September 20th, 1880. THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW. 11

TALBOT.—The Boston Score calls Hugh Talbot a great addition to the slim number of Boston tenors. This must be a mistake on the part of the proof reader ; it should undoubtedly read : a slim addition to the great BLUMENBERG. — Our number. illustration is an excel- lent likeness of the GOOD, BUT NOT TRUE.—It is said that a number of scores have not been young Baltiinorean, cel- given by the Philharmonic Society for want of a proper chorus, and, because, lo-virtuoso, Mr. Louis to bring them forward with a hastily prepared chorus would do the society Blumenberg. The no credit, and would inflict an injustice both upon the composer and the young artist, acknowl- public. This reason may be accepted by those who are innocent enough to edged by those who believe it; but we ask, "Why was this very injustice committed last winter, have heard him, as gift- when the music to the " Midsummer Night's Dream " was performed with an ed with a fine tone and execrable female chorus, which would have been a disgrace to any society ? " 1 emarkable technique, The Philharmonic Society suddenly feels the necessity of waking up, thougll intends to travel this rather late in the day ! season in conjunction DAMROSCH.—We learn that Dr. Damrosch has subscribed $2,500 towards with a concert company, the fund for the Festival ne\t May. The learned doctor has always been and we hope that he will known as a liberal and generous man, but this exhibition of generiosity is had the success he is overwhelming. He gives his brains, his time, his work ; and not satisfied deserving of. Young with that, he gives his money. He ought to be set up on a little pedestal as artists should be en- an example to the musical profession. couraged, even if they ire only Americans, and HASSARD.— Mr. Thomas's idea of forming a Choral Society in New York, cannot boast of being inspired the illustrious musical writer in the Tribune, to write an article 1 ailed Herr, Monsieur, which reads in substance, " Aut Thomas, autnihil." Lord protect us from or Sig>wr ! our friends !" BULOW.—It is report- ROOSEVELT.—An illustrated publication in New York asserts, that Miss ed from Hanover that Blanche Roosevelt has sung "La Traviata" and " Somnambula" sixteen Dr. Hans Von Billow consecutive times at the Royal Italian Opera, Covent Garden, London. Would has been stricken with not Ernest Gye be really justified in suing the American illustrated paper paralysis, and has lost for defamation of character. Imagine Blanche Roosevelt as Somnambula the use of his right 16 times before an audience, which pays the highest prices in the world for v hand. seats and boxes. CARY.—Harper's Bazar : "A pair of boots made for Annie Louise Cary CONDUCTOR.—Our valued Boston correspondent L. C. E. has told us to wear in opera are of light-blue satin, with blue lacings and tassels, lined many interesting traits about Boston conductors, as published in our last with cardinal kid, and banded with wide, gold braid" Our representative issue. We can add another interesting item in that line, but have to say American contralto evidently wants to surprise even her most ardent admir- that it did not happen in Boston. They rehearsed the overture to the opera, ers by her gorgeous attire next season. "Fidelio." In the beginning, Beethoven divides the bars rhythmically into ROSEAU.—Miss Eme Roseau declares that she will never sing in bur- two equal parts, but the conductor insisted upon beating common time. The lesque opera again. We have heard Miss Roseau when she returned from concert-master told him modestly, that it was impossible to play it that way; Italy, and considered it a pity that that beautiful voice should be thrown but the conductor, obstinate and anxious to show his authority, would not away in burlesque. She has been in it now several years ; and whether she listen to any remonstrance, and continued to beat common time, so dividing has not suffered from it, future will show. We should recommend her as the bar into four parts, and creating consequently wrong accents. Rhythm one of the leading singers in English opera. was sacrificed in this case to the obstinacy of an individual. TOBRIANI.—A cable despatch informs those interested in operatic affairs LONDON AND NEW YORK.—The money to build the Thames embankment i;hat Muzio has engaged the singer Mme. Torriani for Strakosch, and that opera-house in London is not forthcoming, and Mr. Mapleson thinks that Torriani has paid a forfeit of $2,000 to a Milan manager, to release her from in another country the funds would have been speedily subscribed. He does his clutches. Query ? What does Strakosch want with Torriani, having not exactly state the country he has in view ; but as he adds, that in Wall already dozens of prime donne, headed by Marie Roze ? If really engaged by street the money would have been subscribed in an hour, it is evident he .StrakosclL, how large is Mile. Torriani's salary that she can afford to indem- means America. Is not our dear Colonel a little too sanguine in regard to nify the Milan manager with $2,000 ? An answer would oblige us. the moneyed men in New York ? But let him try it; if he feels so sure, it A NICE COMPANY.—J. C. Fryer and Herman Grau have become agents would be worth the experiment. If he can find money to build a new opera- of a new Italian opera company, comprising Mile. Litta and Tagliapietra. house in New York—in Wall street—in one hour, he knows our capitalists The agents will try their best to carry the season successfully through; better than we do, and values his influence in America higher than we do. if not feasible, nobody will lose anything except the members of the But perhaps he is right. Anyhow let him try. He has failed in London company. with his scheme ; he may succeed in New York. THE NEW BANDMASTER.