26 to October 21: Tschaikowsky's "Suite Caracteristique" and "Third Symphony in D" (op. 29); Glazounoff's "Fantasia for Orchestra" (op. 53); Dvořák's symphonic poems, "Die Waldtraube" (op. 110), and "Heldenlied" (op. 111); Saint Saëns's "Septet, for Trumpet, Pianoforte and Strings" (op. 69); Miguéz's symphonic poem, "Ave Libertas!" Ole Olsen's symphonic poem, "Asgardsreien"; Henry Rebaud's "Poème Vergilien"; Michael Haydn's "Symphony in C"; Clarence Lucas's "Concert Overture, 'As You Like It'"; W. H. Squire's "Entr'acte 'Slumber Song'"; Wallace Sutcliffe's "Two Dances," for orchestra; Percy Pitt's suite," Cinderella"; and W. H. Reed's overture, "Touchstone." The début at these concerts of M. Paul Bazelaire, a marvellous young 'cellist, born at Sedan in 1887, deserves notice. In the autumn a series of Promenade Concerts at Covent Garden Theatre was started under the direction of Cecil Barth, with Mr. George Riseley and Herr Jacobi as conductors, but the venture came to a very speedy end. In June the Queen's Hall Orchestra gave a series of Wagner Concerts (including a Wagner-Tschaikowsky Concert), at which more or less familiar works and excerpts were played. The Philharmonic Society opened its eighty-seventh season with two brilliant young soloists - Leonora Jackson, playing Mendelssohn's "Violin Concerto," and Herr Dohnányi Liszt's "Pianoforte Concerto in E flat." Noteworthy features of the season were the appearance of Rachmaninov on April 19, who conducted his "Fantasia in E," for orchestra (op. 7); the performance on May 4 of Professor Stanford's "Concert Variations, for Piano and Orchestra," on "Down Among the Dead Men" -soloist, Mr. Leonard Borwick; the engagement of 200 members of the Leeds Festival Choir for a performance of Beethoven's "Choral Symphony"; the presentation to Dr. Joachim (who had replaced Paderewski as soloist on June 1), by Mr. W. H. Cummings, on behalf of the directors of the society, of a silver-gilt wreath in commemoration of the sixtieth anniversary of the great violinist's first appearance in public; and the appearance of Richard Strauss at the last concert of the season to conduct his symphonic poem "Tod und Verklärung." Sir Alexander Mackenzie, after acting as conductor for seven years, resigned the post in order, it was stated, to have more time to devote to composition; and Mr. F. H. Cowen, Sir Alexander's predecessor, was reappointed. The famous Crystal Palace Saturday Concerts were continued under Mr. August Manns's direction. In the spring season of the forty-third series the principal features were a symphonic poem, "Sister Helen," by Wm. Wallace (Feb. 25); Tschaikowsky's "Third Symphony in D” (op. 29) (March 4); a centenary performance of Haydn's "Creation" (March 18); the appearance of Xaver Scharwenka, who played for the first time in England the solo part of his "Third Pianoforte Concerto in C Sharp Minor" (op. 80) (April 29), and the first performance at the same concert of Reginald Steggall's "Second Suite in E for Orchestra." During the autumn season of the forty-fourth series Dvořák's symphonic poem "Heldenlied" (op. 111), produced at the Queen's Hall the previous evening, was performed, and Professor Villiers Stanford's arrangement for chorus and orchestra of his quartet, "Our Enemies Have Fallen." At the Richter Concerts several Russian works were performed, and a first hearing was given in this country to the overture to Siegfried Wagner's opera, "Bärenhäuter." Two other works deserving special mention were Elgar's "Variations on an Original Theme" (op. 36), the theme being a beautiful melody, entitled "Enigma,"-played at the concert (June 19); and Herr von Dohnányi's "Pianoforte Concerto in E Minor," played by the composer (Oct. 23). Orchestral concerts were given by Mr. W. H. Thorley in April and December for the purpose of producing his own compositions—instrumental and vocal-which proved to be of very considerable merit; one by Mr. Fritz Delius, at which were performed symphonic poems and songs of his own composition; by Miss Adela Verne, at which Sir Hubert Parry conducted a performance of Wm. Yates Hurlstone's orchestral "Variations on a Hungarian Air"; by Miss Ada Wright, pianist; and by Miss Norah Clench, violinist, an accomplished pupil of Joachim; the