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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/36144-8.txt b/36144-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7d82afe --- /dev/null +++ b/36144-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9367 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Mapleson Memoirs, vol II, by James H. Mapleson + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Mapleson Memoirs, vol II + 1848-1888 + +Author: James H. Mapleson + +Release Date: May 24, 2011 [EBook #36144] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MAPLESON MEMOIRS, VOL II *** + + + + +Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + + + + + + + + +THE MAPLESON MEMOIRS + +VOL. II. + +[Illustration: J H MAPLESON] + + + + +THE MAPLESON MEMOIRS + +1848-1888 + +IN TWO VOLUMES + +WITH PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR + +VOL II + +CHICAGO, NEW YORK, AND SAN FRANCISCO: +BELFORD, CLARKE & CO., +PUBLISHERS. +1888 + +[_All rights reserved_]. + +COPYRIGHT, 1888, BY +JAMES H. MAPLESON + +TROW'S +PRINTING AND BOOKBINDING COMPANY, +NEW YORK. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER I. + +My Connection Severed--Musical Protective Union--American +Orchestras--Rival Opera-Houses--Operatic Trial by Jury +--St. Cecilia's Day--The Feast of Father Flattery + pp. 1-21 + +CHAPTER II. + +Patti and her Shoes--Patti Seized for Debt--Flight of Gerster +--Conflict at Chicago--Bouquets out of Season--Cincinnati +Floods--Abbey's Collapse--Resolve to go West pp. 22-39 + +CHAPTER III. + +Gerster Refuses; Patti Volunteers--Arrival at Cheyenne +--Patti Dines the Prophet--Threats of an Interviewer--Arrival +at San Francisco pp. 40-49 + +CHAPTER IV. + +The Patti Epidemic--Gerster Furore--Tickets 400% Premium +--My Arrest--Capture of "Scalpers"--Death of my +First "Basso"--"That Patti Kiss" pp. 50-69 + +CHAPTER V. + +Luncheon on H.M.S. _Triumph_--Opera Auction--Concert at +Mormon Tabernacle--Return to New York--Return to +Europe--Sheriffs in the Academy--I Depart in Peace + pp. 70-83 + +CHAPTER VI. + +Royal Italian Opera Liquidates--Getting Patti off the Ship--Henry +Ward Beecher's Cider--Patti's Silver Wedding--A +Patti Programme of 1855--A Black Concert pp. 84-100 + +CHAPTER VII. + +Panic at New Orleans--Thermometer Falls 105 Degrees--Banquet at +Chicago--The "Count di Luna" at Market--Coffee John--An American George +Robins--My Under-taker pp. 101-117 + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Patti and Scalchi--Nevada's _Début_--A Chinese Swing--A +Visit from Above--Rescued Treasure--Great Chicago +Festival--American Hospitality pp. 118-139 + +CHAPTER IX. + +"Count di Luna" Introduced to "Leonora"--A Patti Contract +--The Sting of the Engagement--A Tenor's Suite--A +Presentation of Jewellery--My "Don Giovanni"--A +Profitable Tour pp. 140-154 + +CHAPTER X. + +My Covent Garden Season--Patti's London Silver Wedding--Return +to New York--Difficulties Begin--Rival Rehearsals--Grand Opera +and Operetta pp. 155-167 + +CHAPTER XI. + +House Divided against Itself--Rev. H. Haweis on Wagner--H.R.H. +and Wotan--Elle a déchiré mon gilet--Arditi's +Remains--Return to San Francisco pp. 168-184 + +CHAPTER XII. + +The Retreat from Frisco--Hotel Dangers--A Scene from +_Carmen_--Operatic Invalids--Murderous Lovers--Ravelli's +Claim--General Barnes's Reply--Clamour for Higher +Prices--My Onward March pp. 185-214 + +CHAPTER XIII. + +Del Puente in the Kitchen--Scalding Coffee--Californian +Wine--The Sergeant takes a Header--The Russian +Mother--I Become a Sheriff--A Dumb Chorus--Dynamite +Bombs pp. 215-228 + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Subterranean Music--The Striker Struck--Tuscan Taffy--A +Healthy "Lucia"--I Recover from the United States--A +Beknighted Mayor pp. 229-243 + +CHAPTER XV. + +Back in the Old Country--The London Season--Sluggish +Audiences--My Outside Public--The Patti Disappointments--The +"Sandwich's" Story pp. 244-257 + +CHAPTER XVI. + +Master and Man--_Don Giovanni_ Centenary--Mozart and +Parnell--Bursting of "Gilda"--Colonel Stracey and the +Demons--The Hawk's Mountain Flight--Ambitious Students and +Indigent Professors--A School for Opera--Anglicized +Foreigners--Italianized Englishmen pp. 258-275 + +CHAPTER XVII. + +Fight with Mr. and Mrs. Ravelli--An Improvised Public--Ravelli's +Dangerous Illness--Mr. Russell Gole--Reappearance of +Mr. Registrar Hazlitt--Offenbach in Italian--Who +is that Young Man?--Fancelli's Autograph--Ristori's +Aristocratic Household pp. 276-291 + +FINAL CHAPTER. + +Envoi 293 + +APPENDIX. + +Singers and Operas produced by me 295 + +Index to Volumes I. and II. 303 + + + + +CHAPTER I + +MY CONNECTION SEVERED--MUSICAL PROTECTION UNION--AMERICAN +ORCHESTRAS--RIVAL OPERA-HOUSES--OPERATIC TRIAL BY JURY--ST. CECILIA'S +DAY--THE FEAST OF FATHER FLATTERY. + + +Shortly after my return to London I had various meetings with the +Directors of the Royal Italian Opera Company, Limited, when, to my +astonishment, they informed me they would not ratify the contract I had +made with Mdme. Patti. In fact, they repudiated the engagement +altogether, although it had been concluded by me conjointly with Mr. +Ernest Gye, the General Manager of the Company. I was therefore left +with about £15,000 worth of authorized contracts which the Company had +made with other artists, in addition to Mdme. Patti's contract for +250,000 dollars (£50,000). + +I represented to the Directors that the only way to get out of the +difficulty was to release me entirely from all connection with the +Company, as I could then carry out the contracts I had made in the name +of myself and of their representative with Mdme. Patti and with several +other artists. + +The matter, however, ended by the Directors giving me my _congé_, +refusing at the same time to pay me any of the money that was then owing +to me. + +I had now seriously to consider my position, which was this: I had +parted with my lease of Her Majesty's Theatre to the Royal Italian Opera +Company, Ltd., a lease for which I had paid Lord Dudley £30,000. I had +parted with a large quantity of scenery and dresses, of which a full +inventory was attached to my agreement, and which were valued at many +thousands of pounds. In addition to this, during my absence in America, +Her Majesty's Theatre had been entirely dismantled and many thousand +pounds worth of property not in the inventory taken and removed to +Covent Garden. The amount of salary owing to me was absolutely refused. +My £10,000 worth of shares (being the consideration for the purchase) I +could not obtain; and the Company further gave me notice that I owed +them some £10,000 for losses incurred whilst in America. + +In fact, all I had left to me was my liability for the £50,000 payable +to Mdme. Patti, and for over £15,000 on the authorized contracts made +with other artists on behalf of the Company; whilst on the other side of +the ocean I should have to face Abbey's new Metropolitan Opera-house, +for which all the seats had been sold, and the following artists +engaged--all with but one or two exceptions taken from me:--Mdme. +Christine Nilsson, Mdlle. Valleria, Mdme. Sembrich, Mdme. Scalchi, +Mdme. Trebelli, Signor Campanini, etc., etc. My scene painter had been +tampered with and taken away, together with many of the leading +orchestral performers and the chorus--indeed, the whole Company, even to +the call-boy. + + [FROM THE _Times_ OF NEW YORK, JULY 4, 1883.] + "MR. MAPLESON'S PARTNERS. + "HIS TROUBLE WITH THE ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA COMPANY. + "THE ACADEMY STOCKHOLDERS PREPARING FOR HIM, HOWEVER, + AND CONFIDENT OF A BRILLIANT SEASON. + +"Every mail from England brings papers containing some discussion of the +trouble in the operatic camp; and it is evident that a serious +misunderstanding has arisen between the Royal Italian Opera Company +(Limited)--principally Mr. Gye--and Col. Mapleson. The substance of this +misunderstanding appears to be that Mr. Gye and his Company have decided +to repudiate certain contracts made by Col. Mapleson as their accredited +agent. The principal trouble is in regard to the contract by which the +Colonel agrees to pay Mdme. Patti 5,000 dollars per night. It will be +readily remembered by readers of the _Times_ that a great struggle took +place at the close of last season between Mr. Abbey and Col. Mapleson +for the possession of the great singer's services. For a long time it +was impossible to tell to which house she was going, and public +curiosity was aroused to such an extent that everyone felt like +addressing her in the language of Ancient Pistol: 'Under which King, +Bezonian? Speak, or die!' Mr. Abbey offered her more money than any +singer had ever before received, whereupon Mr. Mapleson, knowing that he +must have Patti to fight the strong attraction of a new Opera-house, saw +Mr. Abbey and went him a few hundreds better. Then Mr. Abbey threw down +his hand and Mr. Mapleson gathered in the prima donna. It will also be +remembered that subsequently the stockholders of the Academy met in +secret conclave and generously voted to support the manager who +established Italian Opera in this country as a permanent source of +amusement and art-cultivation by assessing themselves. They decided to +raise a subsidy of 40,000 dollars to guarantee the Patti contract and +secure the coming season at the Academy. Mdme. Patti subsequently +ratified the contract made by Signor Franchi, her agent, with Col. +Mapleson, and the Colonel wrote to the stockholders here thanking them +for their generous support, and saying that he would return their +kindness by bringing to America next Fall a Company of superior +strength. An early evidence of the earnestness of his purpose was the +engagement of Mdme. Gerster, an artist who is a firm favourite with this +public, and whose great merits are unquestionable. Mr. Gye was in this +city, it will also be remembered, during the latter part of last season, +and was fully aware of Mr. Mapleson's movement. Therefore the +stockholders of the Academy have learned with surprise, not to say +disgust, the action of the Royal Italian Opera Company (Limited). It has +transpired that the principal cause of dissatisfaction was a belief that +there could be little or no profit in an American Opera season with +Patti at 5,000 dollars per night. The _Times_, in an article published +just after the close of the last season, showed that Col. Mapleson had +been unfortunate. While the good people of the West, who are popularly +supposed to possess but a tithe of the culture that animates the East, +flocked to the Opera as if they really knew that they were not likely, +as the Boston Theatre stage carpenter expressed it, to hear any better +singing than that of Patti and Scalchi this side of heaven, the people +of New York and Philadelphia failed to regard the entertainment in the +same light. The result was serious for Col. Mapleson, and he left this +country financially embarrassed. The Royal Italian Opera Company +(Limited) knew this, and decided that it did not care to embark in +another American season, especially with increased salaries and an +opposition of respectable strength. The London _World_, in a long +article on the condition of these operatic affairs, has said that +another cause of dissatisfaction was Mr. Gye's earnest conviction that, +if Mdme. Patti's salary was to be increased, the salary of his wife, +Mdme. Albani, ought also to be raised. + +"However all these things may be, it is certain that the great question +now is whether Col. Mapleson will come over next season as a +representative, or rather a part, of the Royal Italian Opera Company +(Limited)." + +Despite obstacles of all kinds, I felt happy at being rid of the Royal +Italian Opera, Covent Garden, and I set vigorously to work to complete +the company with a view to the operatic battle which was to be fought +the following autumn in New York. + +During the month of June I was fortunate enough to conclude an +engagement with Mdme. Etelka Gerster, also with Mdme. Pappenheim, who +was a great favourite in America. For my contraltos I engaged Miss +Josephine Yorke, and also Mdlle. Vianelli. Galassi, my principal +baritone of the previous years, remained with me, despite the large +offers that had been made to him by Abbey. + +Prior to the commencement of my season, I found on perusing Mr. Abbey's +list the names of Signor Del Puente, of Mdme. Lablache, of my +stage-manager, Mr. Parry, and a good many of the choristers, all of whom +were under formal engagement to me. + +It is true I did not care much for the services of these people, but I +could not allow them to defy me by breaking their contracts. I +consequently applied for an injunction against each, which was duly +granted, restraining them from giving their services in any other place +than where by writing I directed. Arguments were heard the following +day before Judge O'Gorman, on my motion to confirm the injunction which +I had obtained against Signor Del Puente and Mdme. Lablache, who were +announced to sing the opening night at the new Metropolitan Opera House. +The injunction, as in the case of all operatic injunctions, was +ultimately dissolved by the Court, and I agreed to accept a payment from +Del Puente of 15,000 francs, Mr. Parry and the choristers being at the +same time handed over to me. + +Shortly after my arrival in New York I was honoured with a serenade in +which no less than five hundred musicians took part. The sight alone was +a remarkable one. I was at my hotel, on the point of going to bed, when +suddenly I heard beneath my window a loud burst of music. The immense +orchestra had taken possession of the street. The musicians were all in +evening dress; they had brought their music stands with them, also +electric or calcium lights; and, as I have before said, they occupied +the road in front of the hotel. + +I was extremely gratified, and when after the performance I went down +into the street to thank the conductor, I begged that he would allow me +to make a donation of £100 towards the funds of the Musical Protective +Union. But he would not hear of such a thing, and was so earnest on the +subject that I felt sorry at having in a moment of impulse ventured upon +such an offer. + +The Musical Protective Union is an association extending over the whole +of the United States, to which all the capable instrumental players of +the country belong. There may be, and probably are, a very few who stand +outside it; and I remember that Mr. Abbey, unwilling to be bound by its +rules, resolved to do without it altogether, and to import his musicians +from abroad. Soon, however, this determination placed him in a very +awkward predicament: his first oboe fell ill, and for some time it was +found impossible to replace him. + +I have nothing but good to say of the Musical Union. The very slight +disagreement which I once had with those of its members who played in my +orchestra was arranged as soon as we had an opportunity of talking the +matter over. If I have every reason to be satisfied with the Musical +Union, I can equally say that this Association showed itself well +content with me. + +While on the subject of American orchestras, I may add that their +excellence is scarcely suspected by English amateurs. In England we have +certainly an abundance of good orchestral players, but we have not so +many musical centres; and, above all, we have not in London what New +York has long possessed, a permanent orchestra of high merit under a +first-rate conductor. Our orchestras in London are nearly always +"scratch" affairs. The players are brought together anyhow, and not one +of our concert societies gives more than eight concerts in the course of +the year. Being paid so much a performance, our piece-work musicians +make a great fuss about attending rehearsals; and they are always ready, +if they can make a few shillings profit by it, to have themselves +replaced by substitutes. + +All really good orchestras must from the nature of the case be permanent +ones, composed of players in receipt of regular salaries. Attendance at +rehearsals is then taken as a matter of course, and no question of +replacement by substitutes can be raised. The only English orchestra in +which the conditions essential to a perfect _ensemble_ are to be found +is the Manchester orchestra conducted by Sir Charles Hallé. + +A larger and better orchestra than the excellent one of Sir Charles +Hallé is that of M. Lamoureux. + +Better even than the orchestra of M. Lamoureux is that of M. Colonne. +But I have no hesitation in saying that M. Colonne's orchestra is +surpassed in fineness and fulness of tone, as also in force and delicacy +of expression, by the American orchestra of 150 players conducted by Mr. +Theodore Thomas. The members of this orchestra are for the most part +Germans, and the eminent conductor is himself, by race at least, a +German. Putting aside, however, all question of nationality, I simply +say that the orchestra directed by Mr. Theodore Thomas is the best I am +acquainted with; and its high merit is due in a great measure to the +permanence of the body. Its members work together habitually and +constantly; they take rehearsals as part of their regular work; and they +look to their occupation as players in the Theodore Thomas orchestra as +their sole source of income. As for substitutes, Mr. Thomas would no +more accept one than a military commander would accept substitutes among +his officers. + +There has from time to time been some talk of Mr. Theodore Thomas's +unrivalled orchestra paying a visit to London, where its presence, apart +from all question of the musical delight it would afford, would show our +public what a good orchestra is, and our musical societies how a good +orchestra ought to be formed and maintained. + +Before taking leave of Mr. Theodore Thomas and of American orchestras +generally, let me mention one remarkable peculiarity in connection with +them. So penetrated are they with the spirit of equality that no one +player in an orchestra is allowed to receive more than another; the +first violin and the big drum are, in this respect, on precisely the +same footing. In England we give so much to a first clarinet and +something less to a second clarinet, and a leader will always receive +extra terms. In America one player is held to be, in a pecuniary point +of view, as good as another. + +My season at the Academy commenced on the 22nd October--the same night +as my rival's at the New Metropolitan Opera, to which subscriptions had +been extended on a most liberal scale. In fact the whole of New York +flocked there, as much to see the new building as to hear the +performance. + +On my opening night I presented _La Sonnambula_, when Mdme. Etelka +Gerster, after an absence of two years, renewed her triumphs in America. +The rival house presented Gounod's _Faust_, with Christine Nilsson as +"Margherita," Scalchi as "Siebel," Novara as "Mephistopheles," Del +Puente as "Valentine," and Campanini as "Faust;" a fine cast and +perfectly trained, since all these artists had played under my direction +and did not even require a rehearsal. After a few nights I began to +discover that the counter attraction of the new house was telling +considerably against me, and I informed the Academy Directors of my +inability to contend against my rival with any degree of success, unless +I could have a small amount of backing. + +After consultation, several stockholders signed a paper, each for a +different amount, which totalled up to something like £4,500, which I +had previously calculated would be about the amount required to defeat +the enemy. This was guaranteed by them to the Bank of the Metropolis on +the understanding that I should never draw more than £600 a week from +it, and then only in case of need. + +The Manager of the rival Opera-house had fired off all his guns the +first night; and after a few evenings, as soon as the public had seen +the interior of the new building, the receipts gradually began to +decline. In the meanwhile, I was anxiously expecting notice of Adelina +Patti's approaching arrival. I, therefore, arranged to charter sixteen +large tug boats, covered with bunting, to meet the _Diva_; eight of them +to steam up the bay on each side of the arriving steamer, and to toot +off their steam whistles all the way along, accompanied by military +bands. All was in readiness, and I was only waiting for a telegraphic +notification. Some of the pilots at Sandy Hook, moreover, had promised +to improvise a salute of twenty-one guns; and Arditi had written a +Cantata for the occasion, which the chorus were to sing immediately on +Patti's arrival. + +By some unfortunate mistake, either from fog or otherwise, the steamer +passed Fire Island and landed _la Diva_ unobserved at the dock, where +there was not even a carriage to meet her. She got hustled by the crowd, +and eventually reached her hotel with difficulty in a four-wheeler. The +military bands had passed the night awaiting the signal which I was to +give them to board the tugs. + +On learning of Mdme. Patti's arrival, I hurried up to the Windsor Hotel, +when I was at once received. + +"Is it not too bad?" she exclaimed, with a comical expression of +annoyance. "It is a wonder that I was not left till now on the steamer. +As it was, by the merest chance one of my friends happened to come down +to the dock and luckily espied me as I was wandering about trying to +keep my feet warm, and assisted me into a four-wheeler. However, here I +am. It is all over now, and I am quite comfortable and as happy as +though twenty boats had come down to meet me." + +She then agreed to make her _début_ three days afterwards in _La Gazza +Ladra_. + +On the second night of the opera we had a brilliant audience for +_Rigoletto_, Mdme. Gerster undertaking the part of "Gilda," which she +sang with rare delicacy and brilliancy of vocalization, so that +"Brava's!" rang throughout the entire audience. + +My new tenor, Bertini, who likewise made his _début_ on this occasion, +produced but little effect, either vocally or dramatically. In the "La +Donna è Mobile" he cracked on each of the high notes, whilst in the +"Bella Figlia" quartet his voice broke in a most distressing manner when +ascending to the B flat, causing loud laughter amongst the audience. + +I was therefore under the necessity of sending him the following letter +the next morning:-- + + "TO SIGNOR BERTINI. + +"In consequence of the lamentable failure you met with on Wednesday +evening last, the 24th inst., it is my painful duty to notify you that +by reason of your inability to perform your contract, I hereby put an +end to it. At the same time I request that you will return me the +balance of the money that I advanced to you, amounting to 1,000 dollars. + + "Yours, truly, + + "(Signed) J. H. MAPLESON." + +Of course he did not return my thousand dollars, but fell into the hands +of some attorneys, who at once issued process against me for 50,000 +dollars damages! + +While admitting that at the time I engaged him he was a good singer, I +maintained that latterly, from some cause or other, his voice had +utterly gone. I had engaged him to perform certain duties which he was +unable to fulfil. + +His lawyers insisted upon his having another opportunity. This I at once +agreed to; but not before the public, for whom I had too much respect to +inflict another dose of Bertini upon them. I therefore offered him the +empty house, full orchestra and chorus, and a jury half of his own +selection and half of mine, with the Judge of one of the Superior Courts +as umpire; but this he refused. The matter, therefore, went into the +usual groove of protracted law proceedings and consequent annoyances and +attachments. The very next day all my banking account was attached, and +it was two days before I could get bondsmen in order that it might be +released, so that I could continue to pay my salaries to the other +artists. + +On the following night we performed _Norma_ at Brooklyn, with Mdme. +Pappenheim as the Druid priestess; the night afterwards being reserved +for the _début_ of Mdme. Patti at New York in _La Gazza Ladra_. The +occasion naturally drew together an immense audience, which displayed +much enthusiasm for the singer. The pleasure of hearing Mdme. Patti +again was increased by the fact that the work in which she was to appear +was not a hackneyed one. + +The opera, however, failed to make the effect I expected, being +generally pronounced by the Press and the public to be too antiquated. +The contralto who undertook the _rôle_ of "Pippo" was excessively +nervous, having had no rehearsals and never having met Patti before. + +One daily paper said that the lesser _rôles_ were well taken, down to +the stuffed magpie, who flew down and seized the spoon, and sailed away +into the flies with prodigious success, adding: "_La Gazza Ladra_ will +soon be laid permanently on the shelf. It is many years since it was +done here before, and from a judgment of last evening, it will be many +years before the experiment will be repeated." + +Some time before this, a gentleman called on me. I was about to put him +off, saying I was too busy; but he seemed so earnest for a few moments' +conversation that I turned round, and on his raising his hat and +loosening his overcoat, discovered him to be a priest. On his mentioning +to me that Mdlle. Titiens had done service formerly for a church in +Ireland with which he was connected, I at once gave him every attention. +He explained that the small parish then under his charge was in great +want, whilst the church had a debt of some £700 or £800. All he +solicited was one of my singers, for whom he would pay the sum I might +demand. + +I at once told him that I would aid his charity to the best of my +ability, and further, that on the appointed day, which happened to be +St. Cecilia's Day, the 24th November, I would place some of my leading +singers at his disposal for the high mass, and would, moreover, hold the +plate myself at the church door to receive any offerings that might be +made. After meeting him once or twice, I promised to take still further +interest in relieving the Church of its difficulties by giving an +evening concert in addition at the Steinway Hall, placing my best +artists at his disposal, together with the whole of my chorus, and full +orchestra under Arditi's direction, likewise my wonderful child pianist, +Mdlle. Jeanne Douste. + +In due course the following announcement was made regarding the concerts +I had promised:-- + + "ST. CECILIA'S DAY. + +"The greatest musical treat ever offered the people of Harlem will be +given on Sunday (to-morrow) in the Church of St. Cecilia, Corner of +105th Street and 2nd Avenue. It will be the feast of the day of the +'Divine Cecilia'--patroness of music. Colonel Mapleson, of the Royal +Opera Company, London, takes a personal interest in the celebration of +the day, and has kindly consented to send a number of his best artists +to delight the people and do honour to the beautiful 'Queen of Melody.' +Our music-loving people will have at their own doors a genuine artistic +treat--such a one as has never been given in Harlem before--and we +doubt not they will appreciate it and fill St. Cecilia's Church to +overflowing. The gallant Colonel has promised to hold the plate at the +door and receive the offerings of the congregation--the only charge for +a rushing torrent of the most delicious music. No doubt his noble and +handsome presence will secure for his friend, Father Flattery, quite a +big collection--a very essential element in such uncommon events. + +"Our readers are referred to our advertising columns for the extensive +and varied programme of the great Cecilian Concert at Steinway Hall on +the same day. The famous Mapleson Opera Company will be at their best, +supported by a superb chorus and a full and powerful orchestra. This +will, indeed, be a Cecilian Concert in the best sense of the word." + +In due course the day of the Feast of St. Cecilia arrived, which was +most appropriately celebrated at St. Cecilia's Church, Harlem, some +considerable distance "up town." There was no charge for admission, but +I held the plate at the door, and everyone who entered gave something +according to his means or inclination, a most handsome sum being thus +collected. Father Flattery occasionally showed himself near my plate +exhorting the incoming congregation to give liberally. + +The service was conducted by Father Peyten, of St. Agnes' Church. Father +Flattery did not preach a regular sermon, but confined his remarks to +the life and character of St. Cecilia. "In venerating this saint," said +he, "we intensify our love of God. St. Cecilia stands conspicuous in the +noble choir as one of the typical saints. In studying her life we are +carried back to the dark days of the Cæsars. More than St. Peter himself +this noble lady sacrificed when she left all and devoted herself to God. +Peter was but a poor fisherman, and left but his nets and boats; she was +a noble lady of conspicuous distinction. Hers was no common origin, hers +no ordinary name; but she relinquished all this social _prestige_ for +her religion. What wonder that she should be so popular among Christians +when she is everywhere recognized as the patroness of the loveliest of +arts, an art which lives beyond the bounds of time and can never die! +Like the immortal souls of men, there is nothing destructive about +music. It is music which illustrates the relation between art and +religion. How much the art of music adds to the profound mystery of +religion! How in the hour of exalted triumph it chants its pæans! The +Festival of St. Cecilia is a festival of music; and music becomes more +beautiful still when it is emblemized through such a life as that of +this saint. Enviable is that professional art which has such a saint for +its patron." At the close of his sermon Father Flattery expressed his +own and the sincere thanks of the congregation to the manager and his +artists who in their generosity had done so much for the cause of +religion; and he expressed the hope that "when Colonel Mapleson ends +his days St. Cecilia may come down to bear him up to Heaven." + +At the conclusion of the service a sumptuous breakfast was served at +Father Flattery's, to which some 200 guests were invited. Afterwards +some speeches were made and thanks tendered to me for what I had done. +The ladies present handed me, moreover, a set of studs and sleeve-links. + +We afterwards drove down to the Steinway Hall to attend the evening +concert (for the breakfast had lasted some time), which was crowded to +the very doors. The receipts taken in the morning at the Church, coupled +with those of the Steinway concert completely extinguished the debt +which had weighed so heavily on St. Cecilia's Church. + +About a year afterwards I was in New York, and having one afternoon +(strangely enough) a little leisure, I determined to pay a visit to my +excellent friend, Father Flattery. It was a Sunday afternoon, and when I +got to his house, at some little distance from the central quarters of +New York, I found him teaching a number of school children. As soon, +however, as he saw me he struck work and his young pupils were dismissed +to their homes. + +I told Father Flattery that I had come to pay him a short visit. + +"Nothing of the kind," he replied, in his frank, genial manner; "you +have come to dine with me, and you are just in the nick of time. Dinner +will be ready very soon; and I hope you have brought a good appetite +with you." + +My hospitable friend left me for a minute to give some orders; and while +he was away one of his servants whispered to me that dinner was just +over, and that there was nothing in the house. + +I was too discreet to take any notice of this communication, and when +the good priest returned I saw from his manner that he would take no +refusal, and that whether there was anything in the house or not, +whether he had already dined or not, I was to stay that afternoon to +dinner. + +After a certain delay, guests arrived, including some very charming +ladies; and in due time dinner was served. It was quite an Homeric +feast. Three roast turkeys were followed by two legs of mutton, and +these, again, by four roast ducks. The wines were of the finest quality, +and among those of French growth the vintages of _Heidsieck_ and of +_Pommery Greno_ were not forgotten. + +No one but Father Flattery could have improvised such a banquet at a +moment's notice; and I afterwards found that in order to be agreeable to +me, and to express his gratitude for a slight service which I had most +willingly rendered him, he had requisitioned viands, wines, and guests +from the houses of his neighbours. + +"I want that turkey, Pat; I should like to have that leg of mutton, +Mike; Murphy, send me round those ducks you have on the table." In this +summary fashion my amiable and generous host had furnished the feast; or +it may be that in summoning his guests he recommended them to bring +their dinner with them. I can only speak with absolute certainty as to +the result, and I must add that the banquet was thoroughly successful. +After the dinner was at an end we had whisky-toddy and Irish songs. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +PATTI AND HER SHOES--PATTI SEIZED FOR DEBT--FLIGHT OF GERSTER--CONFLICT +AT CHICAGO--BOUQUETS OUT OF SEASON--CINCINNATI FLOODS--ABBEY'S +COLLAPSE--RESOLVE TO GO WEST. + + +Notwithstanding the successful performances, which I continued to give, +the receipts never reached the amount of the expenditure--as is +invariably the case when two Opera-houses are contending in the same +city. + +So bent was Mr. Abbey on my total annihilation that in each town I +intended visiting during the tour at the close of the season I found his +company announced. I, therefore, resolved as far as possible to steal a +march upon him. I altered most of my arrangements, anticipating my +Philadelphia engagement by five weeks, and opening on the 18th December. +Mdme. Patti appeared in _Ernani_ to a 10,000-dollar house, Mdme. Gerster +performing "Linda" the following night to almost equally large receipts. +_Semiramide_ likewise brought a very large house. From Philadelphia we +went to Boston, where, unfortunately, the booking was not at all great, +it not being our usual time for visiting that city. Moreover, I had to +go to the Globe Theatre. On the second night of our engagement we +performed _La Traviata_. That afternoon, about two o'clock, Patti's +agent called upon me to receive the 5,000 dollars for her services that +evening. I was at low water just then, and inquiring at the +booking-office found that I was £200 short. All I could offer Signor +Franchi was the trifle of £800 as a payment on account. + +The agent declined the money, and formally announced to me that my +contract with Mdme. Patti was at an end. I accepted the inevitable, +consoling myself with the reflection that, besides other good artists in +my company, I had now £800 to go on with. + +Two hours afterwards Signor Franchi reappeared. + +"I cannot understand," he said, "how it is you get on so well with prime +donne, and especially with Mdme. Patti. You are a marvellous man, and a +fortunate one, too, I may add. Mdme. Patti does not wish to break her +engagement with you, as she certainly would have done with anyone else +under the circumstances. Give me the £800 and she will make every +preparation for going on to the stage. She empowers me to tell you that +she will be at the theatre in good time for the beginning of the opera, +and that she will be ready dressed in the costume of "Violetta," with +the exception only of the shoes. You can let her have the balance when +the doors open and the money comes in from the outside public; and +directly she receives it she will put her shoes on and at the proper +moment make her appearance on the stage." I thereupon handed him the +£800 I had already in hand as the result of subscriptions in advance. "I +congratulate you on your good luck," said Signor Franchi as he departed +with the money in his pocket. + +After the opening of the doors I had another visit from Signor Franchi. +By this time an extra sum of £160 had come in. I handed it to my +benevolent friend, and begged him to carry it without delay to the +obliging prima donna, who, having received £960, might, I thought, be +induced to complete her toilette pending the arrival of the £40 balance. + +Nor was I altogether wrong in my hopeful anticipations. With a beaming +face Signor Franchi came back and communicated to me the joyful +intelligence that Mdme. Patti had got one shoe on. "Send her the £40," +he added, "and she will put on the other." + +Ultimately the other shoe was got on; but not, of course, until the last +£40 had been paid. Then Mdme. Patti, her face radiant with benignant +smiles, went on to the stage; and the opera already begun was continued +brilliantly until the end. + +Mdme. Adelina Patti is beyond doubt the most successful singer who ever +lived. Vocalists as gifted, as accomplished as she might be named, but +no one ever approached her in the art of obtaining from a manager the +greatest possible sum he could by any possibility contrive to pay. +Mdlle. Titiens was comparatively careless on points of this kind; Signor +Mario equally so. + +I am certainly saying very little when I advance the proposition that +Mdme. Patti has frequently exacted what I will content myself with +describing as extreme terms. She has, indeed, gone beyond this, for I +find from my tables of expenditure for the New York season of 1883 that, +after paying Mdme. Patti her thousand pounds, and distributing a few +hundreds among the other members of the company, I had only from 22 to +23 dollars per night left on the average for myself. + +Mdme. Patti's fees--just twenty times what was thought ample by Signor +Mario and by Mdlle. Titiens, than whom no greater artists have lived in +our time--was payable to Mdme. Patti at two o'clock on the day of +representation. + +From Boston we went to Montreal, opening there on Christmas Eve, +operatically the worst day in the year; when Mdme. Gerster's receipts +for _La Sonnambula_ were very light. We afterwards performed _Elisir +d'Amore_, and on Friday, the 4th January, Mdme. Patti made her _début_ +before as bad a house as Gerster's. + +Soon afterwards the most money-making of prime donne was, without being +aware of it at the time, seized for debt. It happened in this manner. +From Boston we had travelled to Montreal, where, by the way, through the +mistake of an agent, gallery seats were charged at the rate of five +dollars instead of one. On reaching the Montreal railway station we were +met by a demand on the part of the railway company for 300 dollars. The +train had been already paid for; but this was a special charge for +sending the Patti travelling car along the line. I, of course, resisted +the claim, and the more energetically inasmuch as I had not 300 dollars +in hand. I could only get the money by going up to the theatre and +taking it from the receipts. + +Meanwhile the sheriffs were upon me; and the Patti travelling car, with +Adelina asleep inside, was attached, seized, and ultimately shunted into +a stable, of which the iron gates were firmly closed. + +There was no room for argument or delay. All I had to do was to get the +money; and hurrying to the theatre I at once procured it. Unconscious of +her imprisoned condition, Mdme. Patti was still asleep when I took the +necessary steps for rescuing from bondage the car which held her. + +The public of Montreal, more gracious than the railway authorities, +received us with enthusiasm. An immense ice palace was erected just +opposite the hotel at which we were staying; and the architecture of the +building, and especially the manner in which the blocks of ice were +placed one above the other and then soldered together, interested me +much. The ice blocks were consolidated by the agency of heat. Hot water +was applied to the points of contact, and the ice thus liquefied left to +freeze. + +We afterwards returned to New York, performing there the first three +weeks of January, business still being very light indeed; and it was not +until my benefit night, on the 18th, that a fine house was secured, when +over 11,000 dollars were taken. After giving a Sunday concert we left +for Philadelphia, where I arranged for three special performances, it +being three days before Mr. Abbey's arrival there with his Opera troupe. +The three performances were extremely successful. We afterwards left for +Baltimore. + +On arriving there Mdme. Gerster accidentally saw a playbill in which +Mdme. Patti's name was larger than hers; further, that they were +charging only five dollars for her appearance, whilst they demanded +seven dollars for the Patti nights. Without one moment's warning, and +unbeknown even to her husband, the lady went to the station and entered +the train for New York. When dinner-time arrived Dr. Gardini was in a +great state, as his wife was nowhere to be found, and it was by mere +accident one of the chorus told me that he had seen her going in the +direction of the railway station. + +I thereupon telegraphed to Wilmington--the first station at which her +train would stop--requesting her to return, as all matters had been +arranged. There was no train by which she could get back. But through +the kindness of the manager of the road, who happened to be in +Baltimore, a telegraphic despatch was sent to Wilmington to detain the +express--in which unfortunately Patti happened to be seated--until the +arrival of Gerster's train, so that she could return immediately in time +for the performance. I afterwards learned that Mdme. Patti, on inquiring +the cause of the delay, was excessively angry at being detained for +upwards of three-quarters of an hour on account of Mdme. Gerster. +Nicolini was enraged for a different reason. He had ordered a sumptuous +dinner at our hotel, where there was a new _chef_; and he knew that, +having to wait for Mdme. Patti, his terrapin and his canvas-back duck +would be spoiled. + +All endeavours to induce Mdme. Gerster to enter a train in which the +state-room was occupied by Mdme. Patti were useless, and I afterwards +received a telegram that she had gone on to New York. + +I thereupon put up the following announcement at the opening of the +doors, not wishing to make a scandal:--"Owing to the non-arrival of +Mdme. Gerster from New York she will be unable to appear this evening. +The opera of _Ernani_ will be substituted. Money will be returned to +those desiring it." + +In a short time the entire Opera was closely packed with ladies in full +evening dress. All were in a high state of excitement, and seemed unable +to decide what to do, whether to go into the theatre or take their +carriages and return home. The ladies shrugged their shoulders, and the +gentlemen gesticulated indignantly, looking at me as if they would like +to say something forcible but impolite. "Outrage!" "disgrace!" +"shameful!" and other excited utterances born of polite anger were heard +on all sides. About one-third of the indignant ones left the theatre, +whilst the balance remained to hear _Ernani_, which was exceedingly well +played. Two minutes after the curtain rose on _Ernani_ I hurried down to +the railway station and entered the train for New York in quest of the +fugitive prima donna. As I had eaten nothing from early morn I was +placed in a very disagreeable position. I could not get even a glass of +water or a piece of bread until some six or seven o'clock the next +morning. + +On reaching New York I went in quest of Mdme. Gerster at all the likely +places, and at length discovered her at her brother's. It took the whole +of the day to get things into shape, and I succeeded towards night in +bringing back the truant, and inducing her to appear the following day, +at a _matinée_, in _L'Elisir d'Amore_, when she attracted an enormous +audience. + +I was placed in great difficulty with regard to the public and the +press, knowing that the reports would be greatly exaggerated, and injure +the business in all the other cities to which we were going. I +thereupon circulated the news that Mdme. Gerster's baby in New York had +taken a cold in its stomach, and that she had been hurriedly sent for. +This got repeated during the next four or five weeks in the papers at +all the cities we visited, and afterwards gradually died out. + +Before leaving Baltimore I had a bill presented to me for return of +money in consequence of the Gerster disappointment as follows:-- + + Two opera tickets at five dollars ... $10.00 + + Carriage ... ... ... ... 5.00 + + Gloves ... ... ... ... 2.50 + + Necktie ... ... ... ... 0.25 + + Overlooking and pressing a dress suit 3.00 + + Flowers for _her_ corsage ... ... 3.00 + + Two return tickets ... ... 