAN EMPIR ETHFATFP Opens Monday, June 1 III Lal 1 LtflV With Hlgh-CIass, Topline Eastern Vaudeville Northwestern Vaudeville Co., Prop. Geo. L. Baker, Resident Manager Others Lead We Follow Watch the Finish ORATORIO SEASON 1902-1903 The Golden Legeni BY SULLIVAN First Congregational Church, Wednesday Evening, June 10- W. H. Boyer Director Mrs. May Dearborn-Schwab ; Soprano Mrs. W. A. T. Bushong Contralto Mr. W. J. Belcher Tenor JVlr. W. A. Montgomery Baritone CHORUS OF 65 VOICES . ORCHESTRA OF 34 PIECES TICKETS 50c On sale at Woodard, Clarke & Co., Graves Music Store, J. K. Gill Co., Laue-Davis Co., and Eilers Piano House. is the esteemed president. It i3 also a graceful compliment to Oregon, that the progress of our musical culture should be so recognized. In addition to the engagement of Ma dame Jennie Xorelll, of this city. Man ager Henry W. Savage has engaged these other singers in Europe to sing in this country next season: Pierre Hlvlere, a tenor and excellent actor; Renl Marsano, now the principal baritone at Dusseldorf. and Rita Newman, a mezzo-soprano who has been singing with success In Berlin. He has also engaged for one of his light opera companies Mabel Nelma, a cousin of Marie Studholme. She is a dramatic soprano with a. repertoire of 40 operas. Berlin, Germany, has discovered a policeman composer who promises to rival Sousa. He Is Fritz Telke and wae r& cently presented to the Kaiser as the com poser of the" popular marches played by WOODMEN OF THE WORLD COLOSSAL CARNIVAL AND STREET FAIR BIGGER AND GRANDER THAN A CIRCUS & JULY 14TH TO 25TH INCLUSIVE THE AMUSEMENT NAPOLEONS OF THE EAST THE SOUTH ERN CARNIVAL CO., HAVE BEEN ENGAGED TO FURNISH THE ATTRACTIONS j . ' 3 MILITARY BANDS 3 J. lO BIG FREE ACTS- 10 - IS BIG SHOWS 15 FEATURING THE- S T A D I u rvi REMEMBER THE DATE :::::::: JULY 14TH TO 25TH EXCURSION RATES ON ALL RAILROADS CORDRAY'S THEATER CORD RAT &. RUSSELL, Manager Phone Main 003. TORTLAJiD'S POPULAR FAMILY RESORT. Summer Prices Matinees 10c and 2k. Evening 10c, 20c and 30c COMMENCING MATINEE TODAY, JUNE X SIXTH WEEK AND BIG SUCCESS EDWARD SHIELDS' . .- CONTINUOUS VAUDEVILLE PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT -IN VAUDEVILLE- The wonderful Polyscope will show the President Passing the Hotel Portland Biggest Crop of Umbrellas on Record Presi dent Enjoying an Oregon Rainstorm Dedicating the Lewis and Clark Monument People you know and meet daily reproduced fn a maryelous manner. 9 --STAR ACTS -9 Including the great Monopede Acrobats ERNIE AND HOINEGGER The Sensational European Comedians, PLEAU AND PLEAU The Greatest of All Conedy Musical Comedians, Stanley and Scanlon "SHE WANTED T BE A LEGIT" LYNDEN AND WRENN MULLALLY SISTERS MANN & FRANKS JOE THOMPSON and others will appear in entirely new acts. AMATEURS FRIDAY NIGHT itiatatttttititciiii the Potsdam Band. Soon afterward all the bands . In Germany began playing Telke's marches. The musical policeman's fame has even extended to England. Telke has been asked to send a composition to England to be played by the military bands there. He expects to achieve fame and wealth like Sousa. Mile. Sarkisova, a. Russian opera singer, was traveling some time ago on the Trans-Caucasian Railway, when the train ran off the line and Ave of her teeth wero knocked out. Mile. Sarkisova brought an action against the railway company, as serting that, as the loss 4)f five front teeth prevented her from singing, she was entitled to heavy damages. The civil court In St. Petersburg has Just awarded her 550.000 compensation. -Kubcllk, the noted viollnst, was once asked by the head of a lunatic asylum to play for the Inmates. He did eo, and the audience seemed to be much Impressed. As he'flnlshed a pretty young woman rose and beckoned' to him. Kubelik. thought she wanted an encore, but when the doc tor stepped over to where the patient stood she said In a soft brogue which her in dignation accentuated: "To think, that the like o' me Is kept in here and him free to go out Into the wur-ruld." Beethoven's "Mlssa Soleranls." begun in ISIS, but not finished till 1S22, was written on the occasion of the nomination of his pupil, the Archduke Rudolph, to the bishopric of Olmuz. The composer sought to obtaui subscribers for copies among the Princes and Kings of Europe. He. only obtained seven, subscribers, and the money results were 350 ducats. Such was the re ward for what he himself considered hia best work. A new work by Max Bruch is announced for eaprano, chorus and orchestra, named "Damajanti." It is taken from Ruckerfs translation of the old Indian, epic, "Nala and Damajantl." Von MEYER INCK SCHOOL of MUSIC Sstabibhed 1S05. 841 FUI.TOX ST. SAX FRAXCISCO. Tho largest and best-equipped school on tha Paclflc Coast, offering alt the advantages of Eastern and European conservatories for a thorough musical education. Pupils prepared for church, drawing-room and concert work and the operatic stage. STAFF OF TEA CHESS t VOICE CULTURE. .lTrs. Anra von Meyerinck PIANO, HARMONY. COaSPOSITION .... Mr. Fred Zec&, Jr. VIOLIX Mr. T. F. Zeca LECTURER Mrs. Mary Fairweatfcer Special teachers for languages (Gersian, Italian and French), Physical Caltare, S!o cution. Fencing and Stage Dancing. SPECIAL SUMMER COURSE FOR TEACHERS FROSFaCTUS UPOJT APFIilCATSOH.