The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1910)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 29 NEW EDISON ARTISTS. A Number of Valuable Additions to Their Staff of Weil-Known Artists and Something' of Their Professional Histories — Singers of International Fame Secured — Victor Herbert to Continue to Supervise Recording of Instrumental Numbers. Some acquisitions to their list of entertainers were recently announced by the National Phonograph Co., Orange, N. J., which indicate what their recording department is doing to keep the Edison catalogs up to date and sparkling with all that is attractive and desirable . in vocal and instrumental numbers. In the grand opera lists the names of Lucrezia Bori, soprano; Aristodemo Giorgini, tenor; Selma Kurz, soprano; Marie Rappold, soprano ; Maria Galvany, soprano ; Carolina LongoneWhite, soprano; Carlo Galeffi, baritone, already appear or will soon be announced. Of these excellent artists Marie Rappold is best known in this country by reason of her successes at the .Metropolitan Opera House, where she is now singing, as is also Galeffi, whose first appearance this season vindicated all the nice things that had been said about him. Lucrezia Bori is the singer with the meteoric career who recently scored such a tremendous success in Paris as the heroine of Puccini's "Marion Lescaut." She is conceded to be .a truly great artiste — a sweet, charming little girl, but a consummate actress with a voice of the finest timbre and cultivation. Carolina Longone-White, a regally beautiful woman, American by birth, is another brilliant actress with a splendid voice, a great favorite in Italy, who is expected lo visit this country during the present season. Se!ma Kurz has been for years the favorite scprano of the Imperial Opera Idouse at Vienna, but her reputation is by no means confined to the Austrian capital ; she is .known and esteemed all over Europe, where she is considered the logical successor of Sembrich. Giorgini's fame has been won in Italy, Russia, France and Spain, where his beautiful lyric tenor voice has been heard in a varied repertoire. His voice is said to lend itself readily to phonograph reproduction. Maria Galvany has sung in most of the large musical centers of Europe and South America, and in addition to a soprano voice of phenomenal range and sweetness, is accredited with a most charming personality. In addition to the artists mentioned, it is said that the National Co. have a number of other stellar operatic lights under contract whose names will be announced in the near future. Among the artists recently secured for the domestic catalog, the one of whom the most is expected by the company, is Elizabeth Spencer, who well-known mezzo-soprano. Miss Spencer, who has hosts of admirers among the patrons of vaudeville, also enjoys a splendid reputation in concert circles, arid will be a regular contributor to the Edison catalogs beginning with the February lists. Her voice is a rich, full mezzo-soprano of an unusually sympathetic quality, her vocal style is pleasing in the extreme, and her enunciation is delightfully distinct; all of which equips her in an unusual manner for record making. The National experts are delighted with her work and regard her as a rare "find" — so much so that they have secured her for a number of years under an exclusive contract to sing only for Edison records. Frank Ormsby, tenor, who is associated with Miss Spencer in duet work on the concert platform, is another artist who has recently identified himself with the Edison catalog. Mr. Ormsby is an intelligent singer, with a voice of tremendous range, great sweetness and robust quality. He will be heard in some of the best numbers from his extensive repertoire. Leon Rice, a tenor with an international reputation in concert and church work, and who is well known by reputation at least to' the majority of music lovers, is also singing for the Edison records. So, too, is Reinald Werrenrath, the favorite baritone, the first of whose records for the Amberol catalog will be announced with the February list. Mr. Werrenrath is perhaps the most popular baritone in the country to-day outside of the operatic stars. Still another recruit is Berrick vori Norderi7 tenor soloist "of The' Temple Emmanuel, the leading Jewish Synagogue of New York city. Mr. von Norden, one of the leading oratorio and concert singers of the present day, is best known to music lovers of this country through his tour with Calve in 1905-1906. The Weber Male Quartet, each of whom-'-is an artist doing church and concert work, were also recently engaged for the Edison catalog. Eight Amberol records by Alexander Heinemann, the famous German baritone "lieder" singer, have been secured 'bythe 'National Phonograph Co., Orange, N.' J., which will be shipped with the February advance list to all jobbers in any one territory at the same time and may go on sale as soon as received. The selections are carefully culled, from his extensive repertoire, and include not only favorite German folk songs, but many of standard quality. Mr. ■Heinemann has sung in every . important European -crty -and made his -debut in Xew .York at Mendelssohn Hall, November 5, before a large and enthusiastic audience. These records are fine examples of skilful recording and artistic singing. Victor Herbert will continue to supervise the recording of instrumental numbers for the Edison catalog and will also contribute the exclusive services of his incomparable galaxy of artists in the rendition of his tuneful compositions and other works of standard quality. Charles Daab, the premier bells and xylophone artist, whose services are also exclusive for Edison records, will add to the brilliant and popular list of numbers he has already given to Edison records. Some notable additions to the present list of instrumental artists will be announced shortly, among them Carmen Stanzione and Adolph Finkelstein, whose ability as flute and clarinet artists are well known in the musical world. Future Edison records will no doubt offer many pleasant surprises. WORTH READING AND DIGESTING Is the Important Announcement Made by the U. S. Phonograph Co. in This Issue. The trade are again cordially invited, via this issue of The World, to read carefully and as carefully digest the frank and candid statement made by the U. S: Phonograph Co., Cleveland, O., on pages 12 and 13. Prefacing their "double spread" with the arresting announcement, "The Lion's Share of '1911' Profits Comes to the Dealer Who Handles the U. S. Line," the company plunge into a strong and telling argument regarding their line, the U. S. Combination Phonograph and the U. S. Everlasting records. It is unnecessary to repeat the story, because every line is interesting, especially in ' connection with the illustrations of their machines, including the concealed horn cabinets shown therein. RETURNS FROM EUROPE TO-DAY. Paul H. Cromelin, vice-president of the Columbia Phonograph Co., General, "who has been in Europe since early in October, arrives from abroad to-day (December 15) on the "Mauretania," of the Cunard line. His trip was undertaken to look after the new British copyright bill, which is inimical to talking machine trade interests in its proposed form. The proroguing of Parliament and the general elections, now under way, interfered to some extent with this purpose 6f his visit. Another object was to obtain official copies of certain Austrian decisions in the Petit duplex patent, the validity of which is now in the course of adjudication in the United States courts. Because a competitor is wideawake, and by judicious, honest advertising is showing the public that he not only keeps talking machines, but sells them, do not sulk in your tent and allow him to get all the "persimmon," but get out of your Rip Van Winkle habiliments an d. get. after some yourself. Sixty-one dictaphones were sold last week to be installed in the freight claim department of the Union Pacific Railway Co. at' Omaha, Neb. S0N0RA Highest Class Talking Machines 5 Records The jfe\ — and Lastest the Best Style F. List $100. The most magnificent Talking Machine Case made. The most Powerful Motor ever used in a Talking Machine. Special Features contained in Sonora Machines: Magnificent Tone Quality and Design. Mechanical Feed. Automatic Stop. Invisible Horn. Absence of Needle-Scratch. Sapphire Attachment. Tone Moderator. Machines: $25, $40, $50, $60, $75, $100, $200 list. Record Tables : $10 list. Record Cabinets: equipped with most convenient filing system: $30 and $50 list. Sonora Phonograph Co. 78 Reade Street, New York