Mansfield and "The Scarlet Letter" March 18 was only performance of "The Scarlett Letter" during the four-week Mansfield season in New York. As with its premiere in Chicago, the company did three weeks of the new "Peer Gynt" and one week of repertory, including an afternoon reprise of "Peer Gynt" on the last day, March 23. On March 24, acute abdominal distress overtook Mansfield, and by March 28, Addie and everyone else in the company was out of a job. Mansfield died on August 30, of liver cancer, without ever performing again. |
"Mr. and Mrs. Mannes" David Mannes (concertmaster of the New York Symphony) and Clara Damrosch ("Dr. Damr's sister"), married in 1898. By 1903 they were performing together as a celebrated violin and piano duo. Their son Leopold, age 7 in 1907, became good friends with pianist Leopold Godowsky's namesake son, who was one year older. They shared a love of music and a dream of creating color movies. Unlike most dreamers, they worked diligently on the idea through high school and college, and were hired to continue working on it afterwards. Their invention ultimately became known as the Kodachrome process. Godowsky married Frances, the youngest daughter of George Gershwin. Musical families!
"God" on violin -- "Man" on piano -- Kodachrome with "God and Man" "God" with Gershwin's daughter http://www.homemoviehistory.com/illustrations.htm ; http://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/23201.html |
"Barnum's Circus" Officially, the Barnum and Bailey Circus. Barnum died in 1891, Bailey in 1906, and the Ringling Brothers paid over $400,000 for their Barnum and Bailey competitor in 1907. The two circuses continued to be operated separately, dividing up the country, until 1919. http://www.rare-maps.com/details.cfm?type=posters%20reproduction&rid=350352 For a giant cartoon of all the 1907 B&B acts, see:http://www.library.wisc.edu/etext/wireader/WER0427.html |
Sat Mar 16
Had an exciting interview with Leop. last night after asking to be excused on Wednesday. We argued pro and con for 20 minutes but he prevailed. I am very sure that the members of the choir do not exist for him, save as a species of organ pipes and pedals, and I suppose that is why he is successful. Ella and I walked down to 5 o'clock service, discussing the usual topic, which, to her, at least, can never grow wearisome. In the evening, we all went to Urbans' for a card party and I shivered all night. So when I reached home, instead of a dose of brandy to break the cold, I exercised till I perspired, and in the morning the cold was gone. That settles stimulants as a medicine for me!
Sun Mar 17
We sang a "Passion'' chorus this morning and all thought it bad, altho' Leo has said since that it was fine. That is funny! Mother was very ill and Dr. Parks preached on the subject of Elijah's withdrawal to a cave to bewail the failure of his life. And the whole sermon seemed so directly a message to Father and Mother, that it was almost uncanny. Indeed many of his remarks would have had almost a personal application had they been there. In the afternoon the Bishop confirmed the various Japs, Swedes, Armenians etc. of the parish. It was the first confirmation service I ever saw and I cannot say it was an impressive one.
Mon Mar 18
Studied all morning, and theory at one. Then sat and gossiped for actually two hours. I must call a halt on that sort of thing, but somehow the spring fever seems to be taking all the ambition out of me. And then my voice is vile again. I cannot sing a piano tone to save which does not sound like escaping gas. So I sang pianissimo all thro' my lesson. Service at church at 5. And in the evening, I went with Mr. Duras to see Addie in "Scarlet Letter''. She more than satisfied me, for she showed qualities which I supposed were lacking. It was a fine sincere performance; her voice was of a thrilling richness, and she looked exquisitely beautiful.
Tues Mar 19
An awful day, for Mother worked me up to tears, and I felt that I might as well give up and save my guardian angel any more expense and disappointment. Went down to an unprepared Italian lesson and afterwards Miss De Bow, Miss Crosby and I found a room in which to practice and Miss Crosby sang her songs. But I felt so near tears that I scarcely dared speak and only after Miss C had left that I uttered a note. Then Miss De Bow and I worked together for about an hour and I felt much better and more hopeful. She is certainly on the right track. As it was raining went up to Addie's and had dinner with her and Mr. Quinn. He is a charming fellow and I enjoyed it. After that had a rehearsal of the Passion. Leop. was very jocular indeed, except when he loosed his temper on poor Mr. Phillipi.
Wed Mar 20
Stayed abed till eleven; a great treat, for I never indulge in that form of laziness. Spent most of the day doing harmony; and practised the humming. In the evening the Passion (Bach) was given as the Fifth Lenten Recital; and it was truly a remarkable performance, when one considers that we had had no orchestra rehearsal. It went very well, and the soloists, especially Mr. Beddoe and Mrs. Kellogg, were simply fine. The church was more than crowded, with a large Jurka contingent, of course. Miss McGrew gave Ella and me tickets for her recital tomorrow.
Thurs Mar 21
Went to Ella's at 10 and together we went to a musical given by the Thursday Morning Music Club. Dr. Damr's sister invited us. The singing was partly good and bad, but Mr. and Mrs. Mannes played a very interesting program. Had luncheon with Ella, and then we went to Mendelsohn Hall to hear Miss McGrew. Her voice was lovely and she looked very pretty. I had to leave early for a lesson with Miss Thursby. A service at church cut that short and then, after supper, Mr. Duras and I went to the Waldorf to hear a fashionable singing club. It was a beautiful affair; all the ladies in full dress; the program was very interesting; I was out in all the glory of Ella's black hat and my aolian, and joy of joys - Mrs. Gilbert et filles were there and I spoke to them. I was so glad that I was dressed up.
Fri Mar 22
Piano lesson on a Mozart sonata, and the point of the lesson was that I seem to play each note separately instead of making a series of phrases. In a word, I do not bring out the form of the composition. The last Tapper lecture of the term, and he reviewed the series, pointing out the "peaks'' in the world's history - practically - Walked down to Mrs. C's and was to have tea with her, but it ended up by being luncheon. The waiter must have been dazed by Mrs. C's strenuous methods and we laughed heartily over them ourselves. In the afternoon I went to Barnum's Circus with Mr. Duras. It was interesting but tired me out awfully and the man almost irritated me. Rehearsal at night.
Together in 1916 they founded the Mannes School of Music, now Mannes College of The New School. 