14.00 + ------ + Total ... ... ... $37.75 + +Legal proceedings were resorted to, but I ultimately settled the matter +by giving a private box for our next visit. + +On arriving at Chicago we found ourselves not only in the same town with +our rivals, but also in the same hotel. + +Such a galaxy of talent had never before been congregated together under +one roof. The ladies consisted of Adelina Patti, Etelka Gerster, +Christine Nilsson, Fursch-Madi, Sembrich, Trebelli, and Scalchi, whose +rooms were all along the same corridor. + +It was here that our great battle began; and I have much satisfaction in +quoting the following account of the conflict from a leading journal:-- + +"The Mapleson season opened with a brilliant house on Monday evening. +The opera and cast were not very strong for an opening night, but +Patti's name proves a drawing card on all occasions, and she was given a +flattering reception as she once more presented herself to Chicago. +_Crispino_ is not a strong opera, the music being of the lightest order. +She was finely supported by the other artists. Mdme. Etelka Gerster as +'Adina' was very charming; she appeared the following evening in _Elisir +d'Amore_. At the rival house Ponchielli's _La Gioconda_ attracted a +large but not a crowded audience on the opening night. Both Opera +Companies continued vigorously throughout the week, giving a series of +the finest performances. The palm must readily be awarded to Mr. +Mapleson's able management, as Mr. Abbey closed probably the +worst-managed opera season Chicago had ever had. It opened amidst a +flourish of trumpets, which heralded great conquests, but the results +did not justify the reports." + +I must now mention that when I organized the first Cincinnati Festival I +stipulated with the Directors, in case of any repetitions, that the +terms should be the same, and that I should have the sole control. The +three preceding Festivals had been given under my direction, with +distinguished success, and with large profits. But I now found that +here, too, Mr. Abbey had stepped in and secured the great Festival for +himself. It was useless going to law with a body of directors. I, +therefore, trusted to injustice meeting with its own reward, as it +inevitably does. I could illustrate this by many hundreds of cases. + +I now hastened to conclude engagements for another Opera Festival at Mr. +Fennessy's elegant theatre--one of the most beautiful in Cincinnati--in +order that Mr. Abbey might not have the whole affair to himself. + +The sale of seats for my contemplated performances at Cincinnati the +following week opened grandly, no less than 235 seats being sold for the +whole series quite early in the day. The number had increased before the +close of the office to 653, the total sale realizing £6,000 (30,000 +dollars). Bills were duly posted announcing for the opening night +Meyerbeer's _Huguenots_, with Nicolini as "Raoul," Galassi as "St. +Bris," Sivori as "Nevers," Cherubini as "Marcel," Josephine Yorke as +"The Page," Etelka Gerster as "The Queen," and Patti as "Valentine." +This, it seemed to me, was presenting a bold front against anything Mr. +Abbey might produce. + +About this time grave rumours got into circulation with regard to Mr. +Abbey's losses. It oozed out that prior to the entry of his Company +into Cincinnati he had dropped on the road some 53,000 dollars. + +The Abbey Company opened their season at Chicago with _Gioconda_. But +the tenor was bad, and the principal female part quite unsuited to Mdme. +Christine Nilsson, so that little or no effect was made. I opened with +_Crispino_, Adelina Patti appearing in the principal _rôle_; which was +followed by _L'Elisir d'Amore_, with Gerster. On the third night _Les +Huguenots_ was performed, with Mdme. Patti as "Valentine," and Mdme. +Gerster as the "Queen," when the following scene occurred:-- + +Prior to the commencement of the opera numbers of very costly bouquets +and lofty set pieces had been sent into the vestibule according to +custom for Mdme. Patti, whilst only a small basket of flowers had been +received for presentation to Mdme. Gerster. Under ordinary circumstances +it is the duty of the prima donna's agent to notify to the +stall-keepers, or ushers, as they are called in America, the right +moment for handing up the bouquets on to the stage. That evening Mdme. +Patti's agent was absent, and at the close of the first act, during +which "Valentine" has scarcely a note to sing, whilst the "Queen" has +much brilliant music to execute, he was nowhere to be found. There was a +general call at the close of the act for the seven principal artists. At +that moment the stall-ushers, having no one to direct their movements, +rushed frantically down the leading aisles with their innumerable +bouquets and set pieces, passing them across to Arditi, who sometimes +could scarcely lift them. Reading the address on the card attached to +each offering, he continued passing the flowers to Mdme. Patti. This +lasted several minutes, the public meanwhile getting impatient. + +At length, when these elaborate presentations to Mdme. Patti had been +brought to an end, a humble little basket addressed to Mdme. Gerster was +passed up, upon which the whole house broke out into ringing cheers, +which continued some minutes. This _contretemps_ had the effect of +seriously annoying Mdme. Patti, who, at the termination of the opera, +made a vow that she would never again perform in the same work with +Mdme. Gerster. + +Mdme. Patti had braced herself up sufficiently to go through the +performance in very dramatic style. But after the fall of the curtain, +when she had time to think of the ludicrous position in which she had +been placed, she became hysterical. + +On returning to her hotel she threw herself on to the ground and kicked +and struggled in such a manner that it was only with the greatest +difficulty she could be got to bed. The stupidity of the "ushers" seemed +to her so outrageous that she could scarcely accept it as sufficient +explanation of the folly committed in sending up her bouquets, her +baskets, and her floral devices of various kinds at the wrong moment. At +one time when she was in a comedy vein, she would exclaim: "It is all +that Mapleson;" and she actually did me the honour to say that I had +arranged the scene in order to lower her value in the eyes of the +public, and secure her for future performances at reduced rates. + +Then she would take a serious, not to say tragic view of the matter, and +attribute the misadventure to the maleficent influence of Gerster. The +amiable Etelka possessed, according to her brilliant but superstitious +rival, the evil eye; and after the affair of the bouquets no misfortune +great or small happened, but it was attributed by Mdme. Patti to the +malignant spirit animating Mdme. Gerster. If anything went wrong, from a +false note in the orchestra to an earthquake, it was always, according +to the divine Adelina, caused by Gerster and her "evil eye." "Gerster!" +was her first exclamation when she found the earth shaking beneath her +at San Francisco. + +Far from endeavouring to cure her of her childish superstitions, +Nicolini encouraged her, and, in all probability, took part himself in +her quaint delusions. + +Whenever Gerster's name was mentioned, whenever her presence was in any +way suggested, Mdme. Patti made with her fingers the horn which is +supposed to counteract or avert the effect of the evil eye; and once, +when the two rivals were staying at the same hotel, Mdme. Patti, passing +in the dark the room occupied by Mdme. Gerster, extended her first and +fourth fingers in the direction of the supposed sorceress; when she +found herself nearly tapping upon the forehead of Mdme. Gerster's +husband, Dr. Gardini, who, at that moment, was putting his boots out +before going to bed. + +Two days before the close of the Chicago engagement grave rumours +reached me from Cincinnati, where we were due the following Monday. +Great floods had set in, and the water was still rising daily, and, +indeed, hourly. + +I received frequent telegraphic reports as to the sad effects of the +flood, and I at last found it necessary to postpone our departure until +the following day, hoping the water might then begin to recede. + +On learning the state of things Mdme. Patti refused absolutely to enter +the train now in readiness, and several of the other artists followed +her example. The water still kept rising, and it at last reached the +extraordinary height of 64 feet. + +Cincinnati, I learned, was placed in total darkness through the gas +works being submerged. The inhabitants were compelled to burn candles +and oil lamps in order to obtain light, whilst the city was isolated +from every other part of America. I was, moreover, informed by the +railway authorities there was great uncertainty as to the train ever +being able to reach the city at all. No Festival could possibly be given +where such utter desolation existed; where the public was so far removed +from everything festive. + +I therefore telegraphed Manager Fennessy to postpone my week's visit +until the 31st of the following month, and I now saw no alternative but +to stay at Chicago, though I had no engagements whatever, and had all +the people on my hands. On conversing with Mdme. Patti and Mdme. Gerster +I found that they both sympathized with the sufferers from this sad +calamity. I therefore decided that in lieu of attempting to get money +out of the ill-fated city, it was our duty to raise funds and transmit +them to the sufferers as speedily as possible. With that view I +organized a morning performance in all haste at Chicago, in which both +Mdme. Patti and Mdme. Gerster took part. The public accorded the most +generous support. Henry Irving, who was staying in our hotel, gave £20 +for a box with his usual characteristic liberality; and I had the +pleasure of remitting the very next day to the Mayor of Cincinnati +upwards of £1,200. + +In order to keep the band and chorus employed, I arranged to perform for +three nights at Minneapolis, which, although a considerable distance +off, I determined to try. I therefore ordered my special train to be in +readiness for our departure. + +We opened at Minneapolis during the latter part of the week, giving the +three performances to excellent business. Whilst there I heard fresh +reports as to Abbey's losses, both at the Metropolitan Opera-house, and +likewise on his tour. + +On taking up the newspapers I found it stated that Mr. Abbey had lost +nearly 239,000 dollars, and that he was, in fact, compelled to retire +from his management. + +Although Mr. Abbey had treated me anything but handsomely, I felt some +regret at hearing of the downfall of this not very clever showman. It +was a struggle between money and ability, his object being to put me out +of the way, so that his new enterprise might have no opposition to +encounter. My singers, musicians, and _employés_ had been hired away +from me at double, treble, and quadruple salaries. From Nilsson down to +the call-boy, all had been tempted, and many led away. When my people +came in to me and said: "What shall I do? he is offering me four times +my salary," I replied: "My dear people, go by all means; you are sure to +come back to me next season." + +I had myself run very close to the wind throughout all this business, +and but for great care and some judgment should have been ruined. + +After the morning performance which closed our engagement at +Minneapolis, our special train had to travel for 36 hours to reach St. +Louis, where we opened on the following Monday. + +There was great excitement at St. Louis about the performance of _Les +Huguenots_, announced for the Thursday following, in which Patti and +Gerster were to appear together in their respective parts. But in +consequence of Mdme. Patti's declaration that she would never sing with +Gerster again in any opera, I had to change the bill, much to the +annoyance of the public and to my own loss. + +I will now mention something that occurred during the latter part of my +visit to St. Louis. + +Finding business not so flourishing as it would have been but for this +irritating rivalry of Abbey's, also that Mdme. Patti's engagement +included only fifty guaranteed nights during the five months over which +the engagement extended, I concluded to give her a rest of some three or +four weeks, inasmuch as she had already sung nearly two-thirds of the +guaranteed number of times, and I had ample time to work out the +remainder. I also resolved to start the Company far away out of the +reach of Mr. Abbey to the wealthy San Francisco. Our exchequer was sadly +in need of replenishment. Mdme. Gerster consented to remain with me, but +only on condition that Mdme. Patti kept away. Finding this suited my +purpose, I agreed to it. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +GERSTER REFUSES--PATTI VOLUNTEERS--ARRIVAL AT CHEYENNE--PATTI DINES THE +PROPHET--THREATS OF AN INTERVIEWER--ARRIVAL AT SAN FRANCISCO. + + +At the conclusion of the farewell morning performance of _Martha_, in +which Gerster took part, at St. Louis, she went home to prepare for the +journey to San Francisco. I performed _La Favorita_ that evening, and +gave orders for the Company to start at 2 a.m. for the Far West. At +about a quarter to one my agent called me, stating that Mdme. Gerster +had gone to bed and refused to allow her boxes to leave the hotel. +Feeling now that she was free from Patti, she thought she could do as +she liked. All arguments were useless, and in lieu of packing the boxes +she gave calm directions to her maids to hang her dresses up. During +this time the special train was waiting in the station ready to take its +departure. In the midst of my trouble a little card was brought in +enclosed in an envelope, stating that Mdme. Patti would like to see me. +She, too, had been on the point of going to bed. But on learning the +strait in which I was placed she at once rang the bell, mustered her +maids, requested them to pack up all her worldly effects, and now +assured me that she would sing for me day and night rather than let me +be the victim of Gerster's caprices. + +Whilst I was thanking Mdme. Patti another little card was slipped in my +hand from the adjoining room requesting a word with me. On entering +Mdme. Gerster's apartments I found her dressed, and she now declared her +willingness to accompany me to the Far West. + +The long and short of it was that I found myself in the train with both +my prime donne. I thereupon telegraphed to my agent in advance to call +in at Denver and arrange for a performance of Mdme. Patti in _La +Traviata_ on the following Saturday morning on our way through. We duly +arrived in Denver, when on reaching the hotel Mdme. Gerster accidentally +saw that Patti had been announced for one of the performances. + +Without a moment's warning she left the hotel, presented herself at the +station, and ordered a special train to take her back to the East on her +way to Europe. It was, indeed, a sore trial to bring matters to an +amicable conclusion; but in this I eventually succeeded. I assured Mdme. +Gerster that Mdme. Patti would have nothing further to do for some +length of time. If Patti sang again Mdme. Gerster declared she would +leave the Company. + +At the conclusion of my Denver engagement we left for Cheyenne. The +opera train consisted of eleven elegant carriages; and prior to our +arrival at Cheyenne we were met on the road by two special cars, having +on board Councillors Holliday, Dater, Babbitt, Warren, Irvine, and +Homer, likewise the Hon. Jones, Ford, and Miller, and some forty other +representatives of the Upper and Lower Houses of the great territory of +the West. We were agreeably surprised when the train pulled up. To my +great astonishment both Houses had been adjourned in honour of our +visit. There was, in fact, a general holiday. One carriage contained dry +Pommery and Mumm champagne, intersected with blocks of ice, whilst +another compartment was full of cigars. Both trains pulled up on the +plains, when an interchange of civilities took place and several +speeches were made. + +Shortly afterwards we started the train again in the direction of +Cheyenne, where the band of the 9th Regiment, brought from a +considerable distance from one of the military stations, was waiting to +receive us. Mdme. Patti, who was in her own car, insisted upon having it +detached from the train in order not to interfere with the welcome she +considered due to Mdme. Gerster, who was to perform that evening in _La +Sonnambula_, which was the only opera to be given during our visit. At +the conclusion of the reception Gerster was accompanied to the hotel. +Two hours later there was to be a serenade to Mdme. Patti, who at a +given time was drawn into the station. The brass band, being placed in a +circle with the bandmaster in the centre, commenced performing music +which was rather mixed. Mdme. Patti requested me to ask the bandmaster +what they were playing; but on my attempting to enter the circle the +bandmaster rushed at me, telling me with expressive gestures that if I +touched one of his musicians the whole circle would fall down. They had +been on duty during the last thirty-six hours waiting our arrival, and +as they had taken "considerable refreshment," he had had great +difficulty in placing them on their feet. We dispensed with all +ceremony, and the night serenade was struck out of the programme, the +men being sent home. + +The opera of _Sonnambula_ was performed that evening, and although ten +dollars a seat were charged, the house was crowded. To my great +astonishment, although Cheyenne is but a little town, consisting of +about two streets, it possesses a most refined society, composed, it is +true, of cowboys; yet one might have imagined one's self at the London +Opera when the curtain rose--the ladies in brilliant toilettes and +covered with diamonds; the gentlemen all in evening dress. + +The entire little town was lighted by electricity. The club house is one +of the pleasantest I have ever visited; and the people are most +hospitable. + +When the performance was over we all returned to the train, and started +for Salt Lake City. + +On our arrival there Mdme. Gerster drove to the theatre. Mdme. Patti and +Nicolini amused themselves by visiting the great Tabernacle, I +accompanying them. On entering this superb building, excellent in an +acoustic point of view, and capable of seating 12,000 persons, the idea +immediately crossed my mind of giving, if possible, a concert there on +our return from San Francisco; but I was unsuccessful in my endeavours +to obtain the use of it. I thereupon resolved that Mdme. Patti should +invite the Mormon Prophet himself, together with as many of the twelve +apostles as we could obtain, to visit her private car, then outside the +station; and a splendid _déjeuner_ was prepared by the cooks. + +The next morning the Prophet Taylor came, accompanied by several of his +apostles. Mdme. Patti took great care to praise the magnificent building +she had visited the day previously, expressing a strong desire that she +might be allowed to try her voice there, which led on to my observing +that a regular concert would be more desirable. To this a strong +objection was made by several apostles, who stated that the building was +not intended for any such purpose, but was simply a place of worship. + +Mdme. Patti, however, launched into enthusiastic praise of the Mormon +doctrines, and, in fact, expressed a strong wish to join the Mormon +Church. After hearing her sing two or three of her dainty little songs +the Prophet was so impressed that he actually consented to a concert +being given in the Tabernacle the following month. On my suggesting +three dollars for the best seats an objection was instantly made by one +of the apostles, who, having five wives, thought it would be rather a +heavy call upon his purse. It was ultimately settled that the prices +should be only two dollars and one dollar. + +We performed the opera of _Lucia_ that evening in Salt Lake Theatre in +presence of all the prominent inhabitants of the lovely city, the +receipts reaching some £750. The Prophet attended. + +Starting for the West immediately after the opera, we about thirty hours +afterwards reached Reno, where we stopped to water the engine; and, +although still some 250 miles from San Francisco, the train was boarded +by a lot of reporters, who had been waiting a couple of days to meet the +party, determined if possible to secure an interview with the _Diva_. In +the meantime they busied themselves writing a description of the +magnificent train of boudoir state-rooms until we reached Truckee, where +a considerable portion of the line had been washed away. There had, +moreover, been a snow-slide from some of the great mountains, which +caused a stoppage of nearly twelve hours. + +Suddenly, as if by magic, some 1,500 Chinamen arrived and commenced +repairing the road. During this time the reporters had ample time to +interview everybody, as the railway carriages one by one had to be +conveyed over a temporary road which the Chinamen had built. + +The whole of Truckee's population came out to meet us, composed of +cowboys, miners, and Indians. Patti was much charmed with a little +papoose carried on one of the Indian women's backs. She placed herself +at the piano and commenced singing nursery rhymes. She likewise whistled +a polka very cleverly to her own accompaniment; which made the papoose +laugh. She thereupon expressed a strong wish to purchase it and adopt +it, having no children of her own. It was only in compliance with +Nicolini's persuasive powers that she ultimately desisted. + +On our leaving Truckee a wild shout went up from the Indians, resembling +a kind of war-whoop, in which the whole of the Truckee population +joined. + +Ultimately we reached Sacramento. Again all the inhabitants came out, +many crying, "God bless her Majesty!" "God bless Colonel Mapleson!" the +crowd, as usual, being largely composed of Indians and Chinese. An +attempt was made to surround Patti's car in order to make her get out +and sing. + +Prior to leaving Sacramento other reporters got in, insisting upon +interviewing Patti. I replied-- + +"Do you think I pay Patti £1,000 a night and spend all my profits buying +these magnificent cars for her and Nicolini to have her interviewed by +newspaper reporters? No, sir, you cannot interview Patti. We have a lot +of beautifully-written interviews already in type in my ante-room, and +you can go and select those you like best. You can see the car, +moreover, with Count Zacharoff. In the hind car you will find some +Apollinaris and rye whisky, and there is a box of cigars in the corner." + +"Look here, Colonel," replied one of the reporters, very firmly, placing +his right hand in his hip pocket, "I am no London reporter to be put off +in that kind of way. I have come several hundreds of miles to interview +Patti, and see her I must. Refuse me, and I shall simply telegraph two +lines to San Francisco that Patti has caught a severe cold in the +mountains, and that Gerster's old throat complaint is coming on again. +Do you understand?" + +I replied, "Cannot you interview me instead?" feeling appalled at his +threat. + +"No, sir," replied he; "Patti or perdition!" + +I now saw Nicolini, who ultimately consented to the reporter's seeing +the _Diva_. Summoning a swarthy valet, he ordered him to conduct the +journalist to Mdme. Patti's apartments, Nicolini following him. + +A few seconds later the reporter was face to face with Patti in her +gorgeous palace car. Nicolini performed the ceremony of introduction, +while the parrot muttered a few "cusses" in French. Patti smilingly +motioned the reporter to be seated, and the long-expected interview was +about to take place, when Nicolini suddenly returned and commenced +ringing the electric bells. In an instant all was confusion. Valets +rushed hither and thither, Nicolini declaring in the choicest Italian +that he had discovered a small draught coming through a ventilator; and +it was not until this had been closed and his adored madame had been +wrapped in shawls that the interview could proceed. + +Patti had evidently been interviewed before, for she took the lead in +the conversation from the start. Her first inquiry was about the weather +in California, of which she had heard. She asked whether it was warm and +sunny like her native Spain. She said she was tired of ice and snow, of +Colorado and Montana, and that she was very pleased at being able to +reach San Francisco. At the conclusion of the interview the reporter +left the room, went to the end of the train, and dropped a small parcel +overboard on passing one of the signal boxes. I afterwards learned that +it contained a page of matter which we found in print on our arrival at +San Francisco. He had given a detailed report of all that had occurred +in the train. + +In due course we reached San Francisco, where my agent informed me that +the engagement was going to be a great success, two-thirds of the +tickets having been sold for the entire season. + +On our arriving at Oakland, opposite San Francisco, the morning papers +were eagerly purchased, and the announcements scanned by Signor Nicolini +and Patti, both of whom expressed amazement at having been brought some +3,000 miles to do nothing. In fact, I myself felt rather for the moment +nonplussed. I nevertheless immediately took the matter up, whispering to +Nicolini to be quiet, and to tell Mdme. Patti to be quiet, as I had +prepared a scheme which I thought she would be pleased with. + +I then set to work to think what could be done. On reaching my hotel, it +being Sunday, of course no printing could be attempted. I, therefore, +inserted an advertisement in the paper for the following morning +notifying that, profiting by Mdme. Patti's and Signor Nicolini's +presence on a voyage of pleasure to the Far West, I had persuaded them +to give a performance. I had selected the ensuing Thursday--the only +blank night I had. At the same time, in justice to those who had +subscribed so liberally for the season, I notified that the original +subscribers should have the first choice of the Patti tickets in +priority to the general public, with a discount of 10 per cent. besides. +This contented them, and, in fact, augmented still further the +subscription for the whole season, many joining in simply for the chance +of being able to obtain a ticket for Patti. + +When this arrangement had been carried out I met Messrs. Sherman and +Clay, the well-known music sellers, and begged them kindly to dispose of +the few remaining tickets at their shop, on the following Tuesday, so as +not to have any confusion with my regular box-office lettings at the +theatre. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE PATTI EPIDEMIC--GERSTER FURORE--TICKETS 400% PREMIUM--MY +ARREST--CAPTURE OF "SCALPERS"--OPERA TICKET AUCTION--DEATH OF MY FIRST +"BASSO." + + +One of the most extraordinary spectacles ever witnessed in San Francisco +was that which presented itself on the evening of our arrival as soon as +it got buzzed about that some Patti tickets were to be sold the +following Tuesday at Sherman and Clay's. + +Shortly after ten o'clock that night the first young man took up his +position, and was soon joined by another and another. Then came ladies, +until shortly after midnight the line extended as far as the district +telegraph office. Some brought chairs, and seated themselves with a pipe +or a cigar, prepared for a prolonged siege. Others had solid as well as +liquid solace in their pockets to pass away the hours. Telegraph boys +were numerous. So were many other shrewd young men who were ready the +following morning to sell their places in line to the highest bidder; a +position in line costing as much as £2 when within thirty from the door +of the office in which the tickets were to be disposed of. + +The Adelina Patti epidemic gradually disseminated itself from the moment +of her arrival, and began to rage throughout the city from early the +following morning. + +Many ladies joined the line during the night, and had to take equal +chances with the men. Towards morning bargains for good positions in the +line reached as high as £4, a sum which was actually paid by one person +for permission to take another person's place. Numbers of those in the +van of the procession were there solely for the purpose of selling their +positions. + +The next morning I rose early and took a stroll to admire the city. I +observed a vast crowd down Montgomery Street. In fact, the passage +within hundreds of yards was impassable, vehicles, omnibuses, etc., all +being at a standstill. On inquiring the reason of this commotion I was +informed by a policeman that they were trying to buy Patti tickets, +which Messrs. Sherman and Clay had for disposal. + +On forcing my way gradually down the street and approaching Sherman and +Clay's establishment, I saw, to my great astonishment, that there was +not a single pane of glass in any of the windows, whilst the tops of the +best pianos and harmoniums were occupied by dozens of people standing +upon them in their nailed boots, all clamouring for Patti tickets. +Messrs. Sherman and Clay solicited me earnestly either to remove Patti +from the town, or, at least, not to entrust them with the sale of any +more tickets, the crowd having done over £600 of damage to their stock. + +I had no further difficulty at the moment with Gerster, who believed +Patti was going to sing but one night. Besides, the sale of tickets had +been very great on her account before Patti's presence in the city had +become known. + +About eight o'clock that evening a serenade was tendered to Patti by a +large orchestra under Professor Wetterman; the court-yard of the Palace +Hotel where she was staying being brilliantly illuminated. The six tiers +of magnificent galleries surrounding it were crowded with visitors and +illuminated _a giorno_. As soon as the first strains of the music were +heard Mdme. Patti came from her room with a circle of friends, and was +an attentive listener. After remaining some time she deputed Signor +Arditi to congratulate the orchestra on their brilliant performance, the +favourite conductor receiving quite an ovation as he delivered the +message. + +The preparations at the Grand Opera were most elaborate, and the +decorations particularly so. The theatre and passages had been +repapered, flags festooned, and in the centre facing the main door was a +huge crystal fountain, having ten smaller jets throwing streams of eau +de Cologne into glass basins hung with crystal pendants. All over the +vestibule were the rarest tree orchids, violets in blossom and roses in +full bloom; while the corner of the vestibule was draped with the flags +of every nation, among which England, America, Italy, and Hungary +predominated. + +On the opening night the Grand Opera-house presented a spectacle of +magnificence which I may say without exaggeration can never have been +surpassed in any city. The auditorium was quite dazzling with a +bewildering mass of laces, jewels, and fair faces. Every available place +was taken. Outside in the street there must have been thousands of +people all clamouring for tickets, whilst the broad steps of the church +opposite were occupied by persons anxious to catch a glimpse of the +toilettes of the ladies as they sprang out of their carriages into the +vestibule. + +The season opened with _Lucia di Lammermoor_, in which Mdme. Etelka +Gerster appeared as the ill-fated heroine. I will not go into details of +the performance, further than to say that the stage was loaded after +every act with the most gorgeous set pieces of flowers, several being so +cumbersome that they had to be left on the stage at the sides in sight +of the audience during the remainder of the opera. The next evening was +devoted to rest after the long and fatiguing journey that we had all +undergone, Mdme. Gerster remaining in her apartments to prepare for her +second appearance the following night. + +The next evening was devoted to a performance of _L'Elisir d'Amore_, +when Mdme. Gerster drew another 10,000 dollar house--the floral +picturesqueness of the auditorium of the previous Monday being repeated. + +Mdme. Patti was now to appear as "La Traviata." On the day of the +performance it took the whole of the police force to protect the theatre +from the overwhelming crowds pressing for tickets, although it had been +announced that no more were to be had. Long before daylight the would-be +purchasers of Patti tickets had collected and formed into line, reaching +the length of some three or four streets; and from this time until the +close of the engagement, some four weeks afterwards, that line was never +broken at any period of the day or night. A brisk trade was done in the +hiring of camp stools, for which the modest sum of 4s. was charged. A +similar amount was levied for a cup of coffee or a slice of bread and +butter. As the line got hungry dinners were served, also suppers. High +prices were paid to obtain a place in the line, as the head of it +approached the box-office; resulting only in disappointment to the +intending buyer, who was, of course, unable to procure a ticket. Large +squads of police were on duty the whole time, and they were busily +employed in keeping the line in its place, and in defeating outsiders in +their attempts to make a gap in it. Later on it was announced that a +limited number of gallery tickets would be sold, when a rush was made, +carrying away the whole of the windows, glass, statuary, plants, etc. + +Ticket speculators were now offering seats at from £4 to £10 each, +places in the fifth row of the dress circle fetching as much as £4, +being 400 per cent. above the box-office price. They found buyers at +rates which would have shamed Shylock. Later in the day fulminations +were launched upon my head, and I was accused of taking part in the +plunder. I therefore determined, as far as possible, to set this right. + +At length evening approached, and hundreds of tickets had been sold for +standing room only. + +Meanwhile Chief Crowley and Captain Short of the police, on seeing the +aisles leading to the orchestra stalls and dress-circle blocked by the +vast crowd, many of whom were seated on camp-stools which they had +secretly brought with them, procured a warrant for my arrest the +following morning. Several hot disputes occurred about this time in the +main vestibule in consequence of numbers of duplicate tickets having +been issued; and several seatholders were unable to reach their places. +One gentleman challenged another to come and fight it out on the side +walk with revolvers. + +To describe the appearance of the house would be impossible. The +toilettes of the ladies were charming. Many were in white, and nearly +all were sparkling with diamonds. In the top gallery people were +literally on the heads of one another, and on sending up to ascertain +the cause, as the numbers were still increasing, the inspector +ascertained that boards had been placed from the top of an adjoining +house on to the roof of the Opera-house, from which the slates had been +taken off; and numbers were dropping one by one through the ceiling on +to the heads of those who were seated in the gallery. + +Patti, of course, was smothered with bouquets, and the Italian residents +of the city sent a huge globe of violets, supported on two ladders, with +the Italian and American flags hanging over each side. At the end of +each act huge stands and forms of flowers were sent up over the +footlights and placed on the stage. To name the fashionable people in +the audience would be to go over the invitation lists of the balls given +in the very best houses in the city. It would be useless to describe a +performance of _la Diva_, with which everyone is already familiar. +Galassi, the baritone, made a great success; and in the gambling scene +an elegant ballet was introduced, led by little Mdlle. Bettina de +Sortis. Chief Crowley reported that it would require 200 extra police to +keep order the next day. On going through the tickets in the treasury, +we discovered upwards of 200 bogus ones taken at the door. These +counterfeits were so good, even to the shade of colour, that it was +almost impossible to detect the difference from the real ones; the +public having smashed into the opera as if shot from howitzers. Several +ladies declared that their feet had never even touched the ground from +the time they got out of their carriages; and it was with difficulty +that the tickets were snatched from them as they passed. Many who had +paid for standing room brought little camp stools concealed under their +clothes, and afterwards opened them out, placing them in the main +passage ways. Had any panic occurred, or any alarm of fire, many lives +must have been sacrificed. + +Of course the blame for all this was put upon me. The next day there +were low mutterings of discontent all over the city against my +management, whilst the newspapers were unanimous in attacking me, some +of their articles being headed "The Opera Swindle." + +The following day I was arrested at half-past two o'clock by Detective +Bowen, on a sworn warrant from Captain Short, for violating Section 49 +of the Fire Ordinance of the city and county, in allowing the passage +ways to be blocked up by the use of camp stools and overcrowding, the +penalty for such violation being a fine of not less than 500 dollars, +together with imprisonment for not less than six months. + +In obedience to the warrant issued, I entered the police court the next +day, accompanied by General W. H. L. Barnes, the eminent counsel who had +charge of the famous Sharon case, and Judge Oliver P. Evans. On Barnes +asking to see the order for arrest he found that I was described as +"John Doe Mapleson," the explanation being that my Christian name was +unknown. I was charged with a misdemeanour in violating the ordinance of +the fire department, which declares that it is unlawful to obstruct the +passage-ways or aisles of theatres during a performance. After some +consultation a bond was drawn up in due form of law, General Barnes and +Judge Evans being my bondsmen. + +A meeting was afterwards held in the court, when the licensing collector +suggested that for the protection of the public, ticket pedlars on the +pavement should be made to take out a licence at an extra charge of 100 +dollars each. + +Notwithstanding this enormous tax, more licences were issued that +afternoon at the increased rate. + +At the next _matinée_ Mdme. Gerster appeared in _La Sonnambula_, when +the house was again crowded. + +I now announced a second performance by Mdme. Patti, for the following +Tuesday, in _Il Trovatore_, stating that the box-office would open for +the sale of any surplus tickets on the following Monday at 10. Early on +the morning of the sale, the line, formed between four and five o'clock +in the morning, was gradually increased by new comers, all anxious to +secure tickets; and by 10 o'clock, without exaggeration, it had swelled +to thousands. + +I herewith quote the following spirited and characteristic description +of the scene from the _Morning Call_ of March 15th, 1884:-- + +"To one who has stood on Mission Street, opposite the Grand Opera-house, +yesterday forenoon, and 'viewed the battle from afar,' as it might be +said, it seemed that a large number of people had run completely mad +over the desire to hear Patti sing. Such an excited, turbulent, and, in +fact, desperate crowd never massed in front of a theatre for the purpose +of purchasing tickets. It absolutely fought for tickets, and it is +questionable whether, if it had been an actual riot by a fierce and +determined mob, the scene could have been more exciting or the wreck of +the entrance of the theatre more complete. After the throng had melted +away the approaches to the box-office looked as if they had been visited +by a first-class Kansas cyclone in one of its worst moods. The fact that +tickets were on sale for several performances had much to do with it. It +was a sort of clean-up for last evening and to-day's _matinée_, but +above all for the Patti night on Tuesday. A line began to form as early +as five o'clock in the morning, and it grew and multiplied until at ten +o'clock it had turned the corner on Third Street, while the main +entrance was packed solid with a writhing and twisting mass of humanity, +which pressed close to the glass doors which form the first barrier, and +which were guarded by a lone policeman. He did his best to reduce the +pressure upon himself and upon the doors, but as the time passed and the +box-office did not open the crowd became more noisy and unmanageable, +and finally an irresistible rush was made for the doors. They did not +resist an instant, and gave way as though they had been made of paper. +In the fierce tumult which followed the glass was all broken out of +them, a boy being hurled bodily through one of the panes, with a most +painful result to him, for he fell cut and bruised inside. There was not +an inch of available space between the street and the main entrance that +was not occupied by men, women, or children, indiscriminately huddled in +together. The potted plants were overturned and annihilated under the +feet of the throng; the glass in the large pictures which adorned the +walls was broken, and the pictures themselves dragged to the floor. The +box-office was besieged by a solidly-packed and howling mob, the regular +line entirely overwhelmed, and a grand struggle ensued to get as near +the box-office--which had not been opened--as possible. Then the crowd +itself essayed to get into some sort of order. + +"The more powerful forced themselves to the front and started a new line +without any regard for those who had been first in position before the +barriers were overthrown. It twisted itself about the lobby, forming +curves and angles that would have made the typical snake retire into +obscurity for very envy. This line was pressed upon from all sides by +unfortunates who had been left out of the original formation of it. The +air was thick and sultry, the crowd perspired and blasphemed, and the +storming of the box-office became imminent. Just at this juncture +Captain Short arrived with a large squad of police, and under the +influence of a copious display of suggestive-looking locusts [the +truncheons of the American police are made of locust wood] the crowd +sullenly fell back and formed a somewhat orderly line. A line of +season-ticket holders was also formed to purchase tickets for the next +Patti night, and these were admitted through the inner door and served +from the manager's office. In addition the crowd was notified that no +Patti tickets would be sold from the box-office, but that all must go +inside. This produced a yell of anger and turned bedlam loose again, as +it broke up the line. But the police made a grand charge and forced +hundreds outside, against the indignant protests of many who claimed +that they had been in the regular line all the forenoon, only to be +deprived of their rights by the police. The sale which followed seems to +have given more satisfaction than that for the first Patti night." + +Prior to the opening of the sale I discovered that some thirty +speculators had somehow got to the inside barrier close to the office +before the _bonâ fide_ public, who had been waiting outside so long. I +found that they had broken a window on the stage; afterwards clambering +up and passing through the lobby of the theatre to the inner barrier, +before the outer doors had been opened. I then saw that they intended to +secure the whole of the tickets offered for sale. I therefore, in +passing a second time, quietly nudged one of them, winked suggestively, +and pointed to the upper circle ticket office; leading the willing dupes +who followed me through a door in the main wall to an inner office. No +sooner had the last one gone through than I had the door locked. I thus +"corralled" between 25 and 30 of these speculative gentry, and kept them +for over two hours, during which time the tickets were disposed of. This +cleared my character with the general body of the public, who at once +saw that I was in no league whatever with the speculators, or they would +have turned King's evidence after my treatment of them. + +While I was performing this manoeuvre, the rush and jamb in the main +vestibule became so great that the police officers were obliged to draw +their clubs to maintain order. + +On that evening we performed the opera _Puritani_, in which Mdme. +Gerster again sang, to the delight of the numerous audience. About this +time I discovered that the head usher had been in the habit of secreting +a lot of stools and hiring them out to those who were standing at an +extra charge of 12s. apiece. I at once sent for Captain Short, the +esteemed Chief of Police, who said to the usher-- + +"Have the kindness to ask that lady to get up and take that stool away." + +"All right," said the usher. "Please hand me that stool, madam." + +The lady responded-- + +"But you made me pay 12s. for it; at all events, return me my money." + +The Captain said-- + +"Give the lady back her 12s." + +The answer was-- + +"We never return fees." + +The Captain then gave instructions for one of his officers to take the +usher off to the Southern Station and