concert givers in the last three cases playing concertos. Excellent orchestral concerts have also been given by Mr. Newlandsmith; while Mr. Albert Fransella's orchestra has introduced chiefly light foreign music, and Messrs. Chappell's have occasionally had a band under the direction of Ivan Caryll for the performance of light overtures, etc., at the St. James's Hall Ballad Concerts. In chamber music much good work was done by various concert combinations, by whom many interesting novelties were produced. Of these mention may be made of the Elderhorst, Walenn, Clinton, Fransella, Newlandsmith, Herbert Sharpe, Curtius Club, British Chamber and Cecilia Gates chamber music combinations. The Saturday Popular Concerts were continued on familiar lines, Lady Hallé and Herr Kruse being the leaders. The Monday Populars were resumed on Dr. Joachim's arrival, and on March 18 the Joachim Quartet made their rentrée. During the autumn season the only novelty produced was Mme. Liza Lehmann's new song-cycle, "In Memoriam," sung by Mr. Kennerley Rumford, and accompanied by the composer. Numerous excellent instrumental recitals were given. Of the vocal recitals mention need be made only of those given by Mr. Bispham and Herr Gura, M. van Rooy, and Miss Marie Brema; Mr. Ben Davies revived Sullivan's setting of Tennyson's song-cycle, "The Window"; and Mr. Lawrence Rea sang Mr. Somervell's setting of the lyrics from Tennyson's" Maud." The grand opera season (May 8 to July 24) comprised seventy performances. The only real novelty was Mr. de Lara's "Messaline," which was performed three times. The performance of Puccini's "La Bohème" was its first rendering in England in the original Italian version. The new stage lighting by electricity was an improvement, but the chorus singing, mounting and stage management were frequently very faulty, and the raising of the prices of the seats 50 per cent. for the Wagnerian operas aroused much criticism, and was scarcely justified by the quality of the performances, although Dr. Muck, of the Imperial Opera House, Berlin, conducted the Wagner operas with pronounced ability. The other operas were conducted by Signor Mancinelli and M. Flon. Among the new singers Frau Mott made her début on the opening night as Elsa, Mme. Strakosch as Santuzza; Mmes. Litvinne and Gadski in Wagnerian characters met with great success; Mlle. Bréval as Valentine in "Les Huguenots"; Signor Scotti, a new baritone, as Don Giovanni. Mlle. Leclerc appeared in a revival of Adam's "Chalet." Other vocalists were Mme. Lilli Lehmann, who sang in "Fidelio" and "Norma; Mme. Melba, who took the part of Mimi in "La Bohème;" Mme. Héglon, Herr Scheidemantel, the brothers de Reszke, MM. Alvarez, Saleza, Renaud, and Plançon. The Carl Rosa Company gave a six weeks' season at the Lyceum, and the National Grand Opera Company, which has now ceased to exist, gave a short season at the new theatre at Kennington. At the Bayreuth Festival two performances were given of the "Ring des Nibelungen," conducted by Siegfried Wagner; seven of " Parsifal," conducted by Franz Fischer; and five of "Die Meistersinger," conducted by Richter. The principal productions in light opera were "San Toy," which followed "The Greek Slave" at Daly's Theatre; and "The Rose of Persia," by Sir Arthur Sullivan and Captain Basil Hood, at the Savoy Theatre. The leading pianoforte manufacturers having agreed to adopt the Diapason Normal from September 1, 1899, considerable discussion ensued, but the expense in regard to wind instruments still blocks the way to a general acceptance of this desirable standard. At Oxford Sir Hubert Parry was elected Professor of Music in succession to Sir John Stainer. The interest attaching to folk-music led to the formation of a Folk-song Society. The Rev. S. Baring-Gould, who had devoted much study to this subject, read a paper on "The Folk-music of the West of England," at the annual conference at Plymouth of the Incorporated Society of Musicians. It was stated that the Strad violin which Wilhelmj played for many years was bought by a Chicago musician, Mr. Kupferschmied, for 2,000l. It is probably a record price. The obituary list of the year contains the names of Albert Becker; G. E. Goltermann, the well-known violoncellist and