San Francisco dramatic review (1899)

February 17, 1900 LOCAL NOTES ADELAIDE I.LOYD-SMITIl's CONCERT. Mrs. Adelaide Lloyd-Smith gave a concert in Sherman Clay Hall Tuesday of last week that had been looked forward to with much interest, but which unfortunately tell short of being a success so far as Mrs. Smith was concerned for she was not in good voice and in no condition to do herself justice. She has good technical ability and sings with a certain amount of grace, but upon this occasion her high notes were far from clear and she did not execute freely, seeming to have little confidence at times, and she frequently sang off the key, but in her last appearance her tones were clearer and there was more warmth and spirit in her work. I like to judge musicians as they are when in proper trim for their work. Accidents happen to the best of us, and if Mrs. Smith did not come up to the expectations of her audience, at least she should not be utterly condemned, for she was evidently handicapped by some indisposition that interfered with her best efforts. She has had training, certainly, but her voice is not one of especial sweetness or warmth. Her numbers were Se Saran Rose [Arditti], Lo! Hear the Gentle Lark [Bishop] flute obligato to the latter being rendered by Elias M. Hecht and Ocean Thou Mighty Monster, from Oberon, which suited her voice and brought out something of dramatic quality, an encore number being Where Do You Come From, Baby Dear, in which she showed most feeling. Cantor E. J. Stark was a favorite of the evening, receiving much appreciation for his baritone solos, Recitative and aria Un Ballo in Maschera [Verdi], Two Grenadiers [Schumann]. His voice is powerful but not particularly musical, but he sings with taste, and was most warmly applauded. The great treat of the evening was the Minetti Quartet, Guilio Minetti, Ferdinand Stark, Charles Trainor and Arthur Weiss. Mendelssohn's String Quartet in E flat Major op. 12, four movements, was charmingly rendered with beautiful execution and expression, the Romanze-Andantino-Presto al Saltarello [Grieg], from String quartet in B flat op. 27, receiving continued applause. The work of this quartet always meets with favor and justly so as the players are earnest, thorough musicians. A DAY IN OAKLAND. The Dramatic Review has gained a very warm friend in Mrs. Fanny Dam-Hilton, vocalist, who has classes in Oakland, Yallejo and San Francisco and who was so much enthused with the broad, truthful spirit of The Review that she suggested a visit to Oakland in the interest of musical matters, devoting her day to me last week. As we drove in her buggy making calls upon old friends and others I bad not previously known, in every instance I received a kind welcome and many good wishes for the success of The Dramatic Review and expressions of pleasure that Oakland should come in for a very large share of interest in professional matters. Among the many I met for a few moments were Alexander Stewart, whom I found busy as could be with his violin pupils, and who is the critic of the Oakland Inquirer; Mr. Metcalf, the pianist, who spoke very encouragingly of The Dramatic Review: Miss Nellie Davenport, pianist, a pupil of Robert Tolmie and member of the Pianists' Club; Miss Halsey, vocalist; Lena Caroll Nicholson, who has been prominently known in concert and church work and whose sister, Grace Carroll, is making a success in the East; Miss Cora Jenkins, who has made great progress musically, especially in her harmony classes for children ;Carrie Brown Dexter, a very charming young woman, a member of the Hughes Club that seems to be an influential organization and gave a concert last evening in Oakland, and Mrs. Carrie Fross Snyder, the elocutionist who has flourishing classes and appears with much success in public and was taught by Louise Humphrey Smith. I found her very interesting and bright and like most of the professional people I met in Oakland very refined and cordial. I dropped in also to see Miss Marvin, whom I liked exceedingly, and she is spoken of as having decided ability and standing as a pianist and teacher. Miss Clisby, pianist, was away at Redwoods, but I had a pleasant chat with her mother. During the day we went to Loring Hall, where Mrs. Hilton holds her successful classes in vocal work and sight reading and also met her cousin, Fanny Dam, the pianist. Mrs. Hilton is right — there is plenty of good material in Oakland, and The Review is ready to help in the good work. Let the profession send me news and programs and drop in to see me when they are in town, and there may be Oakland days for the future. The day was too short to see all I desired to meet, and many were away, but the hours there spoke well for the work being done in Oakland, and the interest that will be taken in The Dramatic Review. trebelll's farewell concert Trebelli's farewell concert given Thursday afternoon of last week at the Grand Opera House was the most successful of the series of six concerts, the house being filled to its utmost capacity with an audience that showed enthusiastic appreciation of one of the most charming and artistic concerts that has visited California for many a day. A long and varied program was exquisitely rendered with all Trebelli's fresh, fascinating grace, closing with her famous laughing song, that completely captivated the house. Last Friday she left for Los Angeles with Robert Clarence Newell, whose work has been a most satisfactory support to the fair singer. She will be heard in Canada and Boston later on. STUDIO ECHOES. The Herbert-Kidder Concert Company— Alma Burgland, Bessie Lee Wall, Homer Henley, Mr. Lovedal — gave a concert on Tuesday evening at the First Unitarian Church, San Jose. Mrs. WeaverMcCauley gave a concert in the First Unitarian Church, San Jose, Sunday last, assisted by Henry Bettman, violinist, Ada May Churchill, pianist and vocalist, Miss McMillan, vocalist, Mrs. Romayne Hunkins, cellist, and Miss Carrie Foster McClellan, which was well attended. * # * The Minetti Quartet gave a concert in Sherman Clay Hall last evening which will be reviewed next week. On Tuesday evening Miss Jessie Foster gave the first of a series of song recitals in her studio, Mrs. Arthur Lewis being the pianist of the evening. The program included — Approach of Spring [Mendelssohn], The Lotus Flower [Schumann], Love a Captive [Chaminade], Air and Variations [Rode], Morning Greeting and Parting [Schubert], Sweet Wind That Blows [Chadwick], and music from Rigoletto. Miss Foster will give recitals monthly, and it is a pleasure to state that her vocal classes are very promising since she located here. * » * The new Board of Directors of the Music Teachers' Association of California, consisting of Madam Roeckel, H. W. Patrick, V. S., H. Hoffmeyer, Joseph Gruen, Homer Tourjee, Mrs. P. O. Peterson and Mrs. Whiteside, has elected for the ensuing year Madame Ellen Coursen Roeckel, president; H. W. Patrick, vice-president; Mrs. Whiteside, secretary; Mrs. Peterson, treasurer. * # * Adelaide Roddy sang at the French Church on Sunday last, and I hear made a good impression. * • • Mrs. Mairiner-Campbell gave a charming dinner in honor of Clarence Eddy a few days ago, several musical triends being invited to meet the distinguished guest. Mrs. Campbell is a delightful hostess and her home one of truest hospitality and artistic refinement. Mr. and Mrs. Pasmore, Mr. and Mrs. Birmingham and Miss Elizabeth Putnam were among the invited guests. —Mary Frances Francis. A Nelz> Dramatic School The Calhoun School of Natural Elocution, Acting and Physical Training opened Thursday afternoon of last week at Golden Gate Hall under very happy auspices, a refined and interested audience being in attendance. Mrs. Jessie Calhoun Anderson, the director, made a very graceful appearance upon the stage and listened with evident pleasure to the warm words of encouragement in her undertaking and the confidence expressed in her ability to make a success. David Starr Jordan, President of the Stanford University, Hon. Reginald H. Webster, Superintendent of Public Schools, Wm. C. Morrow, the distinguished author and instuctor, and Dr. Driesbach Smith, the assistant physician of