lock him up on a charge of +misdemeanour. + +The following morning I was again notified to attend the Police Court. +My counsel, General Barnes, pleaded for a postponement for one week, on +the ground that he was busily engaged in the Sharon case. To this the +prosecuting attorney objected, saying that the outraged public demanded +the speedy settlement of Mapleson, and the case was therefore set for +the following morning. + +When the case was called I was not present, being unavoidably detained +at the bedside of one of my bass singers, who had suddenly died of +pulmonary apoplexy. The deceased, Signor Lombardelli, was a great +favourite in the Company. + +General Barnes, however, appeared, demanding a postponement of the case, +and intimating that a trial by jury would be demanded. + +"If this should be conceded the case will go over until next May or +June," replied the Clerk of the Court, "by which time the accused will +be in Europe." + +He therefore protested against the postponement. The Judge said sternly +that it would not be granted, and the case was therefore set for the +morrow. + +On the following morning I came up to the Police Court, which was +crowded. Police Captain Short was first called for the prosecution, and +testified that the Opera-house was a place of amusement, but that it had +been turned into a place of danger every evening since I had been there. +Stools and standing spectators were in the main passages, and in case of +a panic the consequences would have been most disastrous. Officer +O'Connell testified that on the particular night in question there were +57 people standing in one little passage-way having about a dozen small +folding stools amongst them. I was then placed on the witness stand, +when I stated that I was the manager of the Opera Company, but not of +the theatre. I had simply control of the stage, whilst the manager was +responsible for the auditorium, and had provided me with the delinquent +ushers. The box book-keeper was afterwards placed on the stand, who +swore that I had ordered him to sell one-fifth less tickets than the +manager had stated the house would hold. The defence only desired to +make out the point that I was not the responsible manager. The Judge, +however, decided otherwise, and found me guilty. + +I was to appear the following morning to hear sentence. A heavy fine was +imposed. But it was ultimately reduced to 75 dollars, which the Judge, +evidently a lover of music, consented to take out in opera tickets. + +That evening Patti appeared as "Leonora" in _Il Trovatore_. Standing +room on the church steps opposite the main entrance to the theatre was +again at a great premium, and a force of policemen under Captain Short +was early on duty keeping the vestibule clear of loiterers, and allowing +none but those who intended to witness the opera to be present. + +I will not go into details of the performances either of Signor Nicolini +as "Manrico," or of Patti as "Leonora." The representation was one +unbroken triumph, and, as usual, the stage was piled up with set pieces +and flowers. + +About this time a report was brought to me as to the examination I had +caused to be made of the bogus tickets, which could only be recognized +after being soaked in water, when it appeared that the real ones +consisted of three plies of cardboard and the bogus ones only of two. + +But even after all this explanation, so disappointed and indignant were +those who held the bogus tickets that they insisted, not only upon their +money being returned, of which I had never received a penny, but also on +their travelling and hotel expenses being repaid them. Many had come +hundreds of miles in order to visit the opera. + +Having arranged to give a concert on the following Thursday at the +Pavilion, a large building capable of holding some 8,000 or 9,000 +people, and in order to prevent a recurrence of the scenes I had just +encountered and the daily trouble experienced throughout this +engagement, I resolved to put up the choice of seats to auction. + +The auction took place in the Grand Opera-house, and was attended by +over 500 people, who had first to procure tickets of admission to attend +the sale. A huge diagram was placed on the drop curtain, showing the +seats that were to be sold divided into blocks. The auctioneer, who +occupied the conductor's desk, explained that the whole of the seats +would be placed on sale to the public and that none would be withheld, +the bidders merely to name the premiums they wished to give for the +privilege of purchasing the tickets. The first bidder gave 12s. premium +per seat for the first choice of six seats for the concert, and other +sums varied from 10s. down to 2s. 6d., the premiums alone reaching some +£1,000, in addition to the sale of tickets. + +This plan gave great satisfaction to the public, as whatever advance +they then paid on the ticket went into the manager's pocket instead of +the speculators'. + +When the great concert took place the vast building was nearly full. +Nine thousand persons had paid from one to five dollars each. The rain +meanwhile was coming down in sheets, and several speculators who had +obtained large numbers of tickets were now left out in the cold--and in +the rain--with their purchases. Inside, at the back of the gallery, a +brisk business was done in telescopes, for such was here the distance +from Patti that, though her voice could be clearly heard, her features +could not be seen. + +A subscription was now started for the benefit of the widow of the late +basso, Signor Lombardelli. Patti had contributed 150 dollars, when +Gerster, to show that she was a greater artist, gave 1,000. I +contributed 600; Galassi, Arditi, and the others 100 dollars each. + +The following morning Lombardelli's funeral took place, which caused a +great stir in the city. There was a full choral service; the orchestra +and the whole Opera Company taking part in it, including the principal +artists. Not only was San Francisco in full _fête_ at this extraordinary +funeral, but numbers of the Chinese came down from their city (called +"Chinatown") in order to be present. + +That evening a great reception was given by the San Francisco Verein in +honour of Mdme. Gerster. The guests commenced to arrive early, and the +entertainment was carried on till midnight. It is to be noted that the +night for the compliment to Gerster was that of the Patti concert at the +Pavilion. + +On the following evening Gerster appeared as "Margherita" in _Faust_, +the house being again crowded from floor to ceiling. That same night +Patti's admirers gave a grand ball in her honour at the Margherita Club, +for which 500 invitations were issued. An immense floral bower had been +constructed for the occasion, the sides of the room being beds of choice +flowers and roses in full bloom, while four enormous horse-shoes, all of +flowers, adorned each corner of the room. Suspended from the roof was a +great star with the word "Patti" in electric incandescent burners. + +The Italian Consul, the Russian Consul, and several officers from the +Russian flagship then in San Francisco Bay were present. The Queen of +Song was escorted into the ballroom by Count Brichanteau, the band +playing the "Patti Valse," composed expressly for the occasion by +Arditi. A formal reception was afterwards held by the members of the +Club; and later on a gorgeous supper was served in the Pavilion, which +had been specially erected, decorated with large Italian and Union +flags. Dancing was kept up until an early hour the following morning. + +While the rivalry between Patti and Gerster was at its height it was +made known that General Crittenden, Governor of Missouri, had given +Patti a kiss. Thereupon Mdme. Patti was interviewed, when she spoke as +follows:-- + +"I had just finished singing 'Home, Sweet Home' last Thursday evening, +when a nice-looking old gentleman, who introduced himself as Governor +Crittenden, began congratulating me. All of a sudden he leaned down, put +his arms around me, drew me up to him, and kissed me. He said, 'Madame +Patti, I may never see you again, but I cannot help it;' and before I +knew it he was kissing me. When a gentleman, and such a nice old +gentleman, too, and a Governor of a great State, kisses one so quick +that one has not time to see and no time to object, what can one do?" + +The following dialogue on the subject between Mdme. Gerster and a +reporter who had interviewed her was afterwards published:-- + +"THAT PATTI KISS." + +MODEST REPORTER: "I suppose, Mdme. Gerster, you have heard about that +kissing affair between Governor Crittenden and Patti?" + +Mdme. GERSTER: "I have heard that Governor Crittenden kissed Patti +before she had time to resist; but I don't see anything in that to +create so much fuss." + +REPORTER (interrogatively): "You don't?" + +GERSTER: "Certainly not! There is nothing wrong in a man kissing a woman +old enough to be his mother." + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +LUNCHEON ON H.M.S. "TRIUMPH"--OPERA AUCTION--CONCERT AT MORMON +TABERNACLE--RETURN TO NEW YORK--RETURN TO EUROPE--SHERIFFS IN THE +ACADEMY--I DEPART IN PEACE. + + +I now received an invitation from the Admiral commanding Her Britannic +Majesty's Pacific Squadron, whose flag-ship, the _Triumph_, had entered +the bay. Several of my leading artists were also invited. The steam +pinnace was sent on shore to take us on board. After visiting the ship +and receiving all possible courtesies from the officers, we entered the +grand saloon, in which an elegant _déjeuner_ had been prepared, +comprising all the delicacies of the season. We had scarcely begun our +repast when an ominous whisper was passed by one of the officers to the +captain of the ship to the effect that most of the band had deserted to +go and play for Mapleson, who had offered them £12 a week each, and it +was therefore impossible that any music could be given during the +luncheon. Not even "God Save the Queen" could be played. The captain, in +lieu of communicating this to the admiral, informed me of it privately. +I thereupon expressed my surprise, as I had heard nothing about it, and +I further gave my word that I would never permit one of the musicians +who had deserted to take part in any performance at my theatre. + +With this the captain was satisfied. It was rather hard lines to see the +men on shore who had deserted the ship, and yet be unable to send a +boat's crew to bring them back, after the many months of labour that had +been spent in instructing them. + +As the opera business kept on increasing, I determined to give an extra +week in San Francisco, and to put up the privilege of purchasing seats +to auction. Considerable doubt was felt, however, as to the probable +result of this venture, and many declared that their purses and patience +had been so thoroughly exhausted by the enormous drain of the past two +weeks that I had but slender chance of continued patronage for so +high-priced an entertainment. + +I will, however, describe the sale. At twelve a.m. I opened the doors of +the theatre, admission tickets being required to admit the purchasers, +so as to keep out the rougher element, as well as the "scalpers." The +auctioneer notified that the choice of every single seat in the house +would be offered on sale. Upon the drop curtain were colossal diagrams +of the different portions of the house, and as fast as each seat was +sold it was erased by the auctioneer's assistant, who was in the +orchestra with a fishing rod and black paint, with which he crossed off +from the diagram each seat as it was sold. + +The bids made were for choice of seat and were in addition to the +regular price of the tickets. + +The arrangements were most satisfactory. I had no representative present +to guard my interests, but left all to the auctioneer and the public. +The proscenium boxes reached 240 dollars premium for the five nights, on +three of which I guaranteed that Gerster would sing, whilst Patti would +sing on the other two. + +Boxes were sold all round the house at an average of 120 dollars +premium, each purchaser calling out from the auditorium the seat he +would prefer, which was accordingly marked off, and a ticket handed to +him by which he could obtain the seat selected on payment at the box +office. Numbers of speculators somehow or another got mixed up with the +public, and thus obtained sundry tickets. The premiums for the five +nights reached £3,000. + +Nothing but standing room and the gallery was left for the paying +public. Notwithstanding this, the line I have already told the reader of +still existed, and was as long as ever. This I could not account for, +and on inquiry I found that numbers who had placed themselves in line +never intended purchasing tickets, but waited there only for the +purpose of selling their places. An order was thereupon issued by the +police calling upon those nearest the office to produce their money to +show that they were _bonâ-fide_ purchasers. Those who could not do so +were immediately removed. This difficulty, however, was met by some +enterprising Jews, who lent out money for the day, simply that it might +be shown to the police. + +Friday was selected for the benefit and farewell of Gerster in _L'Elisir +d'Amore_. Patti had chosen for her benefit _La Traviata_; which, +however, was changed at the request of some 500 people, who signed a +petition requesting me to substitute _Crispino_. + +Whilst occupied one morning in my room on the fourth story at the Palace +Hotel, counting with my treasurers several thousands of pounds, the +atmosphere suddenly became dark. A sort of wind was blowing round the +apartment, and my senses seemed to be leaving me. I could not make out +what it was. The Hotel rocked three inches one way and then three inches +another; the plates and knives and forks jumping off on to the floor, +whilst my money was rolling in all parts of the room. I made a rush for +the door, and then for the street, realizing now that there was an +earthquake. Although it lasted but ten seconds the time appeared at +least half an hour. On leaving the hotel I met the landlord. + +"Don't be frightened," he said. + +"Well, but I am." + +"Nonsense! My hotel is earthquake-proof as well as fire-proof," he said, +handing me a card, on which I found this inscribed: "_The Palace Hotel. +Fire-proof and earthquake-proof._" + +He afterwards explained to me that everything employed in the +construction of the building was either wood or iron, no plaster or +stone being used. Indeed, although this hotel is six stories high, with +open corridors looking into the main courtyard the length of the entire +building, it is wound round the exterior with no less than four miles of +malleable iron bands. The proprietor, Mr. Sharon, said it might move +into another street, but could not fall down. + +To such an extent had Patti's superstitious feeling with regard to +Gerster been developed that she at once ascribed the earthquake to +Gerster's evil influence. It was not merely a malicious idea of hers, +but a serious belief. + +Meanwhile money was no consideration to those amateurs who had it. +Tickets were gold. They were seized with avidity apart from any question +about price. Hundreds were content to wait throughout the night, with +money in their hands, to ensure the possession of even standing room, +whilst thousands who, in their impecuniosity, could not hope to cross +the threshold of the musical Valhalla, where Patti and Gerster were the +divinities presiding, thronged the side walks, and gazed longingly at +the dumb walls of the theatre, and the crowd of idolaters pouring in to +worship. + +At eight o'clock a.m. a second line of enthusiasts began to occupy the +centre of the road leading to the Grand Opera, although the doors were +not to be thrown open until six hours afterwards. A line was formed down +Mission and Third Street, extending almost to Market Street. Ticket +speculators passed up and down the line, and did a brisk business, +tickets in some instances reaching £20 apiece. + +Captain Short again arrived with 60 extra policemen, but he was pushed +out with all his men, the crowd quite overpowering them. The 17 nights' +performances produced £40,000. The receipts of the first Patti night did +not fall far short of £5,000. + +On the morning of our departure from San Francisco four young men were +arrested, charged with the wholesale forgery of opera tickets. They had +issued 60 bogus tickets for the opening night alone, and this caused all +the confusion and wrangling. They were proved to have made a purchase of +printer's ink, and to have bought one Patti ticket as a model, from +which they had copied the remainder. They were duly convicted. + +We left San Francisco late that evening, being accompanied by Mr. de +Young, the proprietor of the leading newspaper, and his charming wife, +and we arrived in due course at Salt Lake City on Tuesday evening, where +Mdme. Patti dressed in her own railway car, which afterwards conveyed +her to the concert. At the end of the concert she returned to the car, +where a magnificent supper had been prepared for her, and the train then +started for the East. + +Meanwhile, the Mormons had been enthusiastic at the idea of their +magnificent Tabernacle echoing with the tones of Adelina Patti. +President Taylor, the Prophet of the Mormon Church, assisted in the +preparations made to receive the great songstress. A special line of +railway had been laid down from the regular main line of Salt Lake City +to the Tabernacle, and on it the special train ran without a hitch up to +the very door of the building. Upwards of 14,000 people were present, +the event being considered one of extraordinary importance throughout +the whole of Utah territory; and the proceeds amounted to nearly £5,000. + +We left Salt Lake city after the concert about 1 a.m., and reached Omaha +on the following Friday, when Mdme. Gerster appeared as "Lucia di +Lammermoor." The train consisted as usual of four baggage cars, four +coaches for the principals, four coaches for the chorus and orchestra, +four sleeping cars, including the extra boudoir cars, _La Traviata_, _La +Sonnambula_, and _Semiramide_, also the _Lycoming_, my own private car, +followed by the car of Adelina Patti. The inhabitants were struck by the +elegant style and finish of our equipment, and as the train rolled into +the station curious crowds came to look at it, and also to catch a +glimpse of the two leading stars, Adelina Patti and Etelka Gerster. + +Several artists who had to perform that evening left for the town. Mdme. +Patti went for a drive with Nicolini. During her absence a limited +number of notabilities were allowed to inspect her car, which had cost +£12,000. It was without doubt the most superb and tasteful coach on +wheels anywhere in the world. The curtains were of heavy silk damask, +the walls and ceilings covered with gilded tapestry, the lamps of rolled +gold, the furniture throughout upholstered with silk damask of the most +beautiful material. The drawing-room was of white and gold, and the +ceiling displayed several figures painted by Parisian artists of +eminence. The woodwork was sandal wood, of which likewise was the casing +of a magnificent Steinway piano, which alone had cost 2,000 dollars. +There were several panel oil paintings in the drawing-room, the work of +Italian artists. The bath, which was fitted for hot and cold water, was +made of solid silver. The key of the outer door was of 18-carat gold. + +On Patti's being interviewed she spoke with unbounded enthusiasm of her +trip to California, and expressed at the same time a wish to sing in +Omaha the following year. One of the most constant companions of the +_Diva_ is the famous, world-renowned parrot, which has mastered several +words and sentences in French and English. On Patti whistling a +particular tune, the bird imitates her exactly. The reporter wished for +its biography, and asked whether it was true that whenever Mapleson +entered the car the bird cried out: "Cash, cash!" The parrot had really +acquired this disagreeable habit. + +That evening Mdme. Patti attended the opera, and received a perfect +ovation. At the close of the performance the whole Company started for +Chicago, which we reached the following Sunday, when I received +telegraphic news of the sad state Cincinnati was in. The riots had +assumed terrible proportions, the streets were full of barricades, the +gaol had been burned down by petroleum, and the prisoners released from +it; whilst absolute fighting was taking place in the streets, and +numbers had been killed or wounded. + +According to the pictures sent me in an illustrated paper, the militia +were firing upon the populace; the Court House had been destroyed by +fire, as well as the gaol; and the struggle had already been on for over +three days. I therefore telegraphed at once to Fennessy, at Cincinnati, +the impossibility of my coming there, the singers one and all objecting +to move. + +To my great regret I was obliged to cancel my Cincinnati engagement, and +we started our train in the direction of New York. On the succeeding +Monday we opened the season, during which we produced _Romeo and +Juliet_, with Patti and Nicolini, and gave performances of _Elisir +d'Amore_, followed by _Semiramide_, in which I was glad to be able to +reinstate Scalchi as "Arsace." She having been thrown out of her +engagement by the collapse of Mr. Abbey, I readily re-engaged her, not +only for that year, but also for the year following. + +Mdme. Patti afterwards sailed for Europe, leaving by the _Oregon_, which +was to start early on the Saturday morning. She decided to go on board +the day previously, but as it was Friday she drove about the city until +the clock struck twelve before she would embark. The following day I +shipped off the remainder of my Company. + +I myself was compelled to remain behind in consequence of a deal of +trouble which was then gathering, and which began by the attachment of +the whole of the Patti benefit receipts at the suit of the Bank of the +Metropolis. This bank had discounted a joint note of guarantee which the +stockholders of the Academy of Music had given me early in the season to +enable me to defeat the rival house, which I succeeded in doing. + +My losses during the New York season having exceeded £1,200 a week, I +was compelled to draw the maximum amount authorized. Nothing at the time +was said about my repaying any portion of the money, although I felt +morally bound, in case of success, to do so. The stockholders had really +acted for the preservation of their own property, my own means having +been already swamped in the undertaking. I worked as economically as I +possibly could to achieve the purpose for which their assistance had +been given; and, in fact, drew some £800 less than I was entitled to. +Judge, therefore, of my surprise when I learned of their harsh course of +proceedings, beginning with what appeared to be the repudiation of their +own signatures. + +The Secretary having requested my attendance before the Directors, it +had been hinted to me by friends that I was to be invited to a banquet +at Delmonico's in recognition of the energy and skill with which, +through unheard-of difficulties, I had at last conducted my season to a +successful issue. All, however, that the Secretary had to say to me was +that unless I immediately took up my guarantors' joint note seizure +would be made on the whole of my worldly belongings. + +Just at this time most advantageous offers were made to me from the +rival Opera-house, then without a manager. But as I still had an +agreement with the Academy, I did not enter into the negotiation, +explaining my inability to do so, and at the same time relying fully on +the justice and liberality of my own Directors and stockholders. + +I felt sadly injured at their sending the Sheriff in on the very night +of Patti's benefit to lay hands on all my receipts in order to squeeze +the guarantee money out of me. + +The next day Sheriff Aaron and his satellites took entire charge of the +Academy. They commenced by unhanging all my scenery, and it was only +with difficulty that I got permission to remove a small writing desk +containing a few sheets of paper and half-a-dozen postage stamps. In +vain did I remonstrate with the Directors, urging that if they were +dissatisfied with my management they could easily set me at liberty from +my next year's lease, which would be a great saving to them, inasmuch as +by its terms they had to find the theatre for me free, and pay all the +gas, service, and other expenses. All my approaches were met with +silence, and I was again obliged to decline the tempting offer from the +rival theatre, at which I should have had the use of the magnificent +house and a very heavy subsidy to boot. + +As the Metropolitan Opera Directors could wait no longer, they now +opened negotiations with Mr. Gye. + +In the meantime the myrmidons of the law, assisted by my regular +scene-shifters and carpenters, set to work removing everything into the +Nilsson Hall adjoining the Academy, of which I held the lease, whilst +other assistants made out an inventory. As there were hundreds of scenes +and thousands of dresses, the work continued for many days. + +I met shortly afterwards one of the most prominent men of the Academy +Board of Directors, who informed me that the Bank had not made +application to him, nor, in fact, to any of his friends who had +guaranteed the payment of the advance made on their joint bond; and he +urged me to insist upon the Bank's making direct application to the +signatories of the documents before proceeding to such extremities. + +At length I induced the Bank to make the application suggested, and I +must say that all the gentlemen punctually paid up. I afterwards +ascertained that the trouble had been caused by two individuals who were +unwilling to honour their own signatures. All this turmoil and fuss, +however, had given new encouragement to the rival directors, who on +learning of all the bother, and finding that I could not obtain my +release from the Academy, prosecuted their negotiations with Mr. Gye to +manage their Opera-house. + +It was not until the third week in May that I was able to take my +departure from New York. Some three or four hundred people met me at the +wharf on my leaving. On the table in the saloons of the steamer were the +most gorgeous flower devices sent by my friends of New York, +Philadelphia, and Boston. One piece was five feet in height; another +consisted of a large crown of roses supported on four rounded arms of +metal, covered with vines and blossoms holding an inscription in the +centre: "J. H. M., the Invincible," worked in forget-me-nots on a +background of red and white carnations. In fact, such magnificent +tributes had scarcely ever been offered even to my prime donne. + +A tug followed the steamer up the bay with a band of music on board; +and, to tell the truth, I was very glad to get out of the place in order +that I might have a little relaxation. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA LIQUIDATES--GETTING PATTI OFF THE SHIP--HENRY WARD +BEECHER'S CIDER--PATTI'S SILVER WEDDING--A PATTI PROGRAMME OF 1855--A +BLACK CONCERT. + + +After my departure the Directors of the Metropolitan Opera-house, +convinced that they could make no arrangement with me in consequence of +my engagement with the Directors of the Academy, which had still a year +to run, took further steps towards securing Mr. Gye as manager; and it +was proposed that he should open his season at the new theatre on +November 10th, to continue for thirteen weeks. The negotiations were +conducted on his behalf by his agent, Mr. Lavine. The stockholders of +the Metropolitan Opera reserving seventy of the best boxes for +themselves, Mr. Gye was to have the house rent free, together with a +guarantee against loss, and £200 for each performance. This sum was +ultimately raised to £300 for each performance. + +Seeing another opera looming in the distance, I at once set to work by +re-engaging Mdme. Adelina Patti on her own terms of £1,000 a night; +likewise Mdme. Scalchi, Galassi, and Arditi, thus forming a very strong +nucleus to start with. I afterwards learned that Gye had been making +overtures to Mdme. Patti, Galassi, and others; but fortunately they had +already signed contracts with me. + +The Metropolitan Directors next dispatched their able attorney, George +L. Rives, to Europe for the purpose of completing the arrangements with +Gye. + +Shortly after my return to London I learned that the Royal Italian +Opera, Limited, had gone into liquidation. This, of course, snuffed out +at once Gye's contract with the Metropolitan Opera Directors, who being +now left without an impresario contemplated diverting the grand building +to other purposes. They ultimately, however, resolved to try a German +Opera rather than have no Opera at all, and they dispatched their +energetic secretary, Mr. Stanton, to Europe for the purpose of engaging +artists, Dr. Damrosch being appointed orchestral conductor. + +During the summer months I visited various parts of the Continent for +the purpose of obtaining the best talent I could find for the coming +contest. Various meetings were held by my Academy stockholders in New +York when they at length began to realize the justice of my demands for +assistance, as it could not be expected that 200 of the best seats, for +which no payment whatever was to be made, should be occupied for +listening to Mdme. Patti, who was receiving £1,000 a night. After +various meetings, a resolution was passed by which they agreed to give +me a nightly assessment of four dollars a seat for the proscenium boxes, +three for the other boxes, and two for the seats elsewhere, which during +my season it was estimated by them would produce some £6,000; and a +cable was sent me to that effect in order to obviate the trouble we had +all fallen into in the previous year. At the same time the Directors +passed a resolution to keep the theatre closed in case I did not accept +their promised support. + +About this time a young singer named Emma Nevada was attracting +considerable attention in Europe, and after some difficulty I succeeded +in adding her name to my already powerful list, which, however, did not +include that of Madame Christine Nilsson, as I had contemplated; that +lady having cried off at the last moment without any valid reason, after +I had accepted all her conditions. + +In due course the New York prospectus was issued, and a very fine +subscription was the result, the demand for boxes being particularly +brisk. + +We sailed from Liverpool, and arrived in New York on the 1st November. I +had a few hours only to give preliminary instruction regarding the +commencement of my season when a telegram arrived to the effect that +the _Oregon_, with Mdme. Patti on board, had been sighted off Fire +Island. + +I at once ordered the military band to go down to the _Blackbird_; but +as no further telegram reached me from Sandy Hook they went on shore for +beer. It was late in the evening when the expected telegram arrived, and +the vessel had to start immediately. The only musicians I had now on +board wherewith to serenade Patti were a clarinet, a trombone, and a big +drum. + +Stretched from mast to mast was a huge tarpaulin with the word +"Welcome!" on both sides, in letters three feet long. In the lower bay +of quarantine I met the _Oregon_, and as my steamer came alongside a +small group appeared, and I at once recognized Patti. Handkerchiefs were +waved, and three cheers given by my friends on board the _Blackbird_. We +had a ladder with us which just reached from the top of our paddle-box +to about two feet below the sides of the vessel. I was on the point of +clambering up when the captain shrieked out-- + +"Patti cannot be taken out to-night without a permission from the +health-officer." + +I at once tendered a permit I had obtained from the barge office, +allowing Patti to go on shore. I passed it to the captain, who, on +reading it, said-- + +"That is all right, but the health-officer must give me a permit before +I will let her out of the ship." + +I, therefore, had to steam my vessel to quarantine, and it was nearly +two hours before I could find health-officer Smith, through whose kind +assistance I obtained a permit to take Patti off the ship. On my +returning the whole of the passengers gave three hearty cheers as Patti +was let over the side into my boat, followed by Nicolini, the maid, the +parrot, and the diamonds. + +Mdme. Patti, Nicolini, the maid, the parrot, and the diamonds duly +arrived at the Windsor Hotel that evening, and the chief of the party +was, of course, interviewed forthwith as to how she had passed the +previous summer. + +"Delightfully," was the _Diva's_ reply. "We had lots of Americans +stopping with us at my Castle, and the place grows dearer and dearer to +me every year." + +She was very much grieved to hear of poor Brignoli's death, which had +occurred the previous day, and she sent a magnificent wreath to be +placed on his coffin. I attended the funeral on behalf of my Company. + +When the arrival of Patti became known in New York great excitement +prevailed. The day afterwards the steamship _Lessing_ arrived from +Hamburg with an entire German Company for the Metropolitan Opera-house. +I now felt quite at my ease, having no anxiety whatever as to the result +of their season. + +I opened brilliantly on the Monday following the arrival of Patti, with +her inimitable performance of "Rosina" in _Il Barbiere_. + +On Sunday I was invited by Henry Ward Beecher to visit Plymouth Church, +at Brooklyn. On this occasion a number of railway guards and pointsmen +had been asked; and never shall I forget the sermon he preached to them. +It was magnificent, and in every way impressive. At the conclusion of +the service I was invited to Mr. Beecher's house to luncheon, where +there were some twenty of his relations and intimate friends present. + +As the water came round he may possibly have observed a distressed look +on my countenance. But certain it is that within a few minutes +afterwards he said he thought he had a bottle of cider which I might +prefer to the beverage then before us; and, although it was labelled +cider, I discovered that the bottle contained something resembling +excellent old "Pommery _sec_." + +Two nights afterwards I invited him to my box at the opera, scarcely +hoping that he would come; but shortly after the overture had commenced +I was surprised to find him sitting at my side. He remained there all +that evening, the eye of every one in the audience being fixed upon him. + +Shortly afterwards my new prima donna, Mdlle. Emma Nevada, arrived, and +in due course made her first appearance, in _La Sonnambula_, when a +remarkable scene occurred. At the close of the performance the audience, +instead of rushing to the doors as usual, remained, rose to their feet, +and called the prima donna three times before the curtain. + +This was followed by a production of Gounod's _Mirella_, in which Emma +Nevada again appeared with brilliant success; and afterwards by _La +Gazza Ladra_, with Patti and Scalchi in the leading _rôles_. + +On the 24th November, it being the 25th anniversary of Patti's first +appearance at the New York Academy of Music, great preparations were +made for the purpose of celebrating her silver wedding with the New York +operatic stage. + +The opera selected for the occasion was _Lucia di Lammermoor_, being the +same work in which she had appeared exactly 25 years previously on the +Academy boards. Patti's first "Edgardo," Signor Brignoli, was to have +appeared with her. But his sudden death necessitated an alteration of +the original programme, and it was decided to give an opera which the +_Diva_ had never sung in America, namely, _Martha_. + +The following account of Patti's _début_, which appeared in the New York +Herald, of November 25th, 1859, will be read with interest:-- + + "DÉBUT OF MISS PATTI. + +"A young lady, not yet seventeen, almost an American by birth, having +arrived here when an infant, belonging to an Italian family which has +been fruitful of good artists, sang last night the favourite _rôle_ of +_débutantes_, 'Lucia di Lammermoor.' + +"Whether it is from the natural sympathy with the forlorn _fiancée_ of +the Master of Ravenswood which is infused into the female breast with +Donizetti's tender music, or from a clever inspiration that to be +unhappy and pretty is a sure passport to the affections of an audience, +we cannot say. Certain it is, however, that the aspirants for the +ovations, the triumphs, the glories, that await a successful prima donna +almost always select this opera for their preliminary dash at the +laurels. The music affords a fine opportunity to show the quality and +cultivation of the soprano voice, and it is so familiar as to provoke +comparison with first-rate artists, and provoke the severest criticisms +by the most rigid recognized tests. + +"All these were duly and thoroughly applied to Miss Adelina Patti a day +or two since by a very critical audience at what was called a show +rehearsal. It was then ascertained that Miss Patti had a fine voice, and +that she knew how to sing. The artists and amateurs were in raptures. +This was a certificate to the public, who do not nowadays put their +faith in managers' announcements, unless they are endorsed. With an +off-night and an opera worn to bits, the public interest in Miss Patti's +_début_ was so great as to bring together a very large audience, rather +more popular than usual, but still numbering the best-known _habitués_ +and most critical amateurs. The _débutante_ was received politely but +cordially--an indication that there was not a strong claque, which was +a relief. Her appearance was that of a very young lady, _petite_ and +interesting, with just a tinge of schoolroom in her manner. She was +apparently self-possessed, but not self-assured. + +"After the first few bars of recitative, she launched boldly into the +cavatina--one of the most difficult pieces of the opera. This she sang +perfectly, displaying a thorough Italian method and a high soprano +voice, fresh and full and even throughout. In the succeeding cabaletta, +which was brilliantly executed, Miss Patti took the high note E flat, +above the line, with the greatest ease. In this cabaletta we noticed a +tendency to show off vocal gifts which may be just a little out of +place. The introduction of variations not written by the composer is +only pardonable in an artist who has already assured her position. In +the duet with the tenor (Brignoli) and with the baritone (Ferri), and +the mad scene, Miss Patti sang with sympathetic tenderness--a rare gift +in one so young--and increased the enthusiasm of the audience to a +positive _furore_, which was demonstrated in the usual way--recalls, +bouquets, wreaths, etc., etc. The horticultural business was more +extensive than usual. + +"Of course we speak to-day only of Miss Patti's qualifications as a +singer. Acting she has yet to learn; but artists, like poets, are born, +not made. The mere _convenances_ of the stage will come of themselves. +She is already pretty well acquainted with them. So far as her voice, +skill, method, and execution are concerned, we are simply recording the +unanimous opinion of the public when we pronounce the _début_ of Miss +Patti a grand success. + +"Everyone predicts a career for this young artist, and who knows but the +managers may find in her their long-looked-for sensation?" + +On repeating the character two days afterwards, said the same paper, +"the prima donna was twice called before the curtain, and the stage was +literally covered with the flowers thrown before her. The success of +this artist, educated and reared amongst us, with all the vocal gifts of +an Italian, and all the cleverness of a Yankee girl, is made. Everybody +talked of her, wondering who and what she is, where she has been, and so +on. + +"She was brought out at the Academy to save the season. The manager had +a good Company, plenty of fine artists, everything required for fine +performances, but the great outside public, always thirsting for +something new, wanted a sensation. + +"They have it in 'Little Patti,' who not only pleases the connoisseurs +and is the special favourite of the fair, but who has all the material +for a great popular pet." + +The jubilee performance was a brilliant success. At the close of the +opera, after the usual number of recalls, accompanied by bouquets, etc., +the curtain rose, and at the rear of the stage was an immense American +eagle about to soar, beneath which was the word "Patti," and over it +"1859-1884." The band of the 7th Regiment approached the footlights, +and the musicians played a march that Cappa, the bandmaster, had +composed in honour of Mdme. Patti twenty-five years before. Patti walked +up to him, and said, with a choking voice: "I thank you for your +kindness from the bottom of my heart." + +She was afterwards recalled innumerable times, and on reappearing she +brought on with her Mdme. Scalchi. At the close of the opera a carriage +with four milk-white steeds which I had arranged for was standing to +convey its precious burthen to her hotel. Following this we had 100 +torch-bearers, for the most part admirers and supporters of the opera. +Mounted police were on each side of Patti's carriage. At the end of the +procession was a waggon full of people letting off Roman candles and +large basins of powder, which, when ignited, made the streets and sky +look most brilliant. The route was up Broadway to Twenty-third Street, +and thence up Madison Avenue to Patti's hotel. + +I on this occasion was to have taken the command of the troops as +brigadier. My horse, however, never reached me. It was found impossible +to get it through the crowd. This did not prevent the illustrated papers +from representing me on horseback, and in a highly military attitude. + +Later on two other bands arrived, and took their stations under Patti's +windows. This terminated the festivities in honour of the twenty-fifth +anniversary of her first appearance on the American operatic stage. + +I may here mention that, as a matter of fact, Adelina Patti did not make +her first appearance on the American stage in 1859. I find, too, that +she sang at Niblo's Saloon in 1855, and subjoin the programme of one of +her concerts given in that year:-- + + GRAND VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL CONCERT, + IN AID OF THE + _Hebrew Benevolent Societies_, + AT NIBLO'S SALOON, + On Tuesday Evening, Feb. 27th, 1855. + + * * * + +The management announces that MRS. STUART, in consequence of the severe +indisposition of her mother, will not be able to fulfil her engagement +this evening; also, that MME. COMETANT cannot appear in consequence of +her severe indisposition. The management have much pleasure in +announcing that the services + + of + SIGNORINA ADELINA PATTI + +Have been secured, in connection with whom the following + artistes have volunteered:-- + + SIGNOR BERNARDI, + SIGNOR RAPETTI, + HERR CHARLES WELS, + T. FRANKLIN BASSFORD, + MR. SANDERSON. + + * * * + + PROGRAMME: + + PART FIRST. + +1 Grand Duet, on "William Tell," Piano and Violin--Mr. Rapetti +and Mr. Wels _Osborne_ and _De Beriot_ + +2 Grand Cavatina, of Norma, Casta Diva--Signa. Adelina Patti _Bellini_ + +3 "La Chasse du jeune Henri," Overture for Piano--Mr. Bassford _Gottschalk_ + +4 Aria, from "Don Sebastian"--Sig. Bernardi _Donizetti_ + +5 Ballad, "Home, Sweet Home"--Signa. Adelina Patti _Bishop_ + +6 Grand Duo concertando on airs of "Norma," for Two Pianos--Messrs. +Wels and Bassford _Wels_ + + * * * + + PART SECOND. + +1 "Coronation March," from the Prophet, arranged and performed +by Mr. Sanderson, his First Appearance in public _Meyerbeer_ + +2 Aria, from the Opera _Le Châlet_--Sig. Bernardi _Adam_ + +3 {a. The Eolian Harp} Composed and performed by _C. Wels_ + {b. Triumphal March} + +4 Jenny Lind's Echo Song--Signa. Adelina Patti _Eckert_ + +5 Violin Solo, from _La Sonnambula_ _Sig. Rapetti_ + +6 Grand Fantasia, for Two Pianos, performed by Messrs. Bassford +and Wels, composed by _T. Franklin Bassford_ + + * * * + +Conductor Mr. Charles Wels. + + * * * + +The Two Grand Prize Pianos, used on this occasion, are from +the Music Stores of Messrs. Bassford and Brower, and are for sale +at 603, Broadway. + + Doors open at 7 o'clock. To commence at 8 o'clock. + + TICKETS ONE DOLLAR + +To be had at the Music Store of Messrs. Hall and Son, Bassford +and Brower, 603, Broadway, and Scharfenberg and Louis, and at +the door. + +Going still further back, I may add that Adelina Patti made her very +first appearance on the operatic stage in 1850, at Tripler's Hall, New +York; where she sang and acted both. She was seven years old at the +time. + +The season continued until the latter part of December. + +On my applying to the Academy Directors for an instalment of the £6,000 +which had been promised me in accordance with the assessment made, I was +informed by the Secretary that the assessment would only be allowed to +me on Patti nights. This reduced my £6,000 by three-fourths, I having +based my calculations on the amount that had been cabled to me. I in no +way blame the stockholders, who had been most heavily assessed, and had +paid up without a murmur. Some three-fourths of their contributions had +been used for other purposes, including the decoration of the theatre. + +Finding the President of the Academy Directors obdurate, I at once +announced the farewell performances of Mdme. Adelina Patti, and shortly +afterwards made arrangements for her appearance, together with that of +the whole Company, at Boston, where I opened towards the close of +December, glad, indeed, to get away from the Academy. + +Our success in Boston was very great. Amongst the productions was +Gounod's _Mirella_, in which Nevada, Scalchi, De Anna, and other artists +appeared. Afterwards, of course, came _Semiramide_, with Patti and +Scalchi; one of our surest cards. + +We remained at Boston two weeks, concluding, what was then supposed to +be Patti's positive farewell to the Bostonians, with a magnificent +performance of _Linda di Chamouni_. + +At the conclusion of a representation of _Mirella_ given the following +morning we started for Philadelphia, where we had a very remunerative +season, the house being crowded nightly to the ceiling. + +The American theatres are much better kept than ours. They are dusted +and cleaned every day, so that a lady in America can go to the play or +to the opera without the least danger of getting her dress spoiled; +which in England, if the dress be of delicate material, she scarcely can +do. The American theatres, moreover, are beautifully warmed during the +winter months; so that the risk of bronchitis and inflammation of the +lungs to which the enterprising theatre-goers of our own country are +exposed has in the United States no existence. + +Apart from the risk of getting her dress injured by dirt or dust, a lady +has no inducement to wear a handsome _toilette_ at a London Opera-house, +where the high-fronted boxes with their ridiculous curtains prevent the +dresses from being seen. At the American Opera-houses the boxes are not +constructed in the Italian, but in the French style. They are open in +front, that is to say, so that those who occupy them can not only see, +but be seen. As for the curtains, they are neither a French nor an +Italian, but exclusively an English peculiarity. What possible use can +they serve? They have absolutely no effect but to deaden the sound. + +An interesting feature in every American Opera-house is the young +ladies' box--a sort of omnibus box to which young ladies alone +subscribe. The gentlemen who are privileged to visit them in the course +of the evening are also allowed full liberty to supply them with +bouquets, which are always of the most delicate and most expensive +kind--costing in winter from £4 to £5 a-piece. The front of the young +ladies' box is kept constantly furnished with the most beautiful flowers +that love can suggest or money buy; and if, as it frequently does, it +occurs to one or more of the young ladies to throw a few of the bouquets +to the singers on the stage, their friends and admirers are expected at +once to fill up the gaps. + +Whilst at Philadelphia the head-waiter of the hotel informed me that a +very grand concert was to take place, for which it was difficult to +obtain tickets, but that a prima donna would sing there whom he +considered worthy of my attention. In due course he got me a ticket, and +I attended the concert, which was held in one of the extreme quarters of +the city. On entering I was quite surprised to find an audience of some +1,500 or 2,000, who were all black, I being the only white man present. +I must say I was amply repaid for the trouble I had taken, as the music +was all of the first order. + +In the course of the concert the prima donna appeared, gorgeously +attired in a white satin dress, with feathers in her hair, and a +magnificent diamond necklace and earrings. She moreover wore white kid +gloves, which nearly went to the full extent of her arm, leaving but a +small space of some four inches between her sleeve and the top of her +glove. Her skin being black, formed, of course, an extraordinary +contrast with the white kid. + +She sang the Shadow Song from _Dinorah_ delightfully, and in reply to a +general encore gave the valse from the _Romeo and Juliet_ of Gounod. In +fact no better singing have I heard. The prima donna rejoiced in the +name of Mdlle. Selika. Shortly afterwards a young baritone appeared and +sang the "Bellringer," so as to remind me forcibly of Santley in his +best days. I immediately resolved upon offering him an engagement to +appear at the Opera-house in London as "Renato" in _Un Ballo in +Maschera_, whom Verdi, in one version of the opera, intended to be a +coloured man; afterwards to perform "Nelusko" in _L'Africaine_, and +"Amonasro" in _Aida_. Feeling certain of his success, I intended +painting him white for the other operas. + +After some negotiation I was unable to complete the arrangement. He +preferred to remain a star where he was. + +After the final performance of our Philadelphia engagement we started at +about 3 a.m. with the whole Company for New Orleans, our special train +being timed to reach that city by the following Sunday. On arriving at +Louisville the gauge was broken, and the track became narrow gauge, +which necessitated the slinging of every one of my grand carriages to +have new trollies put under them to fit the smaller gauge. This was so +skilfully managed whilst the artists were asleep that they were unaware +of the operation. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +PANIC AT NEW ORLEANS--THERMOMETER FALLS 105 DEGREES--BANQUET AT +CHICAGO--THE COUNT DI LUNA AT MARKET--COFFEE JOHN--AN AMERICAN GEORGE +ROBINS--MY UNDERTAKER. + + +On getting down to New Orleans we found a great change in the +temperature, and although it was the month of January the thermometer +stood at about 75°. It had been raining exactly six weeks prior to our +arrival, and only ceased as our train went in, fine weather immediately +afterwards making its appearance. + +Our opening opera was _La Sonnambula_ with Nevada, which was followed by +_La Traviata_ with Mdme. Patti. Prior to the last act a panic was caused +in the theatre by the falling of some plaster from the front of the +dress circle. Someone near the exit to the stalls shouted "Fire," a cry +which was repeated by numbers of men in the lobby. Consternation was +seen in the faces of the audience, and a general rush was made for the +doors. The situation was serious in the extreme; but the presence of +mind of some gentlemen present, aided by the equal coolness of several +ladies, had the effect of allaying the general fright. + +Many ladies, on the other hand, fainted from excitement, whilst numbers +of persons left the theatre, so that the last act was given with a very +bare house. + +"A great deal of excitement," wrote a local journal, "was manifested in +the street, and rumour magnified the incident. It took the shape of a +fearful accident in the minds of some people, and it was some time +before the public was assured that no damage had resulted to life or +limb. One young lady fainted as she was about to enter her carriage in +front of the theatre. She fell to the side walk, slightly cutting her +mouth, and was unconscious for a few minutes. With the assistance of Dr. +Joseph Scott, her friends succeeded in reviving her, and she was placed +in a carriage and driven home. Mr. David Bidwell was this morning waited +upon by the _Item_ reporter, who informed him of the many rumours +regarding the safety of the St. Charles Theatre. Mr. Bidwell said: 'The +whole trouble comes from the fall of a small piece of plastering, three +feet long by one foot and a half wide, in the left part of the theatre, +back to the _parquette_ seats. The plastering at that place had been +disturbed during the Kiralfy engagement by the moving out of some +scenery. I had the spot repaired during the wet weather, and, from the +dampness, the plastering did not hold. As regards the solidity of the +theatre, you can state that it is the strongest building of its kind; +the walls are in places four feet thick. Everything inside is sound and +substantial, having been recently repaired and renovated. Mr. William +Freret, the architect, has just been in here, and made a thorough +inspection. He finds everything in first-class condition, and sound as +can be. The public should not give credence to silly rumours, but listen +to the voice of common sense and reason, and accept this satisfactory +explanation.'" + +The City Surveyor, with various architects, visited the theatre the +following day to report; but all certified that the building was solid, +and that probably the stamping of so many feet in applauding Patti had +caused the fall of the plaster. However it may have been, my receipts +being so considerably injured, I was compelled, after paying damages to +the manager for not completing the engagement, to remove the Company and +rent the Grand French Opera-house for the ensuing week. When my +announcement was made several ladies called upon me, and a meeting was +convened at one of their houses at which the _élite_ of the city were +present. A number of gentlemen had been invited to tea, and before being +allowed to leave the room each of them was required to subscribe for at +least one box. In this manner the whole of my boxes for the remainder +of the season were disposed of. + +I had a deal of trouble in getting the theatre into working order, it +having been closed for a considerable period. The corridors had to be +whitened and the dressing-rooms to be papered, and all the business had +to be conducted in French, as my stage carpenters and _employés_ were +all of that nationality. The manager of the other theatre had refused to +allow any of his staff to assist. + +During this time the great New Orleans Exhibition had been opened, to +which thousands of people were attracted. My attention, however, was +drawn to the Woman's Work Department, in great need just then. I +therefore organized a grand benefit _matinée_ on their behalf, which was +promptly responded to by many of the ladies of New Orleans. Many of my +principal artists took part in the concert, and I was assisted by a +splendid Mexican cavalry band. A large sum of money was realized, which +was afterwards handed over to the treasurer of the Woman's Department. + +After a performance of _Les Huguenots_ we all left that night for St. +Louis. The temperature was now intolerable, the thermometer marking 75 +degrees. But on reaching St. Louis the following Monday afternoon we +were overtaken by a blizzard. It was literally raining ice. The streets +were impassable, it being difficult to stand upright or to move a step; +whilst the thermometer stood 30 degrees below zero (62° below freezing +point)--being a fall of 105 degrees. I need scarcely say everyone caught +sore throat, even to the chorus. One or two of the ballet girls were +blown down and hurt on leaving the train, and it was with considerable +difficulty that I made a commencement that evening, two hours after our +arrival, with a performance of _La Sonnambula_. This was followed by +_Semiramide_ with Patti and Scalchi, and by _Lucrezia_ with Fursch-Madi. +All the artists not taking part in these works were ill in bed during +the week. + +Prior to our leaving St. Louis a magnificent banquet was tendered to me +by the Directors of the newly-organized Opera Festival Association of +Chicago. The day originally fixed was the Wednesday during that week; +but it had afterwards to be transferred to Thursday, all the trains to +Chicago being snowed up, whilst several thousands of freight cars +blocked the line for miles. I ventured after the performance on the only +train allowed out of the station for Chicago, where I arrived the +following day, and visited the huge glass building, formerly the +exhibition, where I marked out what I considered would be the dimensions +necessary for the construction of the New Grand Opera-house. In doing so +I must have rather miscalculated my measurements, as I was shortly +afterwards informed that if carried out the theatre would be a mammoth +one. + +In the evening I attended the banquet given in my honour, which was +laid for fifty covers in the large room of the magnificent Calumet Club. +The banqueting hall was picturesquely decorated with flowers. The tables +were curved in the form of a huge lyre, bearing the coat of arms of the +Association. + +At the head of the table, which formed the base of the lyre, sat the +President, Ferd. W. Peck, and at his right hand I was placed as the +guest of the evening. Next to me was the Mayor, and next him the Hon. +Emery A. Stores, the Vice-President of the Association. At President +Peck's left hand sat the Hon. Eugene Carey and George Schneider, the +treasurer of the newly-formed Association. All the city notabilities, +more or less, were present on this occasion. At the conclusion of the +banquet the President rose, introducing me as "The Napoleon: the Emperor +of Opera," giving at the same time a brief outline of the work proposed +to be accomplished. My speech was a very short one. I said: "After +twenty-four years' experience in the rendition of opera I feel that my +greatest success is about to be achieved here in Chicago. Never before +have such opportunities been afforded me. I have this morning been over +the Exposition building with an architect, and have fixed upon a large, +comfortable auditorium. I also visited the hall where the extra chorus +was practising, and I must say I was surprised at its excellence in +every way. Never have I heard a better chorus, even in the Old World." + +The Mayor afterwards rose and paid me the highest compliments. + +In the small hours of the following morning, when we separated, I went +to the station and thence returned to St. Louis. + +At the close of the week we left St. Louis with the whole of the troupe, +some 180 strong, reaching Kansas City late that evening. Most of the +members of the Company went to the Coates House, Mdme. Patti, however, +remaining in her private car, where the following day I paid her a +visit. No sooner had I entered than we were shunted and sent some four +miles down the line, much to the surprise of Nicolini, who had been +speaking to me on the platform but a moment previously. We were detained +a considerable time, and Mdme. Patti experienced a great shock as +suddenly a goods truck, which had got uncoupled, came running down. This +caused a great concussion, which broke most of the glass, and sent +Nicolini's cigars, jams, the parrot, the piano, the table, and the +flowers all pell-mell on to the floor. Mdme. Patti, however, took it in +good part, and, assisted by her maids, commenced gathering up the broken +ornaments and smashed bottles. The floor ran with Château Lafite. + +Mdme. Patti visited the opera that evening, the Mayor of the town +conducting her down the passage way to her proscenium box amidst such a +storm of applause as is rarely heard in an Opera-house. Ladies burst +their gloves in their enthusiasm, and men stood on their seats to get a +view of the _Diva_. On reaching the box the audience rose and cried: +"_Brava!_" + +After the performance that night the train moved on in the direction of +Topeka, where, through the politeness of the railway officials, I got +Patti's car attached to the San Francisco express, which conveyed her to +her destination in about three and a half days. + +The rest of the Company remained in Topeka to give a performance of _Il +Trovatore_, Mdme. Dotti being the "Leonora," Mdme. Scalchi "Azucena," De +Anna the "Count di Luna," and Giannini "Manrico." The success was +immense, the house being full, and the receipts reaching £700. + +In connection with Topeka, I must mention rather a curious incident. We +had exhausted our stock of wine in the train, and those artists taking +part in the performance, on entering the hotel near the theatre where it +was proposed to dine, were surprised and annoyed at having water placed +before them; the baritone vowing, with a knife in his hand, that unless +he could have a more stimulating beverage he would refuse to play the +"Count di Luna" that evening. + +Inquiry was made high and low, but there was not a drop of wine or +spirits of any kind officially known to be in the town. Going along the +street on my return to the hotel, I met a gentleman with whom I was +acquainted, and through his kindness I was enabled to obtain from a +medical practitioner a prescription. The prescription was in the Latin +language, and the chemist evidently understood its meaning. There was no +question of making it up. He simply handed me three bottles of very good +hock. + +At the conclusion of the opera, it being a most delightful evening, the +various choristers and others made purchases of all kinds of +comestibles, and it was a most ridiculous thing to observe some going +down with chickens carried by the neck, others with cauliflowers and +asparagus. The "Count di Luna" with a huge ham under his arm, and +"Manrico" with a chain of sausages, took their provisions down to the +cars to be cooked for supper, during which the train started for St. +Joseph. + +We reached St. Joseph the following day, where Mdlle. Nevada appeared in +_La Sonnambula_, greatly pleasing the audience, which packed the theatre +full. + +We arrived the next afternoon at half-past four at Omaha, where we +remained one day, my advance agent having failed to conclude any +arrangements for our appearance there. + +Shortly afterwards we started for Cheyenne, arriving in the Magic City, +as it is called, in about a couple of days; when, to my great +astonishment, no announcement whatever had been made of our visit, my +advance agent again, for some unaccountable reason, having gone on the +road towards San Francisco without notifying even a word. + +Our coming there was quite an unexpected event. Arrangements were +immediately made to give a performance. This entailed a delay of a +couple of days, which delighted me, although it caused some loss, as it +enabled me to drive over the beautiful country and visit once more the +charming Club, where I had a right royal welcome from my numerous +friends of the previous year. + +At four o'clock the 3rd Cavalry band, in full uniform, came to serenade +me at my hotel. + +The opera selected was _Lucia di Lammermoor_, and the receipts came to +some £700. + +At the close of the performance we started for Salt Lake City, where we +arrived on the following Thursday. Here, to my great regret, I was +compelled to change the bill in consequence of Mdlle. Nevada's +indisposition, at which the inhabitants and the Press grumbled as if it +were my fault. Reports of course were circulated that she had not +received her salary. + +Whilst at Salt Lake City many of the artists and orchestral players +wandered about, visiting various places of interest; and some were +attracted to a restaurant kept by one "Coffee John," in whose window was +exposed a huge turtle, bearing this tragic inscription on its head: +"This afternoon I am to have my throat cut;" whilst on its back was a +ticket for a private box, with the statement that Coffee John had paid +40 dollars for it, and was going to visit the opera that evening. + +In order to patronize this enthusiastic amateur several of our principal +artists went in and ordered luncheon. Coffee John was very polite, +promising to applaud them on hearing them sing, and allowing many of +them to go into the kitchen to prepare their own macaroni. The price of +the luncheon was very moderate, so everyone decided to go and dine at +Coffee John's later on. + +When dinner was over they asked the waiter how much they had to pay. + +"Six dollars a head," said the waiter. + +"Corpo di Bacco!" exclaimed one of the artists; "dat is too dear. Where +is Coffee John, our friend, our friend?" + +"He has gone to dress for the opera," replied the head waiter, "and I +dare not disturb him." + +As there were twelve diners the bill came to 72 dollars, so that Coffee +John, who had paid 40 dollars for his box, occupied it for nothing that +evening, and profited, moreover, largely by the transaction. The waiter +told the astonished artists that his governor had paid 40 dollars to +hear them sing without kicking, and that he expected liberal treatment +in return; finally, he thought the best plan for them would be to pay +their six dollars each and clear out; which they eventually had to do. + +Mdlle. Nevada had taken cold at Cheyenne, and contracted what turned out +to be a severe illness; and I lost her services for no less than four +weeks afterwards. + +The night before we reached Salt Lake City Mdme. Scalchi's parrot died, +which caused the excellent contralto to go into hysterics and take to a +bed of sickness. I had announced _Il Trovatore_, in which the now +despondent vocalist was to have taken the part of the vindictive gipsy. +This I considered would amply compensate for the absence of Nevada. Only +half an hour before starting for the theatre I was notified by Mdme. +Scalchi's husband that she would be unable to appear that evening. I +insisted, however, upon her going at all events to the theatre, as I +considered the death of a parrot not sufficient reason for disappointing +a numerous public. I threatened at the same time to fine her very +heavily if she refused. + +About an hour afterwards the call-boy came down, up to his waist in +snow, to the door of my car--some little distance from the +station--stating that Mdme. Scalchi had again gone into hysterics, and +was lamenting loudly the loss of her beloved bird. + +On my arriving at the theatre with another "Azucena," taken suddenly +from the cars (this one was lamenting only that she had not dined), I +found that it wanted but five minutes to the commencement of the +overture. There was Mdme. Scalchi dressed as "Azucena," and it was +impossible even to obtain possession of her clothing, for she was almost +in a fainting condition. At last, however, she divested herself of her +gipsy garments; and she was replaced by my new "Azucena," Mdlle. +Steinbach. + +After the opera was over we started for San Francisco. + +On reaching Ogden early in the morning I received a telegram from San +Francisco notifying Mdme. Patti's arrival there, but adding that she +would not come out in _Semiramide_ in conjunction with Mdme. Scalchi, +though that was the opera announced for my opening night. _La Diva_ +wanted a night entirely to herself. + +As every seat had been sold for the first performance, and places were +at a high premium, I did not see how it was possible to make any +alteration in the bill. I therefore declined. Towards the latter part of +the following day, at Winnemucca, I got another telegram saying that +Mdme. Patti would appear in _Il Barbiere_. This I declined, knowing that +opera to be, in America at least, most unattractive. Nearly at every +station did I receive telegrams, some of which I answered. At last I +effected a kind of compromise by substituting _Linda_. This change +caused me a loss of some £600 or £800. + +On the road I had received a telegram from my auctioneer, the famous Joe +Eldridge, desiring to know if he should reserve any seats or offer the +whole to the public. I replied that not a single seat was to be +reserved; he was to sell all. He took me at my word, and the following +day I received a telegram that not only had he sold the whole of the +pit and dress circle and boxes, but also the whole of the gallery for +every night of the season, and that the premiums on the tickets alone +amounted to something like £15,000 for the two weeks' season; and, +although over 3,000 tickets of admission for every night of the whole +season had been sold, the demand, instead of abating, kept on +increasing. In many cases as much as 150 dollars per seat premium had +been paid. The sale altogether surpassed that of the previous year. + +I was afterwards informed by an eye-witness of the indefatigable +exertions Joe Eldridge had gone through on the day of the auction. On +entering the orchestra he first of all gave a graphic description of +each of the different prime donne who were to take part in the season's +performances, explaining also the enormous value the tickets would reach +as soon as the whole of the Company arrived. He then, feeling warm, took +off his hat. After a few lots had been sold he removed his cravat, +afterwards his coat, followed later by his waistcoat and his +shirt-collar, which he threw off into the stalls. Then, as the business +became more exciting, off went his braces. Afterwards he loosened his +shirt, tucking up both sleeves; and he was in a state of semi-nudity +before he got rid of the last lot. + +On leaving the theatre after the sale this highly esteemed gentleman, I +regret to say, was attacked by pneumonia, which carried him off in a few +hours. His death was a sad shock to all, for he was a general +favourite. + +The _San Francisco Daily Report_ wrote on the subject:-- + +"Joe Eldridge arrived in San Francisco in 1849, and after visiting +various parts of the State returned to San Francisco, in the house of +Newhall and Co. About this time he lost his right leg in a very +remarkable manner. He was in the habit of signalling each sale by a +hearty slap of his hand on his right thigh at the word 'gone.' The +constant concussion brought on a cancer, and the leg had to be +amputated. This misfortune, which would have depressed most men, more or +less, for the rest of their lives, had no effect on his energy or his +high spirits. He was a most charitable man, and beloved by all who knew +him, being one of the founders of Mill's Seminary, whilst he was a +pillar of strength at Dr. Stone's first Congregational Church." + +One word as to Joe Eldridge's method of doing business. No one could get +such prices as he obtained; and these he often secured by pretending to +have heard bids which had never been made. + +"Nine dollars," an intending purchaser would say. + +"Ten dollars," Joe would cry. + +"I said nine," the bidder would explain. + +"Eleven!" shouted Joe. "I know your income, and you ought to be ashamed +of yourself. Twelve!" he would then exclaim, supported and encouraged by +the laughter and applause of the public. "And if you say another word +I'll make it thirteen." + +A very different sort of man was the auctioneer by whom poor Eldridge +was succeeded. He called me the spirited "impresio," and sang the +praises of Mdme. Bauermeister, whose name he pronounced "Boormister," +and Mdme. Lablache, whom he described as the famous "Labiche." Rinaldini +was another of my singers whose name, sadly as he mutilated it, had +evidently taken his fancy. Mdme. Bauermeister, Mdme. Lablache, and +Signor Rinaldini are excellent artists. But it was a mistake to insist +so much on their merits while passing over altogether those of Mdme. +Patti, Mdlle. Nevada, and Mdme Scalchi. + +In due course we arrived at San Francisco, where the usual crowd was +awaiting us. During the latter part of the journey one of my _corps de +ballet_ became seriously indisposed, and died the following Tuesday in +St. Mary's Hospital. She was but sixteen years of age, and had been with +me eight years, being one of my Katti Lanner school children. She had +taken cold in the dressing-room at Cheyenne. During the journey, the +train being twenty-three hours late, she received the attention of Dr. +Wixom, Mdme. Nevada's father, also of Dr. Palmer, Mdme. Nevada's present +husband. + +On the day of the funeral some magnificent offerings were placed on the +coffin, consisting of pillows of violets with the initials of the +deceased, anchors of pansies, lilies, violets, roses, etc., likewise a +beautiful cross of violets and camellias. I attended the funeral +personally, accompanied by my stage manager, Mr. Parry, and seven of +the ballet girls, including a sister of the dead girl, who all carried +flowers. The affair was strictly private, the experience of the previous +year suggesting this on account of the crowd on the former occasion. The +whole of the flowers were afterwards placed upon the grave; and a +celebrated photographer, I. W. Tabor, produced some beautiful pictures +which I sent to London to the family of the deceased, who received them +before the news of her death. + +At the conclusion of the funeral, which had been conducted by Mr. +Theodore Dierck, of 957, Mission Street, the spirited undertaker begged +to be appointed funeral furnisher to the Company, he having had charge +of the Lombardelli interment in the previous year, which, he said, "gave +such satisfaction;" and I was not astonished, though a little startled, +on my last visit to find over his shop this inscription: + +"Funeral furnisher by appointment to Colonel Mapleson." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +PATTI AND SCALCHI--NEVADA'S DÉBUT--A CHINESE SWING--A VISIT FROM +ABOVE--RESCUED TREASURE--GREAT CHICAGO FESTIVAL--AMERICAN HOSPITALITY. + + +For our opening night at San Francisco, as already explained, the opera +substituted at Mdme. Patti's request for _Semiramide_ was _Linda di +Chamouni_. Of course the house was crowded, and the brilliancy of the +occupants of the auditorium baffled all description. An assembly was +there of which the city might well feel proud. The costumes worn by the +ladies were mostly white. The leaders of fashion were, of course, all +present; Mrs. Mark Hopkins, of Nobs' Hill, conspicuously so, as she was +attired in a costume of black velvet, with diamond ornaments, the value +of which was estimated at 200,000 dollars. The best order prevailed. The +majority entering the theatre on the opening of the doors were +accommodated in their various seats without any crushing. Patti was +greeted with even more demonstrativeness than she had hitherto +received. Mdme. Scalchi on entering must have felt proud that she was +none the less welcome for appearing as "Pierotto" in lieu of "Arsace." + +Notwithstanding all this there was a coolness about the house in +consequence of Mdme. Patti's having insisted upon this change in the +opera. Consequently numbers of tickets for the first night instead of +being at a premium were sold at a discount. Mdme. Nevada was announced +for the second evening, but, unfortunately, she had not yet recovered +from her Cheyenne cold, which developed gradually almost to pneumonia. +She kept her bed in San Francisco for over three weeks, causing me the +greatest annoyance as well as loss, since I was obliged to engage Mdme. +Patti to sing a great many extra nights beyond her contract, all of +which, of course, I had to pay for. _Il Trovatore_ was consequently +performed the second evening in lieu of _La Sonnambula_. The following +night I brought out _La Favorita_ with Scalchi, De Anna, Giannini, and +Cherubini, which was a great success; followed by _Lucrezia Borgia_, in +which Fursch-Madi pleased the audience. + +These changes and disappointments tended to mar the whole engagement. +The following night, however, the opera boom really commenced, the work +being _Semiramide_, which fully justified the anticipations that had +been formed of it. The largest and most brilliant audience ever gathered +in a theatre were there to hear Patti and Scalchi sing in two of the +most difficult _rôles_ in the whole range of opera. + +Scalchi fairly divided the honours of the evening with Mdme. Patti; and +in the duets they electrified the audience, who, not content with +encoring each, insisted upon some half-dozen recalls. The stage was +literally strewn with flowers; and the ladies of the audience vied with +one another in the elegance of their toilettes. Not only were all the +seats occupied, but even all the standing room, and the Press +unanimously accorded me the next morning the credit of having presented +the best operatic entertainment in that distant city the world of art +could afford. + +A similar audience greeted Patti and Scalchi at the performance of +_Faust_ the following week, whilst on the next Saturday Mdme. Patti +appeared as "Annetta" in _Crispino e la Comare_, which is, without +doubt, her best part. + +About this time the auction took place for the second season of two +weeks, which I determined to commence the following Monday. The +particulars of this I have already given. + +The proceeds were very handsome, but nothing like those of the previous +sale. I decided, therefore, that all unsold tickets should be disposed +of at the box-office of the theatre in order that the general public +might have an opportunity of attending the opera prior to our departure. + +During the following week, being the first of this extra season, Mdme. +Patti appeared in _Semiramide_, _La Traviata_, and _Martha_. At each +performance there were nearly 3,000 persons assembled in the theatre. On +the following Monday, it being our last week, I induced Mdlle. Nevada to +make her first appearance, on which occasion the receipts reached the +same amount as Mdme. Patti's. Mdlle. Nevada, perhaps because she is a +Californian, drew probably the largest audience we had had. + +On her entering the stage some 3,000 or 4,000 persons shouted and +applauded a welcome as if they were all going mad. She was hardly +prepared for her reception. She had looked forward for many years to +appearing in her native city and singing a great _rôle_ before the +people amongst whom she had spent her early life; and this was a +momentous occasion for her. The enthusiasm of any other public would +have spurred her on. But she was here so much affected that, although +she sustained herself splendidly, yet after the curtain fell she was +unable to speak. + +At the conclusion of the opera she was recalled several times, and large +set pieces of flowers, some six feet in height, were handed up, numbers +of the leading florists having been busy putting them in shape all the +fore part of the day. New dresses were ordered for that occasion, and an +invitation to get a seat in a box was looked upon as a prize. + +Long before half-past seven the vestibule of the theatre held a mass of +fashionably-dressed ladies and gentlemen, all waiting to be shown to +their places in order to be present on the rising of the curtain. + +During all the first act the singer was critically and attentively +listened to, scarcely with any interruptions; but when the curtain fell +after the duet with "Elvino" the pent-up enthusiasm of the audience +broke loose. Nevada was called out, and with shouts, cries, and every +manner of wild demonstration. Flowers were carried down the aisles, +thrown from the boxes and dress-circle, until the stage looked like the +much-quoted Vallambrosa. Again and again the prima donna was called out, +until she was fairly exhausted. Amongst the set pieces handed up to the +stage was a large floral chair built of roses, violets, and carnations +on a wicker frame, and Nevada, as the most natural thing to do, sat +plumply down in it, whereat the house fairly howled with delight. On the +back of the chair were the words, "Welcome home!" + +The following night _Aida_ was performed with the great cast of Patti, +Scalchi, De Anna, and Nicolini, when the largest receipt during the +whole engagement was taken. To describe that evening would be +impossible; it would exhaust all the vocabulary. The gratings along the +alley-way were wrenched off by the crowd, who slid down on their +stomachs into the cellars of the theatre to get a hearing of Patti and +Scalchi. + +On this day we discovered the "Chinese swing," of which so much was said +in the papers, and which had, doubtless, been in operation throughout +the season. In the alley-way leading to the theatre is a lodging-house +facing a sort of opening into the building used for ventilation. An +ingenious fellow had rigged up a swing, and so adjusted it that he could +toss people from his house on to the roof of the theatre to the +ventilation hole. Once there, the intruder passed downstairs through the +building, got a pass-out check on leaving it, which he immediately sold +for two dollars, and then repeated the swing act again. We arrested one +man who had performed the trick four times. The police had to cut the +ropes and take the swing away. + +So many devices were resorted to for entering the theatre without +payment that I had to put it during this performance in a state of +siege, as it were, and to close the iron shutters, as people came in +from ladders through the windows of the dress-circle unobserved in many +instances. + +The following evening Mdlle. Nevada made her second appearance, +performing the character of "Lucia" in Donizetti's opera, when the +receipts were almost equal to those of the first night. Mdme. Patti +performed the next night _Il Trovatore_ to similar receipts. The next +day I produced Gounod's _Mirella_, when the Grand Opera-house was again +crowded brimful, people considering themselves lucky when they could get +standing room without a view of the stage or a glimpse of the singers. +The following morning was devoted to a performance of _Faust_, in which +Patti took her farewell as "Margherita." + +Just at this time a strange complaint was made against me by a body of +"scalpers," who accused me of having put forward Adelina Patti to sing +on a night for which Nevada had been originally announced. This I had, +of course, done simply from a feeling of liberality towards my +supporters. No one could reasonably accuse me of paying £1,000 a night +to Mdme. Patti with the view of injuring the scalpers. They had, +however, got more tickets into their hands than they were able to +dispose of at the increased rates demanded by them. They, therefore, +banded together, employed a lawyer to proceed against me for damages, +and as a preliminary procured an order laying an embargo on my receipts. + +The Sheriff's officers dropped into the gallery pay-box through a +skylight on to the very head of the money-taker, who was naturally much +surprised by this visitation from above; and they at once seized two +thousand dollars. + +It was very important for me not to let this money be taken, as it would +have been impounded; and being on the point of taking my departure for +Europe I should have been obliged to go away without it. + +The only thing to do was to find securities--"bondsmen," as the +Americans say. It was already nearly four o'clock (I was giving a +so-called _matinée_ that afternoon), and at four the Sheriff's office +closed. I insisted on the money being counted, and one of the Sheriff's +officers who was employed in counting it proposed in the most obliging +manner to do the work very slowly if I would give him 50 dollars. This +generous offer I declined, though it would have had the effect of giving +me more time to find bondsmen. I soon, however, discovered seated in the +theatre two friends who I knew would stand security for me. But it was +necessary to find a Judge who would in a formal manner accept the +signatures. + +The performance was at an end, and fortunately there was at this moment +a Judge on the stage in the act of making a presentation to Mdme. Patti, +doing so, of course, in a set speech. + +I did not interrupt the oration; but as soon as it was over, and whilst +Mdme. Patti was weeping out "Home, Sweet Home" as if her heart would +break, I presented to the Judge my two bondsmen. I at the same time took +from my waistcoat pocket and handed to him my ink pencil, and he at once +signed a paper accepting the bondsmen, together with another ordering +the release of the sequestrated funds. + +Armed with these documents, I drove post haste to the Sheriff's office, +and got there at two minutes to four, just as the last bag of silver was +going in. All the bags were now got out and heaped together in my +carriage. The story was already known all over San Francisco. An +immense crowd had assembled in front of the Sheriff's office, and as I +drove off bearing away my rescued treasure I was saluted with +enthusiastic cheers. + +When a year later I returned to San Francisco I thought the case would +possibly be brought to trial; but the lawyer representing the "scalpers" +told me that he had been unable to get any money out of them, and that +if I would give him a season ticket he would let the thing drop. The +thing accordingly dropped. + +On reaching Burlington on the Thursday morning following I was desirous +of having a general rehearsal of _L'Africaine_, which was to be +performed on the second night of the Chicago Opera Festival, and which +had not been given by my Company during the previous twelve months. I +could not rehearse it at Chicago, lest the public should think the work +was not ready for representation. I resolved, therefore, to stop the +train at Burlington in order to rehearse it at a big hall which I knew +was there available. But lest news should get to the Chicago papers that +the Company had stayed at Burlington merely for the purpose of +rehearsing _L'Africaine_, I determined, if possible, to give a public +performance, and on seeing the manager of the theatre, arranged with him +for one performance of _Faust_. For five hours I rehearsed _L'Africaine_ +in the hall, and in the evening we had a most successful representation +of _Faust_ at the theatre. Dotti was the "Margherita," Scalchi +"Siebel," Lablache "Martha," Del Puente "Valentine," Cherubini +"Mefistopheles," and Giannini "Faust." There was no time for putting +forward announcements by means of bills, and the fact that a performance +of _Faust_ was to be given that evening was made known by chalk +inscriptions on the walls. The receipts amounted to £600. Patti honoured +the performance with her presence in a private box, and a somewhat +indiscreet gentleman, Dr. Nassau, paid her a visit to remind her that it +was over twenty-nine years since she had sung under his direction at the +old Mozart Hall, "Coming through the Rye," "The Last Rose of Summer," +Eckert's "Echo Song," and "Home, Sweet Home." He substantiated his +statements by one of the original programmes which he had brought +purposely to show her. She received him coldly. + +We left Burlington immediately after the night's performance, reaching +Chicago the following Sunday morning, when I immediately paid a visit to +the large Opera-house that had been constructed, and was astonished at +its surpassing grandeur. + +A vast deal had, indeed, been done, and still had to be done in the few +remaining hours to complete it for the reception of the public, the +building being one of the most stupendous, and the event one of the most +brilliant Chicago had ever known. It was impossible to realize the +magnitude of the task which had been undertaken, or the splendid manner +in which it had been performed, the auditorium being probably one of the +finest ever constructed for such a purpose. An increased chorus had been +organized of 500 voices, whilst the orchestra had been augmented by a +hundred extra musicians. A new drop curtain had been painted. The +scaffolding was being removed from the ceiling, revealing decorations +both brilliant and tasteful. The opening of the proscenium measured no +less than 70 feet, with an elevation of 65 feet at the highest point of +the arch, and a projection of 20 feet in front of the curtain. There +were two tiers of proscenium boxes, and between the main balconies, +which rose to a height of 30 feet, extending over and above the dress +circle, there was a further space of 50 feet for standing accommodation +in case of overcrowding. To ensure proper warmth the great auditorium +was closed in, and all parts of the building supplied with steam pipes +for heating, upwards of four miles in length. Amongst the features of +the hall were two beautifully-arranged promenades or grand saloons, one +decorated in the Japanese and the other in the Chinese style. +Dressing-rooms for ladies and gentlemen had been constructed all over +the building. The acoustic properties were simply perfect; +sounding-boards, stage drop deflectors, and other scientific inventions +being brought to bear. + +The advance sale of seats on the first day of the opening reached over +$50,000. In consequence of the vast size of the building new scenery +had to be painted, which I entrusted to Mr. Charles Fox, with a numerous +staff of assistants; this alone costing £6,000. Each scene was nearly +100 feet wide. + +The house after the opening of the doors presented a surprisingly +brilliant and attractive appearance, looking, in fact, like a permanent +Opera-house. The orchestra was in excellent form, and numbered 155 +musicians, under the direction of Arditi. The opera performed was +_Semiramide_. The stage band and chorus numbered some 450, and there +were 300 supernumeraries; so that when the curtain rose the effect was +most magnificent. The audience was worthy of the occasion. There must +have been over 5,000 people seated and some 4,000 or 5,000 standing. +There were 80 ushers to attend to the occupants of the stalls; and at +the commencement of the overture there was not one vacant seat. At the +close of each act many of the vast audience repaired to the promenade +and refreshment-rooms, to be recalled to their places by six cavalry +trumpeters who came on the stage to sound a fanfare prior to the +commencement of each act. + +A leading daily paper wrote, the following morning:-- + +"The promises made by the Festival Association have been fulfilled to +the letter, and the great temple of Art stood ready for the thousands +for whom it was built. Not a single pledge made in reference to this +building but what has been discharged, and the Manager is entitled to +the thanks, and, indeed, the gratitude of the refined and music-loving +classes of this community for the very thorough and self-sacrificing way +in which all essentials and minor details of comfort and convenience +have been achieved." + +On the second night _L'Africaine_ was performed, when a similar +gathering attended. The audience was just as brilliant as on the +previous evening, everyone being in full evening dress. Mdme. +Fursch-Madi gave an effective interpretation of the title _rôle_, De +Anna as "Nelusko" created quite a sensation, and Cardinali was an +admirable Vasco di Gama. + +On the third evening Gounod's _Mirella_, an opera never before heard in +Chicago, was chosen for the first appearance of Mdlle. Nevada, and given +with immense success, the part of the gipsy being taken by Mdme. +Scalchi. This was followed on Thursday night by _Linda di Chamouni_, in +which Mdme. Patti and Mdme. Scalchi appeared together. The _Semiramide_ +night had been thought a great one, but the audience on this occasion +consisted of probably 2,000 more. Where they went to or where they stood +it was impossible to say. Certain it is that 9,000 people paid for +seats, irrespective of those who remained standing. + +On the following evening Mdlle. Nevada appeared as "Lucia," and scored +another triumph; whilst Patti and Scalchi drew 11,000 persons more for +the morning performance. This was really a day for memory. The +attendance consisted mostly of ladies, all tastefully, and often +elaborately, dressed in the very latest fashion. Weber's _Der +Freischütz_ was performed in the evening, which terminated the first +week of the Festival. + +The second week we opened with _La Sonnambula_ to an audience of some +8,000 persons, the next night being devoted to the presentation of +Verdi's _Aida_, with the following great cast:-- + + "Aida" ... ... ... Patti. + "Amneris" ... ... ... Scalchi. + "Amonasro" ... ... ... De Anna. + "Rhadames" ... ... Nicolini. + +Some 12,000 people attended this performance. The disagreeable weather +did not seem to keep anyone away, and the streets were blocked with +carriages for many squares, as far as the eye could reach. I was assured +afterwards by an inspector that but for the aid of the rain, which came +down in sheets, it would have been impossible to cope with the vast +crowds who still poured in, attempting to enter the building. + +About this time a complaint came to me from behind the scenes that Mdme. +Patti and Mdme. Scalchi were unable to force their way from their +dressing-rooms on to the stage, the wings and flies being crowded with +some 2,000 persons, who during the first act had been joining in the +applause of the singers with the audience in front. Together with these +were some 500 supernumeraries with blackened faces, in oriental garb, +chasing round to try to find their places, others with banners arranging +their dresses. At length, with the aid of the police, Mdme. Patti was +enabled to leave her dressing-room, but was surrounded immediately by +crowds of ladies with pens and ink and paper, requesting autographs just +as she was going on to sing her _scena_. + +The boxes of the house were filled to overflowing, some containing as +many as twelve persons. The flowers on the arm-rests in front were of +the most expensive kind. + +The march in the third act was really most impressive. There were 600 +State Militia on the stage, each Company marching past in twelves, the +rear rank beautifully dressed, the wheels perfect. The _finale_ of the +act, with the military band and the 350 extra chorus, together with the +gorgeous scenery and dresses, was something long to be remembered. Well +might the audience cheer as it did on the fall of the curtain. + +The following night _Rigoletto_ was given, then _Il Trovatore_, and the +night after that _Lohengrin_. + +At the close of the second act of _Lohengrin_ there came a call from all +sides of the house, and I was compelled to appear before the curtain, +when I addressed the audience in the following words:-- + +"Ladies and gentlemen,--I am rather unprepared for the flattering +compliment which you pay me in thus calling for me. I assure you that I +join with you in my appreciation of the successful termination of this +opera season, and I can bestow nothing but the most cordial thanks for +the liberal support which the people of Chicago have given their Opera +Festival. It is an evidence of their taste, and I hope will prove the +forerunner of many more similar meetings. (Applause.) There are several +persons who deserve special mention and thanks, but I shall have to be +content simply with testifying to the earnestness of purpose with which +all have laboured who were in any wise connected with the Festival. I +therefore thank them all. It is no small thing to present thirteen +different operas in two weeks' time, yet the attendance and +manifestations of appreciation on the part of the audience will justify +me in claiming that success has crowned my efforts; and the knowledge +that we have given you all we promised and have satisfied you repays us +for all our work." + +President Peck likewise came forward and thanked the people of the city +for their generous attendance at the first Opera Festival. It had been a +success in every respect, and the management had done its best to +accommodate and please the public. + +A leading journal, in giving a review of the Opera Festival, said:-- + +"The Great Operatic Festival is now over, and only the memories of its +magnificence and importance are left. The last note has been sung at the +Chicago Operatic Festival, without doubt the greatest musical +undertaking that has ever been accomplished anywhere. In no great city +of Europe or America could 190,000 people have been able to attend the +opera in two weeks. In the first place, the accommodations of even the +largest Opera-houses are not such that 10,000 people could be present at +any one performance. The Operatic Festival Association have been +untiring in their earnest endeavours to present all the operas in the +best possible manner. Each performance has been given as announced, and +the casts have been uniformly good. Thirteen operas have been produced, +all of which were mounted in a manner never before equalled. Many of the +stage pictures, as in _Semiramide_, _Mirella_, _L'Africaine_, _Aida_, +and _Faust_, have been simply superb, and will be long remembered for +their beauty. The pictorial charm of the scene on the banks of the Nile +in _Aida_ was also most poetic. The processions, and the way in which +they were controlled, indicated that the stage manager was a man of +taste and ability." + +Prior to my departure, 18th April, 1885, my attendance was requested by +the Mayor, Mr. Carter H. Harrison, at the City Hall, when I was amply +repaid for all the labour I had bestowed upon the Festival by the +magnificent presentation which was then made me, and which I value more +than anything of the kind I have ever received. It was nothing less +than the freedom of the City of Chicago--a compliment I can say with +safety that has never been paid to any other Englishman, and what is +more, is never likely to be. Chicago, as everyone at all connected with +America must know, will within a very few years be the first city in the +United States, and probably in the world. + +The success of the Chicago Festival was due in a great measure to the +personal efforts of Ferdinand W. Peck, the President, from whom I +immediately afterwards received a notification to attend the final +committee meeting, when the following testimonial was presented to me, +magnificently engrossed on parchment:-- + + At a Meeting of the + CHICAGO OPERA FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION + held April 18th, 1885, + The following Resolution was unanimously adopted: + Resolved + That the Chicago Opera Festival Association + Recognizes the satisfactory manner in which + COLONEL JAMES HENRY MAPLESON + has fulfilled his obligations under his contract with + this Association, + And they desire to express their high appreciation + of his liberality in the presentation of all the operas + produced, without which the grand success of the + + FESTIVAL + + could not have been achieved. In attestation of + the above the Officers and Board of Directors have + hereunto subscribed their names: + + FERD. W. PECK, _President_, + WILLIAM PENN NIXON, _Vice-President_, + LOUIS WAHL, _Second Vice-President_, + A. A. SPRAGUE, } + GEORGE M. BOGUE, } + EUGENE CAREY, } + HENRY FIELD, } _directors_. + R. T. CRANE, } + JOHN R. WALSH, } + GEORGE F. HARDING, } + GEORGE G. SCHNEIDER, _Treasurer_. + S. G. PRATT, _Secretary_. + + "ADDRESS + + "_Tendered to Col. J. H. Mapleson by the Musicians + and Citizens of the City of Chicago._ + +"SIR,--Now since the last note has died away, and lingers only in the +ear of memory to warm and cheer the heart, and the great musical triumph +of our city, the Chicago Opera Festival, is over, we extend to you in +these words what we had expected to say to you amid music and song, had +not the manifold duties that engrossed your time rendered us unable to +do so. + +"It is, indeed, as musicians, lovers of music, and citizens that we can +cordially thank you in the name of the mighty people of that great and +haughty city, the Queen of the North and the West. For this city, whose +history has been the wonder of the world, whose greatness and energy in +all things in which it engages are acknowledged by all, now yields this +tribute to you, sir, as the one by whose direction, management, +enterprise, and energy the greatest musical success ever given within +its walls was accomplished. + +"We might say more, but in our city's characteristic mode we express by +deeds far better than by words. For two weeks our citizens night after +night were turned away from the vast temple of music under your control, +for the halls were crowded by others. They brought with them a hope that +blossomed into unexpected realization, and the keen business men and +tired toilers of the city lived a new life and shook the very ground +with their applause. + +"Never had music received such homage here. Again, we thank you for what +you have done, and while we say farewell we also bid you welcome, for we +hope to see you year after year in some vast Opera-hall in which ten +thousand people can be seated, as proposed to be erected by some of our +citizens, where you may win new laurels to your fame in your +heaven-inspired mission of procuring and giving music for the people. + +"With congratulations we remain-- + + FREDK. AUSTIN, 1st Regt. | + Military Band Leader, | + | + A. ROSENBECKER, Drct. | + 1st Regt. Grand Orchestra,| + | + ALBERT KLEIST, Pres. of | Committee on + C. Musical Sy., |=> Address and + | Resolutions. + E. B. KNOX, Col. 1st Rgt. | + Inf. I.R.G., | + | + GEO. W. LYON, P., | + | + CHAS. N. POST, | + + Done at Chicago, April 21st, 1885." + +This may be the place to mention, what I am reminded of whenever I have +to speak of America, the cordial, lavish hospitality with which English +visitors are received in that country. Apart from the favour shown to me +by railway and steamboat companies, who, so far as I was personally +concerned, carried me everywhere free, the committees of the leading +clubs offered me in all the principal cities the honours and advantages +of membership. Not only was I a member of all the best clubs, but I was, +moreover, treated in every club-house as a guest. This sometimes placed +me in an awkward position. More than once I have felt tempted, at some +magnificent club-house, to order such expensive luxuries as terrapin and +canvas-back duck; but unwilling to abuse the privileges conferred upon +me, I condemned myself to a much simpler fare. It seemed more becoming +to reserve the ordering of such costly dishes for some future occasion, +when I might happen to be dining at a restaurant. + +It must be admitted that in many of the conveniences of life the +Americans are far ahead of us, and ahead are likely to remain; so averse +are we in England to all departures from settled habits, inconvenient, +and even injurious as these may be. Every opera-goer knows the delay, +the trouble, the irritation caused by the difficulty, when the +performance is at an end, of getting up carriages or cabs. This +difficulty has, in the United States, no existence. + +When the opera-goer reaches the theatre an official, known as the +"carriage superintendent," presents a large ticket in two divisions, +bearing duplicate numbers. One numbered half is handed by the "carriage +superintendent" to the driver. The other is retained by the opera-goer, +who on coming out at the end of the representation exhibits his number, +which is thereupon signalled or telegraphed to a man on the top of the +house, who at once displays it in a transparency lighted by electricity +or otherwise. The carriages are all drawn up with their hind wheels to +the kerbstone, so that the approach to the theatre is quite clear. The +illuminated number is at once seen, and the carriage indicated by it is +at the door by the time the intending occupant is downstairs in the +vestibule. + +It is astonishing how easily this system works. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +"COUNT DI LUNA" INTRODUCED TO "LEONORA"--A PATTI CONTRACT--THE STING OF +THE ENGAGEMENT--A TENOR'S SUITE--A PRESENTATION OF JEWELLERY--"MY DON +GIOVANNI"--A PROFITABLE TOUR. + + +THE public are under the impression that the closest intimacies are +contracted between vocalists in consequence of their appearing +constantly together in the same works. Under the new system, by which +the prima donna stipulates that she shall not be called upon to appear +at any rehearsal, this possible source of excessive friendship ceases to +exist. It now frequently happens that the prima donna is not even +personally acquainted with the singers who are to take part with her in +the same opera; and on one occasion, when _Il Trovatore_ was being +performed, I remember the baritone soliciting the honour of an +introduction to Mdme. Patti at the very moment when he was singing in +the trio of the first act. The "Manrico" of the evening was exceedingly +polite, and managed without scandalizing the audience to effect the +introduction by singing it as if it were a portion of his _rôle_. + +To show that the stipulation I have just spoken of is made in the most +formal manner, and to give a general idea of the conditions a manager is +expected to accept from a leading prima donna, I here subjoin a copy of +the contract between Mdme. Patti and myself for my season at Covent +Garden in 1885:-- + + "THE ENGAGEMENT contracted in London Sixth day of June 1885 BETWEEN + JAMES HENRY MAPLESON Operatic Manager, henceforward described as + Mr. Mapleson and ADELINA PATTI, Artiste Lyrique, henceforward + described as Madame Patti. + + "Article 1.--Mr. Mapleson engages Madame Patti to sing and Madame + Patti engages to sing at a series of Eight Operatic Representations + in Italian or high class Concerts to be given under his direction + from Sixteenth June and ending the Sixteenth July One thousand + eight hundred and eighty five in London in such manner that two of + such Representations or Concerts (as the case may be) may be given + in each week of such period and so that an interval of at least two + clear days may elapse between each Representation or Concert unless + the contracting parties otherwise agree. + + "Article 2.--Mr. Mapleson engages to pay to Madame Patti or her + representative for such series the sum of Four thousand pounds and + for all additional Representations or Concerts the sum of Five + hundred pounds each; such payment to be made in advance in sums of + Five hundred pounds each before 2 o'Clock in the afternoon of the + day on which a Representation or Concert is to be given. + + "Article 3.--The repertoire to comprise the Operas of _Martha_, + _Traviata_, _Trovatore_, _Lucia di Lammermoor_, _Il Barbiere di + Seviglia_, _Crispino_, _Rigoletto_, _Linda_, _Carmen_ and _Don + Giovanni_; and thereof 'Il Barbiere,' 'La Traviata,' 'Martha' and + 'Zerlina' in _Don Giovanni_ shall be assigned exclusively to Madame + Patti during the entire Operatic Season. The Airs to be sung at the + Concerts (if any) are to be selected by Madame Patti. + + "Article 4.--The selection from such Repertoire of the Opera to be + given at her re-entrée shall be selected and be fixed exclusively + by Madame Patti; but with that exception the choice therefrom of + the Operas to be given at the several representations shall be + Tuesdays and Saturdays, and the days of the week on which Concerts + (if any) shall be given shall be fixed by the mutual agreement of + the contracting parties; and Mr. Mapleson engages to adhere thereto + except in case of sudden, necessary change through the illness of + other principal Artistes in the cast of the chosen Opera. + + "Article 5.--Madame Patti shall be free to attend Rehearsals, but + shall not be required or bound to attend at any. + + "Article 6.--Madame Patti will at her own expense provide all + requisite costumes for the Operas selected. + + "Article 7.--Mr. Mapleson engages that Madame Patti shall be + announced daily during the series of Representations or Concerts in + a special leaded advertisement among the Theatrical Advertisements + over the Clock as well as in the Operatic Casts or Concert + Programmes in all Journals in which he may advertise his Operas or + Concerts and likewise that her name shall appear in a separate line + of large letters in all Announce Bills of Operas or Concerts in or + at which she is to appear and that such letters shall be at least + one third larger than those employed for the announcement of any + other Artiste in the same Cast or Programme. + + "Article 8.--Madame Patti is not to be at liberty to sing elsewhere + during this engagement except at State Concerts. + + "Article 9.--In the event of Madame Patti not appearing in Opera or + at Concert on the day for which she may have been announced to sing + owing to her indisposition such intended appearance shall be + treated as postponed if such indisposition be of a temporary + character, and for every such non-appearance a substituted + Representation or Concert shall be given before the Sixteenth July + One thousand eight hundred and eighty five, but if such + indisposition continues during a period longer than two succeeding + Operatic or Concert nights provided by the first Article the + number of non-attendance nights shall be counted off the Eight + agreed for Representations or Concerts as if Madame Patti had + actually appeared thereat. In the case of such postponement the + payment of the Five hundred pounds shall be postponed until the + morning of the day on which the substituted Representation or + Concert shall be given; but in the case of counting off the day as + wholly gone no salary shall be payable by Mr. Mapleson therefor; + but beyond such postponement or deduction from payment, as the case + may be, he shall have no ground of complaint nor claim for + non-attendance or otherwise. And he engages to announce her + indisposition or withdraw her name from all advertisements and + other announcements of performance at the earliest time and with + all due diligence and publicity. + + "Article 10.--In the event of an Epidemic of Cholera, Small pox, + Fever or other contagious or deadly disease breaking out within the + range of the London Bills of Mortality Madame Patti shall be at + liberty to cancel this Engagement by notice in writing as provided + in the Twelfth Article, and thereupon she shall be no longer + required nor bound to continue the Representations or Concerts, and + thereupon the Two thousand pounds deposit in the Eleventh Article + mentioned, and no more, shall be repayable to him if he shall have + duly performed his several engagements herein. + + "Article 11.--Mr. Mapleson, as a preliminary obligation + performable by him (and on performance of which Madame Patti's + obligations under her engagements herein depend) hereby engages to + deposit the sum of Two thousand pounds Cash with Messrs. + Rothschild, at their Counting-house in New Court, St. Swithin's + Lane, London, on or before the Tenth June One thousand eight + hundred and eighty five to the credit of Madame Patti, as part + guarantee for Mr. Mapleson's fulfilment of this engagement. Such + Two thousand pounds are to be applied by Madame Patti as payment + for the last four actual Representations or Concerts, or (as the + case may be) retained by her as her own property for and on account + of damages sustained by her through the nonperformance of this + engagement by Mr. Mapleson. + + "Article 12.--Should Mr. Mapleson fail to make such deposit in full + by the day named Madame Patti shall be at liberty at any time + afterwards, and notwithstanding any negotiation, withdrawal of + notice, waiver, extension of time for depositing, or acceptance of + part payment of such Two thousand pounds to put an end to this + Engagement by lodging with Mr. Mapleson's Solicitors, Messrs. J. + and R. Gole in London, a letter signed by her, announcing her + determination of this Engagement; and thenceforth this Engagement + shall be at an end except so far as regards the Agreement next + following, that is to say, That on such failure and determination + Mr. Mapleson shall, and he hereby agrees to pay to Madame Patti on + demand the sum of Four thousand pounds as and for compensation to + her for expenses incident to this Engagement and for loss of time + in procuring other engagements of an equal character. + + "ADELINA PATTI." + +About the sum payable per night to Mdme. Patti by the terms of the above +agreement I say nothing. Five hundred pounds a night was only half what +I had paid her in the United States; and soon afterwards at Her +Majesty's Theatre I myself offered to give the famous vocalist six +hundred and fifty per night. The sting of the contract lies for the +manager, pecuniarily speaking, in the clause which empowers the singer +to declare herself ill at the last moment, while guaranteeing her +against all the consequences sure to arise from her too tardy apology. +The manager has suddenly to change the performance, and, worse by far, +to incur the charge of having broken faith with the public; for however +precisely the certificate of indisposition may be made out, there are +sure to be some knowing ones among the disappointed crowd who will +whisper, as a great secret known to them alone, that the prima donna has +not been paid, and that the certificate is all a sham. + +What an unfair clause, too, is that by which, if the manager does not +pay in advance to the prima donna at the exact time prescribed the whole +of the sum payable to her for all the performances she binds herself to +give, he will by such failure render himself liable for the entire sum +without the prima donna on her side being called upon to sing at all. + +The clause liberating the prima donna from attending rehearsals will be +condemned by all lovers of music. During the three or four years that +Mdme. Patti was with me in America she never once appeared at a +rehearsal. When I was producing _La Gazza Ladra_, an opera which +contains an unusually large number of parts, there were several members +of the cast who did not even know Mdme. Patti by sight. Under such +circumstances all idea of a perfect _ensemble_ was, of course, out of +the question. It was only on the night of performance, and in presence +of the public, that the concerted pieces were tried for the first time +with the soprano voice. The unfortunate contralto, Mdlle. Vianelli, had +never in her life seen Mdme. Patti, with whom, on this occasion, she had +to sing duets full of concerted passages. At such rehearsal as she could +obtain Arditi did his best to replace the absent prima donna, whistling +the soprano part so as at least to give the much-tried contralto some +idea of the effect. + +In addition to the clauses in the prima donna's written engagement, +there is always an understanding by which she is to receive so many +stalls, so many boxes, so many places in the pit, and so many in the +gallery. How, it will be asked, can such an illustrious lady have +friends whom she would like to send to the gallery? The answer is that +the distinguished vocalist wishes to be supported from all parts of the +house, and that she is far too practical--high as may be the opinion she +entertains of her own talents--to leave the applause even in the +smallest degree to chance. + +There are plenty of great singers--though Mdme. Patti is not one of +them--who carry with them on their foreign tours a _chef de claque_ as a +member of their ordinary suite. Tenors are, at least, as particular on +this score as prime donne; and if one popular tenor travels with a staff +of eight, his rival, following him to the same country, will make a +point, merely that the fact may be recorded in the papers, of taking +with him a staff of nine. + +Signor Masini, the modest vocalist who wished Sir Michael Costa to come +round to his hotel and learn from him how the _tempi_ should be taken in +the _Faust_ music, went not long since to South America with a staff +consisting of the following paid officials: A secretary, an +under-secretary, a cook, a valet, a barber, a doctor, a lawyer, a +journalist, an agent, and a treasurer. The ten attendants, apart from +their special duties, form a useful _claque_, and are kept judiciously +distributed about the house according to their various social positions. +The valet and the journalist, the barber and the doctor are said to have +squabbles at times on the subject of precedence. + +The functions of the lawyer will not perhaps be apparent to everyone. +His appointed duties, however, are to draw up contracts and to recover +damages in case a clause in any existing contract should seem to have +been broken. The hire of all these attendants causes no perceptible hole +in the immense salary payable to the artist who employs them; and the +travelling expenses of a good number of them have to be defrayed by the +unfortunate manager. + +Only an oriental prince or a musical _parvenu_ would dream of +maintaining such a suite; and soon, I believe, the following of a +vocalist with a world-wide reputation will not be considered complete +unless it includes, in addition to the other gentlemen who wait upon the +Masini's and the Tamagno's, an architect and surveyor. + +It will perhaps have been observed that by one of the clauses of Mdme. +Patti's engagement the letters of her name are in all printed +announcements to be one-third larger than the letters of anyone else's +name; and during the progress of the Chicago Festival, I saw Signor +Nicolini armed with what appeared to be a theodolite, and accompanied by +a gentleman who I fancy was a great geometrician, looking intently and +with a scientific air at some wall-posters on which the letters +composing Mdme. Patti's name seemed to him not quite one-third larger +than the letters composing the name of Mdlle. Nevada. At last, +abandoning all idea of scientific measurement, he procured a ladder, +and, boldly mounting the steps, ascertained by means of a foot-rule that +the letters which he had previously been observing from afar were indeed +a trifle less tall than by contract they should have been. + +I can truly say, "with my hand on my conscience," as the French put it, +that I had not ordered the letters to be made a shade smaller than they +should have been with the slightest intention of wounding the feelings +or damaging the interests either of Mdme. Adelina Patti or of Signor +Nicolini. The printers had not followed my directions so precisely as +they ought to have done. + +In order to conciliate the offended prima donna and her irritated +spouse, I caused the printed name of that most charming vocalist, Mdlle. +Nevada, to be operated upon in this way: a thin slice was taken out of +it transversely, so that the middle stroke of the letter E disappeared +altogether. When I pointed out my revised version of the name to Signer +Nicolini in order to demonstrate to him that he was geometrically wrong, +he replied to me with a puzzled look as he pointed to the letters +composing the name of Nevada: "Yes; but there is something very strange +about that E." + +To return to my narrative. At the conclusion of the great Chicago +Festival, we left, in the middle of the night, for New York, and reached +it on Monday morning, where we opened with _Semiramide_ to as large an +audience as the Academy had ever known. On the Friday following, on the +occasion of my benefit, the receipts reached nearly £3,000, the house +being crowded from floor to ceiling. + +At the close of the opera I was called before the curtain, and on +quitting the stage, with Adelina Patti on my right and Scalchi on my +left, I was met by Chief Justice Shea, who approached me and said-- + +"Colonel Mapleson, a number of our citizens who represent significant +phases of social life and important business interests in this +metropolis desire to testify in a public and notable manner that they +understand and laud the superb success which has followed your efforts +to establish Italian Opera in this city. It is seldom that public men +are understood. It is very seldom that they are offered an +acknowledgment beyond the few earnest friends that cluster around them. +Those citizens to whom I refer recognize that your career amongst us has +not been a mere chance success, but the result of patience, energy, and +the intelligent courage which comes of ripe experience. They think this +an apt occasion on which publicly to express the sincerity of that +opinion. Sir, allow me on their behalf to offer you this memorial." + +I was then handed a magnificent ebony case, fitted with a crystal glass, +containing the following:--A valuable repeater watch set in diamonds, a +gold chain with diamond and ruby slides, diamond and ruby charm in the +shape of a harp, a pair of large solitaire diamond sleeve buttons, a +diamond collar stud, a horse-shoe scarf pin (nine large diamonds), three +diamond shirt studs, a gold pencil-case with a diamond top and a plain +gold pin with a single diamond; the whole being valued at £1,300. + +The ebony case and crystal glass I still possess. The contents, together +with everything else, went to keep the Company together during the +disastrous retreat from Frisco of the following year, as to which I will +later on give details. + +I thanked the Chief Justice briefly for the gift and the public for +their patronage, and with difficulty left the stage amidst ringing +cheers and waving of pocket-handkerchiefs: I say with difficulty, +because at that critical moment, as I was picking up a bouquet, the +buckle of my pantaloons gave way; and as my tailor had persuaded me, out +of compliment to him, to discard the use of braces, it was only with +great difficulty that I could manage to shuffle off the stage, +entrusting meanwhile some of the jewellery to Patti and some to Scalchi. + +At New York, as previously at Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Francisco, +lively complaints were made of the vanity and levity of my tenor, +Cardinali, who was an empty-headed, fatuous creature unable to write his +own name or even to read the love-letters which, in spite, or perhaps in +consequence of his empty-headedness, were frequently addressed to him by +affectionate and doubtless weak-minded young ladies. Cardinali possessed +a certain beauty of countenance; he had also a sloping forehead, and a +high opinion of his powers of fascination. + +At San Francisco he got engaged to a young lady of good family, who was +one of the recognized beauties of the city. A date had been fixed for +the marriage, and the coming event was announced and commented upon in +all the papers. The marriage, however, was not to take place forthwith; +and when my handsome tenor got to Chicago he was much taken by one of +the local blondes, to whom he swore undying love. + +At Philadelphia he got engaged to another girl, who became furiously +jealous when she found that he was receiving letters from his Frisco +_fiancée_. Not being able to decipher the caligraphy of the former +beloved one, he entrusted her letters for reading purposes to the +chambermaids or waiters of the hotel where he put up. + +At New York Cardinali formed an attachment to yet another girl, who +fully responded to his ardour. He used to get tickets from me in order +that he might entertain his young women in an economical manner at +operatic representations; and one day, when he had taken the girl whom +he had met at New York to a morning performance, he asked permission to +leave her for a moment as he had to speak to a friend. This friend +turned out to be a lady with whom he had arranged to elope, and the +happy pair left for Europe by a steamer then on the point of starting. +He did not, as far as I know, change his partner during the voyage, and +I afterwards lost sight of him. + +We remained at New York a week, giving six extra performances, and left +the following Sunday for Boston. There, too, we stayed a week, +terminating the season on the 2nd May, on which day Mdme. Patti sailed +for Europe, followed by the Company. These frequent voyages across the +Atlantic were my only rests. They greatly invigorated me, bracing me up, +as it were, to meet the fresh troubles and trials which were sure to +welcome me on my arrival. + +It was a most fortunate thing that the Directors of the Royal Italian +Opera Company, Covent Garden, Limited, had thought proper to dispense +with my services the previous year by reason of my having, in +conjunction with their own general manager, engaged Mdme. Patti. +Otherwise I should have been obliged to hand them £15,000, being half +the net profit of this last American tour, to which, by the terms of our +agreement, they would have been entitled. + +I ascertained on my return that for want of £2,000 the Company had +collapsed. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +MY COVENT GARDEN SEASON--PATTI'S LONDON SILVER WEDDING--RETURN TO NEW +YORK--DIFFICULTIES BEGIN--RIVAL REHEARSALS--GRAND OPERA AND OPERETTA. + + +On my return to London I opened Covent Garden for a series of Italian +Opera performances, in which Mdme. Patti was the principal prima donna, +and but for Mdme. Patti's twice falling ill should certainly have made +some money. + +On the opening night I was notified as late as seven o'clock that Mdme. +Patti would be unable to appear in "La Traviata," having taken a severe +cold. This was a dreadful blow to me. On inquiry I found that madame's +indisposition arose from a morning drive she had taken on the previous +day over some Welsh mountains during the journey from her castle to the +station. Signor Nicolini, either from fear of the bill at the Midland +Hotel, where they were to put up, or from some uncontrollable desire to +catch an extra salmon, had exposed _la Diva_ to the early morning air; +an act of imprudence which cost me something like a thousand pounds. + +The season nevertheless promised to be unusually successful. But within +a few days I met with another misfortune, _la Diva_ having taken a +second cold, of which I was not notified until seven p.m. There was +scarcely time to make the news public before the carriages were already +setting down their distinguished burdens before the Opera vestibule. + +I had no alternative but to introduce a young singer who, at a moment's +notice, undertook the difficult part of "Lucia di Lammermoor." I allude +to the Swedish vocalist, Mdlle. Fohström, who afterwards made a very +successful career under my management. Of course, on this occasion she +was heavily handicapped, as people had gone to the theatre only for the +purpose of hearing Mdme. Patti; whose two disappointments caused me +considerable loss. + +I ended my season about the third week of July, when Mdme. Patti +appeared as "Leonora" in _Il Trovatore_, renewing the success which +always attends her in that familiar impersonation. + +On this night, the final one of the season, Mdme. Patti concluded her +25th consecutive annual engagement at Covent Garden. Numbers of her +admirers formed themselves into a committee for the purpose of +celebrating the event by presenting her with a suitable memorial, which +consisted of a very valuable diamond bracelet. At the termination of +the opera I presented myself to the public, saying-- + +"Ladies and Gentlemen,--Whilst the necessary preparations are being made +behind the curtain for the performance of 'God Save the Queen,' I crave +your attention for a very few moments. My first reason for doing so is, +that I desire to tender my sincere thanks for the liberal support you +have accorded my humble efforts to preserve the existence of Italian +Opera in this country. When I state to you that I had barely ten days to +form my present Company, including the orchestra and chorus, I feel sure +you will readily overlook any shortcomings which may have occurred +during the past season. My second reason is to solicit your kind consent +to present to Mdme. Patti in the name of the Committee a testimonial to +commemorate her twenty-fifth consecutive season on the boards of this +theatre." + +The curtain then rose, and disclosed Mdme. Adelina Patti ready to sing +the National Anthem, supported by the band of the Grenadier Guards, in +addition to the band and orchestra of the Royal Italian Opera. This was +the moment chosen for the presentation of a superb diamond bracelet, +subscribed for by admirers of the heroine of the occasion. Its +presentation was preceded by my delivery of the following address from +the Committee of the Patti Testimonial Fund:-- + +"Madame Adelina Patti,--You complete this evening your 25th annual +engagement at the theatre which had the honour of introducing you, when +you were still a child, to the public of England, and indirectly, +therefore, to that of Europe and the whole civilized world. There has +been no example in the history of the lyric drama of such +long-continued, never interrupted, always triumphant success on the +boards of the same theatre; and a number of your most earnest admirers +have decided not to let the occasion pass without offering you their +heartfelt congratulations. Many of them have watched with the deepest +interest an artistic career which, beginning in the spring of 1861, +became year after year more brilliant, until during the season which +terminates to-night the last possible point of perfection seems to have +been reached. You have been connected with the Royal Italian Opera +uninterruptedly throughout your long and brilliant career. During the +winter months you have visited, and have been received with enthusiasm +at Paris, St. Petersburg, Berlin, Vienna, Madrid, and all the principal +cities of Italy and the United States. But you have allowed nothing to +prevent you from returning every summer to the scene of your earliest +triumphs; and now that you have completed your twenty-fifth season in +London, your friends feel that the interesting occasion must not be +suffered to pass without due commemoration. We beg you, therefore, to +accept from us, in the spirit in which it is offered, the token of +esteem and admiration which we have now the honour of presenting to +you." + +The National Anthem, which followed, was received with loyal cheers, and +the season terminated brilliantly. + +After the performance an extraordinary scene took place outside the +theatre. A band and a number of torch-bearers had assembled at the +northern entrance in Hart Street, awaiting Mdme. Patti's departure. When +she stepped into her carriage it was headed by the bearers of the +lighted torches; and as the carriage left the band struck up. An +enormous crowd very soon gathered; and it gradually increased in numbers +as the procession moved on. The carriage was surrounded by police, and +the procession, headed by the band, consisted of about a dozen carriages +and cabs, the rear being brought up by a vehicle on which several men +were standing and holding limelights, which threw their coloured glare +upon the growing crowd, and made the whole as visible as in the daytime. +The noise of the band and of the shouting and occasional singing of the +very motley gathering, which was reinforced by all sorts and conditions +of persons as it went along, awakened the inhabitants throughout the +whole of the long route, which was as follows: Endell Street, Bloomsbury +Street, across New Oxford Street and Great Russell Street, down +Charlotte Street, through Bedford Square by Gower Street, along Keppel +Street, Russell Square, Woburn Place, Tavistock Place, Marchmont +Street, Burton Crescent, Malleton Place to Euston road, halting at the +Midland Railway Hotel, where Mdme. Patti was staying. Along the whole of +this distance the scene was extraordinary. The noise, and the glare of +the coloured lights, and the cracking of fireworks which were let off +every now and then, aroused men, women, and children from their beds, +and scarcely a house but had a window or door open, whence peered forth, +to witness the spectacle, persons, many of whom, as was apparent from +their night-dresses, had been awakened from their sleep. Not only were +these disturbed, but a number of horses were greatly startled at the +unusual sound and noise. The procession, which left Hare Street just +before midnight, reached the Midland Hotel in about half an hour, almost +the whole distance having been traversed at a walking pace. When Mdme. +Patti reached the Hotel she was serenaded by the band for a time, and +more fireworks were let off. The great crowd which had assembled +remained in Euston Road outside the gates, which were closed immediately +after the carriages had passed through. + +My season having thus terminated, I at once started for the Continent in +order to secure new talent for the forthcoming American campaign. + +For my New York season of 1885-6, after some considerable trouble, I +succeeded in forming what I considered a far more efficient Company than +I had had for the previous five years; except that the name of Adelina +Patti was not included, she having decided to remain at her castle to +take repose after her four years' hard work in America. I subjoin a copy +of the prospectus:-- + + "ACADEMY OF MUSIC, NEW YORK. + _Season_ 1885-86. + PRIME-DONNE--SOPRANI E CONTRALTI. + +Madame Minnie Hauk, Madame Felia Litvinoff, Mdlle. Dotti, Mdlle. Marie +Engle, Madame Lilian Nordica, Mdlle. de Vigne, Mdlle. Bauermeister, +Madame Lablache, and Mdlle. Alma Fohström. + + TENORI. + +Signor Ravelli, Signor de Falco, Signor Bieletto, Signor Rinaldini, and +Signor Giannini. + + BARITONI. + +Signor de Anna and Signor Del Puente. + + BASSI. + +Signor Cherubini, Signor de Vaschetti, Signor Vetta, and Signor +Caracciolo. + + DIRECTOR OF THE MUSIC AND CONDUCTOR. + +Signor Arditi. + + PREMIÈRE DANSEUSE. + +Madame Malvina Cavalazzi. + +The following were the promised productions:-- + +For the first time in New York Massenet's famous opera MANON: words by +MM. H. Meilhac and Ph. Gille. Mr. Mapleson has secured the sole right of +representation, for which M. Massenet has made several important +alterations and additions. "The Chevalier des Grieux," Signor Giannini; +"Lescaut," Signor Del Puente; "Guillot Morfontaine," Signor Rinaldini; +"The Count Des Grieux," Signor Cherubini; "De Bretigny," Signor +Caracciolo; "An Innkeeper," Signor de Vaschetti; "Attendant at the +Seminary of St. Sulpice," Signor Bieletto; "Poussette," Mdlle. +Bauermeister; "Javotte," Mdme. Lablache; "Rosette," Mdlle. de Vigne; and +"Manon," Mdme. Minnie Hauk. Gamblers, croupiers, guards, travellers, +townsfolk, lords, ladies, gentlemen, &c., &c. The action passes in 1721. +The first act in Amiens; the second, third, and fourth in Paris. The +last scene, the road to Havre. + +Also Vincent Wallace's opera, MARITANA. For the first time on the +Italian stage, by special arrangement with the proprietors. The +recitatives by Signor Tito Mattei. "Don Cæsar de Bazan," Signor Ravelli; +"The King," Signor Del Puente; "Don Josè," Signor De Anna; "Il +Marchese," Signor Caracciolo; "La Marchesa," Mdme. Lablache; +"Lazarillo," Mdlle. De Vigne; and "Maritana," Mdlle. Alma Fohström. +Mdme. Malvina Cavalazzi will dance the Saraband. + +Likewise Auber's FRA DIAVOLO. "Fra Diavolo," Signor Ravelli; "Beppo," +Signor Del Puente; "Giacomo," Signor Cherubini; "Lord Allcash," Signor +Caracciolo; "Lorenzo," Signor De Falco; "Lady Allcash," Mdme. Lablache; +and "Zerlina," Mdme. Alma Fohström. + +Ambroise Thomas' opera, MIGNON, will be also presented. "Mignon," Mdme. +Minnie Hauk; "Wilhelm," Signor Del Falco; "Lothario," Signor Del Puente; +"Laertes," Signor Rinaldini; "Frederick," Mdlle. De Vigne; "Giarno," +Signor Cherubini; "Antonio," Signor De Vaschetti; and "Filina," Mdlle. +Alma Fohström." + +The list of singers, which I give above _in extenso_, would have done +honour to any theatre in Europe. But, alas! the magic name of Patti not +being included had at once the effect of damaging seriously the +subscription. In addition to this, a strong leaning showed itself on the +part of my New York supporters towards the German Opera at the +Metropolitan House; while a newly-formed craze had been developed for +Anglo-German Opera, or "American Opera," as it was denominated. The +prospectus of the latter setting it forth as a "national" affair, +everyone rushed in for it, and considerable sums of money were +subscribed. Its projectors rented the Academy of Music where I was +located. The upshot of it was that a considerable number of intrigues +were forthwith commenced for the purpose, if possible, of wiping me +entirely out. I will mention a few of them in order that the reader may +understand the position in which I was placed. Just prior to leaving +England, and after I had completed my Company, I was informed by the +Directors that I should be called upon to pay a heavy rental for the use +of the Academy, my tenancy, moreover, being limited to three evenings a +week and one _matinée_. + +Having made all my engagements, I was, of course, at their mercy, and it +was with the greatest possible difficulty that I could even open my +season, as they began carpentering and hammering every time I attempted +a rehearsal. However, I succeeded in making a commencement on the 2nd of +November with a fine performance of CARMEN, cast as follows:-- + +"Don José," Signor Ravelli; "Escamillo (Toreador)," Signor Del Puente; +"Zuniga," Signor De Vaschetti; "Il Dancairo," Signor Caracciolo; "Il +Remendado," Signor Rinaldini; "Morales," Signor Bieletto; "Michaela," +Mdlle. Dotti; "Paquita," Mdlle. Bauermeister; "Mercedes," Mdme. +Lablache; "Carmen" (a Gipsy), Mdme. Minnie Hauk. + +The incidental divertissement supported by Mdme. Malvina Cavalazzi and +the Corps de Ballet. + +This was followed by an excellent performance of _Trovatore_, in which +Mdlle. Litvinoff, a charming Russian soprano from the Paris Opera, made +a successful appearance, supported by Lablache, De Anna, the admirable +baritone, and Giannini, one of the favourite tenors of America, who +after the _Pira_ was encored and recalled four times in front of the +curtain. I afterwards introduced Mdlle. Alma Fohström, who had made such +a great success during my London season at the Royal Italian Opera, +Covent Garden. + +On the occasion of my attempting a rehearsal two days afterwards of +_L'Africaine_, I found the stage built up with platforms to the height +of some 30 feet, which were occupied by full chorus and orchestra. + +Remonstrance was useless, the Secretary of the Academy being "out of the +way," whilst the conductor, Mr. Theodore Thomas, was closed in and +wielding the _bâton_ with such vigour that no one could approach him. I +said nothing, therefore. In spite of formidable obstacles, the march and +the procession in the fourth act of the opera had to be rehearsed under +the platform, and, as good luck would have it, the opera went +magnificently. + +Rehearsals of _Manon_ had now to be attempted; but whenever a call was +put up, so surely would I find another call affixed by the rival Company +for the same hour; and as they employed some 120 choristers, who had +about an equal number of hangers-on in attendance on them, the reader +can guess in what a state of confusion the stage was. + +The public has but little idea of the difficulties by which the career +of an opera manager is surrounded. An ordinary theatrical manager brings +out some trivial operetta which, thanks in a great measure to scenery, +upholstery, costumes, and a liberal display of the female form divine, +catches the taste of the public. The piece runs for hundreds of nights +without a change in the bill, the singers appearing night after night in +the same parts. The _maladie de larynx_, the _extinction de voix_ of +which leading opera-singers are sure now and then, with or without +reason, to complain, are unknown to these honest vocalists; and if by +chance one of them does fall ill there is always a substitute, known as +the "understudy," who is ready at any moment to supply the place of the +indisposed one. + +The public, when it has once found its way to a theatre where a +successful operetta or _opéra bouffe_ is being played, goes there night +after night for months, and sometimes years, at a time. The manager +probably complains of being terribly over-worked; but all he has really +to do is to see that some hundreds of pounds every week are duly paid in +to his account at the bank. To manage a theatre under such conditions is +as simple as selling Pears' Soap or Holloway's Pills. + +The opera manager does not depend upon the ordinary public, but in a +great measure upon the public called fashionable. His prices are of +necessity exceptionally high; and his receipts are affected in a way +unknown to the ordinary theatrical manager. Court mourning, for +instance, will keep people away from the opera; whereas the +theatre-going public is scarcely affected by it. The bill, moreover, has +to be changed so frequently, so constantly, that it is impossible to +know from one day to another what the receipts are likely to be. + +What would one give for a prima donna who, like Miss Ellen Terry or +Mrs. Kendal, would be ready to play every night? Or for a public who, +like the audiences at the St. James's Theatre and the Lyceum, would go +night after night for an indefinite time to see the same piece! + +Finally, at a London Musical Theatre the prima donna of an Operetta +Company, if she receives £30 or £40 a week, boasts of it to her friends. +In an Italian Operatic Company a seconda donna paid at such rates would +conceal it from her enemies. