NOISY STUDENT AT OPERA MAKES FUSS
Disturbance at Selma Kurz Performance in Vienna Ends Amusingly in Courts
Musical America, October 22, 1910
VIENNA, Oct. 3 - A curious case, possible perhaps only in Vienna, came up in one of the
city's district courts this last week. It had its origin in the Imperial Royal Opera House
on the evening of May 11 last. Selma Kurtz was Singing Antonia's coloratura aria in the third
act of "Hoffmann's Tales" at the time and all were listening spellbound to the prima donna's
dulcet notes, when there resounded, at a particular piano passage, a loud blowing of the nose
which proceeded from a young conservatory student. Enraged looks were flung like daggers at the
noisy youth, and a gentleman, a personal friend of the singer, felt obliged to reprove the young
man, designating his actions as a "knavish trick". An excited dispute began, and, when cries for
order arose, the two were forced to desist, only, however, to continue the quarrel in the
dressing room after close of the opera. Finally cards were exchanged and further proceedings in
court threatened. The affair was destined to assume still greater proportions, for a few days
later the father of the young student received a letter from the legal representative of Miss
Kurz, in which the young man was accused of having intentionally disturbed the performance by his
loud action and subsequent noisy behavior, which caused a most unpleasant sensation in the opera
house. Furthermore, the young man lost his scholarship at the conservatory in consequence, not
to mention being barred from receipt of the free tickets of admission to the opera given to
conservatory students. For the injury accruing to him, the young man entered a complaint against
Miss Kurz, whose legal representative promptly retaliated in kind.
The proceedings in court last week began with a sad disappointment to all the musical aspirants
present, as Miss Kurtz, being absent on a starring tour and just then in Paris, did not appear.
It developed later on that she had, in fact, nothing to do with the matter, for which her legal
representative assumed the entire responsibility. A number of witnesses were called and a letter
written by the student read in court, in which he asserted his intense admiration of Miss Kurz,
and said that it was probably owing to the applause of himself and his colleagues that she had
risen so rapidly to popularity [great laughter], and that it was quite out of the question that
he had intentionally disturbed her singing. The case was finally adjourned without any result.
Miss Kurz is to appear again at the Hofoper for the first time after her leave next Friday as
Violetta, and it is probable that all conservatory students will be careful to use their
handkerchiefs noiselessly.
On Friday last Slezak sang Florestan in "Fidelio" for the first time and gave full and fine
expression to the difficult part. A. F.
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city's district courts this last week. It had its origin in the Imperial Royal Opera House
on the evening of May 11 last. Selma Kurtz was Singing Antonia's coloratura aria in the third
act of "Hoffmann's Tales" at the time and all were listening spellbound to the prima donna's
dulcet notes, when there resounded, at a particular piano passage, a loud blowing of the nose
which proceeded from a young conservatory student. Enraged looks were flung like daggers at the
noisy youth, and a gentleman, a personal friend of the singer, felt obliged to reprove the young
man, designating his actions as a "knavish trick". An excited dispute began, and, when cries for
order arose, the two were forced to desist, only, however, to continue the quarrel in the
dressing room after close of the opera. Finally cards were exchanged and further proceedings in
court threatened. The affair was destined to assume still greater proportions, for a few days
later the father of the young student received a letter from the legal representative of Miss
Kurz, in which the young man was accused of having intentionally disturbed the performance by his
loud action and subsequent noisy behavior, which caused a most unpleasant sensation in the opera
house. Furthermore, the young man lost his scholarship at the conservatory in consequence, not
to mention being barred from receipt of the free tickets of admission to the opera given to
conservatory students. For the injury accruing to him, the young man entered a complaint against
Miss Kurz, whose legal representative promptly retaliated in kind.
The proceedings in court last week began with a sad disappointment to all the musical aspirants
present, as Miss Kurtz, being absent on a starring tour and just then in Paris, did not appear.
It developed later on that she had, in fact, nothing to do with the matter, for which her legal
representative assumed the entire responsibility. A number of witnesses were called and a letter
written by the student read in court, in which he asserted his intense admiration of Miss Kurz,
and said that it was probably owing to the applause of himself and his colleagues that she had
risen so rapidly to popularity [great laughter], and that it was quite out of the question that
he had intentionally disturbed her singing. The case was finally adjourned without any result.
Miss Kurz is to appear again at the Hofoper for the first time after her leave next Friday as
Violetta, and it is probable that all conservatory students will be careful to use their
handkerchiefs noiselessly.
On Friday last Slezak sang Florestan in "Fidelio" for the first time and gave full and fine
expression to the difficult part. A. F.
