19
MUSICAL COURIER
April 26, 19 2 3
Musicale at Regneas Studio
Sunday afternoon, April IS, one of the season’s most delightful informal receptions and musicales took place at the studio of the eminent vocal instructor, Joseph Regneas, when he and Mrs. Regneas (well remembered as Sara Anderson) entertained a large and representative gathering in honor of Mrs. Edward MacDowell. American creative and interpretive artists were well represented, and the assembled guests took pleasure in meeting Fay Foster, Gena Branscombe, Henry Holden Huss, Francis Moore, William H. Humiston and others. The delightful musical program opened with an instrumental number rendered by the Sittig Trio, whose appearance deepened the conviction that they are numbered with the best. The exquisite voice of Louise Hubbard, soprano, aroused enthusiasm in several songs.
A delightful and unique feature of the afternoon was the rendering by Mme. Regneas of three of MacDowell’s best songs, the accompaniments of which had been especially arranged for the occasion for piano, violin and violoncello, by William H. Humiston. Mrs. MacDowell had expressed the opinion that these songs, Mein liebchen, Oben Wo Die Sterne Gluehen, and Du Liebst Mich Nicht, would lend themselves well to such adaptation, and as a surprise to her, the songs were so arranged, and beautifully rendered by Mme. Regneas, accompanied by Marguerite Sittig, Edgar Sittig and Irene Gruenberg; the last named also played accompaniments for Mme. Hubbard. Marguerite Sittig, in solo numbers for violin, concluded the, program amid plaudits and expressions of delight.
11 and 18, and she will be heard in the third on May 9. Realizing the difficulty that many singers have in making themselves understood, Mme. Horne cleared up _ many of the common mistakes and showed how proper placing of the vowels and consonants not only makes the words intelligible,, but also produces the correct tone. After comprehensive explanations of the various sounds and combinations, phrases often considered difficult were analyzed and it was interesting to see how they could be easily overcome with a little intelligent thought. Good diction is one of the most valuable assets either in speaking or singing, and Mme. Horne has many excellent points to offer on the subject.
High Praise for Marjorie Squires
“Miss Squires was especially well chosen for last night’s audience, because it was fitting that Missouri’s musical persons should see exemplified the type of musician this country is striving to produce—and producing.” Such was the paragraph that appeared in the Kansas City Times after Marjorie Squires, the׳ contralto, had appeared in that city as soloist with the Kansas City Little Symphony Orchestra.
Schumann Heink Still Busy
Ernestine Schumann Heink is singing concerts this month in the States of Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois and Pennsylvania. Among the largest cities in which she will appear are Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Omaha, Chicago (recital on April 22) and Pittsburgh.
Sascha JACOBINOFF Violinist
SUCCESS ASSURED
FOR NINON ROMAINE
Character and Sensitiveness Mark Pianist’s Playing—First Tour Managed by Drake
A name long familiar to concert audiences in Germany. Russia and Europe generally, Ninon Romqine, recently has been brought to American notice in no mistakable fashion, and during the coming season, there is every indication, it will figure with prominence. Mme. Romaine is a notable addition to the list of pianists and she is under exclusive
Photo bv A peda.
NTNON ROMAINE
contract with Charles N. Drake. From time to time in the last few years, one European visitor or another has brought reports of the performances by this striking young woman and expressed surprise that we had not had an opportunity to hear her. These advance heralds gave rise_ to thoroughly interesting rumors about “the second Carreno, but there was no effort at exploitation on the part of the artist, nor any assurance that she contemplated a professional visit to this country; consequently her actual arrival here a few months ago was barely known outside of professional circles.
It has since developed that Mme. Romaine came more in the person of a tourist than an artist, but her identity did not long remain hidden in New York, and she was urged to make several appearances and subsequently prevailed upon to announce a tour for 1923-24.
In the dozen or more concerts that virtually were thrust upon her this winter, it was promptly discovered why she so deeply impressed Europe’s art world and also why we had heard so little about her on this side of the water. For the first, she radiates an inspired musical sensitiveness that seems to charge the air with singular significance, and on the second score, a thoughtful observer quickly realizes that she plays for the music, not for glorification. There is much of the spirit of the painter—the creator—in her attitude; she seeks and imparts expression with the unmistakably genuine absorption of one deep in her work, accomplishing it with a sure but quiet master’s touch. One can sense her fine reluctance to personal advertisement and understand why her work has remained in a way almost “exclusive.”
Mme. Romaine sailed for Europe on April 14 on the S.S. George Washington. She will be heard in three London concerts, one of which probably will be with orchestra. Other appearances will be made in Paris and Brussels, and during Julv, Mme. Romaine will be a guest at the Siamese Embassy in Rome. The occasion will be the visit of Prince Pridi and a royal party from Siam. While in the Italian capital Mme. Romaine will present a letter of_ introduction to the Pope which she carries from the Archbishop of Toledo. Among the trips by aeroplane which she will take are from London to Paris and from Paris to Amsterdam.
Although an American by birth, Mme. Romaine made her career in Europe, where she has lived since she was a child; her recent visit of several months here, was the first in a number of years. She will return late in October to begin a lengthy tour.	B. G.
Florence Macbeth Sponsors Mankato Girl
Mankato, Minn., is fostering another luminary in the world of art, Harriet Pugh, a little cripple girl, whose writing of There’s a Nest in My Heart for You is so excellent that Florence Macbeth, prima donna of the Chicago Opera, another Mankatoite, has had it set to music with the intention of giving it a place on her programs.
John Charles Thomas More Than Makes Good
When engaging John Charles Thomas at the beginning of the season, R. E. Johnston promised him forty appearances. Mr. Thomas’ recent appearance at Symphony Hall, Boston, brought his total thus far to sixty-four concerts. A splendid record to be achieved by an artist in his debut year.
“....no wonder that the audience recalled him
times out of number.”—Christian Science Monitor.
Direction of Catharine A. Bamman, S3 West 3Qth Street, New York City
Mme. Jocelyn Horne Talks on Diction
One of the most vital questions of the day in connection with singing is that of diction. Vocalists are devoting more and more attention to the words, and realizing that the music is not of sole importance. Mme. Jocelyn Horne is giving a series of three illustrated talks on diction, in speech and singing. Two were given at the Gamut Club on April,