Sixty Years of California Song Part 24

WOMEN SINGERS OF EARLY YEARS, 60'S AND 70'S

Abby, Mrs. A., _mezzo-soprano_ Biscaccianti, Mme. E. (nee Eliza Ostinello), _coloratura singer, soprano_ Brambrilla, Signora Elvira, _prima donna, soprano_ Bianchi, Signora, _mezzo-soprano_ Bishop, Mme. Anna, _prima donna, soprano_ Blake, Margaret M., _mezzo-contralto_ Beutler, Clara, _soprano_ Beutler, Ida, _mezzo_ Beutler, Emma, _contralto_ Bateman Sisters, in 1854 Bowden, Mrs. Anna Shattuck, _soprano_ Buthen, Mrs., _soprano_ (St. Patrick's) Carusi, Inez, _soprano_ Cowen, Safa Tate, _soprano_ Campbell, Mrs. Marriner, _coloratura soprano_ Chisolm, Mrs., _contralto_ Cameron, Mrs. _soprano_ Escott, Lucy, _prima donna, soprano_ Elzer, Anna, _prima donna, contralto_ Fabri, Inez, _prima donna, soprano_ Gerster, Etelka, _prima donna soprano_ Galton, Susan, _lyric soprano_ Gould, Susan, _contralto_ Howard, Etna, _soprano_ Keen, Laura, _soprano_ Little, Sarah Watkins, _soprano_ (1864) Leach, Georgiana, _soprano_ Lester, Louisa, _soprano_ Mills, Louisa, _prima donna, soprano_ Melville, Emily, _prima donna, soprano_ Menans, Madam, _soprano_ (St. Patrick's) Moore, Hattie, _soprano_ (opera) Mohrig, Ida Semminaro, _mezzo-soprano_ Northrup, Elizabeth, _mezzo-soprano_ Neilson, Alice, _soprano_ (opera) Orlandini, Gabriela, _soprano_ (opera) Parker, Elizabeth, _soprano_ Pierce, Mrs. J.M., _soprano_ Rightmire, Sallie, _contralto_ Rosewald, Julia, _prima donna soprano_ (opera) Shattuck, Anna B., _soprano_ Sconcia, Madame, _soprano_ Stone, Kate, _contralto_ Schultz, Susan, _soprano_ States, Agatha, _soprano_ Taylor, Mrs., _soprano_ (St. Patrick's) Tourney, Louisa, _soprano_ (St. Patrick's) Thursby, Louisa, _prima donna, soprano_ Uhrig, Mrs., _soprano_ (St. Patrick's) Van Brunt, Mrs. R.A., _soprano_, (Calvary Church) Valerga, Ida, _mezzo-soprano_ (opera) Wilson, Alice, _soprano_ Wetherbee, Nellie, _mezzo-soprano_ Williams, Mrs. Barney, _soprano_ Young, Mrs. _soprano_ (St. Patrick's)

1896

McDonough, Luckstone, _piano_ Materna, Amelia, _famous prima donna_ Frantz, Ondricek, _famous tenor_

MEN SINGERS IN EARLY DAYS

Adler, Herman, _baritone_ Bianchi, Signor, _tenor_ Borneman, Fred, _ba.s.s_ Bettencourt, J. de S., _tenor_ Campbell, Walter, _ba.s.s_ (1859) Clark, Benjamin, _tenor_ (1854) Coch, S.W., _ba.s.s_ Dugan, Charles, _baritone_ Duffy, Thomas, _baritone_ Elliott, Was.h.i.+ngton, _tenor_ Formes, Karl, _ba.s.so profundo_ Fuchs, Prof., _tenor_ Freedburg, A., _tenor_ Gates, Harvey, _tenor_ Goe, Dr. S.E., _tenor_ Hughes, D.P., _tenor_ Howard, Frank, _baritone_ Kelleher, Alfred, _tenor_ Langstroth, J.A., _tenor_ Lyster, Fred, _tenor_ Leach, Stephen W., _baritone_ Mayer, Samuel D., _tenor_ Morley, Signor, _tenor_ Makin, Cornelius, _ba.s.s_ Mancusi, Signor, _baritone_ Maguire, Joseph, _tenor_ Nesfield, D.W.C, _baritone_ Otty, Major W.N., _tenor_ Reuling, Signor, _baritone_ Richel, M.D., _ba.s.so profundi_ Squires, Henry, _tenor primo_ Stadfeldt, Jacob, _ba.s.so_ Stockmyer, Herr, _ba.s.so_ Tippetts, J.E., _tenor_ Trehane, John, _tenor_ Wilder, Dr. A.M., _tenor_ Wetherbee, Henry, _tenor_ Williams, Barney (1854), _tenor_