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +HOUSE DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF--REV. H. HAWEIS ON WAGNER--H.R.H. AND +WOTAN--ELLE A DÉCHIRÉ MON GILET--ARDITI'S REMAINS--RETURN TO SAN +FRANCISCO. + + +To return to my difficulties at the New York Academy of Music, I was at +length compelled to rehearse where I could; one day at the Star Theatre, +another at Steinway Hall; a third at Tony Pastor's--a Variety Theatre +next door to the Academy. + +In the midst of these difficulties I caught a severe cold and found +myself one morning speechless. I was surprised that afternoon to find a +bottle of unpleasant sticky-looking mixture left with the hall-keeper, +accompanied by a letter strongly recommending it from an admirer, who +had heard, with sorrow, that I had taken cold. Not liking the smell of +it, I sent it to an apothecary's for analysis, when it was found to +contain poison. Fortunately I had not tasted it. + +Finding myself so heavily handicapped, I decided, pending the +preparation of _Manon_, to get ready Auber's _Fra Diavolo_, which had to +be rehearsed under the same difficulties. I, however, succeeded in +producing it on the 20th November, and an excellent performance we gave. +Fohström was charming as "Zerlina," and in the _rôles_ of the two +brigands, Del Puente and Cherubini were simply excellent. I have seen +many performances of _Fra Diavolo_ in London with Tagliafice and +Capponi, whom I considered admirable; but on this occasion they were +fairly surpassed in the brigands' parts by Del Puente and Cherubini. The +part of "Fra Diavolo" was undertaken by Ravelli, and the scenery and +dresses were entirely new; the former having been painted on the roof of +the theatre, either late at night or early in the morning, with the +finishing touches put in on the Sundays. + +The majority of my stockholders were careful to remain away, thus +leaving a very bare appearance in the proscenium boxes. They, too, were +siding with the enemy, or had not quite recovered from the three-dollar +assessment which they had been called upon to pay for Patti the previous +year. All these intrigues, however, marked in my mind the future +downfall of the Academy and its stockholders, the house being now +"divided against itself." + +I will quote from the _Evening Post_, a paper hostile to my enterprise, +a criticism on the _Fra Diavolo_ performance:-- + +"_Fra Diavolo_, as presented at the Academy last evening, was by far the +most enjoyable performance given by Mr. Mapleson's Company for a long +time. There was an element of brightness and buoyancy in the acting and +singing of all the principals that admirably reflected the spirit of +Auber's brilliant and tuneful score. Next Monday, when the season of +German Opera opens at the Metropolitan with _Lohengrin_, there will be +doubtless hundreds who will be unable to secure seats. All such we +earnestly advise to proceed straight to the Academy next Monday, where +_Fra Diavolo_ will be repeated; not only because they cannot fail to +enjoy this performance, since it is an entertaining opera entertainingly +interpreted, but because Mr. Mapleson ought to be encouraged, when he +undertakes to vary his old repertory.... Ravelli sang admirably last +evening, and so did Fohström, who acted her part with much grace and +dainty _naïveté_. Lablache, Del Puente, and Cherubini were unusually +good and amusing. The Academy, we repeat, ought to be crowded on Monday +next." + +The production of _Fra Diavolo_ gave great satisfaction. Meanwhile, I +made another attempt to continue my rehearsals of _Manon_. Not only was +I excluded from the stage by the hammering and knocking of this new +Anglo-German Opera Company, but they turned one of the corners of the +foyer into a kind of business office, where their chatterings greatly +interrupted my rehearsals with pianoforte. These, at least, I thought, +might be managed within the theatre. + +On ordering an orchestral rehearsal at Steinway Hall the following +morning I was surprised to find that Mr. Thomas and his orchestra had +actually gone there before me; and I had to dismiss my principal +singers, chorus, and orchestra for a couple of hours, when with +difficulty I was enabled to make a short rehearsal. + +This went on day after day much to my annoyance. The Directors now began +troubling me to pay the rent; to which I replied that I would willingly +do so as soon as they performed their portion of the contract by +allowing me to rehearse. + +About this time I was challenged to meet the Rev. H. Haweis, author of +_Music and Morals_, in a discussion on Wagner to be held at the +Nineteenth Century Club, at which a great number of the fashionables of +New York were present. After a brief introductory address, Mr. +Courtlaudt Palmer, President of the Club, introduced the Rev. Mr. +Haweis. His paper was a running series of anecdotes about Wagner, many +of them keeping the audience in a continual laugh. He then made an +onslaught on Italian Opera, assuring the audience that its days were +numbered, that Wagner for the future was the one composer of dramatic +music, and that every support should be given to his works now being +represented at the Metropolitan Opera-house. + +When he had concluded I rose and said, "You have told us much about +Wagner, but nothing about his music. I trust I am not unparliamentary +when I say that if he is to be judged by the effect of his works on the +public--works that have now been for years before the world--Wagner is +an operatic failure, and that what the Rev. Mr. Haweis has told us about +his operas is sheer nonsense. One question he puts to me is: 'Did I ever +lose money by Wagner?' I say emphatically, 'yes.' I once brought over +all the material for his trilogy, the _Ring des Nibelungen_, from Munich +to London, where it was to have been produced (according to one of the +conditions of the agreement) under the supervision of Wagner himself. +The master did not come; but his work was produced under a conductor of +his own choice, and when the series had been twice given about six +thousand pounds had been lost. + +"My time will come yet. I labour under many difficulties now; but when +New Yorkers are tired of backing German and American Opera, and will +only subsidize me with one per cent. of the millions they are going to +lose, I will return and give them Italian Opera." + +I remember an interesting and, I must admit, not altogether inexact +account of my production of the _Ring des Nibelungen_ being given in the +_Musical Journal_ of New York. + +"The series," wrote the American journalist, "was given under the +special patronage of the Prince of Wales, who loyally remained in his +box from the rising to the going down of the curtain, although he +confessed afterwards that it was the toughest work he had ever done in +his life. When Wotan came on the darkened stage and commenced his little +recitative to an accompaniment of discords the Prince took a doze, but +was awakened half-an-hour later by a double forte crash of the +orchestra, and, having fallen asleep again, was startled by another +climax fifteen minutes afterwards, when he found Wotan still at it, +singing against time. At the end of five weeks Mapleson's share of the +losses was 30,000 dollars; and the Prince told him confidentially that +if Wotan appeared in any more operas he should withdraw his patronage." + +By dint of perseverance, together with the aid of various managers, I +succeeded in producing Wallace's _Maritana_. I first performed it over +in Brooklyn, where it met with the most unqualified success, nearly +every piece of music being encored, while Ravelli roused the audience to +frantic enthusiasm by a finely-delivered high C from the chest at the +conclusion of "Let me like a soldier fall." On a third encore he sang it +in English. I then returned to the New York Academy with this opera, +thus fulfilling the second of my promises in the prospectus. + +It wanted now but nine days to the conclusion of my season, and as I had +given to the public, despite the grumbling and cavilling, all the +singers announced in my prospectus, I strained every nerve to produce +the last of my promised operas, which caused more difficulty than all +the others put together. This was _Manon_, which I succeeded in placing +on the stage with entirely new scenery and dresses, and with a +magnificent cast. + +Glad indeed was I to shake the dust off my feet on leaving the Academy, +where during a course of some eight or nine years I had given the New +York public every available singer of eminence, including Adelina Patti, +Etelka Gerster, Albani, Fursch-Madi, Scalchi, Campanini, Aramburo, +Mierzwinski, Galassi, De Anna, Del Puente, Foli, and other celebrities. +I confess I was not chagrined when I gradually saw after a couple of +seasons had passed the downfall of the Anglo-German-American Opera +Company, which from the very beginning had failed to benefit musical art +in any way. Not a single work by an American composer was given, the +repertory being entirely made up of translations of German operas. I +also read without any deep regret of the total break-up of the Academy +with all its belongings. It is now the home of a "variety show." + +This New York season of 1885 was a most disastrous one financially, as +it necessitated my closing for nearly a fortnight in order that the +promised productions should all be given. It was with great difficulty +that I could start the tour, as every combination seemed to be against +me. + +However, I opened at Boston with _Carmen_ early in January, 1886, to a +crowded house; the other performances of that week being _Fra Diavolo_, +_Manon_, _Maritana_, _Traviata_, and _Carmen_ for a _matinée_, the +receipts of which exceeded even those of its performance on the previous +Monday. + +During the second week _Faust_, _Don Giovanni_, _Rigoletto_, _Martha_, +etc., were performed. We left the next day for Philadelphia, where we +remained until the middle of the following week. From there we went on +to Baltimore, Washington, Pittsburg, Chicago, opening in the last-named +city very successfully with a performance of _Carmen_; when a violent +scene occurred during the third act from which may be said to date the +disastrous consequences which followed throughout the whole of the +route; one paper copying from another, with occasional exaggerations, so +that in every town we visited the public expected a similar disturbance. +Hence a general falling off in the receipts. + +It was in the middle of the third act, when "Don José," the tenor +(Ravelli), was about to introduce an effective high note which generally +brought down the house, that "Carmen" rushed forward and embraced +him--why I could never understand. Being interrupted at the moment of +his effect, he was greatly enraged, and by his movements showed that he +had resolved to throw Madame Hauk into the orchestra. But she held +firmly on to his red waistcoat, he shouting all the time, "_Laissez +moi, Laissez moi!_" until all the buttons came off one by one, when she +retired hastily to another part of the stage. Ravelli rushed forward and +exclaimed, "_Regardez, elle a déchiré mon gilet!_" and with such rage +that he brought down thunders of applause, the people believing this +genuine expression of anger to be part of the play. + +Shortly afterwards, on the descent of the curtain, a terrible scene +occurred, which led to my receiving this letter the following morning:-- + + "Palmer House, Chicago, + + "February 9th, 1886. + +"DEAR COLONEL MAPLESON, + +"The vile language, the insults, and threats against the life of my wife +in presence of the entire Company, quite incapacitate her from singing +further, she being in constant fear of being stabbed or maltreated by +that artist, the unpleasant incident having quite upset her nervous +system. She is completely prostrate, and will be unable to appear again +in public before her health is entirely restored, which under present +aspects will take several weeks. I have requested two prominent +physicians of this city to examine her and send you their certificates. +Please, therefore, to withdraw her name from the announcements made for +the future. + +"As a matter of duty, I trust you will feel the necessity to give ample +satisfaction to Miss Hauk for the shameful and outrageous insults to +which she was exposed last night, and Mr. Ravelli can congratulate +himself on my absence from the stage, when further scenes would have +occurred. + +"I fully recognize the unpleasant effect this incident may have on your +receipts, more especially so should I inflict upon him personally the +punishment he deserves. + +"I am, dear Colonel Mapleson, + +"Very truly yours, + +"(Signed) E. DE HESSE WARTEGG." + +The following day I received this, other epistle:-- + + "February 10th. + +"DEAR SIR, + +"My client, Baron Hesse Wartegg, has applied to me for advice concerning +the indignities which Signor Ravelli, of your troupe, has offered to +Mdme. Minnie Hauk on the stage. Signor Ravelli has uttered serious +threats against the lady, and has on several occasions in presence of +the public assaulted her and inflicted bodily injuries, notably on +Monday evening last, during the performance of _Carmen_. My client +wishes me to invoke the protection of the law against similar +occurrences, as Mdme. Hauk fears that her life is in imminent danger. +Under these circumstances I am compelled to apply to the magistrates for +a warrant against Signor Ravelli, in order that he may be bound over to +keep the peace. The law of this State affecting offences of this +character is very severe, and should the matter be brought to the +cognizance of our courts, Miss Hauk will not only have ample protection, +but Mr. Ravelli will be punished. It is her desire, however, to avoid +unpleasant notoriety, which would doubtless reflect on your entire +troupe, and on your undertaking to execute a bond for 2,000 dollars to +guarantee the future good conduct of Ravelli I shall proceed no further. +I respectfully invite your immediate attention to this, and beg you will +favour me with an early reply. Should I fail to hear from you before +to-morrow evening I shall construe your silence as a refusal to secure +proper protection for Miss Hauk and proceed accordingly. + +"Miss Hauk and her husband are actuated by no other motives but those +which are prompted by the lady's own safety. Please favour me with an +early answer. + +"Very respectfully yours, + + "(Signed) WILLIAM VOCKE, + + "Attorney for Miss Minnie Hauk." + +I had no option but to give the bond. + +That evening Signor Arditi, on leaving the theatre, caught a severe +cold, which confined him to his bed, developing afterwards into an +attack of pneumonia. The assistant conductor, Signor Sapio, was attacked +by a similar malady; also Mdlle. Bauermeister, who was soon indeed in a +very dangerous condition. + +The following evening Mdlle. Fohström appeared as "Lucia di Lammermoor," +and met with very great success. + +With much persuasion I induced Miss Hauk to reappear as "Carmen", +replacing Ravelli by the other tenor, De Falco. + +During the ensuing week Arditi's condition became worse and worse. As we +were engaged to appear the following evening at Minneapolis we were +compelled to leave him behind as well as various other members of the +Company, who were also indisposed. Prior to my departure I saw the +doctor, who informed me that he considered Arditi's case hopeless; on +which I prepared a cable for his wife asking what was to be done with +his remains. This I left confidentially with the waiter. + +I managed to get with the remnants of my Company to Minneapolis, where a +severe attack of gout developed itself, which confined me to my bed; I +in turn being left behind whilst the Company went on to St. Paul. + +On the Company leaving St. Paul I managed to join the train on its road +to St. Louis, where we remained a week. On the last day of our stay +there I was pleased to see Arditi again able to join the Company, though +in a very delicate state. Mdme. Hauk arrived at St. Louis the last day +we were there. The following week we performed in Kansas City, where for +the opening we gave _Carmen_ with Minnie Hauk, followed by _Faust_ with +Mdme. Nordica as "Margherita." The following night at Topeka we played +_Lucia di Lammermoor_ with Fohström. + +During these lengthened journeys across the Continent to the Pacific +Coast the whole of the salaries ran on as if the artists were performing +regularly. + +As a rule we all travelled together; but occasionally, when the distance +between one engagement and the next was too great, and the time too +short, we separated. Sometimes one town in which we performed was four +or five hundred miles away from the next. In that case the train was +either divided into two or into three pieces, as the case might be. For +instance, when we left for Chicago the engineer saw that he was unable +to get to that city in time for our engagement the same evening. He +therefore telegraphed back to Pittsburg, and the railroad officials +there telegraphed on to Fort Wayne to have two extra locomotives ready +for us. Our train was then cut into three parts, and sent whizzing along +to Chicago at a lively rate, getting there in plenty of time for the +evening's performance. It was wonderful, and nothing but a great +corporation like the Pennsylvania Railroad Company could accomplish such +a feat. By leaving at two o'clock in the morning we arrived at four the +same afternoon at our next destination, in ample time to perform that +evening; my hundred and sixty people having travelled a distance of four +or five hundred miles with scenery, dresses, and properties. + +We afterwards visited St. Joseph and Denver, opening at the latter with +_Carmen_ on a Saturday at the Academy of Music. Early the next morning +we decided to give a grand Sunday concert at the Tabor Opera-house; but +as no printing could be done, and no newspapers were published, the +announcements had to be chalked upon the walls. With some difficulty we +got a programme printed towards the latter part of the day, but +notwithstanding this short announcement, so popular was the Company that +the house was literally packed full. We played at Cheyenne the following +evening, afterwards visiting Salt Lake City, where we presented +_Carmen_. The irascible Mr. Ravelli again showed temper, and by doing so +caused great inconvenience. I replaced him by one of the other tenors of +the Company. + +Of course I was blamed for this. Ravelli, however, had declared himself +to be indisposed, and I at once published the certificate signed by Dr. +Fowler. + +The opera went exceedingly well. + +Immediately after the performance we started for San Francisco, where we +arrived the following Sunday afternoon, opening with _Carmen_ on the +Monday night before a most distinguished audience. Signor Ravelli +performed "Don José," but in a very careless manner, omitting the best +part of the music. He made little or no effect, whilst Minnie Hauk, who +had not recovered from her previous fatigues, obtained but a _succès +d'estime_. + +Meantime a sale of seats by auction, which had been held, was an entire +_fiasco_. + +The second evening Mdlle. Fohström made a most brilliant success. The +third night was devoted to Massenet's _Manon_, in which Miss Hauk did +far better than on the opening night. The following evening we performed +_La Traviata_, in which Mdme. Nordica made her appearance, Signor +Giannini undertaking the _rôle_ of "Alfredo." During this time great +preparations were being made for a production of _L'Africaine_. The +whole of the scenery and dresses, even to the ship, had been brought to +the Pacific coast, at a considerable outlay; no less than £900 being +paid for overweight of baggage through transporting this costly vessel +across the plains. + +The performance was a fine one, and the work was rendered admirably +throughout, the great ballets and the processions gaining immense +applause. + +In the meantime a great deal of unpleasantness was going on in the +Company, which greatly crippled my movements, besides diminishing my +nightly receipts. + +Although Ravelli, who was really the cause of all the trouble, had been +ill for nearly three weeks, he refused to sing any more unless his full +salary were paid him for the whole of the time. This, of course, I +refused, and law proceedings were the consequence. + +De Anna, the baritone, had an engagement for the whole six months of our +American tour; and there was a clause in his contract which provided +that during the interval of eight days, about the latter part of +December, whilst the Company was idle, the salary should be suspended. +But on our resuming the tour Mr. De Anna immediately notified me that +unless I paid him for those eight days he would stop singing. This was +the commencement of my trouble with him. Prior to our arrival his salary +was handed to him, half in cash, and half in a cheque payable at San +Francisco. He presented his cheque at the bank before the money had been +placed there, and notified me that in consequence of non-payment he +refused to sing that evening. Thereupon the treasurer went down to his +hotel with the money, which was only a small amount of some £50 or £60. +But he refused to accept it and surrender the cheque. The money was +again tendered to him, and again refused. + +De Anna, following suit with Ravelli, immediately inserted an +advertisement in the daily papers setting forth that the part of +"Nelusko" in _L'Africaine_ was one of the most arduous _rôles_ in the +_répertoire_ of a baritone, and that he alone was capable of performing +it; while he at the same time respectfully informed the public that he +did not intend to do so. + +In the production of _L'Africaine_, however, Del Puente undertook the +_rôle_ of "Nelusko," and met with signal success, so that the +recalcitrant baritone was left out in the cold and not missed. This +tended still further to rouse his ire, and he resorted to a series of +daily statements of some kind or other with the view of discrediting the +Opera. + +It was, indeed, a trying matter to me. The baritone, De Anna, refused to +sing, and Ravelli was in bed with a bad cold; so, too, was Mdlle. +Fohström. News, moreover, arrived from Minneapolis that Mdme. Nordica's +mother, who had been left there, was at the point of death. Nordica +insisted on rushing off at a moment's notice to make the journey of five +days in the hope of reaching her while she was yet alive; and the rest +of the Company were in open rebellion. + +The season, however, despite these almost insurmountable difficulties, +was a complete artistic success; and the Company I presented to my +supporters in San Francisco was one that would have done honour to any +European Opera-house. But, again, the name of _la Diva_ being missing, +the patronage accorded me was of a most scanty kind. The wealthy and +luxurious inhabitants of the suggestively named "Nobs' Hill" remained +carefully away. + +I managed, however, to give the twenty-four consecutive performances +promised, together with three Sunday concerts, the penultimate +performance being devoted to my benefit. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE RETREAT FROM FRISCO--HOTEL DANGERS--A SCENE FROM "CARMEN"--OPERATIC +INVALIDS--MURDEROUS LOVERS--RAVELLI'S CLAIM--GENERAL BARNES'S +REPLY--CLAMOUR FOR HIGHER PRICES--MY ONWARD MARCH. + + +San Francisco, or Frisco, as the inhabitants pleasantly call it, is at +the end of the American world; it is the toe of the stocking beyond +which there is no further advance. For this reason many persons who go +to Frisco with the intention of coming back do, as a matter of fact, +remain. It is comparatively easy to get there, but the return may be +difficult. It is obviously a simpler matter to scrape together enough +money for a single journey than to collect sufficient funds for a +journey to and fro; and the capital of California is full of +newly-settled residents, many of whom, having got so far, have found +themselves without the means of retracing their steps. + +At the period of the operatic campaign conducted by me--which, +beginning most auspiciously, ended in trouble, disaster, and a retreat +that was again and again on the point of being cut off--contending +railway companies had so arranged matters that access to San Francisco +was easier than ever. The war of rates had been carried on with such +severity that the competing railway companies had at last, in their +determination of outstripping one another, reduced the charge for +carriage from Omaha to Frisco to a nominal sum per head. £20 (100 +dollars) was the amount levied for conveying a passenger to Frisco +direct; but on his arrival at the Frisco terminus £19 was returned to +him as "rebate" when he gave up his ticket. + +The rates from Frisco to New York had also been considerably reduced; +and it was not until, after a series of pecuniary failures, we were on +the point of starting that, to our confusion and my despair, they were +suddenly raised. I had a force of 160 under my command, with an unusual +proportion of baggage; and this hostile move on the part of the railway +companies had the immediate effect of arresting my egress from the city. + +Ravelli, possibly at the suggestion of his oracular dog (who always gave +him the most perfidious counsel), had laid an embargo on all the music, +thus delaying our departure, which would otherwise have been effected +while the railway companies were still at war. They seemed to have come +to an understanding for the very purpose of impeding my retreat. +Ravelli suffered more than I did by his inconsiderate behaviour, for he +was entirely unable, with or without the aid of his canine adviser, to +look after his own interests. + +It must be understood that in America a creditor or any claimant for +money, _bonâ-fide_ or not, can in the case of a foreigner commence +process by attaching the property of the alleged debtor. This may be +done on a simple affidavit, and the matter is not brought before the +Courts until afterwards. + +All the foreigner can do in return is to find "bondsmen" who will +guarantee his appearance at a future period, or, in default, payment of +the sum demanded; and it has happened to me when I have been on the +point of taking ship to be confronted by a number of claimants, each of +whom had procured an order empowering him either to arrest me or to +seize my effects. I used, therefore, on my way to the steamer, or it +might be the railway station, to march, attended by a couple of +"bondsmen" and a Judge. The "bondsmen" gave the necessary security, the +Judge signed his acceptance of the proffered guarantee, and I was then +at liberty to depart. + +Once, as I have already shown, I had to suffer attachment of my receipts +at the hands of a body of "scalpers," who, when I had liberated the +money through the aid of two friendly "bondsmen" and a courteous Judge, +abandoned their claim; though when next year I returned to Frisco they +could, of course, had it not been absolutely groundless, have pressed +it before the proper tribunal. + +Among other extraordinary claims made upon me immediately after the +affair of the "scalpers" was one for 400 gallons of eau de Cologne. Some +such quantity had, it was alleged, been ordered for fountains that were +to play in front of the Opera-house; but the dealers, in lieu of eau de +Cologne, had furnished me chiefly with water of the country. They swore, +however, that I really owed them the money they demanded, and an +attachment was duly granted. + +It was through the treachery, then, of the dog-fearing Ravelli that our +misfortunes in Frisco were brought to something like a crisis. In +seizing the music in which the whole Company had an interest the +thoughtless tenor was, of course, injuring himself and preparing his own +discomfiture. The effect of his action was in any case to stop for a +time my departure. We had evacuated the city, and now found ourselves +blocked and isolated at the railway station. The railways would not have +us at any price but their own. The hotel keepers were by no means +anxious for our return, and some of the members of my Company had a +healthy horror of running up hotel bills they were unable to pay. This +may in part at least have been inspired by the following notice which, +or something to the same effect, may be found exhibited in most of the +Western hotels:-- + + * * * * * + + _An Act to Protect Hotel and Boarding-house Keepers._ + +"Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the + State of Missouri as follows:-- + +"Section I.--Every person who shall obtain board or lodging in any hotel +or boarding-house by means of any statement or pretence, or shall fail +or refuse to pay therefor, shall be held to have obtained the same with +the intent to cheat and defraud such hotel or boarding-house keeper, and +shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanour, and upon conviction thereof +shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or by +imprisonment in the county gaol or city workhouse not exceeding six +months, or by both (such) fine and imprisonment. + +"Section II.--It shall be the duty of every hotel and boarding-house +keeper in this State to post a printed copy of this Act in a conspicuous +place in each room of his or her hotel or boarding-house, and no +conviction shall be had under the foregoing section until it shall be +made to appear to the satisfaction of the Court that the provisions of +this section have been substantially complied with by the hotel or +boarding-house keeper making the complaint. + +"Approved March 25th, 1885." + + * * * * * + +I had, counting principals, chorus, ballet, and orchestra, 160 persons +under my care, and by the terms of the hotel notice just reproduced the +penalties incurred by my Company, had they quartered themselves upon +innkeepers without possessing the means of paying their bills, would +have amounted in the gross to £16,000 in fines and eighty years in +periods of imprisonment. It was evidently better to bivouac in the open +than to run the chance of so crushing a punishment. + +A deputation of the chorus waited upon me, saying that as their artistic +career seemed to be at an end, it would be as well for them to take to +the sale of bananas and ice creams in the streets; whilst others +proposed to start restaurants, or to blacken their faces and form +themselves into companies of Italian niggers. + +Some of the female choristers wished to take engagements as cooks, and +one ancient dame who in her early youth had sold flowers on the banks of +the Arno thought it would be pretty and profitable to resume in Frisco +the occupation which she had pursued some thirty or forty years +previously at Florence. + +All these chorus singers seemed to have a trade of some kind to depend +upon. In Italy they had been choristers only by night, and in the day +time had followed the various callings to which now in their difficult +position they desired to return. All I was asked for by my choristers +was permission to consider themselves free, and in a few cases a little +money with which to buy wheelbarrows. I adjured them, however, to remain +faithful to me, and soon persuaded them that if they stuck to the +colours all would yet be right. For forty-eight hours they remained +encamped outside the theatre. Fortunately they were in a climate as +beautiful as that of their native land; and with a little macaroni, +which they cooked in the open air, a little Californian wine, which +costs next to nothing, and a little tobacco they managed to get on. + + _From the "Morning Call."_ + +"The scene outside the Grand Opera-house looked very much like Act 3 +from _Carmen_--about 100 antique and picturesque members of Mapleson's +chorus and ballet, male and female, were sitting or lying on their +baggage where they had passed the night. As these light-hearted and +light-pursed children of sunny Italy lay basking in the sun they helped +the hours to pass by card playing, cigarette smoking, and the exercise +of other international vices. One could notice that there was a sort of +expectant fear amongst them seldom seen in people of their class." + +What above all annoyed them was that they were not allowed to go to +their trunks, an embargo having been laid not only on my music, but on +the whole of the Company's baggage. One of them, Mdme. Isia, wished to +get something out of her box, but she was warned off by the Sheriff, who +at once drew his revolver. + +The Oakland steamer was ready to carry us across the bay to the railway +station as soon as we should be free to depart. But there were +formalities still to go through and positive obstacles to overcome. At +last my anxious choristers, looking everywhere for some sign, saw me +driving towards them in a buggy with the Sheriff's officer. I bore in my +hand a significant bit of blue paper which I waved like a flag as I +approached them. They responded with a ringing cheer. They understood me +and knew that they were saved. + +How, it will be asked, did the Company lose its popularity with the +American public to such an extent as to be unable to perform with any +profitable result? In the first place several of the singers had fallen +ill, and though the various maladies by which they were affected could +not by any foresight on my part have been prevented, the public, while +recognizing that fact, ended at last by losing faith in a Company whose +leading members were invalids. + +One of the St. Louis papers had given at the time a detailed account of +the illnesses from which so many members of my Company were suffering. + +"An astonishing amount of sickness," said the writer, "has seriously +interfered with the success of the Italian Opera. Fohström and Dotti +sang during the engagement, but both complained of colds and +sore-throats, and claimed that their singing was not near as good as it +usually is. Minnie Hauk had a cold and stayed all the week in St. Paul. +Mdlle. Bauermeister could not sing on account of bronchitis. Signor +Belasco was compelled to have several teeth pulled out, and complained +of swollen gums. Mdme. Nordica was sick, without going into particulars. +Signor Rigo was sick after the same fashion. Signor Sapio was attacked +by quinsy at Chicago, and returned to New York. Signor Arditi, the +musical conductor, was confined to his bed with pneumonia. Mdme. +Lablache had a bad cold and appeared with difficulty. Many of the +costumes failed to appear because Signor Belasco, the armourer, was +taken sick en route, and held the keys of the trunks." + +The illness from which so many of the members of my Company were +suffering might, in part at least, be accounted for by their reckless +gaiety at St. Paul. The winter festival was in full swing, and the +ice-palace and tobogganing had charms for my vocalists, which they were +unable to resist. They went sliding down the hill several times every +day. The ladies would come home with their clinging garments thoroughly +wet. They caught cold as a matter of course, and the sport they had had +sliding down hill took several thousand dollars out of my pocket. + +Minnie Hauk was nearly crazy on tobogganing; so was Nordica. Signori +Sapio and Rigo tried heroically to keep up with the ladies in this +sport, and were afterwards threatened with consumption as a reward for +their gallant efforts. + +But it was above all the conflict between Ravelli and Minnie Hauk in +_Carmen_ that did us harm, for the details of the affair soon got known +and were at once reproduced in all the papers. It has been seen that Mr. +von Wartegg found it necessary to bring Ravelli before the police +magistrate and get him bound over on a very heavy penalty to keep the +peace towards Mdme. von Wartegg, otherwise Mdme. Minnie Hauk; and the +case, as a matter of course, was fully reported. + +What could the public think of an Opera Company in which the tenor was +always threatening to murder the prima donna, while the prima donna's +husband found himself forced to take up a position at one of the wings +bearing a revolver with which he proposed to shoot the tenor the moment +he showed the slightest intention of approaching the personage for whom +he is supposed to entertain an ungovernable passion? "Don José" was, +according to the opera, madly in love with "Carmen." But it was an +understood thing between the singers impersonating these two characters +that they were to keep at a respectful distance one from the other. +Ravelli was afraid of Minnie Hauk's throttling him while engaged in the +emission of a high B flat; and Minnie Hauk, on her side, dreaded the +murderous knife with which Ravelli again and again had threatened her. +Love-making looks, under such conditions, a little unreal. "I adore you; +but I will not allow you under pretence of embracing me to pinch my +throat!" + +"If you don't keep at a respectful distance I will stab you!" + +Such contradictions between words and gestures, between the music of the +singers and their general demeanour towards one another, could not +satisfy even the least discriminating of audiences; and the American +public, if appreciative, is also critical. + +With some of my singers ill in bed, others quarrelling and fighting +among themselves on the public stage, my Company got the credit of being +entirely disorganized, and at every fresh city we visited our receipts +became smaller and smaller. The expenditure meanwhile in salaries, +travelling expenses, law costs, and hotel bills was something enormous. +The end of it all was that at San Francisco we found ourselves defeated +and compelled to seek safety in flight. + +We did our best at one final performance to get in a little money with +which to begin the retreat; and I must frankly admit that the +hotel-keepers on whom the various members of my Company were at this +time quartered did their very best to push the sale of tickets, for in +that alone lay their hope of getting their bills paid. + +It has been seen that at one time I was threatened with a complete +break-up: my forces seemed on the point of dispersing. + +I succeeded, however, in keeping the Company together with the exception +only of Ravelli, Cherubini, and Mdlle. Devigne, who afterwards started +to give representations on their own account, and soon found themselves +in a worse plight than even their former associates who had the loyalty +and the sense to remain with me. After much aimless rambling they +turned their heads towards New York, which, in the course of two months, +they contrived by almost superhuman efforts to reach. + +Before leaving, Ravelli, as I have shown, dealt me a treacherous blow by +getting an embargo laid on my music as if to secure him payment of money +due, but which was proved not to be owing as soon as the matter was +brought before the Court. That there may be no mistake on this point I +will here give exact reproductions of Ravelli's claim as set forth in +due legal form, and of my reply thereto. Apart from the substance of the +case, it will interest the reader to see that an American brief