MUSICAL COURIER
June 8, 19 2 2
ST. LOUIS MUNICIPAL OPERA TO GIVE EIGHT OPERAS THIS SUMMER
St. Louis, Mo., May 26.—Conductor Rudolph Ganz of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra held an audition recently, when about twenty-five singers and instrumentalists, who _ were applicants for engagement as soloists at the popular " concerts next season, were heard. A number of these will be selected, it is reported, but the choice has not yet been announced.
Announcement was made last week of the engagement of Jacques Thibaud, violinist, and Paul Althouse, tenor, as soloists at the symphony concerts next season. Incidental to that announcement is the information just received in St. Louis that Rudolph Gruen, a St. Louis pianist, has been engaged as accompanist for Althouse and Arthur Middle-ton in their Australian tour. Gruen has been in New York more than a year concertizing and studying, and has done some notable work in the former capacity.
The Jessie L. Gaynor Choral Club, of Webster Groves, Leo C. Miller, conductor, gave its closing concert of the season May 23, presenting Dorothy Bell, of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago; Ellis Levy, violinist, and John Kiburg, flutist of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, as soloists.
Municipal Opera Program.
Announcement has been made that the Municipal Opera Association will present eight operas this season, one each week, beginning June 6, as follows: Reginald De Koven’s “The Highwayman,” Victor Herbert’s “Sweethearts,” Kahlman’s "Sari,” Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Yeoman of the Guard,” Sidney Jones’ “The Geisha,” Max Reinhardt’s "Spring Maid," Johann Strauss' "The Queen’s Lace Handkerchief,” and Emmerich Kahiman’s "Miss Springtime.” Sophie Brandt, a St. Louis singer, is the soprano of the cast. Eva Fallon, a Broadway favorite, is the ingenue. Lorna Doon Jackson is the contralto, Arthur Geary, tenor, and John Dely, baritone.	V. A. L. J.
Grand Forks High School Wins State Music Contest
Grand Forks, N. D., June 2.—Grand Forks High School won first place in the State High School Music Contest. Of the fourteen events Grand Forks High School placed in seven, as follows: First in piano and flute; second in soprano, boys’ glee club, chorus, and orchestra; third in boys’ vocal solos. Minot received second place, although they also got points in seven of the fourteen events. They received first place in orchestra and soprano solo, second in contralto and violin quartet, third in contralto, and fourth with the girls’ glee club and the boys’ vocal solo. Fargo won third place, with first prize for girls’ sextet, second prize for violin solo, boys’ vocal solo, cornet solo, and third prize for baritone horn solo. Mayville was next in order with first for boys’ glee club and chorus, second for the girls’ trio. Other high schools which won points were Pembina, Hope, Wahpeton, Bismarck, Jamestown, Grafton, Buxton, Ellendale, Valley City, Park River, Hillsboro, Hatton, Fessenden, Kenmare, Finley, Brocket, Larimore, Lansford, Dickinson and Glen Ullen.
More than 600 contestants took part in this State contest, representing forty-four high schools. These contests have been very successful in North Dakota and have done more than any one thing for public school music in this State.
The outstanding prize winners among the soloists were: Isabel Olson, violinist, from Wahpeton; Lydia Schmierer, contralto soloist, of Ellendale, and Norma Rognlie, pianist, of Grand Forks. The outstanding organizations were Minot Orchestra, Jamestown Girls’ Glee Club and the Buxton Band.
Judges for the contest were: F. A. Beidleman and Alice M. Sandberg, of the University music department; Edward D. Naff, Isaphine Richey, Jacob Buchholz and Doyle Waft, of Wesley College Conservatory; George Weiler, of Fargo College Conservatory and Concordia College; Mrs. Frank Temple, of Fargo College Conservatory; Jacob B. Taylor and Dr. Henry J. Humpstone, of the State University; Clarence O’Connor, of East Grand Forks High School; Mrs. F. A. Beidleman, Mrs. Edward D. Naff, Mrs. Hugh Ruettell, Mrs. L. C. Harrington, Frank Rorke and Frank Jenkins, of Grand Forks.