CALIFORNIA COMPOSERS

Sabin, Wallace A.

Metcalf, John W.

Koppitz, Geo.

Lejeal, Alois Dohrmann, J.H.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

EARLY CALIFORNIA REMINISCENCES OF MUSICIANS AND SINGERS

RUDOLPH HEROLD

The first famous orchestra leader in San Francisco was Rudolph Herold, born in Prussia, Germany, March 29, 1832, and died in San Francisco, July 25, 1889. He received his musical education at Leipsic Conservatory with Plaidy and Moscheles, his teachers on the piano, and Mendelssohn, teacher of the theory of music and composition.

He arrived in San Francisco in 1852 as solo pianist and accompanist with the famous Catherine Hayes. He saw opportunities in this young city for fostering and cultivating good music and remained here until his death. He was closely identified with every important musical event up to the time when he was stricken with paralysis three years preceding his death.

In the early fifties he organized, under the patronage of Harry Meiggs, who was an ardent lover of music, the San Francisco Philharmonic society and rendered such important works as Elijah, St.

Paulus, by Mendelssohn, Ma.s.s Requiem, by Mozart, The Desert, by Felician David, etc., etc. He also organized the famous San Francisco Harmonie, a singing society for male voices. He was organist at St.

Mary's Cathedral and the First Unitarian Church for over twenty years and Temple Emanuel for twenty-five years. He had full charge of the great musical festival in 1870, given by Camilla Urso in aid of the Mercantile Library fund and conducted at the second festival given by Sumner Bugbee in conjunction with Carl Zerrahn of Boston. He conducted all the earlier Italian opera seasons given by Bianchi at the old Metropolitan, Maguire's opera house. In 1874 he organized his Symphony orchestra and continued his concerts without financial backing up to the time of his illness, producing the standard symphonic works of the old masters and also those of the more modern composers, such as Schuman, Rubinstein, Raff, Brahms and St. Saens.

J.H. DOHRMANN

Mr. Dohrmann, a native of Hesse, Germany, took his first piano lesson when but six years old. At the age of eleven years he had made such remarkable progress that his parents sent him to a seminary at Homburg to further develop his musical talent and other studies. Dr. Wilhelm Volekmar, an eminent organist, pianist and accomplished musician, was the head of the musical department. Under his tuition he became a brilliant pianist and a good organist. He was an indefatigable student, not only in music but also languages--the foundations of which were laid there. After remaining a few years there, his parents decided to emigrate to America and came to San Francisco, where a son had preceded them in 1854.

Dohrmann went to school there to perfect his knowledge of the English language, and continued his studies in music, harmony, theory and instrumentation for some time, under the guidance of Prof. R. Herold, and later alone, when compelled to live in the country on account of failing health.

In 1857 he located in Sacramento, where he remained one year, then went to San Jose, where he was successful as a teacher, also as director of singing societies. However, being ambitious to a.s.sociate with better musicians, and to be in a greater field for music, in 1861 he came to San Francisco. There he soon became a favorite with the musicians as a pianist. In 1862 he made his advent as pianist in a theater of which he became the leader of the orchestra later. Since then he has been the musical director in a number of theaters in San Francisco--Metropolitan, Montgomery street; American, Sansome street; Alhambra (later Bush Street Theater); s.h.i.+els Opera house, Bush street; Platts Hall, Montgomery street; a few performances at the California Theater, in 1876; Grand Opera House, Mission street; Winter Garden, Post and Stockton streets; Tivoli, Eddy street; in Oakland, Oakland Tivoli; Cameron Hall, Fourteenth street; Oakland theater, later Coliseum, Twelfth street; also was director of the Oakland Harmonic society until he became director at the Grand Opera House, San Francisco. Became organist at St. Patrick's church, March, 1864, then located at the corner of Annie and Market streets, San Francisco, later on Mission street. Held that position until May, 1899. During the greater part of his musical career he has resided in Oakland, where he is still busy as a teacher.

