Arthur Hochmann In a 1917 interview, Met singer Sophie Braslau mentions that before recognizing her vocal talent, she studied piano with Arthur Hochmann at the Institute for Musical Art. Source: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/15446/15446.txt In August 1904, Arthur Hochmann was the accompanist for Czech singer Emmy Destinn at Marienbad. http://www.marianskelazne.cz/en/history/famous-visitors-to-marianske-lazne/ |
|
Born in Prague, Emilie Kittlova was considered a child prodigy on the violin, but during her teenage years was coached in singing by Mme Loewe-Destinn, whose name she adopted. "Following her phenomenally successful debut - in Berlin in 1898 - Richard Strauss asked her to create the eponymous role of Salome. That caused a sensation, setting the tone for the start of her career. She was soon a favourite of Cosima Wagner and in 1901 created the role of Senta in The Flying Dutchman in Bayreuth. Giacomo Puccini chose her to sing the title role in Madama Butterfly at the London premiere in 1905 and wrote La Fanciulla Del West with her in mind. That premiered at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1910, with 'the divine Emmy' singing alongside Caruso, Gilly and Toscanini. Destinn's close links with the Royal Opera House in London began in May 1904, when she made her first appearance as Donna Anna in Don Giovanni. During the following eleven consecutive seasons there she made 231 appearances in 18 operas. She created the roles of Madam Butterfly and Tess of the D'Urbervilles, and performed her legendary Aida at the coronation of King George V in 1911."
http://www.destinn.com/frameset.html Pucinni's La Fanciulla Del West was based on a New York play produced by David Belasco (Girl of the Golden West), as was Puccini's Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly). |
Herbert SpencerHerbert Spencer was a prominant 19th century social philosopher and economist who coined the phrase "survival of the fittest." You can read Education yourself, or use it for napping, at http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=98953755 Spencer's grave lies immediately opposite Karl Marx's in Highgate Cemetery, London, a fitting apposition. Spencer p ortrait from "The Warren J. Samuels Portrait Collection at Duke University." http://www.econ.duke.edu/Economists/ Highgate Cemetery pictures June 2, 1978 by Theda Skocpol, not yet herself a famous social scientist. (That's the Webmaster sitting by Spencer's ashes.) |
Sat May 11
The recital came off at eleven. It was a very interesting program. Three of Mr. Hochmann's pupils played beautifully, especially the girls. I was frankly nervous, and my breath was not steady, but Mrs. C. said that I did some things very well; that I did not stoop and consequently the upper tones were not strident. She was going to speak to Mr. Damr. at lunch time and I am anxious to know what he says. Called at Davis' for my pictures and they are lovely. Cleaned house all afternoon, gave a lesson at 7, and in the evening, Rose and I went to a reception given by the arts' students club. Miss De Bow invited us and we met some perfectly charming girls. Miss Connor, Miss De Bow and I sang and everybody seemed to enjoy it so much. It is freezing cold out and I wore a spring suit; nearly died.
Sun May 12
My throat feels most vile and can't even get my speaking voice above my waist line, so just pretended to sing all day. The weather was perfect so walked to and from church. Duras' "grande passion'' seems to have spent itself in letter writing, as he was not at church either morning or afternoon. Men are queer creatures. One would imagine that if they cared enough for a girl to want to spend every day for the rest of their lives with her, that they couldn't resist seeing her for six days at a time. Oh well, it is an interesting experience. After church Mila and I went flat-hunting, but I suppose we will stay in this hole, as usual, in spite of the slum-like neighborhood. Ugh, how I hate it. The air is so cold and I caught a chill, going about in my tan suit. Home all evening.
Mon May 13
Felt very wretched and ill on account of the cold and worked on a terrible complicated harmony lesson till noon. In the afternoon met Mr. Damrosch in the hall and he asked me to come in and let him talk seriously to me about my future. He asked me what my ambition was, and when I told him grand opera, he proceeded to hand me out a few blunt truths which would have floored me were I not used to blunt truths. He told me as kindly as he could that to his ears it sounded like a spoiled worn-out voice, without the freshness and clearness of youth in a single note; and if that were the case at twenty, when a voice should be fresh as a bird's, it seemed to him a losing battle to struggle for a career thro' that voice. He told me I had all the qualities for a fine dramatic artist and it seemed like mis-directed energies to strive for the other, handicapped by a "sick voice''. But he also said that some day when I am feeling fine and bright, to come in and sing a simple song, and if there is beauty in the voice, he will be only too happy to tell me so.
Tues May 14
The interview with Mr. D. depressed me very much, as it seems to put me back to just where I was two years ago; and the horrible vista of deaf managers and patronizing dramatic agents which stretches out in my mind whenever I think the word "actress'' simply sickens me. But Mrs. C. says that she heard me once -- just once -- sing consistently well, that is, from beginning to the end of the lesson, and what one does once, one can do again. But the question is, will the result be worth the effort and time put forth? I spoke of it to Mr. Petri today, and he said it seemed to him that the sensible course would seem to him to be to go on the stage and keep up the vocal study; since the former would be a help in an operatic career. Ah! c'est difficile! Miss Doxrood has certainly had a change of spirit toward Ella and me, for she acts very cool and cultivates Miss Butler and Miss McGrew assiduously. Frank Sovak called for me at church.
Wed May 15
Can't seem to get my energy up. Went to Mrs. C's for a lesson, and for many minutes we worked trying to sing a few successive good notes. Finally she begged me to stop breathing; and as once before, it relaxed me completely. But Miss Thursby keeps telling me to fill up -- to fill my belt; yet when I try to imagine I am not breathing at all, I can sing even longer phrases than otherwise, and the quality is quite different. Stopped at Ella's to see if I could help her, and after I got home felt so drowsy that I "lay me doon'' and had a lovely nap. Mr. Tapper would call that wasting time; that I ought to have been reading Dante. Well, I did begin Spencer's "Education'' and it put me to sleep in just ten minutes. In the evening, Ella entertained some of the choir and everybody sang and we had a pleasant evening.
Thurs May 16
The conviction grows upon me that I shall never become a singer. I have intelligence - a certain amount - and a voice - at times- and yet after two years of sincere effort - too conscientious, perhaps - I still go back to throatiness and "old woman'' tones - That is not the sort of vocal material a great singer is made of! And then I sometimes feel that I don't get the right idea. I sang the "Mattinata'' for Miss Thursby softly and lightly it seemed to me; and she said the tone had no fullness and richness. Then she showed me the difference between a round "forward'' piano tone and the narrow one which I gave her. Then I got it, but oh! will I ever make a habit of doing it easily; can I ever get away from the effort? And I hate myself so when I can't do it. If only I did not want so badly to sing perhaps I would succeed better.
Fri May 17
A piano lesson at ten and a Tapper lecture at 11. He is so frank in showing the average state of "culture'' - musical and otherwise - that it is rather depressing. And he seems to think that a creative faculty is the only real musical gift (or acquirement) and that a real musician should be able to think and express himself in tone as readily as in words. Unless he can do so, he says, he is merely a phonograph; and not even a good one - for the phonograph can be relied upon to do the same thing twice and and a performer cannot. He is so clever. Had a stupid note from Duras. That man irritates me. Leo is going to hear me in church next week and will "try to be frank" in his opinion, tho' he says it will be difficult as ususal.
