Matinee Musicale records

Matinee Musicale of Duluth, Minnesota was organized October 6, 1900, at the home of Mrs. A. MacRae with fourteen people present. The object of the organization as recorded in their constitution was "first, to advance the interest and promote the culture of musical art in the city of Duluth; and, second, the musical improvement of its members." It achieved these objectives through biweekly morning programs, afternoon recitals, and an evening series of artist recitals. The artist recitals presented a wide range of music, from Nelson Eddy to Pablo Casals to the Vienna Boys Choir. The organization also brought to Duluth many gifted young performers on the threshold of their careers. Membership in Matinee Musicale was available in categories: Active (performers), Associate (listeners), Student, and Special (people only attending the evening artist recitals).

In 1904, the Chorus Section was instituted of women members. The chorus was re-organized a number of times. In 1907, the Matinee Musicale joined the National Federation of Music Clubs. In 1914 the organization formed a student section. The Manuscript Department was organized in the 1924-1925 season by Margarethe Hokanson. In 1929 or 1930, the Civic All-Star Course of Matinee Musicale was added which had been an independent organization of Mrs. Bertha Richards prior to the Great Depression.

Pablo Casals performed for Matinee Musicale on March 18, 1918, at the First Methodist Episcopal Church (his intended January date was postponed). He performed the Handel Sonata, Dvorak Concerto in B minor opus 104, Boellmann Variations Symphonique, Jean Hure’s Air and Petite Chanson, Sait-Saens’ Allergo Appassianato, Faure’s Papillon, and Popper’s Masourka.

Gregor Piatigorsky performed for Matinee Musical on January 21, 1933 at the Duluth Armory.