In Russia, the Grand Duchess Alexandra Josephowna has written some
ambitious church music, including several psalms for soloists, chorus,
and orchestra. She has also produced some piano duets. The Grand Duchess
Olga is another royal Russian composer, whose "Parademarsch" for
orchestra has been published at Berlin. Another orchestral composer is
Theodosia de Tschitscherin, whose Grand Festival March was performed at
a coronation anniversary. The Countess Olga Janina, one of Liszt's
pupils, is at present a teacher and pianist at Paris, where she has
published a considerable amount of piano music. Marie Duport is another
Russian piano composer. The Countess Stephanie Komorowska is responsible
for several songs, piano sonatas, and other works. Mme. Rudersdorff,
well known in later life as a teacher in Boston, was the author of
several successful songs. Olga von Radecki is another noted Russian
musician, who has made Boston her home, and also a writer of worthy
vocal music. Mlle. Alexandrowna, of St. Petersburg, became famous as a
singer a few decades ago, and published some excellent songs. Mme. Serov
was another Russian woman of great musical talent.
Among the less extensive countries, Switzerland is represented by Anna
Cerrini de Monte-Varchi, who is the composer of many pretty piano works,
Isabella Angela Colbran, the eminent Spanish contralto, was born at
Madrid in 1785. She became the wife of Rossini, and created some
important roles in those of his earlier operas which were written for
her. Her own compositions consist of songs and other vocal works. A
Spanish singer of more recent times is Rosaria Zapater, who was born in
1840. She became famous in literature as well as music, her poems being
rated highly, while her libretto to the opera, "Gli Amante di Teruele,"
is ranked as one of the best ever written. She has published a number of
songs, besides an excellent vocal method and piano instruction book.
Teresa Carreno, so well known in Europe and America, is a native of
Venezuela, being born at Caracas in 1853. Her career has been as varied
as it is successful, and her studies, as well as her triumphs, were
witnessed by many countries. Her father, at one time Minister of
Finance, was himself a musician, and when only fourteen composed a mass
that was given in the cathedral. A skilful violinist, he understood the
piano also, and gave his daughter lessons from her seventh year on.
Driven from the country by civil war, he determined to have Teresa turn
her musical talents to account.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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