The organization of the district elimination contests and of the State contests is in the hands of Prof. E. H. Wilcox, head of the music department at the University of North Dakota.	E. W.
David Proctor with Harold Flammer, Inc.
David Proctor, composer and pianist of marked ability, has joined the organization of Harold Flammer, Inc. Mr Proctor will leave on a three months’ trip about the middle of June and will cover practically every State in the Union and several of the important musical centers of Canada.
Among the best known of Mr. Proctor’s compositions are "The Little Clock,” a novelty for the piano and “Drowsily Come the Sheep,” a slumber song. In addition to being an accomplished musician, Mr. Proctor has had quite an interesting theatrical career. He toured the country for many years as leading man in theatrical companies and has appeared on the screen.
Musicale at Margot Samoranya’s Studio
On Thursday afternoon, May 25, a musicale was held at the studios of Margot Samoranya, which was much appreciated. Those appearing, pupils of Miss Samoranya, included Allie Burchenal, Sarah Dobbs and Betty Allan, with Helen Crandall and Jessie Hofstetter as accompanists.
Rossetter G. Cole to Go to MacDowell Colony
Rossetter G. Cole will spend the month of June at the MacDowell Colony, Peterboro, N. H.
delightful of Puccini’s operas, “La Bohême,” was offered with Orville Harold, Queena Mario and Anne Roselle in the three leading roles. Harrold as Rudolfo lived up to the wonderful impression which he made in the same part here two years ago, singing in splendid voice and with all the emotional quality which the music demands. He was enthusiastically received, several times being applauded so long that the performance could not continue for some time. Queena Mario proved an exceptionally fitting Mimi. She has a voice of rare sweetness and purity, making up in that way for some lack of dramatic quality needed in this role. Anne Roselle gave a spirited interpretation of Mu-setta, singing with much abandon, and the Marcella of Alfredo Gandolfi was one of the most pleasing heard in many years. He not only sang excellently but was so graceful and “at home” on the stage that he added much to the “stage picture.” Schaunard was Louis D’Angelo, Benoit, Paolo Ananian, and others in the cast were Picchi, Paltrinièri, and Nieri. The conductor was Papi.
A review of the presentations of this company would be incomplete without mentioning the chorus, which offered fine ensemble singing in all of the operas.
The company was presented in the new Majestic Theater. There was some disappointment over the size of the audiences for these exceptional attractions, but what they lacked in size they made up in enthusiasm.	R. D.
Hurlbut’s Reappearance Before Roycrofters
East Aurora, N. Y., May 29.—Harold Hurlbut gave his second recital before the Roycrofters on May 28, his singing excelling his splendid work at his earlier appearance. He opened the program with a group of English songs, following these with a French group. Of these^ especially well received was the “Aubade” from “Le Roi d’Ys” in an unusual key, the three pianissimo high B flats being sung with great facility, Mr. Hurlbut’s diminuendo revealing his remarkable control of the upper voice. ^ Mention must be made of his original interpretation of “Chanton les amours de Jean,” this bergerette being sung with tone color constantly changing to suit the demand of the text. Negro spirituals and an Italian group followed. As an encore to the latter he sang “La donna e mobile,” remarking, “I will sing a song I don’t think much of.” The audience, however, heartily applauded the rollicking number with its cadenza and finale on high B natural.
The high spot of the performance, however, was a number from “Lohengrin” sung in German. His audience literally “rose to him” after this number, the recital ending in an impromptu reception that lasted half an hour during which the tenor received the personal tributes of his auditors. He will make his third appearance here this fall.
