April 20, 19 22
tokens. It was a quarter of a century ago, in 1897, that the tenor sang the role of Rodolfo with a company that gave in California the first American performance of Puccini’s opera, which was then only one year old. San Franciscans there are a-plenty who remember the Agostini of twenty-three, and recall the thrill at first hearing the rac-conto addressed to the Mimi of Linda Montanari in the vanished California Theater on Bush street.
“That twenty-five years on the stage have not robbed his voice of its romantic warmth was evidenced in his singing last night. There was an ardent glow in its tones and fervency in the phrasing. And in his acting of the young poet there was the same brimming zest in life that has always characterized his reading of the part. Flowers and a laurel wreath accompanied the ovation at the close of the first act, and another and larger wreath was passed over the footlights after the third act.”
MUSICAL COURIER
every Sunday afternoon throughout the season. Some^ of America’s most prominent concert artists have at some time or other filled solo positions in this prominent house of worship.
Agostini Celebrates Twenty-five Years in Opera
Recently when Giuseppe Agostini sang the part of Rodolfo in “Boheme” with the San Carlo Opera Company in San Francisco, the Italian artist celebrated his twenty-
Arthur Zack Plays at Hunter College
Arthur Zack, a young cellist, recently returned from studies in Paris, gave a recital for the Board of Education series of free concerts at Hunter College, New York, on April. 4. His program included a sonata by Sammatini ; “Variations Symphoniques,” by Boellmann; suite in C major, Bach, and shorter numbers by Willeke, Svendsen, Davidoff, Bruch and Popper. Mr. Zack studied with Willem Willeke at the Institute of Musical Art, New York, and in Paris with Andre Hekking.
Ada Sohn Gives Piano Recital
Ada Sohn gave a piano recital in Witherspoon Hall, Philadelphia, on the evening of Friday, March 24, and gave an excellent account of herself in a program which ranged from Scarlatti to the modern composers. This young artist has a well developed technic and much interpretative ability. She seems to be equally at ease in playing selections requiring physical strength and in those of a delicate nature. Miss Sohn also has a fine stage presence.
Yost Gives Third Recital in Pittsburgh
On March 16 Gaylord Yost gave the last of his series of three violin recitals in the new hall of the Pittsburgh Musi-, cal Institute. His program was: E major sonata (Handel), “Louisiana” suite (Gaylord Yost), four Spanish dances (Granados), allegretto (Boccherini-Kreisler), “Si-ciliano and Rigaudon” (Francoeur-Kreisler) and “La Cam-panella” (Paganini). Dallmeyer Russell was at the piano.
Women’s Orchestra to Open Music Week
The Women’s Orchestra of Philadelphia, J. W. F. Leman, conductor, will open Music Week in that city on April 30 with a concert at the Lyric Theatre. The organization played r cently at the Frankford Theater and scored such a success that a re-engagement is pending. The orchestra will appear with the chorus of the Women’s Club at a concert to be given at Swarthmore College on May 6.
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LINCOLN, NEB., MAKES MUCH ADO OVER MATZENAUER AND BONNET
Galli-Curci to Sing May 24
Lincoln, Neb., April 4—The last number on Mrs. H. J. Kirschstein’s Great'Artists’ Course was given by Margaret Matzenauer, contralto of the Metropolitan Opera Company, before a capacity house at the City Auditorium. It was a program of genius well balanced and displaying Mme. Matzenauer’s lovely, rich tones, and her unusual range. Her operatic selections, given with dramatic finish, were keenly enjoyed. To the hundreds of students present the recital proved a lesson in voice development, artistic rendition and broad musical culture. Her song groups, containing such favorites as Handel’s “Care Selve,” Debussy’s Mandoline and the irrepressible Mexican folk song, arranged by La Forge (which had to be repeated), were presented with the great artist’s charm. Many encores were demanded and granted. The competent accompanist, Georges Vause, proved to be an accomplished soloist as well, giving two numbers.
Bonnet Honored.
Admirers showered Lincoln’s honored guest with bunches of roses, and after the concert she was given a large dinner party at the Lincolnshire by Mr. and Mrs. Kirsch-stein. While this is the last number on the course, it will be recalled that it was through the efforts of Mrs. Rirsch-stein and Dr. J. M. Mayhew that the famous organist, Joseph Bonnet, was recently brought to Lincoln, when he was heard by a large audience of serious minded musicians, students and music lovers. Lincoln does not hear enough of such concerts and the public at large feels grateful for the opportunity afforded to hear works of Palestrina, Guilmant, Johann Sebastian Bach and César Franck at their best. The organist gave two of his own selections, ‘ Romance Sans Paroles” and “Variations de Concert” (with the famous pedal cadenza), after which he was given such an ovation as had never been granted an organist in a Lincoln concert.
Galli-Curci coming.
Mrs. Kirschstein has arranged to bring Madame Galli-Curci to Lincoln May 24, which will be the third appearance of the great prima donna. Perhaps it is due Mrs. Kirschstein to state that no influence on the musical pulse of this part of Nebraska has equalled that of her series of Great Artists Courses. Next year’s course teems with interest— Farrar, Casals, Thibaud, Gabrilowitsch, Ruffo and the bt. Louis Symphony Orchestra.	F. L.
GIUSEPPE AGOSTINI, as Rodolfo in “La Boheme.”
fifth year on the operatic stage. According to Ray C. Brown of the Chronicle, “a friendly house saw to it that the occasion was loud with acclaim and gay with floral
Danise for North Shore Music Festival
Giuseppe Danise, baritone of the Metropolitan Opera, has been engaged to sing at the North Shore Music Festival at Evanston, 111., on May 26.
ISIDORE BRAGGIOTTI
The Florentine Vocal Authority
In response to an insistent demand, Mr. Braggiotti has decided to remain in this country for the present and will continue to divide his time between his New York and Boston studios.
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