I.G. Drebler, in April, 1910, desired him to accept the chair of musical director and critic of the Technique System Conservatory of Music, Los Angeles. His business of so many years' standing could not be properly adjusted for him to accept this advantageous offer and he still continues his musical instructions in his home studio, Eighth street, Oakland, and San Francisco.

RICHARD CONDY

Mr. Condy was from Philadelphia. I never knew with whom he studied, but I can safely say he was a thorough musician. In 1856 he organized the first bra.s.s band in Stockton and was identified with it for four years. He was unexcelled as an E flat cornet player and played several instruments with great artistic skill. He was also a most beautiful flute player. All the years of his residence he was closely allied with the advancement of the best music in Stockton. In 1862 he enlisted in the third regiment of cavalry and became the leader of the cavalry band. At the close of the war he became a prominent member of Rawlins Post, G.A.R. He also stood high in Odd Fellows.h.i.+p. His second wife was Miss Lizzie Fisher, my early companion, the only daughter of Alvin Fisher, who with his brother, Samuel Fisher, ran the first stage coach line into Stockton. She came to Stockton from the East in 1854 and sang with me in the Episcopal choir. Being a fine alto singer she was gladly welcomed among the musical colony of Stockton. Condy died November 3, 1903, and was deeply mourned by many sincere friends who honored and esteemed him. With his death the last of the pioneer musicians are gone. He is survived by Mrs. Condy and three sons.

FREDERICK KRAUS

Mr. Kraus was born in Basel, Switzerland, in 1827. He arrived in San Francisco in 1851. He was not only a fine musician but also took an active part in civic affairs. He was one of the Vigilance committee, of the Empire Engine Company, volunteers, and also belonged to the Swiss sharpshooters. He was a familiar figure in those societies, very few parades were formed without Fred Kraus, and his company of sharpshooters, or as the leader of the Sixth Regiment band. He was every inch a soldier and marched with his stately body erect, with dignified step, proud of his companions and his band of fine musicians. He also belonged to the Musicians' union for many years.

He answered his last call January 16, 1912. Five children survive him.

SARAH P. WATKINS-LITTLE

Miss Watkins was born in the little town of Mendham, N.J., July 10, 1842. She came to California in 1859 and to Oakland on the day before Christmas. The following year she was engaged to sing soprano in the First Presbyterian church. After two and one-half years there she went to Calvary Church where she sang for another two and a half years and then went to the Unitarian Church, where Rev. Dr. Stebbins preached.

In 1864 she was married to William C. Little.

Geo. F. Pettinos was organist in the First Presbyterian Church; Mr.

Anderson was tenor, Emily King, now Mrs. K.S. Latham, contralto, and Mrs. Blake-Alverson contralto.

The choir in Calvary Church: Organist, Gustave Scott; large choir with quartette, Was.h.i.+ngton Elliott, leader.

Choir Unitarian Church: Rudolph Herold, organist; Mr. Wunderlich, superb ba.s.so; Mr. Mitch.e.l.l, tenor; Miss Fisher, alto; Mrs. Little, soprano.

She was much interested in the oratorio society, Handel and Haydn, in which she took part in Oakland, and was soprano at St. John's Church, following Mrs. s.h.i.+pman.

When Dr. Eells came to the First Presbyterian Church in Oakland she had charge of the choir and was the soprano. She raised about $1500 toward the purchase of an organ for the church. She took part in solos when Creation was given there.

