MUSICAL COURIER
14
February 22, 1923
his muse the German singing societies _ were indebted for some of the most precious pearls in their repertory, for he did not think it beneath him to write for male choruses and glee clubs. Of his many compisitions, such as comic arias and scenes; humorous songs for male voices; humorous sketches, duets and trios, the following are a few: Die Ständchenprobe, Ehemann’s Schlummerlied, Meine Frau hat schwache Nerven, Die gute Schwiegermama, Ich weiss nicht was ich singen soll, Wasser, Bier und Wein, Das deutsche Schneiderbankett, Ein Mann in den besten Jahren, Frosch-Ballade, Bräutigam und Ehemann, Herr Nudelmüller und seine Töchter, Der Weinreisende, Sennerin und Bua im Salon, Die gestohlene Gans, Hauswirt und Mieter, and Eine Partie Sechsundsechzig. All of his songs, choral and humorous works for special occasions always met with general
Last Years
In 1878 Genée had taken up his residence in a villa near Pressbaum, in the Wiener Wald, where he was engaged in composition and literary work, at which he kept on untiringly, although afflicted with a severe illness. His leisure hours were spent in caring for his garden and his pets. He rarely ever left his cozy home, which was always open to his friends, who loved and honored their colleague, the jovial and witty poet-composer. In the winter of 1894 he went to Meran, in the Austrian Tyrol, to seek relief from his pains. In 189S on his way to a northern watering place, he took
RICHARD GENEE—OPERETTA COMPOSER AND LIBRETTIST
(Continued from Page 7).
Don Montiel and Nisida, who releases her former lover Don Rodrigo, finding him to be truly in love with Donna Mercedes. Don Montiel who had obtained _ possession of the warrant of arrest against Nisida, has given it to her as a proof of his love, which is mutual. Barnacle, who has been released, wins 10,000 reals at Miaco from Don Palestro which Nisida wins back from him and then stakes herself against Don Palestro’s money (which is Don Montiel’s legacy) but this time she loses. Don Palestro attempts to take possession of his prize but is interrupted by Barnacle, who has hired a band of negroes to kidnap Nisida, who in turn is rescued by Don Montiel. In rescuing Nisida, Don Montiel has fired his pistol in the air and Barnacle falls and is reported dead. During the confusion and while Don Montiel, aided by freebooters, has taken Nisida to a place of safety, a hurricane strikes overhead.
In the third act Barnacle, after instituting a suit for damages through Don Graziano, decides it were better to belong to the living again so that he can marry Donna Miguela, Palestro’s sister, an old maid worth three million, and who has mourned his reported deatln So the curtain falls at last on three happy couples—Nisida with her freebooter husband, Don Montiel, for whom she has
secutors. Don Palestro also falls desperately in love with Nisida, whom he has recognized in her male attire, and with an ardor rarely shown by any tribunal president, offers her his hand and all his possessions.^ Don Palestro, having both warrants with him, offers Nisida hers in exchange
PORTRAIT OF RICHARD GENEB.
From a photograph taken during the time he was conductor at the Theater an der Wien.
for her love. She snatches the warrant from him, a feat which Don Montiel performs at another occasion when the warrant, supposed to be for him, is shown. Both get the wrong warrants, and when Barnacle, aided by the rascal Don Graziano, tries to cause Nisida’s arrest, she produces the warrant for Don Montiel, denounces her persecutor to be the freebooter Don Montiel and, with the assistance of Don Palestro, she succeeds in haying not only the impresario but also the agent Don Graziano arrested. In the second act an intense love is developed between
THREE VIEWS OF MERAN,
a watering place in the Austrian Tyrol.
a temporary domicile in Baden-bei-Wien, also a watering place, where on June IS of that year, at the age of sixty-two, he passed away in the arms of his foster-daughter who had been taking care of him. During his long and severe illness he had been under the care of the eminent Dr. Joseph Hoffmann, who was a personal friend of his and who had been untiring in his labors to give relief to his dying friend. The funeral took place on June 18, in the afternoon. Among those who attended were a deputation of officials of the city in which he died, the composers Millöcker, Konzak and Soucoup, Director Schreiber, the author Wilhelm Ascher, representatives of the art world and other friends of the deceased. After an impressive funeral service, the casket, which was covered with many beautiful wreaths (Johann Strauss and Director Lautenberg of Berlin being among those who sent floral tributes), was interred in the cemetery in Baden-bei-Wien.
The stage lost in him a most eminent librettist and his many musical compositions give him a place in the foremost rank of composers of the light and graceful style of music.
renounced the operatic stage to live henceforth in a cabin on board his privateer; Barnacle and Donna Miguela, and, finally, Don Rodrigo and Donna Mercedes.
Other Operettas
The works which followed Nisida were: Rosina (1881), given in Berlin in 1884; Die Piraten (1886), given in Berlin in that year, and Dreizehn or Drei Dreibund (1887) in three acts. Genee’s name was linked with every great success of light opera in Vienna in his time. Among his lesser known operettas are the following: Der Zopfabschneider, in one act; Don Trabuco di Trabucillos, in one act; Die Prinzessin von Kannibalien, or Narrheit und Photographie, in two acts; Freund Felix, in three acts; Die Antisemiten, in four acts, and Die Zwillinge, written in collaboration with Louis Roth.
Other Musical Works
All of his numerous poetic and musical creations are rich in humor and are written in the spirit of the carnival. To
Why Not Carol at Easter?
Carols and the Christmas spirit go together. Communities which have Christmas caroling know how much the Yuletide season gains in beauty and devotion through bands of carolers singing outside candle-lit windows, singing in churches and around the Christmas tree.
Easter caroling, expressing the glad awakening that comes with springtime and with Resurrection, is a new idea but a very happy and practicable one. Besides singing at church services, Easter carolers may visit hospitals and institutions. A blossoming Easter plant in a window may, like the Christmas candle, be a signal for carolers to stop and
sing.
Outdoor services early on Easter morning were featured by several cities last year. On hilltops in _ Macon and San Diego, thousands greeted the sun with Christ The Lord Is Risen Today.
Among the fine, old Easter hymns suitable for caroling are The Strife Is O'er, The Battle’s Done and Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain.
The “Learn a Carol a Day” plan is excellent for community Easter caroling. Inaugurated by Community Service, it has been used with great success throughout the country. A bulletin explaining every detail of such a plan, including newspaper publicity and programs by united groups, may be obtained from Community Service, 315 Fourth avenue, New York City. The origin of Easter caroling and the stories of the most famous Easter carols are described in this bulletin by Prof. Peter W. Dykema, of the University of Wisconsin. Community Service issues a dignified and attractive Easter song sheet, with the text of six Easter carols. Special collections of standard Easter carols and hymns giving both music and words are also obtainable.
SALVATORE	FUCITO
VOCAL TEACHER	and COACH
FOR FIVE YEARS WITH CARUSO IN CONCERT AND OPERATIC WORK—AUTHOR OF “CARUSO AND THE ART OF	
SINGING”	
Nevada Apartment	2025 Broadway
Telephone—C olumbus 6944	New York City