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June 7, 19 2 3
MUSICAL COURIER
voices of the city. To Paul Saunier is much of the credit due for the success of the two concerts and the club in general. The Petersburg Music Club is closing its first full season. Eight concerts have been given by the club, four by visiting artists. All of these have been given since January of this year. There is a large subscription list, a strong active membership of local musicians, a club-room, library feature and a plan of sacred music circulation which innovation has worked well.	.
The Petersburg Music Club gave the third concert of its series by local artists before an appreciative audience. The committee in charge of this program was D. P. Powers, Loretta Powers, Mary Patteson and L. E. Rayhorn. The program was varied and well rendered. Those taking part were Howard Freas and Pinckney Powers, piano duettists; Margaret Westmoreland, violinist; H. W. Boyer, baritone guest artist; Elizabeth Bouldin, pianist; Mrs. Chesley Martin, soprano; Mary Patteson, contralto; Ollin Rogers, tenor, and John Patterson, baritone.
Notes
The Petersburg High School Orchestra (under the direction of Melvin Maccoul) gave its third annual concert in the High School Auditorium, assisted by Charlene Miller, soprano, and Robert Talmadge, cornetist.
On May 3 the fourth concert by local artists was given by the Petersburg Music Club, presenting Pauline Dowman, Mary Paterson and Charlene Miller (guest artist), pianists; Alberta Work, violinist; Sarah Young, soprano; Virginia Bowman Hall, contralto; Vivian Boyd, soprano; Olm Rogers, tenor, and Hugh Alley, tenor.
The Washington St. M. E. church rendered Gauls Ruth for the second time this season, by request, at the Sunday evening service May 27, before a large congregation. The soloists were Charlene Miller, soprano; Josephine Smith Blanks, contralto; Lillian Longley Baird, contralto, and John Patterson, baritone.	J• G. H.
Miinz Is Interviewed in Elmira
Stating that grapefruit, subways and the Boston Symphony were three United States wonders, Mieczyslaw Munz recently gave a characteristic interview in the Elmira, N. Y., Star-Gazette, in which he also declared his liking for American girls, American jazz, and life here in general. According to his own story, Mr. Miinz did not begin his study of the piano until he was nine years old, although he commenced playing at the age of three. He gave his first public concert in Cracow, Poland, when twelve, and a year later played with the symphony orchestra of that city. At his first public concert he played Tschaikowsky’s B flat minor concerto. Miinz studied in Berlin under Busoni and in 1914-15 at the Vienna Academy of Music. Three years ago his musical studies were interrupted by military life in the army of Pilsudski, the Polish leader. A year ago he appeared before the Queen Mother of Italy, shortly thereafter coming to America, where his success from the start has been extraordinary.
McCormack and Hackett Thrill Paris
Said the New York Herald, Paris on May 17: “American artists have so far been the biggest success of the present Paris season: This is the almost unanimous opinion of critics here, and particularly French critics, who pay a glowing tribute to the wonderful voices of John McCormack and Charles Hackett. The best of French society turned out in large numbers to applaud these artists, and the only regret expressed is that more opportunities are not given French people for hearing these famous tenors.^
“•Mr Hackett’s appearance at the Opera is considered by many as one of the finest features of the already brilliant season in this national establishment. For several minutes at a time the spectators rose in their seats loudly applauding and continually calling for more. John McCormack was repeatedly the first to lead the applause, which only died down when the artists appeared to be almost on the brink of exhaustion. Although all sang in Italian their melodious voices sufficed to enthrall the vast assembly which gathered at the Opera.
“The appearance of these two tenors in the same week has been the main feature of Paris theaterland. Little of interest has been seen or heard elsewhere.”
Mme. de Villeneuve at Music Lovers’ Hall
The Music Lovers’ Association presented Yolando Ernestine R. de Villeneuve, dramatic artist, in a recital of music-mood dances and recitations, at Music Lovers’ Hall, May 25. The first half of the program was given by some of Mme. Villeneuve’s pupils, the numbers consisting of dainty ensemble dancing and two recitations in French. Lallu Ryckoff was at’the piano. The second part was given by Mme. Villeneuve, assisted by Stuart Smith at the piano, who also played with good feeling two solos—Gnosienne by Sati, and Chopin’s F major impromptu. Mme. Villeneuve recited in French a scene from Iphigenie. Her dances were interpretations of a Chopin valse, prelude and nocturne, and varied numbers by Lamartine, Schubert, Schutt, Nevin and Chopin, to which she gave graceful expression.
manager of the institution, has just been satisfactorily adjusted out of court. The trustees of the opera have acknowledged the financial claims of Hartmann as well as his excellent efforts in behalf of the opera during the past ten years. In recognition of his valuable services in the past the trustees have made him an honorary member of the Deutsches Opernhaus from active participation in which he will withdraw since the artistic differences between himself and the financial backers of the institution could not be bridged.	A. Q.
Festival of Handel Operas for Gottingen.
