Ethel Barrymore (1879-1959) Sister of John and Lionel. Distinguished career on stage and film. Note the family resemblance to Drew....
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Mariska Aldrich Opera singer at Met, 1909-1911.
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Oratorio Society - Handel's Messiah Leopold Damrosch (father of Frank, Walter, and Clara) founded the Oratorio Society of New York in 1871. Their huge chorus sang the Messiah that year, and every year since. When Leopold stepped down in 1886, he entrusted both the Symphony Society and the Oratorio Society to his son Walter. http://www.oratoriosocietyofny.org/LyndonInterview.html http://www.oratoriosocietyofny.org/DamroschArticle.html http://www.oratoriosocietyofny.org/history.html
George Friedrich Handel ---- Sibongile Khumalo sings Messiah |
Carnegie Hall In 1887, Andrew Carnegie and his bride, who was already a member of the Oratorio Society, happened to meet young Walter Damrosch en board ship to Europe. The resulting friendship lead to plans for a permanent home for both Societies (and other events). Among the opening festivities for the "Music Hall" in 1891 were concerts conducted by Walter Damrosch, and by Peter Tchaikovsky himself. In 1893, Dvorak conducted the world premiere of his "New World Symphony". Within a few years the name was changed to "Carnegie Hall."
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William T. Stead Editor of the London Review of Reviews.
The fine print on the picture says "Mr. Stead came from London last month, as one of Mr. Carnegie's guests, to attend the opening of the Carnegie Institute at Pittsburg and to participate in the sessions of the peace congress at New York. He is speaking in different cities in the United States and Canada, on the progress of arbitration and the peace movement, and returns to England this month." |
La Navarraise - Jules Massenet One act opera, with the lead role of Anita written for Emma Calve. It premiered at Covent Garden, London, in 1894, and in Paris in 1895.
For Donalda recordings search at http://www.collectionscanada.ca/gramophone/index-e.html
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Sat Apr 6
Rose and I cleaned house till noon, I practising a little while dusting. In the P.M. went to Mrs C. for another lesson, as yesterday's was so bad. It was a little better, altho' I push almost everything above F. And if I could only begin with a tiny pointed attack, instead of the big blurt of tone which I use. Got home after five, and poor Rose, who wanted to meet Mila and shop was provoked with me. I wish she had a little more of interest in her life, instead of so much drudgery. In the evening went to see Ethel Barrymore with Mr. D. She is as charming as ever and the play, tho' light, was amusing.
Sun Apr 7
Was somewhat surprised, on looking down church during communion service to see Mr. D, and still more so, when on the way home, he invited me to hear the "Messiah'' in the evening. I can't imagine why he is "rushing'' me so, as he is not in the least sentimentally inclined. Rose and Mila and he went to the Mokrejs's for "tea'' and Mr. Duras was to meet me at the Grand Central Station at 7.45 Well, I waited till 8.14. In another minute I would have gone when he suddenly rushed in and it seemed that the M's had wanted us all to stay to dinner and there was a grand misunderstanding. We went to the "Messiah'' however. The chorus of 800 sang with wonderful precision, and the soloists, tho' not wonderful, were satisfactory.
Mon Apr 8
Did harmony most of the morning. Dr. Pisek came and found Mama not quite so well as last week. He scolded me for having given her pork -- and people! Went down for lessons at one o'clock. Looked over the score of "La Navarraise'' it is very dramatic and I fancy Calv\'{e} will be wonderful in it, as it was written for her. Had a lesson with Miss Thursby, who insists on the "soft'' high tones in preference to the "powerful'' ones. (What kind of power?) Had a chat with Mrs. C after her lesson and she loned me Henschel's "Morgenhymn'' which Miss Th. wants me to study. In the evening I helped Rose with the wash and went to bed early.
Tues Apr 9
Oh what a stormy day! Several inches of snow, more falling constantly and the wind blowing a gale! Cut the Krehbiel lecture and did German with Papa instead. Then after Italian, went to Mrs. Aldrich's and spent the afternoon with her. We sang and she criticised my voice and showed me that the "fogginess'' in some of the middle tones was because I didn't open my throat, and she practically opened it for me. She sang a great deal for me, from "Prophete'' to Schubert Lieder. Her voice is splendid and she has learned to control it very skillfully. Had dinner with them and rehearsal at church.
Wed Apr 10
The mere idea of opening my throat as Mrs. Aldrich showed me made me yawn all morning, but it is good. And yet I did not sing so well for Mrs. C at my 12 o'clock lesson. I told her how Mrs. A. had only sung one octave with Giraudet all last summer, and she promptly informed me that I had been singing nothing but low notes all last winter and if I wanted to do that I could study for six years and never get anywhere. The only way I can get the round top notes is by opening the easy ones and then keeping the same open throat for the higher ones. My cavalier appeared not to take me to the opera and and I am dreadfully disappointed. He sent no word and I can't imagine what happened to him, as he is usually so conscientious. And it was to be Calve! Dalmores! Donalda! Sammarco! Ahime.
Thurs Apr 11
No word from Duras. Curious! Did theory most of the morning, together with waiting on my family, so had to give up Dr. Curtis' lecture in order to practice a little. At 4 had a lesson with Miss Thursby and told her that I was not satisfied with what I have accomplished this winter and she said ditto. So we both concluded to get to work. She wants me only to relax my throat and give a slight attack of the breath from way below; the rest will all take care of itself, she says. I tried, and it did seem much simpler and easier. Then Miss Thursby said that so much depends on standing correctly, and keeping the body well poised always till it becomes a habit.
Fri Apr 12
A piano lesson on the Fantasie. Ah! the time is terrific. We worked on that alone. Mrs. C. said she never knew Calve to be so fine as in "Navarraise'', that she did not act, but lived the part, and was in glorious voice. Papa saw Duras and it seems he sent a special delivery letter which I never received. He had a chance to hear Mr. Stead speak and the weather being disagreeable he asked me to put it off for a week. Well, that would have been all right, had I received the letter in time. -- Tapper's lecture this morning was on another "fase'' of practical sociology. I would give my hat to know that man personally. Afternoon did harmony, and practised. The soft high notes may be fine, but they are slow coming.
