EXODUS OF MUSICIANS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2692, 18 October 1905, Page 86

EXODUS OF MUSICIANS.

—To America, ihe Land of Big Prices. — So many artists are going to America. ! this autumn rhat the drain on London will be very heavy, and the London musical season must suffer in eonsequance. Ame-ican agents, demanding the best talent, have- already booked tours for many tvcll-knowii English singers and German pianists. "Nothing can stop this exodus," said a prominent manager to a London Evening News representative, "because America will pay twi^s- the price offered by England lor pianists, violinists, and singers. Great Britain, in turn, being willing to pay a. higher price than Germany, the latter is the greater sufferer." Among the many musicians leaving; for America are : — Pianists: Raoul Pugno, Kosenthal, l\eisenatier, Harold Bauer, De Pachmann, the exquisite Chopin player, has just returned i from New York. Violinists: Marie Hall, Hugo Hermann, Jlarteau, Kubelik. ; 'Cellists: Joseph Hollman, Elsa Rueger. I Sinsers : Sembrich. Emma Earr.e3, Gadski, Plancon, iScoUi, Caruso, Ben Davies, John Cbatcs, Muriel Foster, Kirkby Luna. "America g<?ts the best musicians,"' said. a pianist, "because the managers will p-.y startling prices for 'stare. I have heard that Jean De Keszke, the famous tenor, was paid £400 for singing one night in. ' Lohengrin, 1 and Sembrich nearly as much in 'La Traviata.' PaJerewski, lam told, made £1000 in an evening. "Of course, these costly performances do not pay, but such a galaxy of ' stars ' advertises the opera and the managers ruake up the deficit on less expensive ones. "Amsr'ca, whilst always looking for a sensation, is really a music-loving country — a fact due, perhaps, to the large German element that has been assimilated. In my opinion, with all due regard to their greatness, the Bngl'sh are not a musical people. "But America should not have our best , artists. Sbirvething should be done lo keep them tit home for their absence means not only that we are deprived oE good music, but that our musical education also suffers.' 1