42
May 31, 1923
MUSICAL COURIER
Boston Symphony Plays Skilton Suite
The Flute Serenade and Moccasin Game, from Skilton’s Suite Primeval, were on the program of the Boston Symphony Orchestra on April 27 and 28. Philip Hale commented as follows in the Boston Herald: “Mr. Skilton has utilized these Indian themes in an appropriately simple manner. Although he has ornamented the flute theme with trills and flourishes, his treatment is not too sophisticated. He has written frankly and effectively, without disturbing ethnological purpose or parade, nor does he insist that this music is distinctively ‘Amu-r-r-ican,’ in which respect he is wiser than some of his fellow laborers in the North American vineyard. We should like to hear music from Mr. Skilton for which he has invented his own themes.”
The Suite Primeval has also been played *by the New York Philharmonic, Minneapolis and St. Louis symphony orchestras and will be given by several other organizations next season. The above numbers are also published for piano, and the Serenade has been recorded for Duo-Art by Harold Henry and as an orchestra record by the Columbia Graphophone Company. Skilton is professor of organ and theory of music at the University of Kansas.
Humphrey J. Stewart’s Fine Record
Dr. Humphrey J. Stewart, official organist of Balboa Park, San Diego, makes his report for the year past and gives numerical evidence of extraordinary activity and enthusiasm. He gave almost daily organ recitals during the year, the total number being 304, and attracted very large crowds to them all. Recitals were also given by visiting organists, among them Dr. Latham True, Royal A. Brown, Austin Thomas, Paul Maiss and Mrs. L. J. Bangert. Only eighteen recitals were suspended by rain, which, considering that these are outdoor recitals, gives proof of the fine San Diego climate. Sixteen concerts were offered by bands from the U. S. S. Charleston and from the marine corps base. There were two concerts by musical organizations. Over two thousand pieces were played at the recitals during the year, 1,840 of them by Dr. Stewart himself. About 500 different composers were represented.
More Foreign Honors for American Girl
Harriett Van Emden, lieder singer, made her London debut recently with unusual artistic success. Following her Continental engagements, which have been sung in Berlin, Leipsic, Dresden, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, The Hague, Vienna, Prague and Budapesth, she gave her last concert but one during her engagement at Wigmore Hall. She is to sing again in Holland with Willem Mengelberg, then returning to the United States for the tour arranged for her by Daniel Mayer. Thereafter she will spend a part of her time each year in the United States and the rest in Europe. Miss Van Emden is a pupil of Mme. Sembrich, and is a daughter of the United States by Dutch parents.
Another New York Appearance for Sundelius
On Tuesday evening, May 15, Marie Sundelius, the Metropolitan soprano, gave a recital in the Great Hall of the College of the City of New York for the Women’s Auxiliary of the Lutheran Inner Mission Society of New York. Her numbers included compositions by Grieg, Schubert, Strauss, Gounod (a scene and aria from Faust), Lang! Watts, Pelletier, Spross and an unusually interesting Scandinavian group. Fillmore Ohman played her accompaniments and also contributed two solo groups to the program. Many encores were given by both artists. A large and appreciative audience was present.
American stated: “Clair Eugenia Smith gave outstanding interest to the role of Amneris. The rich color of her superb voice was splendidly disclosed in the second act duet with Miss Wilkins, and even more impressive was her singing in the_ last act. _ Histrionically she was truly regal as the vindictive Egyptian princess whose jealousy brings about the culminating tragedy, and her portrayal throughout was consistent and artistic.” This opinion was shared by the critic of the Public Ledger, who said: “Clair Eugenia Smith had the exacting part of Amneris, and rose to it with grace, ease, historic instinct and attractive presence, singing with accuracy and expression in equal measure.” Wassili Leps is the conductor of the Philadelphia Operatic Society, and it is due largely to his untiring efforts that
WASSILI LEPS,
conductor of the Philadelphia Operatic Society.
the organization is able to present such artistic performances. According to the Public Ledger, “In Aida the Philadelphia Operatic Society undoubtedly accomplished the most notable achievement in its history.”
Girls Glee Club of the English High School, under the direction of Walter H. Butterfield, gave a group of songs for the Chaminade Club of Providence, R. I., on April 23. Dupre Rhame, baritone, pupil of J. Oscar Miller, director of music, Greenville Women’s College, Greenville, S. C., was the successful contestant in the South Carolina young artists’ contest, N. F. of M. C, held in Greenville, March 13.
Seven Harpists at Aeolian Hall
The harp department of the Institute of Musical Art will be represented_ at the commencement exercises on June 2 by seven harpists, who will play in the performance of a Part °o Wagner’s Rheingold. The orchestra and singers to be heard in this work are pupils at the Institute. It is seldom that this opera is given with the full quota of harpists. Adaline Messerschmitt will graduate this year from the harp department of the Institute. This department is in charge of Marie Miller and Carlos Salzedo
Guy Maier for Springfield
Guy Maier and Lee Pattison played at the Springfield Mass., Festival on May 5. One direct result is that Mr’ Maier has been engaged for one of his inimitable Concerts for Young People on March 29, next, under the local management of Mrs. L. B. Triplett.