bears +but little resemblance to the ponderous document known by that name in +England. An American lawyer sets forth in plain direct language what in +England would be concealed beneath a mass of puzzling and almost +unintelligible verbiage. I may add that law papers in America are not +pen-written but type-written, being thus made clear not only to the +mind, but also to the eye. In America a lawyer arrives in Court with a +few type-written papers in the breast-pocket of his coat. In England he +would be attended by an unhappy boy groaning beneath the weight of a +whole mass of scribbled paper divided into numerous parcels, each one +tied up with red tape. + +I will now give the documents in the case of Ravelli against Mapleson, +which, after being heard, was dismissed, but which, in spite of the +admirable rapidity of American law proceedings, caused me several days' +delay, and, as a result, incalculable losses; for apart from the sudden +rise in the railway rates I missed engagements at several important +cities along my line of march. + + "_Superior Court City and County of San Francisco_, + _State of California_. + + "LUIGI RAVELLI, Plaintiff, v. J. H. MAPLESON, + Defendant. + + "_Complaint._ + +"Plaintiff above named complains of defendant above named, and for cause +of action alleges: + +"That between the 4th day of February 1886, and the 4th day of April +1886 the Plaintiff rendered services to the defendant at said +defendant's special instance and request, in the capacity of an Opera +singer. + +"That for said services the said defendant promised to pay plaintiff a +salary at the rate of twenty-four hundred dollars per month. + +"That said defendant has not paid the said salary or any part thereof, +and no part of the same has been paid, and plaintiff has often demanded +payment thereof. + +"Wherefore plaintiff demands judgment against the defendant for the sum +of forty-eight hundred dollars and costs of suit and interest. + + "FRANK & EISNER & REGENSBURGER, + "Attorneys for Plaintiff." + + _"State of California, City and County of San + Francisco._ + +"LUIGI RAVELLI being duly sworn says that he is the Plaintiff in the +above entitled action. That he has heard read the foregoing complaint +and knows the contents thereof. That the same is true of his own +knowledge except as to the matters therein stated on his information and +belief and as to those matters he believes the same to be true. + + "LUIGI RAVELLI + +"Sworn to before me this 10th day of April 1886. + + "SAMUEL HERINGHIE, + + "Dep. Co. Clerk." + +In reply to the above my attorney and friend, the invincible General W. +H. L. Barnes, put in the following "answer and cross complaint":-- + + "_In the Superior Court of the State of California in + and for the City and County of San Francisco._ + + "LUIGI RAVELLI, Plaintiff, v. J. H. MAPLESON, + Defendant. + +"Now comes J. H. Mapleson defendant in the above entitled action by W. +H. L. Barnes his attorney and for answer to the complaint of Luigi +Ravelli the plaintiff in the above entitled action respectfully shows to +the Court and alleges as follows: + +"The defendant denies that between the 4th day of February A.D. 1886 +and the 4th day of April 1886 or between any other dates plaintiff +rendered services to the defendant at defendant's special instance or +request or otherwise in the capacity of an opera singer or otherwise +except as hereinafter stated. + +"Defendant denies that for said alleged services or otherwise or at all +this defendant promised to pay plaintiff the salary of twenty-four +hundred dollars per month or any sum except as is hereinafter stated. + +"Defendant admits that he has not paid the said plaintiff for his +alleged services since the 4th day of February A.D. 1886; but he denies +that the same or any part thereof is due to plaintiff from the +defendant. + +"And further answering the defendant alleges and shows to the Court as +follows: + +"That heretofore to wit on or about the 22nd day of July A.D. 1885 at +the City of London, England, the plaintiff Luigi Ravelli and this +defendant made and entered into a contract in writing in and by which it +was agreed substantially as follows:-- + +"1st: That said Ravelli engaged as primo tenore assoluto for +performances in Great Britain, Ireland, and the United States with the +defendant, said engagement to begin at the commencement of the season +about the 1st of November A.D. 1885 and to close at the end of the +American season, the salary of said plaintiff to be twenty-four hundred +dollars per month payable monthly. The said Ravelli agreed to sing in +Concerts as well as in Operas, but not to sing either in public nor in +private houses in the Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland, or the United +States during 1885-6 without the written permission of the defendant. +The said plaintiff also agreed in and by said contract to conform +himself to the ordinary rules of the Theatre, and to appear for +rehearsals, representations, and concerts at the place and at the +precise time indicated by the official call, and in case the said +plaintiff should violate said undertaking, the defendant had the right +to deduct a week's salary from the compensation of the plaintiff, or at +his option to entirely cancel the said agreement as by said contract now +in the possession of the defendant, and ready to be produced as the +Court may direct, reference being thereunto had may fully and at large +appear. + +"And the defendant further says that after the making of said contract, +said plaintiff commenced to render services as an Opera singer under +said contract, and so continued down to about the 8th day of February +1886 at which time this defendant was in the City of Chicago, State of +Illinois, and was then and there with his Opera Company engaged in +giving representations of Operas, and the like at the Columbia Theatre +in said City. That on the night of said day, and while the Opera Company +of this defendant was engaged in giving a representation of the Opera +known as _Carmen_ in which Madame Minnie Hauk assumed the _rôle_ of +'Carmen,' and the said Ravelli the _rôle_ of 'Don José,' the said +Ravelli while on the stage, and in the presence of the audience +violently assaulted said Madame Minnie Hauk and threatened then and +there to take her life, and shouted at her the most violently insulting +epithets and language; that his conduct caused said Madame Minnie Hauk +to become violently ill, and she so continued, and from time to time was +unable to perform, thereby compelling this defendant to change the +operas he had proposed and advertised to give, causing great public +disappointment, and great pecuniary loss to this defendant. + +"And the defendant further says that from about the 8th day of February +1885 to and until the 20th of February 1885 plaintiff refused to perform +any of the parts set down for him to sing, or to attend rehearsals, or +to obey calls as they were sent to him, and generally conducted himself +in a brutal and insubordinate manner. That on the 20th of February at +said City of Chicago this defendant with great difficulty persuaded him +to act and sing in the part of 'Arturo' in the Opera of _I Puritani_, +but before said last named day, he had been regularly and formally +notified and called to the rehearsals of the Opera of _Mignon_, and to +rehearse, and sing the part of 'Guglielmo,' and he refused so to do, and +tore up the calls, or notices sent to him therefor, and threw them in +the face of defendant's messenger. The said Ravelli was announced to +the public to sing the _rôle_ of said 'Guglielmo' in said opera of +_Mignon_ in all advertisements and notices for the 19th day of February +A.D. 1885, but wholly refused and neglected so to do, and also neglected +and refused to appear and sing in the _rôle_ of 'Don José' in _Carmen_, +announced in bills and advertised for February 20th, 1885. + +"That after this defendant had as aforesaid persuaded said Luigi Ravelli +to sing in the part of _I Puritani_, he continued to sing until the 13th +March, at which time this defendant was with his Company at the City of +Denver, in the Territory of Colorado, at which time and place he again +without reason or excuse neglected and refused to sing in a public +concert advertised and given in said City by this defendant. + +"That thereafter and until the 6th of April 1885 said Ravelli was +insubordinate, disrespectful, and self-willed in all his relations with +this defendant, and falsely pretended to be unable to sing with the +exception of two occasions, and on each of such occasions, without +permission of this defendant, and without notice, he wilfully omitted +the various principal airs and songs in the presence of the public who +had paid to hear him sing the same, thereby causing this defendant great +annoyance and loss by reason of the disappointment of the public, and +the ill-will of the public towards this defendant caused thereby. That +during the past four weeks during which this defendant has been with his +said Company in the City and County of San Francisco the said Ravelli +has repeatedly wilfully broken his contract, disappointed the public and +greatly injured this defendant in his enterprise in business. He has +sung only twice during all said period, and on his first appearance +wilfully and maliciously omitted to sing a principal part of the music +set down for him to sing, thereby disappointing the public, interrupting +and injuring the representation and inflicting great injury and loss on +this defendant. + +"That on the 10th of April last the said Luigi Ravelli was duly called +to rehearsal, and to sing certain music selected by himself, and which +he had requested this defendant to insert in the Concert programme for +April 11th, but refused to rehearse or sing at said concert although +this defendant had caused to be prepared said music and the band parts +thereof to be written out, and arranged to suit the pleasure and caprice +of said plaintiff. + +"That said Ravelli not only refused to sing, but then and there declared +he would sing no longer for this defendant, and falsely and maliciously +inserted advertisements and notices in certain of the public newspapers +of San Francisco, which notices and publications were greatly to the +injury of this defendant. + +"That all of which doings of said plaintiff were in breach of his +contract with this defendant, and greatly to this defendant's damage, +and to his damage in the sum of five thousand dollars. + +"And this defendant further says that he has repeatedly condoned the +violations by said plaintiff of said contract with this defendant and +his violence and brutality towards persons of the Company other than +this defendant in the hope that he will ultimately come to his senses, +and behave himself as he should; but that all this defendant's +forbearance towards him has been of no effect, and has led only to +repeated and further violations of his contract. + +"Wherefore this defendant alleges that all and singular the said acts +and doings of said Ravelli have constituted, and are so many breaches of +his said contract with this defendant and that the same have been to the +damage of this defendant over and above the amount of salary to which +the said Ravelli would have been entitled had he properly conducted +himself in the respects aforesaid, the full sum of five thousand +dollars. + +"Wherefore the defendant demands that the said complaint be dismissed, +and that he may have and recover of the plaintiff as damages for the +breach of his said contract with this defendant the sum of five thousand +dollars, together with the costs of the action and disbursements +incurred in defending this action. + + "W. H. L. BARNES, + + "Attorney for Defendant." + + "_State of California, City and County of San Francisco_. + +"J. H. MAPLESON being duly sworn deposes and says that he is the +defendant in the above entitled action, that he has read the foregoing +answer and cross-complaint and knows the contents thereof; that the same +is true of his own knowledge except as to those matters which are +therein stated on his own information and belief and that as to those +matters that he believes it to be true. + + "J. H. MAPLESON. + +"Subscribed and sworn to before me this 16th day of April A.D. 1886. + +[Illustration: SEAL.] + + "GEO. F. KNOX, + "Notary Public." + +The suit having been promptly terminated in my favour (General Barnes +wins all his cases, even when they are not quite as good as mine was) I +had to pay a few dollars for law expenses, and the embargo on the music +and baggage was raised. But we could not start on our long journey with +something like ten dollars among the whole one hundred and sixty of us, +and I had still many difficulties to contend with before I could make a +start. In London or Paris I should have begun by parting with my +valuable jewellery, but this I could not do in an American city without +everyone getting at once to know of it. That jewellery cannot pass from +hand to hand without some reasonable proof of ownership being given is +undoubtedly an excellent thing, though it did not suit my particular +case. In England we are such lovers of liberty that a low-class +pawnbroker or a receiver of stolen goods is free to purchase or to +accept as a pledge whatever may be offered to him without asking +inconvenient questions, or troubling himself in any way as to how the +property came into the hands of the person anxious to dispose of it. In +America the vendor or pledger of any article of value must give his real +name and address, and at the same time brings as reference some +respectable person, whose name and address must also be given. This +reminds me (if for a few moments I may be allowed to depart from the +thread of my story) that in America spirits cannot legally be sold to +anyone under the age of fifteen, nor under any circumstances to women. +In England we are so wonderfully free that women and children may buy +penn'orths of gin at any public-house; and one enterprising publican is +said to have made a large fortune by establishing in his drink-den a +metal counter low enough to suit the convenience of small children. + +I was obliged to leave a fifty-pound ring at one hotel as security for +the payment of a singer's bill, and, oddly enough, when this ring was +afterwards forwarded me in a registered letter to New York it was seized +at the moment of my opening the packet by a creditor, or rather a +claimant, who, for a pretended debt, had procured an attachment against +my effects; so that it was not until after I had gone through several +formalities that I could get it finally into my possession. + +I remember a case in which an American manager, whose receipts had been +attached, made a point of putting the money, as it was paid at the +doors, into his pockets, which in a very short time were laden with +coin. To attach the money that a man carries in his pockets a special +order known as a "garnishee" is necessary; and the attachment of money +carried on the person cannot be obtained unless the bearer admits that +he has it about him, or can be proved on sworn evidence to have made +such an admission within the hearing of another person. + +When an attachment has once been obtained the order of attachment can be +sent on by telegraph to be enforced, wherever the person against whom it +has been granted possesses property. On the other hand, as a +counterbalancing advantage, a manager may pledge his receipts by +telegraph, and one man may at any time send money to another by the same +means at quite a nominal charge. Deposit the money at a telegraph +office, and the clerk telegraphs to the office of the place where your +correspondent is staying that a sum equal in amount to the one deposited +is to be forthwith paid. Our post-office orders are issued at usurious +rates, and within limited hours. One cannot, however, but foresee the +day when we shall be reasonable enough in this, as in so many other +matters of practical life, to imitate the Americans. + +It was absolutely necessary for me at the last moment to part with a +certain amount of jewellery, and this I contrived to do without, I +hope, attracting too much attention. I was spared the annoyance of +seeing the details of each separate sale recorded in the newspapers. + +I calculated that the losses caused to me by Ravelli's preposterous +conduct amounted to at least 10,000 dollars. At some of the cities along +the great line of railway, where I had engaged to give performances, I +was unable, having lost the dates that had been fixed, to get others; +and at one city, where the manager gave me another date, he stopped the +whole of the receipts; which he said were due to him as damages for the +injury done to him by not performing on the evening originally +appointed. + +On the morning of our departure--our escape, I may say--from the city +where, a year before, we had been so prosperous, and whence I had borne +away not a small, but a very considerable fortune, I was awakened about +one o'clock in the morning by a Chinaman, a negro, and several Italian +choristers, all crying out for money. But I satisfied every claim before +I left; and I was more astonished than delighted to find myself +complimented on having done so by one of the San Francisco papers, in +which it was pointed out that I could easily have saved myself the +trouble and pain in which I had been involved by taking a ticket and +travelling eastward on my own account, leaving the Company to take care +of themselves in the Californian capital. + +I was not in a position to give gratuities to all who, in my opinion, +deserved them. But John O'Molloy, the gasman of the Opera-house, had +stood by me manfully in all my troubles; and I could not leave without +making him a small present. In doing so I rendered the poor fellow a +truly tragic service; inasmuch as, for the sake of the twenty-five +dollar note which I gave him, he was the same evening robbed and +murdered. + +On the whole, though in the midst of my difficulties I had been worried +a little by interviewers, the San Francisco papers gave me good words at +parting. One of them explained my pecuniary failure not by the scandal +which Ravelli's conduct had caused, but by my having played to popular +prices, instead of the exceptionally high ones which I had charged when +the year before Patti was singing for me, and receiving at the time +payment at the rate of £1,000 a night. + +"Opera," said the journal in question, "is regarded as a luxury, to +enjoy which its votaries are willing to pay liberally. High prices are +its illusion, and when put down to current rates the romance of the +thing is destroyed. Mapleson did not appear to understand this, and his +deficiency of the knowledge has caused him to leave us almost a bankrupt +by his San Francisco venture. It is admitted on all hands that he had a +splendid troupe, but the fact of his performing to what are known as +popular prices, and complications arising with certain members of his +troupe, seem to deprive him of his usual success." + +"By the way," said a writer in the paper called _Truth_, "I notice that +Mapleson is said to be indebted to Ravelli for 6,000 dollars, though an +artist notoriously never permits an impresario to owe him more than a +few performances. [It was proved in Court that I owed him nothing.] At +home, as everybody knows, in their own country they receive in about a +year as much as they are paid in a month in America, the streets of +which the average Italian singer imagines to be paved with gold coins. +As to the success or failure of the venture of the impresario they are +supremely indifferent, but pertinaciously continue to demand the utmost +farthing, no matter how badly things may be going. Lyric artists are, as +a rule, the most grossly ignorant people on all subjects, except their +own special art, and money. They are intensely conceited and abominably +selfish, and regard an impresario as their natural prey. The sums that +Ravelli has received from Mapleson in the last few years are beyond +question sufficient to maintain the tenor in comfort and luxury for the +rest of his life. Yet the moment he fails to receive his _quid pro quo_ +he refuses to render his services, denouncing his manager as a swindler, +and abandons him at a moment when by loyalty and a little patience he +could have aided in relieving the ill-fortune which must inevitably be +anticipated in operatic affairs. Of course on general commercial +principles the labourer is worthy of his hire; but in operatic matters +the hire is, as a rule, so entirely out of proportion to the services +rendered, and the conditions of the enterprise so unlike any other +venture, that a little latitude certainly ought to be allowed." + +I found on my arrival at Chicago that one of the Chicago papers had, at +the beginning of my troubles, published the following telegram from its +correspondent at San Francisco:-- + +"Mapleson is fighting his last week of opera at San Francisco in the +teeth of dissensions, his first tenor having published a card to the +purport that Mapleson had not fulfilled his obligations with him, and +that he would not sing unless he published an announcement over his own +name. The _San Francisco Chronicle_, the leading paper, therefore calls +on all music lovers to rally in force for Mapleson's benefit on the +16th. The absurd prices Mapleson pays his operatic cut-throats makes the +opera business a ruinous one. Covered with trophies and a due proportion +of scars from his many campaigns, Mapleson will march his forces into +Chicago to-morrow, Sunday, bivouacing for the night at the Chicago +Opera-house, where his principal members will be heard in a sacred +concert. + +"The different performances given, notwithstanding all these operatic +troubles, have been of that high standard which Mapleson alone has ever +presented to us. Mapleson remains with us another week. Such +performances as he has given are in but few places to be found. No Opera +Company existing to-day has a better troupe of singers. There appears to +exist a general impression among certain of the newspapers that Colonel +Mapleson is operatically dead, and entirely out of the hunt. By his +advent here, he proves to the public that he is still on deck." + +My plan of retreat was well devised, and with a little good luck might +have been thoroughly successful. As it was, it at least enabled us, +without too much delay, to reach New York, and from New York to take +ship for Liverpool. + +Unable to command the railroad in a direct way from Frisco to New York, +I determined to undertake a series of engagements at certain selected +points all along the line. If the first of these proved successful I +should be in a better position for my second encounter. It was certain +in any case that at each fresh city I should be able to levy +contributions; and with the money thus raised I could lay in a new stock +of provisions and continue my advance by rail in the direction of New +York, ready to stop at the first city whose population and resources +might make it worth my while to do so. + +Going back a little I must here explain that before leaving San +Francisco, in order that Mdme. Minnie Hauk might be fresh for the +proposed performance at Omaha, I had sent her on two days in advance--a +distance of not more than 1,867 miles; whilst Mdme. Nordica was placed +at another strategical point 2,500 miles away, at Minneapolis. She had +to attend her sick mother, but was prepared to rejoin us when called +upon to do so. Mdlle. Alma Fohström, not having sufficiently recovered +from her late indisposition, was left behind at San Francisco, 2,400 +miles from the scene of my next operations. + +From Louisville, Kentucky, I telegraphed Mdme. Minnie Hauk to come on at +once to play _Carmen_ for the second night of our season; and she +arrived in good time. She sang the same evening. + +Mdme. Nordica received orders to join us at Indianapolis, where she was +to appear in _La Traviata_, which she duly did the following Friday; +whilst Mdlle. Alma Fohström, now recovered, was brought on from San +Francisco to Cincinnati, a distance of some 2,500 miles, to perform in +_Lucia di Lammermoor_. She also arrived punctually, and sang the same +night. + +I mention this small fact to show what can be accomplished with a little +discipline. The reason why Mdme. Minnie Hauk was sent on to Omaha +beforehand was in order that, by announcing her arrival in that city, I +might give confidence to the public, it having been reported that my +Company was broken up. Hence there was no booking; though had we +arrived punctually for the opera on the promised date, my receipts, +which I had already pledged to the Railway Company to get out of San +Francisco, would certainly have been not less than £500 or £600. Mdme. +Minnie Hauk, moreover, would have been saved a détour of some 2,400 +miles. + +Altogether I lost about £2,000, as I missed Omaha on the Friday, +Burlington on the Saturday, Chicago on the Sunday, and my first +performance in Louisville on the Monday. + +Notwithstanding my all but insurmountable difficulties the performances +never stopped, an announced opera was never altered, and the whole of +the promised representations actually took place in each city; the press +notices, which I still preserve, being unanimous as to the excellence of +the representations. + +I may mention that the travelling on these lines averages some 25 miles +an hour only, there being several very steep gradients on the road. In +some instances the train goes up over 3,000 feet in 57 miles, and down +again; whilst the height of several mountains traversed by the train +reaches from 7,000 to 8,000 feet. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +DEL PUENTE IN THE KITCHEN--SCALDING COFFEE--CALIFORNIAN WINE--THE +SERGEANT TAKES A HEADER--THE RUSSIAN MOTHER--I BECOME A SHERIFF--A DUMB +CHORUS--DYNAMITE BOMBS. + + +When the Company started for the steamer which was to ferry us across to +the railway station, further trouble arose in consequence of the +increased sums demanded (now that the rates had been got up) for the +Pullman cars which I had ordered for the principal artists; amounting to +a considerable sum. But this difficulty was ultimately surmounted, and +we left early on Wednesday evening for Omaha, where we were due on the +Friday following. + +My private car, moreover, had been let, and I was forced to engage an +ordinary Pullman, with no facilities whatever for cooking or even +heating water. Hasty purchases had now to be made of wine, coffee, etc., +and a few tins of preserved meats; and a start was made for Omaha. + +I was obliged to make arrangements not only for provisioning my +principal artists, but also for cooking their food. I bought, when we +were on the point of starting, a couple of hams and some cans of tinned +meat, wine, and several gallons of whisky; the latter being intended not +for internal consumption, but simply for cooking purposes. I found that +there was no kitchen in the train, and I was obliged to improvise one as +best I could. Del Puente, besides being an excellent singer, is a very +tolerable second-rate cook; and I appointed him to the duty of preparing +the macaroni (which I must admit he did in first-rate style), and of +acting generally as kitchenmaid and scullion. I myself officiated as +_chef_, and saw at the close of each day that the eminent baritone +washed up the plates and dishes and kept the kitchen utensils generally +in good order. + +Early every morning I prepared the coffee for breakfast; and I believe +no better, and certainly no hotter coffee was ever made than that which +one day just before the breakfast hour I upset, through a jolt of the +train, over my unhappy legs. + +The fresh invigorating air of the mountains and of the spacious plains +may have had something to do with it; but to judge from results, I may +fairly say that my cooking was appreciated. My eight principal artists +were, moreover, in charming temper. All professional jealousy and +rivalry had been forgotten, except perhaps on the part of Del Puente, +who did not quite like the secondary position which I had assigned to +an artist who had previously refused all but leading parts. + +At most of the principal stations we were able to purchase eggs, +chickens, tomatoes, and salad. There was generally, moreover, a cow in +the neighbourhood; and wherever we had an opportunity of doing so we +laid in a supply of fresh milk. + +While on the subject of cows, I must say a word as to the cruel fate +which these unhappy beasts meet with at the hands of the railway people. +In front of every train there is a "cow-catcher," which, when a cow gets +on the line, shunts the wretched animal off and at the same time breaks +its legs. I begged the driver more than once to stop the train and put +the mutilated animal out of its misery with a revolver shot, but it was +not thought worth while. + +When a cow is destroyed by the "cow-catcher" the owner can claim from +the railway company half its value; and it is said that in bad times +when cattle are low in the market, or worse still, unsaleable, they are +driven on to the line with a view to destruction. I have often in a +day's journey perceived hundreds of the bleached skeletons of the +animals killed outright by the "cow-catcher," or maimed and left to die. +An inspector, appointed by the railway company, passes from time to time +along the line and, after settling up, marks in the left ear and at the +tip of the tail the dead beasts for which the company has paid. The +former owner disposes of the carcasses and hides; the latter alone +possessing appreciable value. The former are left on the ground to +become food for the crows; though the Indians will sometimes cut away +portions of the meat when they come upon a beast which is still fresh. + +During our eight days' journey I acted not only as cook, but also as +butler; and our various wines, all of Californian growth, were +excellent. They cost from 8d to 10d a bottle, and I was not alone in +regarding them as of excellent quality. Singers are not great wine +drinkers, but they are accustomed to wines of the first quality; and I +may say in favour of the wines of California that they were appreciated +and bought for conveyance to Europe by artists of such indubitable taste +as Patti, Nilsson, and Gerster. The cost of carriage renders it +impossible to send the wines of California to Europe for sale. But +someday, when, for instance, the Panama Canal has been cut, there will +be a market for them both in England and on the Continent. They are, of +course, of different qualities. But the finest Californian vintages may +be pronounced incomparable. I remember once being entertained in company +with some of my leading artists by Surgeon-General Hammond, at his house +in Fifty-eighth Street, New York, when some Californian champagne was +served which we all thought admirable. Our facetious host disguised it +under labels bearing the familiar names of "Heidsieck" and +"Pommery-Greno;" and we all thought we were drinking the finest vintages +of Epernay and of Rheims. Then under the guise of Californian champagne +he gave us genuine Pommery and genuine Heidsieck; the result being that +we were all deceived. The wine labelled as French, but which was in fact +Californian, was pronounced excellent, while the genuine French wines +described as of Californian origin seemed of inferior quality. + +On arriving at Cheyenne I found it would be impossible to reach Omaha in +time to perform _Carmen_, which was announced for the following evening; +or Burlington, where _Lucia_ was billed for the Saturday; or Chicago for +our Sunday concert, for which every place had been taken. All had to be +abandoned. Our special train was consequently diverted off to the right +in the direction of Denver, where I telegraphed to know if they could +take us in for a concert the following Sunday. On receiving a negative +reply, I telegraphed to Kansas City, where my proposition was accepted. +I consequently wired the Kansas manager the names of the artists and the +programme containing the pieces each would sing. Through the +manipulation of the telegraph clerks scarcely one of the artists' names +was spelt right, whilst the pieces they proposed to sing, as I +afterwards found, were all muddled up together. + +In due course our party reached Denver, where we took half an hour's +stop for watering the train and obtaining ice for the water tanks in the +different cars, after which we started on our road to Kansas City. + +Shortly after leaving Denver one of my sergeants belonging to the corps +of commissionaires--several of whom I had brought from London--was taken +ill and reported to be suffering from sunstroke received many years +previously in India. + +During our brief stoppage at Denver one of the other sergeants had +purchased him some medicine which he was in the habit of taking. About +two o'clock in the morning he became very violent, and it was found +necessary to cut the bell-cord running through the carriage in order to +tie him down. I then gave orders to the sergeant-major to place him in a +bed and have him watched by alternate reliefs of the other sergeants, +changing every two hours. + +About four in the morning, in the midst of a terrific thunderstorm, +accompanied by torrents of rain, I was alarmed by the sudden entry of +the sergeant-major, stating that the invalid under his charge had opened +the window and taken a header straight out. + +There was great difficulty in stopping the train in consequence of the +absence of the bell-cord; but we ultimately succeeded in doing so. +Numbers of us went out to look for the poor man's remains, the vivid +flashes of lightning assisting us in our search. As the water on each +side of the railway was several feet deep, and as the sergeant was +nowhere to be found on the line, we concluded after three hours' search +that he must be drowned, and again started the train, leaving word at +the first station of the misfortune that had happened. + +In consequence of this delay we did not reach Kansas City until +half-past ten at night, when a portion of the public met us to express +in rather a marked manner their extreme disapprobation. It was +afterwards explained to me that nearly every seat in the house had been +sold, and that had we arrived in time we should have taken at least +£800, which, in my straitened circumstances, would have been of +considerable assistance. + +We prosecuted our journey straight through to Louisville, Kentucky. But +here, too, we failed to arrive at the proper time. The train being so +many hours late, we did not reach our destination till eleven o'clock at +night, when the audience, who had been waiting some considerable time, +had gone home very irate. Minnie Hauk having rejoined us the following +evening we played _Carmen_ to but a moderate house, in consequence of +the public having lost all confidence in the undertaking. In settling up +with the manager he deducted the whole of my share of the receipts, +stating that they would partly compensate him for the losses incident to +our non-arrival the first night, as well as on the previous night, and +for the general falling off in the receipts caused by these mishaps. We +afterwards went to the station to take the train for Indianapolis; but +on arriving there I found that the Sheriffs had seized and attached, not +only all the scenery, properties, dresses, and everybody's boxes, but +the whole of my railway carriages; and it was only with the greatest +possible difficulty, by giving an order on the next city, that I got the +train released. I had, of course, to pay the Sheriff's costs, which were +exceedingly heavy. + +On arriving at Indianapolis very meagre receipts awaited us, these being +absorbed entirely by the railway people on the order which I had given +from Louisville. There were likewise sundry claims from San Francisco. +During the whole of my stay in Indianapolis I was unable to obtain even +a single dollar from the management. I, however, arranged by +anticipating the coming week's receipts to clear up all my liabilities +and get under way for Cincinnati, where the results of our engagement +were something atrocious. The theatre was almost empty nightly, the +public, by reason of the threatened riots, being afraid to go out in the +streets. + +I was now forced, in order to meet the large demands for railway fares, +to drop at successive stations scenery, costumes, and properties. At one +place an immense box, containing nothing but niggers' wigs, mustachios, +and beards, made by Clarkson, of London, passed from my hands into +those of the Sheriffs, who held an attachment against it. When I found +it necessary to part at one station with _L'Africaine_, at another to +separate myself from _William Tell_, and at a third to cast away the +whole of _Il Trovatore_ and a bit of _Semiramide_, I felt like the +Russian mother who, to secure her own safety, threw her children one +after the other to the wolves. + +I cannot, however, say that the wolves of the law are worse in America +than in other countries. They bear the same honoured names that one is +accustomed to among the members of the profession in happy England. I +was interested, moreover, to learn that the Levys, the Isaacs, the +Aarons, and the Solomons of the United States are all related to the +Levys, Isaacs, Aarons, and Solomons of our own favoured land. I had so +much to do with them, from the beginning of the retreat from Frisco +until my arrival at New York, and the eve of my departure for Europe, +that they ended by treating me as their friend, and made me free of +their guild. They entertained me also at dinner, and gave me a badge; +and when my health was drunk I was assured that in future I should be +treated like a brother: for, said the speaker, referring to the fact +that I myself was now a Sheriff, "Dog doesn't eat dog." + +To return to my story, contracts having been given out for repairing the +roads and repaving the city, in consequence of some league amongst the +various contractors all the streets had been left unpaved at the same +time; and as soon as every paving stone was up a general strike took +place. It was impossible for a carriage to pass along anywhere without +getting upset by the hillocks of stones. Suddenly we heard that the +anarchists were rising, and now the city was filled with State militia +accompanied by numerous Gatling guns for the purpose of clearing the +streets. These things in combination so injured the business of the +Opera that the theatre was empty every night. In many instances +choristers were afraid to go through the streets to fulfil their duties. + +We were now rejoined by Mdlle. Fohström, also by Mdme. Nordica; but all +looked very unpromising. Our previous mishaps had been so much written +about, telegraphed, and in every way exaggerated by the various papers, +that all confidence seemed to have been withdrawn from us, and it was +with the greatest possible difficulty we could carry through our +performances. + +As if in imitation of the paviours of Cincinnati, portions of my Company +now began to strike. First the band struck, then the chorus, then the +ballet. + +One night, when _Lucia di Lammermoor_ was being played, a delegation of +choristers notified me that unless all arrears were paid up they would +decline to go on the stage. Argument was useless. The notification was +in the form of an ultimatum. The choristers would not even wait until +the close of the performance for their money, but insisted upon having +it there and then. + +I therefore had to begin the opera with the entrance of "Enrico," +leaving out the small introductory chorus, which was not missed by the +public. We thus got through the first act; also the first scene of the +second act. The curtain was now lowered just before the marriage scene; +and negotiations were again attempted, but still without success. I felt +it necessary to improvise a chorus for the grand wedding scene, and it +consisted of the stage-manager, the scene-painter, several of the +programme-sellers, the male costumier, the armourer and his assistants, +together with several workmen, ballet girls, etc., who, elegantly +attired in some of my best dresses, had a very imposing effect. I gave +strict instructions that they were to remain perfectly silent, and to +act as little as possible; at the same time telling the principal +singers to do their very best in the grand sextet. + +The result was an encore and general enthusiasm. Everyone, too, was +called before the curtain at the close of the act, and one of the +leading critics declared that the _finale_ was "nobly rendered." + +Finding how well I could do without them the chorus now came to terms. + +A concert was given on the following Sunday night which closed the +engagement. The whole of the receipts had been absorbed by lawyers, +sheriffs, railway companies, and the keepers of the hotels at which the +principal members of the troupe put up. The hotel-keepers, moreover, had +seized all the boxes. The train was drawn up at the station; but after +waiting two hours the engine was detached and taken away into the sheds. + +In the meantime dark groups of choristers were congregated in different +parts of the city, and things did, indeed, look gloomy. During the night +I succeeded in paying the different hotel bills; and ultimately in the +small hours of the morning the train was got together and started for +Detroit, I remaining behind to make arrangements for paying off the +remaining attachments. + +On the Company's arriving at Detroit it was discovered that Minnie +Hauk's boxes containing her Carmen dresses had been left behind. As they +could not possibly reach her in time I had to arrange by telegraph to +have new dresses made for her during the afternoon. It took the whole of +my time to release the fifty or sixty attachments that had been issued +against the belongings of the various members of the Company, and I +arrived in Detroit early the following morning with the things which I +had at last triumphantly released. The whole of a Pullman car was filled +with the various articles I had set free, including the _Carmen_ +dresses, sundry stacks of washing, various dressing bags, and piles of +ballet girls' petticoats, beautifully starched. + +Our artistic success in Detroit was great, and, after performing three +nights, we left after the last performance for Milwaukee. + +We passed from Detroit to Milwaukee, where but a few days beforehand the +mob had been fired upon, with some eighteen killed and several wounded. +The whole town was in a state of alarm; neither Fohström's "Lucia" and +"Sonnambula," nor Minnie Hauk's "Carmen," nor Nordica's "Margherita" in +_Faust_ could attract more than enough cash to pay the board bills and +fares to Chicago, for which city we left early the following morning. + +The scenes that had taken place there must be fresh in the mind of +everyone. + +Bombshells had been thrown by the Anarchists; numbers of people had been +killed, and the public of Chicago was in the same frame of mind with +regard to the opera as so many of the previous cities. It preferred to +remain indoors. + +Our musical operations were seriously interfered with by the strike, +which was promptly responded to by a lock-out. The clothing +manufacturers closed their shops, throwing but of employment nearly +2,000 superintendents--"bosses," as the Americans call them--and 25,000 +hands. The hands had demanded ten hours' pay for eight hours' work, with +20 per cent. advance on trousers, and 25 per cent. on vests and coats. +The "bosses" demanded an advance of from 35 to 50 per cent. on all kinds +of work; and it was resolved by the employers not to reopen until all +the firms had made a successful resistance to these claims on the part +of the workmen. The metal manufacturers and furniture makers had been +threatened in like manner by their men; and they also refused to yield +to the strikers. At the same time from 30,000 to 40,000 men were on +strike at Cincinnati, where the suburbs were occupied by a whole army of +troops. It now appeared that the disturbances at Chicago were closely +connected with those at Cincinnati. Some of the Socialists on strike +were armed, to the number of 600 or 700, with effective rifles, and they +controlled the manufacture of dynamite shells. The shells which the +rioters had been using at Chicago had been made at Cincinnati, and it +was said that the Chicago Socialists had on hand for immediate use a +supply of these infernal machines. At Milwaukee, some seventy or eighty +miles from Chicago, nineteen Anarchists and Socialists had just been +arraigned on a charge of riot and conspiracy "to kill and murder." In +the streets of Chicago placards were posted on the walls announcing that +groups of more than three persons would be dispersed by force; so that a +husband and wife proceeding in company with two of their children to +hear _Il Trovatore_ or _Lucia di Lammermoor_ ran the risk of being fired +into by Gatling guns. