Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Fall 2023 19 A Wld of Music distance, however, everything looks real. distance, however, everything looks real. Jean-Baptiste-Claude Robin Jean-Baptiste-Claude Robin's huge circular fresco of s huge circular fresco of Apollo and other mythological figures is on the ceiling. Apollo and other mythological figures is on the ceiling. In In the middle since 1917 hangs an enormous, 400-bulb, electric the middle since 1917 hangs an enormous, 400-bulb, electric chandelier — made of Bohemian crystal and weighing 1.2 tons chandelier — made of Bohemian crystal and weighing 1.2 tons — to illuminate the auditorium, replacing wall sconces with — to illuminate the auditorium, replacing wall sconces with candles that dripped wax. candles that dripped wax. Franz Liszt performed at the Grand- Franz Liszt performed at the Grand-éâ éâtre in the tre in the nineteenth century; my late brother, concert pianist Malcolm nineteenth century; my late brother, concert pianist Malcolm Frager, was the soloist in this venue in October 1979, playing Beethoven Frager, was the soloist in this venue in October 1979, playing Beethoven's s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37 Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37 with Orchestra de Bordeaux with Orchestra de Bordeaux Aquitaine under Manuel Rosenthal (1904-2003). Also a prolific composer Aquitaine under Manuel Rosenthal (1904-2003). Also a prolific composer in various classical genres, this maestro is best known for the ballet in various classical genres, this maestro is best known for the ballet composition Gaîté Parisienne that he orchestrated from operetta pieces of composition Gaîté Parisienne that he orchestrated from operetta pieces of Jacques Offenbach. Jacques Offenbach. Redecorated in 1865 — aer the French Revolution — is the Redecorated in 1865 — aer the French Revolution — is the Salon Salon Gérard Boireau with its huge wooden dance floor to accommodate the Gérard Boireau with its huge wooden dance floor to accommodate the tastes of the bourgeois. e immense oval painting on the ceiling is tastes of the bourgeois. e immense oval painting on the ceiling is "Apollo Apollo and the Muses" and the Muses" by William Bouguereau. by William Bouguereau. But most impressive, high on the But most impressive, high on the walls, are fourteen golden medallions that look like mosaic busts of 18th- walls, are fourteen golden medallions that look like mosaic busts of 18th- century composers; half of the names were familiar (Beethoven, Gluck, century composers; half of the names were familiar (Beethoven, Gluck, Haydn, Meyerbeer, Mozart, Rossini, and von Weber) and the other half — Haydn, Meyerbeer, Mozart, Rossini, and von Weber) and the other half — all French (Auber, Boieldieu, Garat, Gré all French (Auber, Boieldieu, Garat, Grétry, Hal try, Halévy, H vy, Hérold, and Rode) — rold, and Rode) — were totally unfamiliar. were totally unfamiliar. Aer my tour, I stopped at La Boutique off the foyer and looked in Aer my tour, I stopped at La Boutique off the foyer and looked in glass cases to examine the musical items on display for purchase. e shop glass cases to examine the musical items on display for purchase. e shop had just closed, but nearby was a life-sized image of a colorful, low-cut, had just closed, but nearby was a life-sized image of a colorful, low-cut, 18th-century gown — complete with 18th-century gown — complete with hoop skirt, lots of ruffles, and puffy hoop skirt, lots of ruffles, and puffy sleeves — all printed on cardboard. Aur sleeves — all printed on cardboard. Aurélie captured my pose behind it lie captured my pose behind it with only my head and outstretched arms visible. For a moment, I felt with only my head and outstretched arms visible. For a moment, I felt every bit an aristocrat and imagined climbing the great stairway to attend every bit an aristocrat and imagined climbing the great stairway to attend a performance long ago. Realistically, I shall now have to settle for a future a performance long ago. Realistically, I shall now have to settle for a future one in modern concert attire. one in modern concert attire. Jayne I. Hanlin is an initiate of Alpha Omicron Jayne I. Hanlin is an initiate of Alpha Omicron and current member of the St. Louis Alumnae and current member of the St. Louis Alumnae chapter. Mrs. Hanlin, the sister of famed pianist chapter. Mrs. Hanlin, the sister of famed pianist Malcolm Frager, is the co-author of Malcolm Frager, is the co-author of Learning Learning Latin Through Mythology Latin Through Mythology (Cambridge University (Cambridge University Press, 1991). Press, 1991).

• Cover