composer; Frau Amalie Joachim, mezzo-soprano singer, and wife of Dr. Joachim ; Johann Strauss, the Viennese conductor and composer of waltzes; Ludwig Strauss, at one time leader of Hallé's Manchester Band, the Philharmonic Orchestra, the Queen's Private Band, and viola at the Monday and Saturday Popular Concerts; Charles Lamoureux, conductor of the famous Paris orchestra named after him; Signor Foli (Foley); Signor F. Novara (Nash) and Heinrich Wiegand, eminent bass singers; and the Rev. Dr. John Troutbeck, precentor of Westminster Abbey and translator of musical librettos. OBITUARY OF EMINENT PERSONS DECEASED IN 1899. JANUARY. The Duke of Northumberland, K.G.— Algernon George Percy, sixth Duke of Northumberland, was born in 1810, and was educated at Eton and afterwards at St. John's College, Cambridge. As Lord Lovaine he was first returned in 1831 to Parliament for the family borough of Beeralston, which was disfranchised by the Reform Act of the following year. He then entered the Army, and served for a short time in the Grenadier Guards. In 1852 he came forward as the Conservative candidate for North Northumberland, and continued to represent it until 1865. In 1858 he accepted the post of Junior Lord of the Admiralty in Lord Derby's Administration, and in 1859 became Vice-President of the Board of Trade. On the death of his grandfather in 1865, he assumed his father's courtesy title of Earl Percy, and succeeded to the dukedom two years later. In 1878 he was made Lord Privy Seal in succession to Lord Beaconsfield, and held the post until 1880, when his active interest in politics ceased, and he devoted himself to local affairs in his own county, and although a member of the Catholic Apostolic, or Irvingite Church, contributing largely to Church schools, church-building, and public institutions on Tyneside and elsewhere. He aided munificently in the formation of the See of Newcastle, and in the foundation of the College of Science at Newcastle in connection with Durham University. He also took special interest in the Royal Institution, London, of which he was president from 1873, and in the Royal Lifeboat Institution, of which he was also president from 1866 until his death. In 1845 the duke, then Lord Lovaine, married Louisa, daughter of Henry Drummond, M.P., of Albury Park, Surrey, and published in 1860 his father-in-law's speeches in Parliament. Although for many years a martyr to the most painful form of neuralgia, he maintained the habits of vigorous life down to a few years before his death, which took place on January 2 at Alnwick Castle, and was the result of angina pectoris. Duke Algernon, as he was known throughout his own county, was beloved and respected by all classes, and as a landed proprietor he was distinguished as much by his interest in his tenants' welfare as by his liberality in promoting it. Nubar Pasha, the distinguished Egyptian statesman, was the son of an Armenian, employed in the Turkish service. He was born at Smyrna in 1825, and at an early age was sent first to Switzerland and afterwards to Toulouse and Paris for education. He came to Egypt in 1842, and by the aid of his kinsman, Boghos Bey, was appointed reader and interpreter to Mahomed Ali, by whom he was chosen to accompany his son, Ibrahim Pasha, on a state visit to the Sultan at Constantinople, and was afterwards attached to him in a more permanent post. On the accession of Abbas Pasha in 1850, Nubar was sent to London to protest against certain claims put forward by the Sultan on the death of Mahomed Ali. His remonstrances impressed Lord Palmerston, and after his return he was sent on a diplomatic mission to Vienna, where he remained until Abbas' death. After a short interval the new ruler of Egypt, Said Pasha, in 1856, entrusted Nubar with the negotiations going on between London and Cairo, relative to the Overland Route and the consequent construction of the Cairo-Suez Railway. French influence being at that time dominant at Cairo and hostile to the Overland Route, Nubar was dismissed in disgrace. In 1863 Ismail Pasha succeeded to the government of Egypt, and Nubar was promptly recalled, and in 1866 was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, and for the greater part of his master's reign exercised a distinct