Blanche Yurka's '07 Blog

Utility Link | Utility Link | Utility Link
subglobal1 link | subglobal1 link | subglobal1 link | subglobal1 link | subglobal1 link | subglobal1 link | subglobal1 link
subglobal2 link | subglobal2 link | subglobal2 link | subglobal2 link | subglobal2 link | subglobal2 link | subglobal2 link
subglobal3 link | subglobal3 link | subglobal3 link | subglobal3 link | subglobal3 link | subglobal3 link | subglobal3 link
subglobal4 link | subglobal4 link | subglobal4 link | subglobal4 link | subglobal4 link | subglobal4 link | subglobal4 link
subglobal5 link | subglobal5 link | subglobal5 link | subglobal5 link | subglobal5 link | subglobal5 link | subglobal5 link
subglobal6 link | subglobal6 link | subglobal6 link | subglobal6 link | subglobal6 link | subglobal6 link | subglobal6 link
subglobal7 link | subglobal7 link | subglobal7 link | subglobal7 link | subglobal7 link | subglobal7 link | subglobal7 link
subglobal8 link | subglobal8 link | subglobal8 link | subglobal8 link | subglobal8 link | subglobal8 link | subglobal8 link

My Daily Entries This Week

small logo

Sat Feb 9
Yesterday after rehearsal, Chas and Fr. Sovak called for me and we went to Brodsky's card party. Had a jolly time till 1.30, Mila carrying home the head prize and I - the consolation.

Today Mother stayed in bed all day, which is always depressing. Rose and I cleaned till afternoon.  I washed my hair and had a nap and practised, but it went badly.  It makes us all so nervous andupset when Mama is ill, for she keeps calling us, till we could scream (and usually do!) In the evening, Miss Crosby and I went to Mrs. C.'s to work on "H\"{a}nsel'' and she played over some lovely Greek songs.  Miss Crosby is a charming and cultured girl. I should like to know her more intimately.

Sun Feb 10

What a tragic beginning to a day! Waited till 10.40 at 86th St for a car.  None came -- ran to 2nd Ave 'L' -- spent an extra 5 cents on the 42 crosstown, ran up to 44 -- and the door was locked! Oh! how I wanted to cry! I was simply weak from nervousness. Went home and worked on Fr. Sovak's cushion. Of course my darling family sympathized, so that soothed me a little.  After dinner went to Mr. Krehbiel's and rehearsed for an hour.  He has an interesting apartment with fine pictures and busts and rows of books.  Then went to church - where I was greeted like a long-lost child and petted to my heart's content. A pleasant evening at home, finishing Frank's cushion which I have ornamented with a purple heart broken in two, and a wreath of forget-me-nots.

Mon Feb 11

Mother felt pretty badly but we managed to get her up, and she stayed up all day.  Did Theory and practiced till 12.  Down to Theory class at one; went in to Miss Cros.'s lesson and as she was 15 minutes late, did some good scales with Miss Thursby.  We worked on "Hansel" till 2.  Then had a chat with Ella and Miss DeBow and finished "La Jeunesse d'Haydn." A fine lesson on "Hansel" and "Ah! non creda" at 4. Miss Crosby is getting a little more cordial and I find her quite charming.  She has gained so many accomplishments by absorbtion -- (for instance, her German by having lived in Germany and French from a "bonne'' and both are excellent!) that I rather envy her those 2 advantages.  Then it must be nice to be surrounded by the daintiness and comforts of a well-to-do home life, so that you get used to niceties from your childhood up.  But perhaps she has troubles worse than mine, which are trivial enough.

Tues Feb 12

Went down early to have a rehearsal with Mr. Krehbiel. It went well. At eleven the lecture took place and was great success.  Although in "Das Gebet'' Miss Crosby's nerve gave out and she funked.  On the whole it went very well. Had luncheon downstairs -- Ella, Miss De Bow, and Rose -- and afterward went to hear "H\"{a}nsel'' as Mr. Krehbiel had given us seats. It was delightful.  Went behind the scenes and saw Moran and Shearman who were amateurish in their little parts. The other girls looked hopelessly "chorus-y''. After supper "Panama'' Duras came and wanted us all to go to the theatre but as I had a church rehearsal -- and Leo in a heavenly mood -- Rose and Chas went with him.

Wed Feb 13

Practised till 10.15 then went down for Ash Wednesday service. The cars were so delayed that I got there at 11.10  Oh, I was simply ill -- I could not hold back the tears.  However I went in to listen as there was a rehearsal afterward. I am one of the four soprani in the lenten choir, which really is nice of Leop.  After luncheon practised a bit and then walked down, as I would not trust the cars.  Got down early and had a very short service. Oh but it is amusing on decani side to watch Leop. Such a "poseur''! Found Mr. Duras at home and he took me to hear "Huguenots'' at the Manhattan. It was a spirited performance, especially the ensembles.  I enjoyed the duet in the last act so much more than when I heard Nordica and Caruso. Russ has a wonderfully rich voice.  Too bad she uses it so badly in the middle reg.  Her high notes and pianos are exquisite.

Thurs Feb 14

Mother pretty badly till eleven so stayed home and studied. After luncheon had a splendid lesson on "Non crede a'' with Miss Thursby. The high notes certainly are a-comin'.  Then walked up 58th St. to the Rameau trio Recital.  It was an artistic treat, of course.  Susan Metcalfe sang exquisitely: her voice has grown since last year and is much fuller. I was able to stay to the end; then walked down to church for 5 o'clock services. It was blissfully short. A friend of Chas. was over to supper and sang afterward.  He has a charming voice, and we had a pleasant musical evening.

Fri Feb 15

Went down for a piano lesson but as I am to sing at Miss Thursby's I went over "Du Ring an M. Finger'' with Mrs. Collins.  She said it was not at all bad, which gave me real confidence.  After lesson walked to Dent. College to return Mr. Konicke's music (Had an awful time getting another copy.) Then another fine Tapper lecture, which was supposedly on painters but, as Mr. T. afterward said, he could merely mention their names in connection with various musicians, as time is so limited. Had tea with Mrs. C. at noon.  Rushed home to do a bit of practising and began to copy the words and music of the above lied. I found I should have to spend all afternoon in doing it.  J.S. Bach may have copied all he ever used, but then, he didn't live in this rushing age. Went to Miss Thurs. at 5.30. Met some charming people and sang; fairly well, I thought; and Miss Thursby was very pleased. Ella and I then went to church rehearsal, where my "boo-ful'' gown caused quite a sensation among the girls, and -- in a much less degree, I am sure -- among the men.

< Previous | Top | Next >

Henry Edward Krehbiel Music critic for the New York Tribune.

From Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra -- "Sir Edward Elgar, left, conducted his Enigma Variations at the conclusion of the 1907 season. To the right of Elgar are Henry Krehbiel, music critic of the New York "Tribune;" Emil Paur (PSO conductor); and Pittsburgh's city organist, Charles Heinroth."

Victor Hugo "Panama" Duras

Young (age 26) international lawyer who had just returned from being one of five U.S. District Judges in the Canal Zone, where the mosquitos were now pacified but construction had barely started. He arrived Feb 11 from Colon on the S.S. Finance, and showed up at the Jurka's the next day. His parents Cenek and Mary Duras and Blanche's Aunt Terezie and Uncle Frank J. Sadilek were best of friends and political allies in the well-known Czech-American town of Wilber, Nebraska.

Manhattan Opera House / Giannina Russ

Exciting competition for the Metropolitan Opera, built by Oscar Hammerstein I and opened in the fall of 1906.

http://www.mcstudios.com/newsite/history.asp

About Us | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | ©2003 Company Name