MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1437, 11 May 1912, Page 9

MUSIC.

-« (Br Teebie CtEF.) New One-Act Opera, Leo Blech's one-act opera, "Vcrsiegolt" (Under. Seal), has'nehieyed <i notable success on its first production by the Metropolitan Opera Company in New-York. Tho period of the action is IKJIL.aud the place a small German town. The scene is laid iii the living room of the young Widow Gertrude, with whom the Burgomaster lirauu is ardently in lovfl. Her friend, I'rau Wilnicrs, is less fortunate, and endures tho worthy Mayor's displeasure. This is increased by the fact that her ran Bergel is in love with his daughter Else. "Unluckily, poor Fran AVilmers. is unablo to pay lifer debt?., and the Burgomaster sends tho voluble self-satisfied bailiff Lampo to attach. h6r goods. Among her possessions is a, large wardrobe, and she persuades tho Widow Gertrude to find a placo for it in Ihe living room. No sooner is tho furniture installed than Lampo discovers it, and goes off in a rage to' inform the Burgomaster, 'lha Burgomaster, however, comes to call on Geri trade, and a pleasant love scene is enacted. Tho pair aro interrupted by the return of Lampo. The Burgomaster hides in the wardrobe as Lampe enters. Lampo I puts the seal of the law on the wardrobe, but suddenly he hears a sound within, no pokes his umbrella through a hole, and presently proclaims that Gertrude has a lover within. Again ho goes off to seek the Burgomaster. In the meantime Else ami .Bertcl take advantage of the Burgomaster's difficulties to enforce consent to their betrothal. Else also secures, in writing, a dowry of n large part of his possession?. When Lampo returns he is followed by a crowd who have learned of the Burgomaster's predicament. They find tho Burgomaster talking to Gertrude, and. when the door of .the wardrobe is opened, it is Else and Bertel who are discovered. .After a stern lecture from the Burgomaster they arc pardoned, and all ends happily. ". ■■ Massenet's New Opera. Massenet's latest opera, "Roma," has won decided success at Monte H is based on a story tho scene ■•* which is laid in Homo during the Punic wars, £10 B.C. The heroine is a Vestal virgin who, being detected in a love affair, is condemned to bo buried alive. The love music is said to show the composer at his best in his familiar stylo; the critics, however, were also favourably with the military music, which abounds in the score, and recalls his turbulent "La Navarraise." One of tho most effective features is a choral sung in absolute darkness before the curtain rises en the last act. J The Wrong Effect, In consequence of the actions of the French Society of Authors, Composers, and Publishers of Music, many prominent artists aro eliminating tho Ireneh numbers from their programmes. Tho society exacts a fee, or royalty, on the public performance of the works of its members. This is done to ensure the composer receiving a, share of tho profits attached to the public performance cf his works. It appears to he having a contrary effect, however. Lillian Nordica onco paid a fea for tho privilege of singing Debussy's "Mandoline," but refuses to do so again. Maud Poivell has removed the samo composer's "Gollywog's Cakewalk" from her programme, and other artists have followed suit. An American composer, Blair Fairchild, joined tho society in 1902, but finds that it has injured his chances. Ha now desires to resign, but finds this impossible, as tho society holds his 'power of attorney, which is fixed at twenty years. Mascagni at the Halls. Mascagni has followed the example of Leoncavallo and en tared the London vaudeville field. It will be remembered that Leoncavallo conducted his "l'aglincci" at the London Hippodrome, for which he received » salary of 5000 dollars a week. Mascagni is conducting his "Cavalleria Husticana" at the samo inGtitution, but it is said (hat his salary is double that of Leoncavallo. This huso stipend will doubtless console him for the fact that his new opera "Isabeau,'" which achieved an enormous success in South America, has Ijeen unfavourably received in Milan. "Isabeau" was originally to have- been produced in tho United States, but Mascagni proved so unmanageable, and so rapacious in his demands, that tho American operatic authorities decided to get along without his marvellous Rev,- masterpiece. Mascagni made a fortune out of it in South America, where tho unexpected is always happening. The opera has been ridiculed wherever else it has been produced, j Avoid Quick Trainino. Alberto Kandegger, who died in London a few days ago, is the typo of- musician who will l>e sincerely mourned. As 11 teacher of singing, Hamlogjjer was as successful as Francesco Lamperti nnd Manuel Garcia, and ' his method of instruction, like that of the Italian and Spanish maestri, was based upon principles of voice development that should bo studied daily by all vocal teachers. Above all, the modern teachers ought to remember that Baiulogiicr, Lamperti, and Garcia never practised, any of I the quick training methods prevailing to a- largo extent in this country and Europe to-day. With few exceptions the greatest singers of our times did not impress anyone at the beginning of their student days by their phenomenal voices, but they reached tho goal by a system of patient hard work year "after year.—"Musical Courier." Trashy Music, j One of tho greatest drawbacks io (he ! cause of American composition is the inane love of trashy miisic, commonplace songs, and rag tinio. The American is unlike every oHkt human being in this respect. ]lo doca not hesitate Io descend to tho lowest levels in art. This is one 01 the blots upon our escutcheon and one of the reasons why art in America counts so little, lnslcad'of being ashamed of this degenerate l.nste, we worn In glory in it. This taste must be overcome. We must win the people Io a bclicr and a larger conception of nrt. We nuijt set (hem interested in American music of the better class and instil into their minds tho necessity of oncoiiracinp American ofl'ort,—Clarence E. Lo Mnsscna, in i'Etude."