influence upon the history and destinies of Egypt. He obtained for Ismail the title of Khedive, procured permission to alter the law of succession, settled the difficulties between Turkey and Egypt on the subject of the Suez Canal, and carried on the negotiations which ended with the award of Napoleon III. In 1868 he induced Ismail to make an effort to get rid of the capitulations which hampered the administrative action of the local Government, and proposed the erection of international tribunals to administer a code drawn up under Nubar's directions, and suitable to the conditions of the country. During the years which immediately preceded Ismail's financial collapse, Nubar Pasha did not play a very prominent part in politics. In alternation with Sherif Pasha he was either Prime Minister or in disgrace if not in exile; but if he was not directly responsible for the disasters of Ismail's rule, he did not take a prominent part in averting the inevitable ruin. In 1874 Nubar was dismissed from office and obliged to leave Egypt, and resided mainly in London and Paris. In 1876 Ismail thought that he might recover the confidence of his creditors by giving to Egypt the form of a Constitutional Government under international control. Nubar was appointed President of the Council, and Sir C. Rivers Wilson and M. de Blignières represented England and France respectively. When the new ministers showed an intention to act seriously, and to remodel the administration, Ismail at once intrigued against them and dismissed Nubar, and made the position of the French and English agents untenable. The unforeseen intervention of Germany, brought about indirectly by Nubar, upset all Ismail's plans, and ended in his deposition and the accession of his son Tewfik. Nubar then returned to Cairo, but took no active part in Egyptian affairs during the Arabi insurrection, the bombardment of Alexandria, and Tel-el-Kebir campaign. On the order of the British Government after the defeat of Hicks Pasha's army, Egypt was compelled to abandon the Soudan. Sherif Pasha, then Premier, resigned, and Nubar, although equally disapproving, consented to accept office on the ground that it was better for Egypt to evacuate the Soudan than to incur the withdrawal of the British occupation of Egypt. He held office until 1888, when he was dismissed and retired to Paris, where he spent his time in writing his reminiscences, which he refrained from publishing. In 1892, Abbas Pasha succeeded his father Tewfik, and after getting into trouble with the British Agent, summoned Nubar to become his Prime Minister in 1894. After eighteen months, during which matters were placed on a more friendly footing, Nubar Pasha finally retired in November, 1895, having been Prime Minister to six Khedives. He retired to Paris, where he died on January 14 at his house in the Rue Boissiere, having undergone a few months previously a serious operation from which he never completely rallied. On the 1st, at London, aged 60, Edward Righton, a popular comedian. First appeared as Fleance in Miss Glyn's reproduction of "Macbeth," 1850; was manager of the Court Theatre and one of the three actors in Mr. W. S. Gilbert's "Happy Land" (1874) whose caricatures of Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Lowe and Mr. Ayrton incurred the censure of the Lord Chamberlain. On the 2nd, at the Viceregal Lodge, Dublin, aged 28, Hon. Mrs. Vincent Corbett, Hon. Mabel Beatrice Sturt, daughter of Lord Alington. Married, 1895, Vincent Corbett, of H.M. Diplomatic Service. On the 2nd, at Ealing, aged 67, Surgeon-General Lewis Stanhope Bruce, son of Colonel Lewis Bruce. Educated at Edinburgh University; joined Bombay Medical Service, 1854; served in the Indian Army, 1856-7, in Persia; in the Indian Mutiny, 1857-8; and Afghan War, 1880-1. On the 3rd, at Rome, aged 81, Surgeon-General James Macbeth. Educated at Aberdeen University; entered the Army Medical Service, 1841; served with 10th Foot in the Sutlej Campaign, 1845-6; with 74th Highlanders in the Punjab Campaign, 1848-9, and afterwards with 10th Hussars and 16th Lancers. On the 3rd, at Wateringbury, Kent, aged 73, General Frederick Schneider. Entered the Bombay Army, 1841; appointed to 10th Bombay Native Infantry; served in the South |