Royal Tryolean Concert Troupe

              1900

Figure

SEASON·ÕF·1900–1901
FIRST·AMERICAN·TOUR
OF·THE
LATEST·EURÕPEAN·SUCCESS
THE
RÕYAL TRÕUPE TYRÕLEAN·CÕNCERT
DIRECT·FRÕM LÕNDÕN·AND·HAMBURG
TEN·PERSONS IN·NATIÕNAL·COSTUMES ~NÕVEL·MUSICAL·EFFECTS ALPINE·HUNTING·AND·ECHO·SÕNGS JODELS·CHÕRUSES … ETC.

EXCLUSIVE·MANAGEMENT·ÕF
REDPATH
LYCEUM·BUREAU BOSTON AND CHICAGO



THE Royal Tyrolean Concert Troupe
CONSISTS of ten artists picked from two of the finest foreign specialty companies — the well-known Meier family and the Mürzthalers.



THE PERSONNEL OF THE TROUPE IS AS FOLLOWS:

HERR C. MEIER, Conductor, Glass Euphonium Player, Zitherist and Chorus Singer.
FRAU MEIER, Zither, Mandolin, Glass Euphonium, Contralto.
MISS MYRA BENNETT, Piano, Guitar, Glass Euphonium, Soprano.
FRAULEIN EMMA MEIER, Tubaphone, Xylophone, Hungarian Cymbalon, Mandolin, Piano, Contralto.
FRAULEIN ALICE MEIER, Aluminum Gong Bells, Wood Harp, Violin, Xylophone.


THE MEIER FAMILY.



HERR HANS GODEZ, Zither, Virtuoso, Alpine Violin, Tenor, Jodeller.
HERR KAUFANN, Bass Soloist, Jodeller.
FRAULEIN WANDA GUDERLEI, Guitar, Soprano, Jodeller.
FRAULEIN OSNER, Guitar, Contralto, Jodeller.
HERR DOBLER, Guitar, Swiss Specialité Jodeller.  Expert Dancer of the Schüplattler.




THE MÜRZTHALER

Figure

QUARTETTE

THE INSTRUMENTS.
MANY of the musical instruments played by the Company are new or little known here.

The Aluminum Gong Bells is absolutely new, and the Crystal Orchestra (or glass euphonium) is quite unique.  There are many individual players on the musical glasses, but never before has a combination of three, four or five players in concerted selections been attempted.

A few words of description, taken from some of the late English papers, of some of the novel instruments used, will be of interest.




The Zither, or Mountain Harp, is a clever combination of different instruments, and when played from the hands of such a master as Herr and Frau Meier, the lover of music is surprised by the soul-stirring, impressive effects produced.—
London Times.


The charming performance on the Crystal Orchestra cannot be described or imagined; the sound falls gently on the senses, as if divinely produced and proceeding from etherealized bells.  The instrument consists of seventy glasses, and we understaud that this is the only perfect Crystal Orchestra in existence, as Melody and Harmony are produced on Crystal Glasses only, independent of any other instrument or accompaniment.—
Sheffield Independent.


The Hungarian Cymbalon is quite a favourite instrument in London Concerts and Drawing Rooms.  It is a great musical treat to hear soft passages, running through a network of strings—rising, falling, and echoing with fairy-like effects—then dying away with unutterable sweetness.  The instrument is indeed well-adapted to express the characteristic melodies of the Hungarian.—
The Richmond Herald.


THE ALPINE VIOLINS—A quartette on these novel instruments took the audience by storm.  The instrument itself is constructed similar to the Violin, but when played upon, it is placed on the table, whilst the performer is in a sitting position; each tone has a stop, therefore it is much easier to learn than the ordinary violin.—
Western Morning News (Plymouth).


The Xylophone, or Gigilira, is an instrument consisting of only four rows of wood, pieces varying in length, and so arranged as to give an extended gamut of musical sounds.  The liquid music produced by this most simple instrument is simply exquisite.—
The Kensington News (London).


The Autho-Harp, an entirely new instrument, and constructed after the principle of the Zither, has six padded mutes or bars, and by running the thumb over all the strings a perfect chord is produced, and by pressing down each bar forms from one to three chords.  The melody is played with the forefinger, which is provided with a ring.—
The Kensington News (London).


The Mandolin and Guitar are so well known that they hardly need any description, but one never gets tired of listening to the famous Meier family.—
Richmond Herald.


THE FLOWER STICKS.—The most original instrument played in the Meier Family Concerts is the Wood Harp, or Musical Flower Sticks.  'Wonders never cease.'  This comes true in that case.  The instrument consists of mere flower sticks, varying in length, arranged on a block of wood, and played whilst rubbing up and down with a pair of gloves.  The music produced on it is simply marvellous.—
Devon Times.



The Gong-Bells is an entirely new and novel instrument, an invention of Herr Meier.  They are made of cylinders of aluminum hung on a frame and played with a hammer, producing exquisite music.

The Tubaphone is constructed in the same way as the Xylophone, but of metal instead of wood, and is very bell-like in tone.

The Mürzthalers, also, are expert performers upon the zither, Alpine violin, xylophone, and other instruments, making the entire party available in both instrumental and vocal selections.  As jodellers they are especially famous, and selections of this character, with humorous specialties, will be a popular feature in all their programmes.




Some Press Criticisms

THE MEIER FAMILY.

