MUSICAL COURIER
May 17, 1923
18
Germaine Schnitzer Tells of Her Friendship with Sarah Bernhardt
In an interview with Germaine Schnitzer, the well known and charming pianist, the topic of conversation turned to the recent loss to the artistic world of Sarah Bernhardt. Speaking of what a privilege it was to know the “Divine Sarah,” Mme. Schnitzer told me of her first meeting and also many other interesting happenings which occurred during her friendship with the great actress:
“I shall never forget my breathless excitement when my husband, Dr. Leo Buerger, told me, over the telephone, that he was going to operate on Sarah Bernhardt. It was in April, 1917. I had just returned from a concert tour through the Middle West, and on the way back to New York I read of the critical illness of my great compatriot in the newspapers. And my husband was so cool and collected about it; how I admired his American ‘flegme.’ What a night 1 Reporters were hanging onto our wire until the early hours of the morning, and what relief it was to know; yes—the great tragedienne had been saved 1 It was but a few days later that I was asked to call on the ‘Divine,’ still at the hospital. She had heard of Germaine Schnitzer, the French pianist, and said she was anxious to meet the wife of her ‘Docteur Sauveur,’ as she used to call Dr. Buerger.
“From this day dated a friendship between Mme. Bernhardt and myself which lasted to her death—a cherished and treasured memory. Soon after that it was Germaine and Sarah between us. What lovely hours we spent together in Briarcliff! She insisted that I accompany her when she left the hospital. We drove directly to Briar-cliff, drove very slowly of course, and arrived there after two and a half hours of steady automobile shaking. We all thought that she would be exhausted—we were tired— and hadn’t she just left the hospital? But no, her first worry was to order lunch, and to order only what we would like. Those were her ways, considerate of others, generous to excess. Wonderful jewels, antiques, etc., her gifts to me, are proofs of this. She left Briarcliff for Long Beach and spent the summer of 1917 there.
“She began to paint my portrait and there were hours and hours when she spoke to me in her fascinating way, when nobody but myself was there to listen to the engrossing tales she could so uniquely relate. What recollections of wonderful confidences; she told me one day T have tried everything but dope.’ What jolly walks we took on the boardwalk, the ‘fidele Pitou’ pushing her rolling chair! The promenaders would bow and doff their hats deeply to this Queen of Art, and she would smile so graciously and ingratiatingly as only a sovereign could to her subjects. But a few minutes later, as we would get back to the hotel, she would ask me with that inimitable mischievous smile of hers ‘Qui sont done tous ces gens-la?’ (Who are all those people?)
“At the beginning of September, 1917, Sarah Bernhardt made her reappearance on the American stage. I never witnessed such a reception in my life. As the curtains parted and a glimpse of Sarah seated in the middle of the stage was had, the whole audience rose to its feet and stood clapping and cheering. There was a wonderful ‘souper’ at her apartment at the Savoy afterwards, and we stayed together until the wee hours of the morning.
“And what lovely ‘Reveillons’ (Christmas eves) we had there. There had to be some ‘boudin’ (blood sausage) according to the French custom centuries old; numbers were draw out of a basket and presents accordingly numbered were taken down from the huge tree. Blissful memories! This extraordinary woman. could be the greatest entertainer it has ever been my fortune to hear. She could imitate everything, from the noises in railroad stations at night, heard from the sleeper, to the neighing of a lovelorn horse. Marvelous personality, dear and unforgettable friend 1”	k. j)
Rata Présent at Upsala College
Cranford, N. J., April 25.—On Saturday evening, April 21, Rata Présent was enthusiastically received in a piano recital at Upsala College. Her program opened with the Bach-Liszt organ fantasie and fugue, which she executed with heroic breadth and in true classic style. Mendelssohn’s Variations Serieuse displayed rare beauty of tone and a sympathy for the message of the composer that reached the very hearts of the listeners. A Chopin group followed, revealing poetry and charm and, when required, not a little dramatic fervor. The modern numbers which came next were rendered in distinctive and artistic style with a play of vivid imagination, and Liszt’s twelfth rhapsody, put forth with spirit, closed the printed program. There were numerous encores to cap the delight of an evening spent in the enjoyment of real art that subordinated at all times the ample materials at its command.	A. C.
on April 10, assisted by Mary Howe, composer-pianist. The organization rendered Mozart’s quartet in G major and the Dvorak quartet in F major, No. 96, with understanding, facility of expression and technical accomplishment. Miss Howe’s Andante and Scherzo were done with ease and grace, the composer playing the piano part with familiar ability. The members of the quartet are Henri Sokolov, first violin; Max Pugatsky, second violin; Samuel Feldman viola, and Richard Lorleberg, cellist.
Notes.
T. S. Lovette and Eva Lovette, assisted by their students, were heard in a piano and song recital which included works by Tschaikowsky, Brahms, Guion, Lovette, Chopin and Vivaldi.
H. LeRoy Lewis, baritone, and Josephine Mattson, soprano, gave a program of varied and worthwhile numbers at Studio Hall.
Upon the twenty-fifth anniversary of his assumption of the leadership of the United States Marine Band, William H. Santelmann was elected to honorary membership of the Washington Salon and United Art Society.
The Washington College of Music announces the addition of Mr. and Mrs. Rollin Bond, teachers of dramatics; F. V. Schoedler, teacher of piano and organ, and August Bingert, who will conduct classes in harmony and sight-reading.
Mary C. Nelson lectured at the College Woman’s Club on the Fusion of the Arts with Music, illustrating her subject by selections from the works of Handel, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Ravel and Schoenberg.
Two pupils of Albert Harned, Reba Grace Henderson,
“Miss Peterson has been in Sacramento before and she returns with just the same splendid soprano voice and the same magnetic personality that so endeared her before. Her voice is a lovely soprano, warm and rich. It is under perfect control, its high notes as clear and true as a bell.”