When Hattie Crocker Alexander presented the First Congregational Church of San Francisco with a large organ, Mrs. Watkins raised money and purchased the original organ for Plymouth Church of Oakland and it is now in use in that church. The first choir was as follows: Emily King, contralto; Mr. Anderson, tenor; Sallie Little, soprano; George Pettinos, organist.

After two and a half years she went to Calvary Church. Mr. Elliott was leader of the choir and Gustave Scott, organist; Dr. Wadsworth, pastor. Mrs. Little now lives in Oakland with her daughter, who is also a gifted singer and a teacher of voice.

WALTER CHAUNCY CAMPBELL

Mr. Campbell, ba.s.so, was born at Sacketts Harbor, St. Lawrence County, New York, October 30, 1838. His parents removed to Buffalo, New York, in 1842 and he was graduated from the high school in 1854. He left New York October, 1858, for California via Straits of Magellan, arriving at San Francisco July 2, 1859. After spending two years in placer mining he returned to San Francisco in 1861. He joined the Handel and Haydn society under its first conductor, Mr. Oliver of Boston, and commenced the cultivation of his voice in oratorio with Stephen W. Leach and in German with Mr. J.B. Butler, father of Mrs.

Clara Tippett, well known soprano who left this city for Boston some twenty-five years ago where she was soprano of the Old South Church for a great many years. After studying with them for several years he went to New York City to live with his father and continued his study of vocal music, commencing with some of the prominent Italian teachers who were so pleased with his voice that they wished him to study for grand opera, but not liking their methods of teaching he finally secured a teacher who did him the most good, Mr. Phillip Meyer, a German and a fine baritone singer, who after a year's teaching, allowed him to make his debut at Irving hall, at an afternoon recital at which a celebrated pianist, Mr. Wehli, just arrived from Europe, made his first appearance in America. His success was great enough to induce Mr. Lafayette Harrison, a well known manager to engage him to sing at the opening of Steinway's new hall in June, 1867, at which concert Mlle. Parepa made her first appearance in America. She afterwards became Madame Parepa-Rosa. They were both under engagement to Mr. Harrison for the season, singing in oratorio and concerts in New York and Brooklyn.

After the summer of 1867 he returned to San Francisco and was engaged as ba.s.so at Howard Presbyterian church. He remained there several years, then went to First Unitarian Church where he sang for seven years and then went to Grace Cathedral. He sang there for ten years and then took charge of the choir at the Calvary Presbyterian Church, resigning March 1, 1906, after eight years of service. During all those years he was known throughout the coast as the San Francis...o...b...s.so. He made one tour of British Columbia, Was.h.i.+ngton, a territory then, Oregon and California with Madam Anna Bishop. He made another tour of California with Madam Camilla Urso, the violiniste, and a second tour of the northwest with Charles Kohler, Charles Vivian and Mrs. Blake-Alverson. He sang in all of the oratorios given by the Handel and Haydn society of San Francisco as ba.s.s soloist, Creation, St. Paul, Elijah, Samson, Mendelssohn's Hymn of Praise and Messiah.

He also sang as ba.s.so of the Temple Emanuel from 1874 to 1888, thirteen consecutive years, and was the ba.s.so profundo of that celebrated male quartette, The Amphions, composed of Joseph Maguire, H.J. Tippett, Jacob Stadfeldt, Campbell and Harry Hunt, pianist. Upon the death of Joseph Maguire in 1878 the quartette disbanded as we were unable to fill his place. While singing at the First Unitarian Church the choir was composed of Mrs. Marriner, soprano; Miss Sallie Rightmire, alto; Joseph Maguire, tenor; W.C. Campbell, ba.s.so. The soprano and ba.s.s were united in the holy bonds of wedlock and are still living happily together. Having given up concert singing for several years past, Mr. Campbell still retains his magnificent voice which gives great pleasure to those who hear him. His voice has a range of two and one-half octaves from high F to low B flat, a remarkable range at the present time.

[Ill.u.s.tration:

Ada Koch Geo. G. Peterson Lauretta Shaw Bessie G. Newell Mrs. Grace E. Dobbins-Ames Susan Culver Mrs. J.R. Case

PUPILS OF THE 90's]