AMONG the brightest and most widely-known entertainers from foreign countries, who have made their home in London, the MEIER FAMILY occupies a very prominent place, secured to them by hard work, artistic merit, and numberless engagements.  Mr. C. Meier is a native of Innsbruck, in the Austrian Tyrol, where he was born fifty-five years ago.
He has travelled through Austria and Germany, and has been a Professor of Harmony in Munich.  He has also resided during three years in Rio de Janeiro, and holds a Diploma of Court Musician to the late Emperor Dom Pedro.
Among the patrons of the MEIER FAMILY are H. R. H. the Prince of Wales, our M. W. G. M., the Duke and Duchess of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, the Empress Frederick, the Emperor of Austria, Field-Marshal Viscount Wolseley, Commander-in-Chief, and many other members of royal and noble houses.
The secret of their phenomenal success is found in the fact that Meier's entertainment is unique, and cannot suffer from competition.
Mr. Meier is the author of several educational works on music, and is the composer of many bright tunes.  His repertoire is enormous; and his motto, novelty, variety, and good taste.—

The Minstrel.


A Troupe of genuine artists.  Nothing better has ever been heard in the Pier Pavilion than the entertainments by the Meier Family, from the Tyrol, each of whom play several instruments, and excel on all; but it is in the execution of concerted pieces that their chief charm lies.  This may be described as simply perfect.  Different programmes are submitted each afternoon and evening, and that on Monday night was singularly pleasing and attractive, several items of which came upon the audience as a surprise, for they were scarcely prepared for a performance of so high a class.  Miss Myra shows marvellous talent at the piano, which she touches with consummate taste.  Other instrumental and vocal pieces, and some clever recitations by Miss Emma Meier, filled up the programme.—
The Pier Pavilion, Eastbourne.


We had the pleasure of hearing a concerted piece by the full vocal and instrumental strength of the company.  The full, rich tones of the voices, the happy blending of violin, 'cello, mandolins, and zithers, had a charming effect, and we can wish our readers no greater pleasure than to spend an evening in hearing the exquisite entertainment which Mr. Meier and his coadjutors provide.—
The Gentleman's Journal.


Their renown is deserved, for a better entertainment it would be hardly possible to conceive.—
Southampton Times.


The audience smiled and listened with all their ears, and the whole house was hushed with attention; then follow screams and roars of laughter, such applause as had never before been heard in any popular theatre in London.—
Pall Mall Budget.

Whether we take the older members of the family or the two juveniles, whose versatility was marvellous, novelty cropped up in almost every item.


Nothing better has ever been heard in the Pier Pavilion.—
Eastbourne Gazette.


Had the pleasure of appearing before a crowded audience, and the greater pleasure of giving perfect satisfaction.—
Leeds Mercury.


It is no exaggeration to say they have attained the summit of their art.—
Birmingham Daily Post.


No entertainment arranged for in the Literary Society series has exhibited a more unique, interesting and enjoyable character, or has received more flattering appreciation at the hands of an audience, than that given at the Public Hall on Thursday evening by the Meier Family, Alpine Singers and Instrumentalists.  Whether we take the older members of the family or the juveniles, whose versatility and instrumental ability on violin and xylophones were something marvellous, novelty cropped up in almost every item.  The zither, the mandolin and guitar were most skilfully handled, and the vocalisation a decided treat, the pleasing characteristics of native melodies being beautifully illustrated; while the humorous sketches surpassed many an adult performance in interest and proficiency.  Every item of the programme was encored with an enthusiasm that was unbounded.—
Croydon Advertiser.


The Polytechnic Entertainment — the tenth of the present season — consisted of the production of the programme of the celebrated Herr Meier's Tyrolese Family, who are also known as the renowned Alpine Singers and Instrumentalists.  Their renown is deserved, for a better entertainment it would hardly be possible to conceive, and, with a truly miscellaneous programme, a numerous audience were capitally and agreeably entertained.  The audience gave manifest expressions of their appreciation of the performances throughout, and another visit of the Meier Family will be welcome to a Polytechnic audience at Southampton.—
Southampton Times.



THE MÜRZTHALERS.
Translation of Late German Notices.

Last evening the famous Alpine Troupe, Mürzthaler, made their first appearance in the Philharmonic Concert Room, before a crowded audience; every number in their original and varied programme was encored, some items even got two recalls….  Their is no doubt their visit will be a success.  Not only the choruses are perfect, but the Soprano, Alto and Bass solos are equally artistically rendered.  Herr Godez is a master of the zither, besides being a most able arranger and leader.  This Troupe is one of the best we have had for some time, if not the best.  Their original dances are also well appreciated….—
Stettiner Zietung, Feb. 12, 1900.


There was a most agreeable change in this week's programme, the Mürzthaler Styrienne singers and instrumentalists delighted the audience.  Their programme is most varied; besides yodels and mountain calls, the quaint Tyrolese melodies, we hear excellent ensembles, vocal and instrumental.  Herr Godez, the director, is master of the zither.  The soprano, Miss Wanda Guderlei, the alto, Miss Fanny Osner, and the Bass, Mr. Kauffmann, are first-class stars.  The management of the theatre must be congratulated on the engagement of the Mürzthalers.  Their stay will last one month.—
Wilhelm's Theatre, Danzig, Mar. 1, 1900.


Nightly there is a numerous audience listening to a concert party called the Mürzthaler; the entertainment is well worth a visit.  I have seen people from the audience there over and over again.  As they are all natives of Styrienna and Tyrol, they can lay fair claim to the title, Alpine Singers, and we are afraid we must acknowledge they put many of their imitators and borrowers of the title into the shade.  Every available seat was occupied and a large number of persons were compelled to stand.  Judging by the numerous encores, the engagement is a great success.—
Chemnitz Nachrichten, Jan. 15, 1900.



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