Cornish School Festival
The students and teachers of the Cornish School, Seattle, are as busy as it is possible to be just at this time of the year in connection with the festival. In addition to the dates already listed in these pages, the following constitute the various features of the festival: May 28, Students’ Recital; May 29, Orchestral Concert, Ernest Jaskovsky, Paul Mc-Coole and Jack Perine, soloists; May 30, Students’ Recital; May 31, Joint Recital, Edith Rogers violinist, John Hopper pianist; June 1, Lecture Recital, Louis Drentwett; June 2, Joint Piano Recital, Elna Burgeson, Dorothy Baker ; June 3, Piano Recital, Paul McCoole; June 4, Joint Recital, Gertrude Nord soprano, James Dobbs baritone; Students’ Reception; Ensemble Concert; June 5, Students’ Recital; June 6, Joint Recital, Esther van Valey soprano, Doine Smith violinist; June 7, Piano Recital, Jack Perine; June 8, Song Recital, Helen Hoover; June 9 and 10, Dance Festival.
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DALLAS ENJOYS
SCOTTI GRAND OPERA
Harriet Bacon MacDonald and Mrs. Wesley Porter Mason
Present Three Opera Performances as Last of Course
Dallas, Tex., May 31.—The brief engagement of the Scotti Grand Opera Company opened May 10 with a performance of “La Tosca,” which in every detail was of the highest artistic standard. Antonio Scotti appeared himself in his familiar role of the Baron Scarpia, in which he was convincing from a histrionic standpoint, and he also sang with splendid effect. Alice Gentle took the part of Floria Tosca, displaying a voice of much beauty. The Cavaradossi was Armand Tokatyan, whose rich and full tenor voice was enjoyed. The minor parts were taken by Louis D’Angelo, Paolo Ananian, Giordano Paltrinieri, Carlo Mariono, Walter Casale and Myrtle Schaaf. The big orchestra, under the conductorship of Gennaro Papi, played exquisitely at all times. To those familiar with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, hearing the performances of this company was almost like a return to that house, as the casts throughout include many of the leading names of that organization, and the orchestra, though somewhat smaller in size, gave the same finished and beautiful work that one is used to hearing there. Antonio Scotti is to be congratulated on the excellency of his opera company as a whole, and Dallas is fortunate in having had the opportunity of hearing them.
On Thursday afternoon a double bill matinee was given of “L’Oracolo” and “Cavalleria Rusticana,” both of which were worthy of the great enthusiasm shown by the audience. Antonio Scotti as the opium den keeper again showed himself a consummate actor. At the end of this opera Scotti was given an ovation lasting several minutes, and responded to many curtain calls. The complete cast included Italo Picchi, Louis D’Angelo. Armand Tokatyan, Clara Burns, Anne Roselle, Myrtle Schaaf and Giordano Paltrinieri. Papi again conducted the orchestra.
Following this came the familiar and ever popular “Cavalleria Rusticana,” with Francesca Peralta as Santuzza, Henrietta Wakefield as Lola, Emanuel Salazar as Turiddu, Greek Evans as Alfio, and Clara Cingolani as Lucia. All of these were excellent in their singing and their voices blended beautifully in ensemble parts. The introduction was magnificently played by the orchestra and brought rounds of applause, and after the “Intermezzo” there was a storm of handclapping. Papi bowed many times and had the orchestra rise and bow. It was some time before the audience allowed the opera to go on.
“La Boheme” brought Orville Harrold before the Dallas public. Closing the engagement, that most appealing and
Harriet Ware’s Garden Party
Harriet Ware (Mrs. Hugh Krumbhaar) and Mrs. Edward Harding issued invitations to a garden party May 27, 4 to 7 o’clock, Burnley Farm, Plainfield, N. J. Spring songs and readings from Chaucer by Gordon Brinley formed a portion of the afternoon affair, which was attended by many well known social and musical leaders.
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ENRICA CLAY DILLON
STUDIO OF ACTING
(Specializing in Opera)
Announces Special Summer Season
HARRISON, MAINE July 1st to Sept. 1st STUART ROSS, the eminent coach
and special instructors will provide complete means for study of scores. Address 401 West End Ave. until June 15.
American Baritone
Management :
M. L. FULLERTON
229 Fourth Ave., New York
WILLIAM SIMMONS