Evelyn Scotney Returning in August
Evelyn Scotney, coloratura soprano, formerly of the Metropolitan Opera, who has been on a concert, tour this spring, in her native land, Australia, sends word that she will return to America in August and sing here again next season.
Gemunder in Tuckahoe
TiHa Gemunder, soprano, was the soloist at the musicale and tea given by the Colonial Club, Tuckahoe, N. Y. April 28. She sang two groups of songs by modern American composers, and was repeatedly encored.
Summer Study ׳Mid the Mountains
Mine. ANNA E. ZIEGLER
Teacher of Laurette Taylor Will Conduct
MASTER GLASSES IN SINGING
at Woodstock, N. Y., Catskill Mts., beginning July 10. Write at once to Sec׳y, Ziegler Institute, 1425 Broadway, N. Y., Metropolitan Opera House Studios °r Hotel Belleclaire, Broadway & 77th St., N. Y. Originator Caruso Breath Control Method.
NEW ORLEANS HAPPENINGS
New Orleans, La., May 14.—The musical season came to a close on April 30 with a brilliant concert by Mischa Elman. Every available seat in the big Anthenaeum was taken and for almost two hours the violinist held his hearers. Elman revealed all of his usual qualities of tone, temperament and technic. He appeared under the auspices of the Philharmonic Society.
One of the outstanding affairs of the season was the concert by Gladys Pope at the Grünewald Hotel. Miss Pope, who is still in her ’teens, displayed talent of unusual order. Not only did she play from memory a most exacting program ,but she performed in a manner that would have done credit to many an artist of long experience. This gifted young girl is a pupil of the noted teacher, Mark Kaiser, himself a virtuoso of distinction.
The Saturday Music Circle, under the presidency of Mrs. Mark Kaiser, has been giving noteworthy monthly musicales at which the best of music is presented by many of our most capable musicians. Corinne Mayer is the instrumental director and Mary Moloney the vocal director of the circle.
The Polyhmnia Circle closed its season with a splendid concert at the Louisianne ballroom at which many prominent musicians sang. Mrs. T. C. Buckley, the director of the circle, is to be congratulated on the success with which she has met since she founded the organization some fifteen years ago.	h. B. L.
Easton Sings Children’s Crusade at Cincinnati Festival
At the recent Cincinnati Festival Florence Easton, besides appearing in Mendelssohn’s Elijah and as soloist with the orchestra in a concert program, sang Aliys in Pierne’s Children’s Crusade. “The dramatic quality of the story and the music brought out the warmth of Easton’s voice, which became vitally alive, well controlled, smooth and elastic in delivery. She colored the part exquisitely.” Such was the verdict of the Cincinnati Enquirer, and' the other papers were just as enthusiastic in their praise.
Letz Quartet Reengaged by Columbia University
. The Letz Quartet has been engaged for the fourth year m succession by the Institute of Arts and Sciences of Columbia University. It will give two concerts on the evenings of November 28 and March 19.
Clair Eugenia Smith Sings Amneris in Aida
Clair Eugenia Smith is vitally interested in opera, and it is her plan, following a concert tour of the world, to organize a company of her own with herself as impresaria. As Miss Smith already has visited all the important opera
Photo by Mishkin
CLAIR EUGENIA SMITH.
mezzo soprano, who appeared as Amneris in Aida with the Philadelphia Operatic Society.
houses of the world, and made note of the favorable and unfavorable features in connection with each of them, she has therefore formed many ideas regarding the organization of her own company.
Miss Smith’s appearance as Amneris in Aida with the Philadelphia Operatic Society aroused unusual interest in Philadelphia. The performance was given at the Academy of Music on the evening of May 17, and the audience was quick to show its keen appreciation of Miss Smith’s ability, both vocally and histrionically. Preceding the performance Miss Smith’s photograph appeared in the picture section of the Philadelphia Public Ledger and the dailies of that city devoted considerable space to the announcement of her engagement with the Operatic Society. That the mezzo-soprano lived up to the advance reports is evidenced by the splendid press notices she received. The critic of the North
Sundelius Reception in Brooklyn
A very beautiful and impressive tribute was given the Metropolitan soprano, Marie Sundelius, in Brooklyn on Saturday evening, May 12, after her concert there in the Bethlehem Church when several hundred enthusiastic people remained outside the edifice in a terrific downpour of ram and waved their farewell to the singer as she departed in her car. Mme.^ Sundelius made this her fifth appearance at this church in as many years, and an audience which taxed the available capacity of the church was present and demanded so many encores that the popular prima donna doubled her printed program. Conrad Fors-berg accompanied and was also heard in a solo group.
Mme. Sundelius sails next month for her European appearances, and this concert was in the nature of a farewell appearance in Brooklyn, where she is a reigninp־ favorite.	&
Activities of Haywood Institute Teachers
Mrs. Stella Paul Bradford, Salt Lake City, Utah has organized a new class in Universal Song. A recital’ was given by all of her classes on April 30 at her studios. The
HELEN
DENNY
Soprano
Engaged for the Summer Season
Leading Soprano De Feo Grand Opera Co., Baltimore
Soloist with Wassili Leps Orchestra, Willow Grove, Philadelphia
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