Gottingen, May 22—A festival of Handel operas will be held here July 4-14 during which the following operas are to be performed: Otto and Theophano, Julius Caesar, and Rodelinde in a brand new arrangement. Some of those having leading roles are the American contralto, Eleanor Reynolds; Wilhelm Guttmann, of the Berlin Volksoper; Thyra Hagen Leisner, etc. Dr. Oscar Hagen will be the musical director of the festival.	A. Q.
German Section of International Society Elects Officers.
Berlin, May 18—At the first annual meeting of the German section of the International Society for Contemporary Music, the following officers were elected: Prof. Dr. Adolf Weissmann, president; Prof. Dr. Hermann Springer, vice-president; Benedict Lachmann, secretary; Rudolph Kastner, assistant secretary; Kurt Sobernheim, treasurer; Ludwig Berliner, assistant treasurer; Emil Bohnke, Heinz Tiessen, Paul Hindemith and Walter Gieseking, associate directors. The music committee will consist of Philipp Jarnach, chairman ; Eduard Erdmann, Gustav Havemann, Walter Schrenk and Rudolf Schulz-Dornburg. This board of directors, like the previous one, comprises composers, soloists and critics.
A. Q.
The 203d Three Choirs Festival.
The two hundred and third Three Choirs Festival will be held at Worcester (England) this summer. Besides the usual oratorios there will be modern works including Holst’s Hymn of Jesus, Elgar’s For the Fallen, Arnold Bax’s To the Name Above Every Name and Malcom Davison’s These Are Thy Glorious Works. There will also be old English works. The choir and orchestra will number 400.
A Rossini Opera Exhumed.
Rome, May 19—The Teatro dei Piccoli (marionettes) dug up a comic opera by Rossini, called La Cambiale di Matrimonio. Written in 1810, its jolly, exhilarating music proclaims it the predecessor and model for The Barber of Seville. It was received with enthusiasm.	D. P.
Americans Prixs de Rome in Concert.
Rome, May 19.—The annual exhibition of the American Academy was a great success for the fellows of all branches. From the music department, Howard Hanson conducted his own symphony in E minor with the Augusteo Orchestra. It sticks quite closely to the classical form except that it is in three movements and scored a distinct success. The prelude for orchestra by Randall Thompson was also well received.	D. F.
PETERSBURG HOLDS ITS
FIRST MUSIC FESTIVAL
Paul Saunier Leads Music Club Through Elijah, Assisted by Fine Soloists—Other News
Petersburg, Va., May 29.—The Petersburg Music Club gave its first annual May Festival at the Century Theater on May 24 and 25. This music club is out to do big things, the recent festival being its first large venture. The large attendance and the local enthusiasm proved its success. Mendelssohn’s oratorio, Elijah, was given on Thursday evening with a chorus of 150 voices recruited in Petersburg, Hopewell and vicinity, an orchestra of twenty Petersburg musicians and a quartet of New York soloists, all under the able leadership of Paul Saunier, president of the Music Club. The four soloists were Dicie Howell, soprano; Edna Indermaur, contralto; James Price, tenor, and Norman Johnston, baritone. The chorus was commendable for a fine quality of tone, an abundance of volume and close response to its conductor. The soprano section was especially brilliant in tone and the parts in general were well balanced. The soloists gave great satisfaction. The city responded admirably to the music festival both in financial support and in attendance, so that the venture was an unqualified success.
Solo Artists in Recital
On Friday evening, Misses Howell.and Indermaur and Mr. Johnston (Mr. Price having to fill other engagements) appeared in a joint recital at the Century Theater, giving a miscellaneous program. They were warmly greeted and gave numerous encore numbers. They were accompanied on this occasion by Virginia Walke, Mary Patteson and Paul Saunier. Miss Walke particularly distinguished herself by her piano accompaniments in the oratorio performance, supplanting the orchestra in the arias.
Summary of Club’s Activities
One marked feature of the festival was the unanimity with which the leading singers of the city entered into the choral work of Elijah, the roster of singers embracing the best
CONDUCTOR AND ARTISTS PARTICIPATING IN PETERSBURG FESTIVAL.
The snapshot to the right shows (left to right) Paul Saunier, conductor of the festival; Edna Indermaur, contralto; James Price, tenor, and Norman Johnston, baritone. Photographed in the other picture are Dicie Howell, soprano; Mr. Price; Miss Indermaur, Mrs. Paul Saunier, wife of the conductor, and Mr. Johnston.
FOREIGN NEWS IN BRIEF
Lehar and Others Composing Operettas Vienna, May 5. Franz Lehar, who has just recovered from a severe attack of grippe, announces that he is now composing the music for a libretto which he considers the finest he has ever had. Its author is unknown tc> the composer. Lehar having received the book by mail with an anonymous letter, and no less a person than Niccolo Paganini is the central figure of the plot. Nero, the Roman Emperor, is the leading character in an operetta, Das Bacchus-test by Bruno Granichstâdten, composer of The Rose Maid, which had a long run in New York ten years ago; the new piece will have its première here next week. The latest operetta by Robert Stolz, who made billions with his popular song, Salome, has been acquired by the Theater an der Wien, while the Biirgertheater has accepted for production a comic opera, Die Frau Marquise, by a new Czech composer named Benes, nephew of the famous Czechoslovak Secretary of State, Dr. Benes. _	P. B.