The Sacramento (Cat.) Union said the above about May Peterson, so-prano of the Metropolitan Opera
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mezzo-soprano, and Albert Summers, baritone, rendered a list of difficult songs that showed their training to good advantage.
The thirty-third students’ concert by the Washington College of Music was given at Central High School and filled the large hall with an interested audience.
Clara Elena Sanchez, soprano; Alfonso Pedroza, tenor; Ada Navarrete, soprano, and Ignacio Fernandez Esperon, pianist-composer, offered a program of Mexican airs at the National Museum Auditorium, in connection with Mexican Night exercises sponsored by the School of Foreign Service of Georgetown University.
The Bakule Chorus lead by Frantisec Bakule, appeared at Poli’s Theater April 18, and gave a remarkable exhibition of a capella singing by a group of very young students. The charm of Marenka Domatova’s sweet voice brought forth great approval from the many who attended. Marie Mikova, pianist, played accompaniments for a few dances and offered a group of Smetana’s compositions.
A lecture-recital of great interest was given by Dr. Sigmund Spaeth at the Central High School before a highly appreciative gathering. The speaker outlined various modern melodies, showing their similarity with the old ones which have been written for many years and likewise described the simplicity of the most popular tunes now before the public.
The Orpheus Quartet, Bessie Calhoun, soprano; Lillian Brousseau, contralto; Russell McGee, tenor, and G. H. Lambert, bass, recently was heard in an excellent program of songs before the National Voters’ Association of Ohio. The quartet also sang for the Ruth Chapter of the Eastern Star Order at one of its conventions in this city. T. F. G.
WASHINGTON CONCERT
SEASON COMES TO END
Many Artists of Local Prominence, as Well as Visiting Musicians, Are Heard on Programs
Washington, D. C., April 26.—The prolonged winter has had much to do with the lengthy season practically completed in Washington. The year has brought much that is excellent to the capital and upon scanning the advance notices for the fall everything points to another brilliant series of events. It is felt, however, that were a greater variety of musicians offered there would be a larger attendance than has heretofore been attained.
Paul Althouse to the Rescue for the Masculine Contingent.
The last concert of the Star Series was given by Paul Althouse at the National Theater, April 13, under the local management of T. Arthur Smith. Mr. Althouse was a welcome singer since male vocalists seem to be the exception rather than the rule here. He gave French and English numbers with thorough understanding, precision and clarity of diction. Rudolph Gruen, pianist, interpreted a group of solos outstanding among which were the MacDowell compositions. Mr. Gruen likewise provided the accompaniments.
Chaliapin Thrills Large Audience.
An initial appearance of Feodor Chaliapin in the city, April 3, introduced many new and unhackneyed songs by the Russian composers. The works of Glinka, Dargomizh-sky, Koenemann and Moussorgsky were represented and served to magnify all that had been foretold of the great vocalist. The audience stayed until a late hour for many encores.
French Chanteuse Returns.
Emma Calve returned to Washington after an absence of five years and was heard in recital at Poli’s Theater, April 6. Various songs and arias showed that she has lost none of her enchantment. Yvonne Dienne added several piano numbers and was a satisfying accompanist.
Eleven-Year-Old Pianist Excites.
The latest piano prodigy, Shura Cherkassy, was presented by Mrs. Wilson-Greene at Poli’s Theater, April 13, and proceeded through difficult works by Handel, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff and Moszkowski in a masterly fashion. The lad showed excellent training and exceptional brilliance and was enthusiastically applauded.
Clelia Fioravanti Sings for Clubs.
Clelia Fioravanti, contralto, sang before two appreciative organizations during the past three weeks and gained many new friends by her meritorious work. At the Press Club, songs by Lee, Curran and Salter brought forth much applause by her artistic rendition. The singer was obliged to add several encores to her program. The National School of Chiropractors called upon Miss Fioravanti to sing at its annual convention and she was again received very enthusiastically. The Elks’ Club chose this artist for the soloist at its memorial service and her vocalism lent much to the impressiveness of the ceremony. Katherine Olrik, pianist, shared the honors with Miss Fioravanti at the Press Club while Marceil Greenhaulgh played her accompaniments on the other occasions.
Faust Given by Local Company.
The Washingtonians under Rollin Bond presented in tableau form an English version of Gounod’s Faust at the Central High School Auditorium, April 3-5. The leads were well taken by local singers. Faust, Mephisto, Valentine and Wagner were sung by Harry Stevens, J. Frank Duggan, Raymond G. Moore and Royal Tinker while Bessie Means, Elsie Jorss and Cecile M. Sale filled the parts of Marguerite, Siebel and Martha respectively. Much excellent choral work was done by the ensemble formed from the Opera Society and the Washington Choral Society.
Musical Sorority Sponsors Concert.
The Rho Beta Chapter of the Mu Phi Epsilon Musical Sorority held its annual recital at the Congregational Church, April 6, before a crowd that filled all available space in the auditorium. Netta Craig, soprano, gave two groups of songs and was pleasantly greeted. Charles T. Tittmann’s resonant bass was customarily satisfying in songs and the various duets as were the offerings by Richard Lorleberg, cellist, and Elizabeth Winston, pianist. Flora McGill Keefer, mezzo-soprano, by her excellent mastery of all that she attempted and the refinement which she lent to her interpretations, stood out as a vocalist who is thoroughly conversant with all phases of her art. Miss Von Bayer and Mrs. Trenis were the accompanists.
String Quartet Plays.
The National String Quartet was heard at the Playhouse
of Covent Garden, Paris Grand Opera, Brussels, Berlin, Wien, Bayreuth New York and Chicago Opera Companies.
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