—Mr. Arbuckle, who has been permanently ap- ROZE.—Marie Roze will make her first appearance this season on Nov. pointed leader of the Ninth Regiment Band, as successor of the late Major 1st, at the Academy of Music, Montreal, in the English version of " Aida." Downing, has said that he intends to make this the " best band in the land, New dresses have been ordered from Paris. During the season, she will sing an organization that the citizens of New York and the whole nation may be Margaret in "Faust," Mignon, Elsa, Margaret in '' Mephistopheles," Lalla proud of." What does P. S. Gilmore say to that ? Rookh, Valentina, Leonore in "Trovatore." and "Carmen." Her contract DUBIIEUL.—London files report that M. Dubreul, Mr. Mapleson's stage- with Strakosch & Hess is for $1,000 a week for three performances a week, manager, has been in New York about a month, making preparations for the with extra appearances at pro rata and plus 25 per cent, of the net receipts, •approaching season. But we know better. We met Amati Dubreul in 14th the engagement being for six months certain, with the right on the part of street, and he frankly told us that he had come over here because there the managers to one, two or three months longer. This information comes was nothing for him to do in London, and he preferred to spend his leisure to us from England, and we have to accept it with due reserve. The contract time in America. We really do not know what a stage-manager can prepare is a splendid one, and, if correct, shows a great deal of courage on the part of -before the arrival of the company. Messrs. Strakosch & Hess. HERSEE. —Max Strakosch has announced Miss Rose Hersee as one of his JOSEFFY.—Mr. Rafael Joseffy has entered the army of New York piano- singers, and the lady has announced that she is not engaged by Mr. Strakosch. teachers. We see his name advertised in such capacity in one of the up- The mystery has been suddenly solved, and, we may say to the disadvantage town music-schools. •of the singer, or, as it appears, the singer's father, a musician, and a critic for several London papers. Strakosch offered the engagement, and Miss PARADISE.—Long Beach must have been next to Paradise, according to Hersee was willing to accept, provided that Strakosch would deposit $5,000 the managerial announcements. "The finest orchestra ever heard in the as guarantee. Max, always flush, and with plenty of resources, said : "I United States;" "the greatest living cornetist;" "the largest and best am willing to do so, but what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander ; appointed restaurant in the world." We wonder they do not mention the .you do the same, and guarantee me the fulfillment of your part of the con- cars of the Long Island Railroad as the finest on the globe. tract, " whereupon negotiations were broken off. If Miss Rose Hersee were HENRY, JR.—The approaching arrival of Mr. Henry Mapleson, jr. has .a great prima donna, and could command an enormous salary, she might have been signalized by the fact that the paper-mills in the country are already asked for security ; but after all her salary would be in proportion to what working with increased power, and the Postmaster-General has ordered an she is worth, and that sum will be safe in the hands of any manager. Max extra supply of postage-stamps and stamped newspaper-wrappers. is right. Artists asking a guarantee from their manager should be com- pelled to deposit the same amount, in order to make the business square, and THOMAS.—It has been stated somewhere that Mr. Theodore Thomas has less one-sided. Managers sometimes break contracts, but singers do so veiyreturned from Europe in ill health, and will not be able to be on duty for two months. The Tribune declares this statement thoroughly unfounded, and of course the Tribune is always well informed in Thomas' affairs. THE HUB.—A correspondent of a Boston paper writes, that the people of the West look upon Boston as the great musical centre of the United ALEXANDER.—The director of the New York College of Music announces . States. Do they really ? We thought they considered Cinninnati the musi- a most formidable array of teachers. If all the gentlemen mentioned are ^cal paradise. Now we learn that Boston is the place, and New York is left really employed there, the school must prove one of the highest rank. Let out entirely. Serves us right! us see what will be done there beyond piano and singing. OABBINGTON.— It is said that Strakosch has engaged Miss Abbie Car- CAMPBELL.—One of the most prominent members of Jarrett & Gulick's rington to sing the part of Marguerite in the English version of Boito's "Musical Phalanx," which opened their season at the Brooklyn Academy of "Mephistopheles," which has been made by Mr. Caryl Florio. According Music on the 13th inst., was Miss Helen Dudley Campbell, a young contralto, •to all the different statements made, Strakosch must have secured the ser- with a fresh, strong voice, of large compass and powerful mezzo-soprano vices oi at least a dozen prime donne. Let us hope that the quality will tones. We want contraltos very badly ; a few years hence Cary will retire, •equal the quantity. and managers must look for her successor in time. STKELLEZKI.—Detroit correspondents think that Strelezki's technique BRIGNOLI.—The veteran tenor has made his debut in English opera in and repertoire entitle him to be heard and retained in New York city. No- Cumberland, Md. He sang the part of Thaddceus in Balfe's "Bohemian body in New York would object to the artistic qualities of Anton Strelezki; Girl." Cumberland critics say that he fully sustained his great reputation. -unfortunately there are other reasons which make his presence here unwel- They seem to admire him out West. Why does he ever come back East, and ; it's a pity, but it's true. throw up his chances ?