Karsavania to Tour America With Reinhart. Vienna, May 8.—Nijinsky’s famous one-time partner, Tamara Karsavina, who arrived here yesterday for a single appearance at Vienna, announces that Reinhardt’s Vienna representative has engaged her for the leading role in Reinhardt’s forthcoming American production of The Miracle. By this American engagement Reinhardt’s plan of taking possession of the historic Theater in der Josefstadt on June 1 for a term of several years under the financial management of Gabor Steiner is jeopardized, as the present lessee refuses to yield his rights to Reinhardt’s substitute. A lawsuit is said to be imminent.	P. B.
International Festival at Dieppe London, May 14.—An international music festival (vocal and instrumental) is to be held at Dieppe on July 7, 8 and 9 next in connection with the unveiling of the statue to the famous Dieppois, the late Camille Saint-Saëns. G. C.
Bela Bartók in London.
London, May 9.—Béla Bartók was the guest of honor at the International Contemporary Music Center’s concert this week. Under the auspices of the British Music Society a brilliant audience assembled and gave the famous Hungarian composer an enthusiastic reception.	G. C.
King Oedipus on the Palatine Hill Rome, May 6.—Sophocles’ drama, Oedipus Rex, is being produced on the Palatine Hill here, with incidental music by lldebrando Pizetti.	G. G.
Paris Opera to Produce d’ Annunzio-Pizetti Drama Paris, May 10.—D’Annunzio Fedra (Phèdre) is scheduled for production at the Paris Opera in June. The music is drawn from Pizetti’s opera based on the same drama. Ida Rubinstein will act the title role.	R. P.
Gui Succeeds Guarnieri at the Scala Milan, May 12.—Vittorio Gui, hitherto a second conductor at the Scala, has been appointed as coadjutor to Arturo Toscanini, the musical director, in place of Arturo Guarnieri, who resigned as the result of artistic differences with the maestro. Gui is still young, but is regarded as one of the most talented operatic leaders in Italy.	G. G.
Berlin Philharmonic Disappoints Milan Critics Milan, May 10.—The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Volkmar Andreae of Zurich, has given two concerts here with good success. The critics, however, dispute the orchestra’s rank at the head of European orchestras and are none too generous to the conductor. G. G. Prussian Legislature Decides Operatic Conflict. Berlin, May 15.—The recent announcement that the famous old Kroll Theater, reconstructed as a modern opera house, largely at the expense of the state, was to be run as a branch of the Berlin Staatsoper, but chiefly for the benefit of the People’s Theater League, has started a war of interests that has filled the local press for weeks. The majority of the press has taken sides with the Volksoper, which claims a prior interest in the coveted house by reason of the financial help it rendered in the early stages of the rconstruction work. The Volksoper, which now leases the Theater des Westens, but will be homeless at the expiration of its short lease, has taken the matter to the legislature, and there all parties have championed the cause of the Volksoper against the state institution, despite the fact that ׳big influences in the ministry of fine arts were pulling for the Staatsoper-People’s deal. Today it has been decided that the Kroll Theater is to be leased to the Volksoper, under the direction of Otto Lange, a private co-operative enterprise which has demonstrated that popular priced opera can be made to pay. The dispute has been rather sensational, since Schillings’ régime has been very openly criticised in connection with it, and it is not impossible that the Staatsoper itself may be indirectly affected by the decision, which has come as a great surprise. The powers-that-be had regarded the deal as a fait-accompli and had even announced a festival for the opening of the new Haus am Konigsplatz. It is likely that the festival will now be called off. A. Q.
Stravinsky’s Rossignol Has German Première. Mannheim, May 6,—The German première of Stravinsky’s fairy opera, The Nightingale, took place yesterday in the National Theater here. The title role of the opera, which is in three acts, was sung by Irene Eden.	R. P.
British Music Society’s Summer Conference. London, May 12.—The British Music Society is holding its annual’congress week in London, July 2 to 8, the concert of the Contemporary Music Center being held at the Royal College of Music on July 5, followed by a conversazione. At this concert Cyril Scott’s piano trio will be performed with the composer at the piano, together with a new quartet by E. J. Moeran and songs by Armstrong Gibbs and others. Among other important arrangements for the week are the Byrd Festival Chamber Concert (July 4), the performance of Byrd’s Great Service by the Westminster Abbey Choir at the Abbey on July 2, and the concert of ■the London centers of the B. M. S., at which music of the late nineteenth century will be performed (July 4).	G. C.
Case of Hartmann vs. Deutsches Opernhaus Settled.
Berlin May 16.—The proceedings instituted against the Deutsches Opernhaus by George Hartmann, former general