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +SUBTERRANEAN MUSIC--THE STRIKER STRUCK--TUSCAN TAFFY--A HEALTHY +"LUCIA"--I RECOVER FROM THE UNITED STATES--A BEKNIGHTED MAYOR. + + +We opened our Chicago season with a grand concert prior to the +commencement of the regular performances in order to let the public know +that all the Company was present in the city after the conflicting +reports that had been circulated. + +Notwithstanding all our recent reverses, my Company was intact, except +that the refractory tenor Ravelli had been replaced by Signor Baldanza, +and the basso Cherubini by Signor Bologna. Here, again, in Chicago, my +usual stronghold for Italian Opera, the reports of our troubles had been +exaggerated and enlarged upon, so that the general public had lost all +confidence, notwithstanding the fact that, through Mrs. Marshall Field's +influence, a party of the most distinguished citizens had secured the +whole of the boxes for the entire season. + +The Chicago engagement was expected to recoup us for our losses in the +West. But, unfortunately, this hope was not realized; and in consequence +of the wild reports that got into general circulation, and, of course, +into the newspapers, the Company began to clamour for their pay. I +referred them to Mr. Henderson, the Manager of the Chicago Opera-house; +and his office was crowded daily with prime donne, chorus people, +dancers, musicians, property men, bill-board men, and supernumeraries, +all demanding money. "Lucia" was begging for dollars and cents; +"Manrico" insisted on having at least three meals a day; while the +"Count di Luna," who shared his rival's apartments, protested that +unless he had a pint of good wine before he went on he could not get out +his F's with due effect in _Il Balen_. + +Mr. Henderson proclaimed his managerial life a burden, but made no other +response. + +Of the orchestral players the drum was the noisiest; though the hautboy +and the piccolo were every whit as emphatic. It was a united and +determined strike, the keynote of which was, "No pay no play." + +Only two weeks' pay was owing to them, and it was agreed that Mr. +Henderson, the Manager, should give them one week's salary on account. +But when the musicians assembled to receive it they suddenly, through +the persuasiveness of one of their body, insisted upon having all +arrears paid up; otherwise they would not enter the orchestra. + +Finding they were obdurate and would not take the money that was offered +them, I was forced to seek musicians from among the various musical +societies of the city, and called a rehearsal as soon as I was ready. +After the new orchestra had been brought together, a hasty rehearsal was +ordered for 7.30 that evening; and not long after the opening of the +doors the public was regaled with the sounds of my new orchestra, who +were practising underneath the pit, from which they were separated only +by a very thin flooring. + +On Arditi's notifying Signor Bimboni, the accompanist and +under-conductor, that he would require him to assist on the piano in the +orchestra, Bimboni replied: "Bless you! I have struck too." + +Nothing discouraged, though somewhat wrath, Arditi succeeded in +unearthing an accompanist, who struggled bravely with the pianoforte +score. + +During the performance, Parry, our stage manager, met Bimboni near the +stage door, and reproached him sharply for deserting his post. This +altercation led to blows. Bimboni struck out wildly, and soon went down +with a black eye and a bruised face as a souvenir of the encounter. + +The chorus, finding that I had provided another orchestra, and had +threatened to find other choristers, gave in; and I must say we +succeeded in giving a very excellent performance, despite all +difficulties. + +The next day all was again serene, and I was enabled to continue my +representations until the close, finishing up the season with success. +The Chicago engagement concluded with a benefit tendered to me by most +of the prominent citizens. They thus showed their appreciation of my +efforts as a pioneer; for I was the first manager who had introduced +into their city grand opera worthy of the name. + +Amongst the signatures to the document embodying this fact were the +following well-known names:--The Hon. Carter H. Harrison, Judge Eugene +Carey, Marshall Field, Ferd. W. Peck, J. Harding, Professor Swing, +George Boyne, Irving Pearce, A. A. Sprague, George Schneider, John R. +Walsh, J. McGregor Adams, George F. Harding, S. S. Shortball, J. Russell +Jones, Edson Keith, C. M. Henderson, Hon. J. Medill, Potter Palmer, John +B. Drake, N. K. Fairbank, T. B. Blackstone, A. S. Gage, &c. + +On being called before the curtain I thanked the public for the liberal +support they had given to my undertaking; also the press for the +encouraging notices which it had published daily, notwithstanding all my +troubles. These had been fully made known to everyone by means of the +daily papers, which really took more interest in my affairs than I did +myself. + +In regard to the strike of my orchestra, an account of which was +published in the _Inter-Ocean_, Mr. David Henderson, manager of the +Chicago Opera-house, said to an interviewer:--"The new orchestra played +this evening in a satisfactory manner. The Musical Union held a meeting +during the day, and decided, I am told, that the members of the +Colonel's orchestra did wrong in taking the stand in the matter of wages +that they did; that is, in demanding from me back salaries. After the +meeting several of them expressed a desire to come back; but I only took +those needed--five or six in all. The rest are out of employment. The +orchestra is now better than before, and everything is going along +smoothly. At the conclusion of the engagement of the Company, Sunday +night, a number of the principals and of the chorus and executive staff +will return with Colonel Mapleson direct to London. I ought to add that +since the beginning of the engagement he has not touched one cent of the +box-office receipts. I have distributed the money as equitably as I +could, giving to each artist, on present and past salaries, as much as +the receipts would permit. I have learned that the Colonel is not as +much in arrears to his Company as newspaper reports led the public to +believe. Some of the leading people have been, as near as I can +ascertain, only behindhand some three or four performances, before +coming to Chicago. The orchestra that left, I understand, have two +weeks' salaries due to them, that were incurred during the past eight +weeks since the Colonel's bad business in California, and through the +lengthened voyage. The best proof of the belief on the part of his +company that the Colonel intends doing what is right by its members is +the willingness with which every one of them has consented to appear at +his benefit, Saturday evening, without compensation." + +"The Mapleson Opera Company," wrote the Tribune, "with the Colonel's +trials and tribulations, have pretty well filled the public eye the past +week. Outside of the Columbia Theatre, with the McCaull people there has +been nothing to talk about but the Colonel. There are times when +Mapleson, unconsciously, perhaps, appeals to sympathy. He is the only +living man to-day with nerve enough to go into the business at all, who +can govern and control the average opera singer. The latter is the most +trying beast on earth. Male or female, Italian or Greek, German or +'American,' they are all alike. A more obstreperous, cantankerous, and +altogether unreasonable being than an opera singer it is hard to find in +any other walk of life. The Italian contingent of the guild is the worst +to get along with. The Italian singer is rapacious, improvident, +ungrateful, and wholly inconsiderate of his manager. At the same time he +is a vain fool whom a word of flattery will move. Mapleson speaks +Italian fluently, and hence when trouble arises he seeks the complainer, +gives him a lot of Tuscan taffy, and the idiot goes off and sings as if +nothing had happened. The Mapleson season at the Chicago Opera-house has +had its difficulties, yet it has scored successes. The leading people +have stood by the Colonel. He has had trouble with the orchestra, but +that was quickly remedied. Yesterday Giannini, whom Mapleson picked up, +as it were, out of the gutter in New York, where the Milan Company +dropped him, and to whom he has since paid thousands of dollars, whether +he earned it or not, made a strike just before the _matinée_. Giannini +wanted 600 dollars. Mapleson offered 400 dollars. Giannini refused it, +and would not sing. Then the Colonel began to talk Italian in his +charming way, and the result was that the tenor went back, dressed, and +sang, and that, too, without a 'cent,' and did it with meekness. _La +Sonnambula_, which gave Mdlle. Fohström her last chance to appear, drew +a good house at the _matinée_, and the Colonel's benefit in the evening +was a gratifying tribute. There were no more breaks, and the audience +showed a warm appreciation throughout. The programme was just what +Colonel Mapleson's admirers wanted. Last night's performance ended the +season. From here the company scatters. The principals seek their homes +in Europe, and the Colonel travels post-haste to London, where he is to +superintend the Patti appearance in June. Mapleson is disgusted with his +present season's experience, but he is by no means disheartened. He +threatens to come back at an early period." + +At the end of some three weeks we learned that Sergeant Smith, the +commissionaire who jumped out of the window in his shirt, had been +discovered comfortably asleep and unhurt. Some difficulty was +experienced in marching him along in the costume in which he then was to +the hospital, whither it was thought prudent first to take him until +some clothing could be provided. Whilst he was detained there a lady who +had come to visit a sick gardener recognized the sergeant as having +crossed on the same boat with her some six months previously. He readily +accepted her offer of the vacant place, and forthwith began work; and it +was only after many inquiries as to how the missing body had been +disposed of that we discovered the man was still alive. On this being +made known several articles came out in various journals, some giving +the life of Sergeant Smith, and saying where and how he had won his +numerous medals, whilst others expatiated generally on the valour and +endurance of the British army. + +In due course the gallant sergeant joined the main body and donned his +uniform. + +While we were at Chicago another Opera Company, calling itself the +Milan Grand Italian Opera Company, was giving performances, and an +amusing incident happened during a representation of _Lucia_. The +audience was waiting for the appearance of the heroine in the third act. +But they waited and watched in vain. The chorus stood in mute amazement, +while the musicians in the orchestra looked somewhat amused. The +audience stamped their feet and clapped their hands, while the gallery +hissed repeatedly. The curtain was rung down, and there was a wait of a +few minutes, when finally Signor Alberto Sarata, the manager of the +Company, appeared on the stage, and said that Miss Eva Cummings, who had +been singing the part of "Lucia," had suddenly become ill, and was quite +unable to continue her performance. The opera would, therefore, go on +without her. He had scarcely finished speaking when "Lucia" herself came +on to the stage, and declared that she was in perfect health, and that +she wanted her salary. This announcement was received with mingled +cheers and hisses. + +The prima donna bowed gracefully first to one side of the house, then to +the other, and was about to follow the manager, who had already left the +stage, when she found that the curtain was held fast by invisible +forces. From one exit she went to the other, but still was unable to +escape from the presence of the public. + +"I will get off this time, anyhow!" she exclaimed, and with a rush +pushed the curtain back. The invisible forces still resisted; but after +a time "Lucia" succeeded in making her way to the wings. + +Then the curtain went up, and "Edgardo" began to bewail the death of a +"Lucia" who had not died. + +Towards the close of our Chicago engagement attachments, writs, +summonses, etc., began to fall thick and fast, which had to be dealt +with speedily in order to ensure our departure. + +I therefore made arrangements for a farewell Sunday concert in order to +raise the wind for the purpose. + +I cannot allow this opportunity to pass without tendering my sincere +thanks to my esteemed and valued friend, President Peck, who very kindly +came to the rescue by affording me the monetary assistance I required to +enable us to get out of the city. + +As fast as one attachment was released another came on. The last one I +got rid of about 2 a.m., and left the theatre satisfied that all was +serene. On seating myself at the Pacific Hotel, with a view to supper, I +was called to the door, and notified that the waggons I had seen +properly started had all been arrested and were at the corner of +Dearborn Street. Placing down my knife and fork I hastened off; and by +the aid of my friend Henderson, who gave bonds, the attachment was +released. Meanwhile the whole of the Company was on the qui vive for the +entraining order, the steam having been up some ten hours and the train +not yet started. + +At the station I came across the remnants of the Milan Opera Company +which had been stranded some fortnight previously, and whose members +were supplicating aid towards getting to New York. I thereupon had the +great pleasure of affording them all a free passage in my train; and +after sundry salutations from my numerous friends who came to see me off +we took our departure. The Company reached Jersey City very early the +following Tuesday morning, and went straight on board the boat which was +to sail late that afternoon. I meanwhile crossed over into New York, +where I attended at the Inman Steamship Office, and arranged for them to +give a passage to my Company and to take an embargo on my belongings for +their protection, as well as mine. + +I must here set forth that every year on entering the port of New York +the Customs authorities had charged me duty at the rate of some 50 per +cent. on all my theatrical costumes, scenery, and properties, although +the majority of them had originally been manufactured in the United +States. Explanation was useless. The tax was invariably levied, though I +always paid it under protest. I maintained that the things which +accompanied me were tools of my profession, and were entitled under the +State law to enter free; but inasmuch as I did not wear the clothing +myself, it was contended that the property could not be so entered. To +be free of duty the costumes, it was argued, must be the personal +property of each performer. Mdme. Sarah Bernhardt on entering the United +States brought some thousands of pounds worth of beautiful dresses, +which were seized, she refusing to pay the amount of import duty +claimed. Her case was heard, and it was decided from Washington that her +dresses, since she wore them herself, were the tools of her profession +or trade, and must be allowed to enter free. My case was different. But +I instituted law proceedings against the United States, which, in +consequence of various delays, lasted some four or five years. A +decision was at last given in my favour. An order was, in fact, issued +to refund me the duty I had previously paid, together with 6 per cent. +interest. + +On leaving the Inman Company's office I met my attorney, who informed me +that the money that I was entitled to in the action I had won against +the United States was payable to me on demand. This was, indeed, good +news, and through my attorney's indefatigable exertions I was enabled to +obtain the final signature of the Customs House authorities to the +cheque which had been drawn to my order, and through his kindness to get +it cashed. + +I had, before leaving Chicago, received a letter from the ticket +speculator Rullmann, to whom I was indebted upon a libretto contract, +suggesting I should embark at Jersey City to avoid difficulties at New +York. Angelo also recommended this course, saying that at New York there +would be a plant put upon me, in order to delay my departure. As I was a +resident of New York, and stood well there, I decided to start from that +city; and it was a good thing I did so, as I afterwards learned that +preparations had been made at Jersey City to prevent my starting, the +"plant" having been prepared there. As I had a deal of business in New +York the day of my departure, I decided to sail from Castle Garden in +the health-officer's steamer, which was kindly placed at my disposal, +the Captain of the Inman steamer having agreed, on my hoisting the +health flag, to heave-to when outside in order to allow me to get on +board. + +Prior to leaving New York I arranged with the Mayor of Liverpool, +through the medium of the cable, to give a grand concert at the +Liverpool Exhibition building with the whole of my principal artists, +for which I was to receive two-thirds of the gross receipts; and as the +papers stated that the Exhibition was a very great success, I +anticipated sufficient results to enable me, after landing, to take the +Company on to London and send the choruses over to Italy. + +We arrived in Liverpool three days before the time fixed for the +proposed concert. + +On landing I at once looked at the morning papers, when to my +astonishment no announcement whatever of the concert had been made. On +presenting myself at the Mayor's office I was informed that his Worship, +who had just been knighted, had gone to the north to rest himself, +leaving no instructions whatever with regard to the concert. A few bills +had been ordered at the printers', but the proofs had not been +corrected. + +Feeling myself placed in a very trying position, I set personally about +the arrangements, every obstacle meanwhile being thrown in my way by the +executive, who contended that the Mayor had no right to enter into any +arrangement without their sanction. I at last got placed up in the +Exhibition two bills; which had vanished, however, by the next morning. + +The concert-room was in a most chaotic state, stray pieces of wood, +broken chairs, etc., lying about the floor. I had to arrange the room +myself, and even number the seats. + +The evening of the concert arrived; but the public as well as my own +artists were debarred from entering the doors unless they first paid for +admission to the Exhibition, the whole of the gate money having been +pledged to some banker in Liverpool. + +The concert gave great satisfaction, but the receipts only reached some +£70 or £80; of which to the present moment I have been unable to obtain +my share. + +As I had to pay Mdlle. Fohström £50, Del Puente £40, and all the others +in proportion, I found myself, counting the hotel bills, some £180 out +of pocket. + +The day after the concert we all reached London. As it was now the 18th +of June it was too late to think of giving a London season; and my +doings were limited to my benefit, which took place at Drury Lane under +the immediate patronage of Her Majesty the Queen and H.R.H. the Prince +of Wales. Mdme. Patti volunteered her services on this occasion, the +Theatre, kindly placed at my disposal by Mr. Augustus Harris, being +crowded. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +BACK IN THE OLD COUNTRY--THE LONDON SEASON--SLUGGISH AUDIENCES--MY +OUTSIDE PUBLIC--THE PATTI DISAPPOINTMENTS--THE "SANDWICH'S" STORY. + + +Shortly afterwards I organized a very strong opera party, determining, +during the coming September, to revisit the English provinces, which I +had rather neglected during the previous seven or eight years. I, +therefore, arranged to visit Dublin, Cork, Liverpool, Manchester, +Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, etc., etc., resolved on giving a series +of excellent performances. Engagements were concluded with Mdlle. Alma +Fohström, Mdme. Nordica, Mdlle. Dotti, Mdlle. Marie Engle, Mdme. +Hastreiter, Mdlle. Bianca Donadio, Mdlle. Jenny Broch, together with +Signor Frapolli, Signor Runcio, Signor Del Puente, Signor Padilla, +Signor Ciampi, Signor Vetta, a promising young basso, and Signer Foli; +my conductors being Signor Arditi and Signor Vianesi. + +My performances were admirably given; which was readily acknowledged by +the whole of the provincial Press. But during the seven or eight years I +had been away a younger generation had grown up and the elder ones had +gone elsewhere. Inferior English Opera seemed now to be preferred to my +grand Italian Opera; and it was only after I had been playing three or +four nights in a town that the public began to understand the +superiority of the latter. + +In Dublin we had to feel our way with the performances, which culminated +on the last night with a crowded house. I was anxiously expecting the +arrival of Mdlle. Fohström, who had been delayed in Russia through the +illness of a relative. She made her appearance at Dublin in the latter +part of September to one of the most crowded houses I have ever seen. + +We afterwards visited Cork, where I fear, as in Mdme. Gerster's case +some years previously, Mdlle. Fohström took the germs of typhoid fever, +which developed some ten days afterwards. Whilst singing at the grand +concert of the Liverpool Philharmonic the lady found herself scarcely +able to move, much to the astonishment of myself as well as the +Committee. She, however, got through her work, and came on to +Manchester, where she lay in bed for nearly three months, which was, of +course, a great drawback to our success. + +At Manchester, which is a great musical centre, our receipts the first +week were miserable. But with the commencement of our second and last +week they gradually increased, until there was not standing room. I +endeavoured in vain to buy off another Company in order to continue our +success. + +Again, in Glasgow, where our old triumphs had been evidently forgotten, +we played to most miserable receipts until the second week, when +gradually the business grew until we had to refuse money. In fact, I had +to re-take the theatre, and return there a fortnight afterwards, when on +my last performance of _Il Flauto Magico_ people were paying 10s. for +standing room, while private boxes fetched London prices. + +We next moved on to Birmingham, where my sole consolation was the +admirable articles, making over a column in each of the daily papers, +which appeared the morning after each representation, according the most +unstinted praise to my really excellent performances. We afterwards left +for Brighton, where we closed up just before Christmas. + +Very early in the following month I started my Spring concert tour, +visiting some forty cities in as many days, and meeting with great +artistic success in every place we stopped at. My party consisted of +Mdme. Nordica, Mdme. Marie Engle, Mdme. Hélène Hastreiter, and Mdlle. +Louise Dotti; likewise Signori Runcio, Del Puente, and Vetta, with M. +Jaquinot as solo violinist. No more excellent artistic party could have +been put together; but here, again, the provincial public, not knowing +my singers, attended with great caution; preferring old names to the +young voices I had with me. + +In Liverpool, as well as in Bradford, both said to be great musical +centres (?), the receipts were nil. + +We finished up in Dublin, where, as usual, the houses were crowded with +large and appreciative audiences. The Irish, thoroughly understanding +music, and judging for themselves, crammed the hall, and encored every +piece. + +In England, as a rule, singers take some years to acquire a reputation; +but having once got it, they can never get rid of it. + +I recollect hearing Mr. Braham sing when he was 82; and he was +applauded. We are a conservative nation, and value old friends as we do +old port wine. + +Both on the Continent and in America I have been frequently interrogated +as to why the London opera season is held at a time when it is next to +impossible for so many patrons and supporters of music to attend on +account of the numberless _fêtes_, flower shows, balls, garden parties, +races, &c., that are taking place; to say nothing of the Crystal Palace, +the Alexandra Palace, and (as regards the present season of 1888) the +Irish, Danish, and Italian Exhibitions. + +I, of course, could make no reply, being fully aware that alike in +France, Spain, Austria, Germany, Italy, Russia, America, etc., the opera +season begins generally about the third week in October; at a time when +all outdoor attractions have ended. In the countries above mentioned +dances and balls are, it is true, given during the winter months, +whereas in London these social gatherings generally take place when the +weather is extremely hot; and, as a rule, the smaller the house the +greater the number of the guests invited. + +In former times the London season was set by the opera; and its +beginning usually coincided with the arrival of the singers from abroad, +who in those days had to cross in sailing vessels, and would only come +in fine weather. + + * * * * * + +Returning to London in the latter part of February, I decided on opening +the Royal Italian Opera early in March; for which purpose I formed an +admirable Company, consisting in the prima donna department of Mdlle. +Alma Fohström, Mdlle. Emma Nevada, Mdlle. Jenny Broch, Mdlle. Marie +Engle, Mdlle. Lilian Nordica, Mdlle. Louise Dotti, Mdlle. Hélène +Hastreiter, Mdlle. Borghi, Mdlle. Bauermeister, Mdme. Lablache, Mdlle. +Rosina Isidor, and Mdme. Minnie Hauk; my tenors being Signor Ravelli, M. +Caylus, and Signor Garulli; my baritones Signor Padilla, Signor Del +Puente, and M. Lhérie; with Signor Miranda, Signor Vetta, Signor de +Vaschetti, and Signor Foli as basses, Signor Ciampi as buffo, and Signor +Logheder as musical conductor--in which capacity he proved most +efficient. I moreover introduced two danseuses of remarkable excellence, +Mdlle. Dell'Era and Mdlle. Hayten; both of whom must have left a +favourable impression. + +The novelties I produced were _Leila_ (Bizet's _Pêcheurs de Perles_); +and Gounod's _Mirella_, for the first time since twenty-five years. Thus +_Mirella_ was practically a new opera. Both works were newly mounted, +and both made their mark artistically. + +But the season being a short one, and having no spare capital, I could +not resort to my old _Faust_ and _Carmen_ plan and hammer the music of +_Leila_ into people's heads. Consequently my production of the work did +not meet with the financial success it should have done. The day will, +however, come when it will form an attractive gem in the operatic crown. +_Leila_ is readily accepted all over the Continent; and even in Italy +has been the mainstay of some twelve or fourteen opera-houses. Here, +unfortunately, at its first production, many of the Pressmen were +absent; and at its repetition no further notice was taken of it--though +numbers of the public rely entirely upon what the newspapers say for +their opinions and views. + +The same fate awaited Gounod's _Mirella_--another most charming opera, +in which Mdlle. Nevada sang to perfection. + +The season continued for upwards of eight weeks, and was a pronounced +success, both artistically and financially. It terminated about the +middle of May. As I knew that London would be full of strangers on +account of Her Majesty's Jubilee, I rented Her Majesty's Theatre, and on +taking possession of it discovered it to be in a most desolate state. +There was not a scene or a rope in working order, and the interior of +the theatre was in a most deplorable condition, entailing upon me +considerable expense for cleaning and restoring, painting, papering, +carpeting, etc. There was nearly a mile of corridors and staircases to +whiten, paper, paint, and carpet. + +I opened a fortnight afterwards, when I again brought forward a powerful +Company, including such valuable new-comers as Mdlle. Lilli Lehmann, +Mdme. Trebelli (after an absence of eight years), and Mdlle. Oselio. + +The season commenced most auspiciously on Saturday, June 4. But soon +there was a difficulty with the orchestra, for there were now two other +Italian Operas going on. It was impossible to induce the players I had +engaged to attend rehearsals. There were Philharmonic, Richter, and +other concerts in full swing; and although I paid them weekly salaries I +could never command the services of my musicians for rehearsal, even +though I closed my theatre at night for the purpose. I therefore had to +suspend the representations for a week and form another orchestra, in +order that I might sufficiently rehearse Boito's _Mefistofele_, which I +had then in preparation. Ultimately I succeeded in bringing out that +work, when, as on its first performance, it met with considerable +success. This was followed by the _rentrée_ of Mdlle. Lilli Lehmann in +Beethoven's _Fidelio_, which was probably the grandest and most perfect +performance given in London for many years. In the meantime I placed +Bizet's masterpiece, _Leila_, in rehearsal. + +About this time the Royal Jubilee excitement began, followed by +extremely hot weather; and notwithstanding the brilliant performances +given the house was empty nightly, the public preferring the free show +they got out of doors, in the shape of processions, illuminations, etc., +to performances at the theatre, where the temperature was now averaging +90°, notwithstanding all I did to keep it cool. + +In fact, the only receipts I got for the purpose of paying my way were +from the letting of the exterior of my theatre instead of the interior; +seats on the roof fetching £1 apiece, whilst windows were let for £40. +These receipts helped to provide the sinews of war for carrying on my +arduous enterprise. + +I now bestirred myself in order to obtain some attraction that would +replenish the depleted operatic chest. My efforts seemed rewarded when +I secured the services of Mdme. Adelina Patti, at the small salary of +£650 per night. Mdme. Patti in due course made her first appearance at +Her Majesty's Theatre in her favourite rôle of "Violetta" in _La +Traviata_, when there was £1,000 in the house. My hopes, however, of +recouping my heavy losses were dashed almost instantly to the ground. +Mdme. Patti having accepted an invitation from a wealthy banker for a +trip up the river, to be followed by a dinner, she took a violent cold, +from having been placed in a draught with a light muslin dress on. The +next evening Mdlle. Lilli Lehmann again made the old theatre ring with +her magnificent impersonation of "Fidelio." The house, however, was +nearly empty, all attention being directed to the next night, which was +to be Patti's second appearance--in _Il Barbiere di Siviglia_. + +At five o'clock, however, on the evening of the performance, Signor +Nicolini came in to inform me that Patti was too ill to sing, but that I +might rely upon her services the following Saturday, when she would +appear as "Margherita" in Faust, transferring the _Barbiere_ performance +to the following Tuesday. He himself added to the programme an +announcement to the effect that she would introduce in the lesson scene +the valse from _Romeo and Juliet_. + +It being too late to substitute another opera, I had no alternative but +to close the theatre that evening, leaving hundreds of carriage folks +who had sent their coachmen home to get away as best they could, +disappointed, and declaring (in many cases) that there was no reliance +to be placed on Mapleson! + +On the following Friday, finding that the booking for the second Patti +night was very light, the public having lost all confidence, as is +generally the case after a disappointment, I suggested to Mdme. Patti +and to Nicolini that a small allowance ought to be made towards the vast +expenses I had incurred (rent, salaries to artists, band, chorus, &c.) +while keeping the theatre closed, which her incautiousness of the +previous Sunday up the Thames had alone prevented me from opening. + +The following day Signor Nicolini offered to contribute a sum of £50. I +replied that that would be scarcely enough for the orchestra, and that +the entire representation would be jeopardized. He thereupon went home, +stating that Mdme. Patti would not sing that evening unless the +orchestra was duly secured. + +I immediately made arrangements with my orchestra, and notified the fact +to Mdme. Patti by half-past three o'clock through her agent at her +hotel, who, after seeing her, informed me that it was all right. She was +then lying down in view of the evening performance, for which her +dresses had already been looked out by herself and her maid. + +Just as I was leaving the hotel Mr. Abbey came downstairs, and +accompanied me to the ticket-office, adjoining the theatre, the +proprietors of which were large speculators for the occasion. On +ascertaining that some four or five hundred of the best seats had not +been disposed of--the public naturally holding back until Mdme. Patti +should have made her reappearance after the disappointment they had +experienced--Mr. Abbey informed me that Mdme. Patti should not sing that +evening. I may here mention that the full £650, being the amount of her +honorarium, was already deposited to her credit at the bank, so that it +was not on the score of money matters that her services were refused. + +I waited until eight o'clock for the arrival of Mdme. Patti, her room +being prepared for her; but no message was sent, nor any notification +whatever, that she was not coming down. After the previous +disappointments the public had met with I could not find heart to close +the theatre. I, therefore, informed the numbers who were then getting +out of their carriages and gradually filling the grand vestibule that I +would perform the opera of _Carmen_, and that I invited all present to +attend as my guests; adding that their money would be returned to them +on presentation of their tickets. This, of course, it was. + +As to the gratuitous representation of _Carmen_ (with Trebelli in the +principal part), it went off admirably. The audience was numerous and +enthusiastic; and among the distinguished persons who honoured me with +their presence, was, I remember, H.R.H. the Duchess of Edinburgh. + +I wrote to Mdme. Patti the following day, entreating her not further to +disappoint the public, and to stand by the announcement Signor Nicolini +had given me of her appearance the following Tuesday in _Il Barbiere_. +To this I had no reply; and I afterwards learned that Mdme. Patti had +gone off by a special morning train to Wales, to avoid meeting the +chorus and _employés_ who, hearing of her probable flight, had assembled +in large bodies at Paddington to give her a manifestation of their +disapprobation. + +I was now placed in a most difficult position, and left to struggle on +as best I could, having some three weeks' rent still to pay for the use +of the theatre until the end of the month; together with the salaries of +singers, choristers, bill-posters, supernumeraries, orchestra, etc., +etc. These unfortunate people were actually following me in the street, +clamouring for money. There were, moreover, some sixty Italian +choristers, whose travelling expenses had to be provided for to send +them home to Italy. In fact the Opera Colonnade had become a regular +Babel, and it was only by dint of hard work amongst my numerous friends +that I was enabled to collect funds and see the last of my chorus +singers depart. + +This affair threw me into contact with several supernumeraries as well +as bill-board men, and I was very much interested to hear their +different histories. One man, who had been a "Sandwich," gave me the +following account of his life:-- + + THE "SANDWICH'S" STORY. + +"I was formerly," he said, "a captain in the---- Regiment, and many +a time have I paid my six guineas for a box at your Opera, both in +Edinburgh and in London. Subsequently I began to take a great +interest in the turf, and soon met with heavy losses, which +compelled me to give various promissory notes. This at last came to +the knowledge of my colonel, who recommended me to leave the +regiment without delay. Having nothing to live upon, and being a +fair performer on the cornet à piston, I joined a travelling +circus, and ultimately came across your Opera Company in +Philadelphia, where I was one of your stage band. Later on I joined +a party who were bound for the diamond fields in South Africa, +where I was most unsuccessful; and I had to work my passage home in +a sailing ship, till I got to London, where I became a +supernumerary under your management at Drury Lane. + +"During your third season an aunt of mine died, and I found myself +the possessor of £10,000. My cousin, who was largely interested in +building operations, which he assured me paid him at least 60 per +cent., induced me to place half my fortune in his speculations. His +houses were in the west part of London, which had been considerably +overbuilt; and being mortgaged they would have been lost but for my +paying away the remainder of my fortune with the view of saving +them. In spite of this the mortgagee foreclosed, and I again became +a supernumerary, when, in the mimic fight in the second act of +_Trovatore_, one of my companions by mere accident with a point of +a spear put my eye out. + +"I was now no longer qualified for engagement even as a +supernumerary, and I became a 'sandwich' man. My duties during the +last four and a half years have been to parade Bond Street and +Regent Street, receiving as payment ninepence a day." + +On my handing the poor man his salary and settling up he at first +declined to take the money, saying that I had done him so many +kindnesses at different periods of his life that now, when I was in +trouble myself, he could not think of taking his week's pay. I, however, +not only insisted upon his accepting it, but gave him a sovereign for +himself. The unfortunate gentleman, as he showed himself to the last, +went away blessing me. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +MASTER AND MAN--"DON GIOVANNI" CENTENARY--MOZART AND +PARNELL--BURSTING OF "GILDA"--COLONEL STRACEY AND THE DEMONS--THE +HAWK'S MOUNTAIN FLIGHT--AMBITIOUS STUDENTS AND INDIGENT +PROFESSORS--A SCHOOL FOR OPERA--ANGLICIZED FOREIGNERS--ITALIANIZED +ENGLISHMEN. + + +Although an operatic impresario cannot reasonably count on making his +own fortune, it is often a source of satisfaction to him to reflect that +he in his lavish expenditure makes the fortune of singers, officials, +and various people in his service. At the time when I was in my greatest +trouble through the disappointments I had to put up with from some of my +leading singers, I heard that an enterprising Italian who had been +employed by me for many years had taken the New York Academy of Music +for a brief season, and that he was actually performing the duties of +manager. + +Angelo was, or rather is, a very remarkable man. I engaged him many +years ago as my servant at 10s. a week, and he is now said to be in +possession of some thousands or even tens of thousands of pounds, which +he gained while in my service by turning his opportunities and his +talents to ingenious account. Angelo is well known in the United States, +chiefly by the unwashed condition of his linen. Reversing the custom by +which, in England and America, gentlemen who cannot trust their memory +to keep appointments write with a black pencil the time and place on one +of their wrist-bands, Angelo used to write on his wrist-band, as nearly +as possible black, with a piece of white chalk which, primarily with a +view to billiards, he used to carry in his pocket. I mention this as an +example of his proneness to imitation, and also of his economical +habits. + +How, it will be asked, did he amass a fortune in my service when I was +paying him only at the rate of 10s. a week? + +He began by starting a _claque_ of which he constituted himself chief, +and which was at the service of any of my singers who chose to pay for +it. He was always ready, moreover, to act as interpreter. There was no +language which he did not speak in courier fashion more or less well; +and as in a modern operatic Company artists from such outlandish +countries as Spain and Russia as well as from Italy, France, and Germany +are to be found, Angelo's talents were often called into requisition by +singers who did not understand one another and who were altogether +ignorant of English. + +Angelo knew where to buy cheap cigars, and he used to make the members +of my Company buy them as dear ones. He speculated, moreover, largely +and advantageously in vermuth, which he sold in the United States for at +least a dollar a bottle more than he had paid for it in Italy. Campanini +acted as his friend and accomplice in these _vermuth_ sales. Entering a +bar, in no matter what American city, the great tenor would call for a +glass of _vermuth_. "Pah!" he would exclaim when he had tasted what the +bar-keeper had offered him. Then, after making many wry faces, he spat +out the liquor which had so grievously offended him. + +"Where did you get this horrible stuff?" he would then inquire. +"_Vermuth?_ It is not _vermuth_ at all. What did the rascal who sold it +to you charge for it?" + +"Three dollars a bottle." + +"And here is a gentleman," pointing to Angelo, "who has genuine +_vermuth_ of the finest quality and will sell you as much as you like +for two dollars a bottle." + +The bar-keeper thought, with reason, that an eminent Italian tenor like +Campanini must know good _vermuth_ from bad, and at once bought from +Angelo a case or two of the true _vermuth di Torino_. + +Angelo, in addition to his other talents, is a first-rate cook, and in +the preparation of certain Italian dishes, dear to those born in the +"land of song," has scarcely an equal. He was too important a personage +to act as cook to any one singer; but on the Atlantic passage he would +take a pound a-head from some thirty different vocalists in order to see +that each of them was provided with Italian cookery during the voyage. + +Angelo made most of his money, however, by speculating in opera tickets +during my Patti seasons. He had, of course, peculiar facilities for +getting (unknown to me) almost as many tickets as he wanted at +box-office prices; and he could count as a matter of certainty on +selling them at enormous premiums--often as much as two or three pounds +a-piece. + +During the retreat from Frisco, seeing that there would be a scarcity of +food along the line, he laid in a stock of provisions, which he retailed +at enormous profits. + +Angelo had made himself a prominent figure in connection with my +Company, and was frequently spoken of in the newspapers. On our arrival +at New York he waited upon the Secretary of the Academy, as I found out +some time afterwards, and actually took the building from him for a +season of opera, which was to begin in the following October. He +accompanied us, however, to London as though nothing had happened. He +returned at the appointed time to America, taking with him a company +which included Mdme. Valda, Giannini, and others. When his prospectus +came out I noticed two announcements which struck me as strange in +connection with his costumes and music. The former, said the prospectus, +had been "lent" by Zamperoni, the latter by Ricordi and Mdme. Lucca. +They would not, then, be liable to seizure. He had taken the precaution +to secure what he considered a proper reception at New York. Thus he had +hired a steam tug with a brass band on board. This excited the mirth of +all the New York journals. + +When the season began Angelo on the opening night occupied my box, +wearing for the first time in his life a white shirt; and it was noticed +that when he made memoranda on his cuffs he now did so with a black lead +pencil. + +After the first week, the salaries having become due, the theatre +closed, and the would-be impresario found himself surrounded in his +hotel by infuriated choristers, who, with drawn stilettos presented, +formed a veritable _chevaux de frise_ in front of him. Angelo appeared +himself at the second floor window in order to hold parley with his +aggressors at a safe distance, and for some days he remained confined to +his hotel. + +A public subscription was got up for the choristers to enable them to +return to Europe, and Angelo himself now accepted an appointment as +interpreter in Castle Garden, where he had to receive the emigrants, +make known their wants, and give them instructions in whatever happened +to be their native tongue; but he would do nothing for them unless they +began by buying a certain number of his detestable but high-priced +cigars. Even Dr. Gardini, the husband of the distinguished prima donna, +Mdme. Gerster, was actually afraid in Angelo's presence to smoke any +cigars but his. I remember on one occasion giving Dr. Gardini an Havanna +of the finest brand. He knew that Angelo, who was acting at the time as +_chef de claque_ to Mdme. Gerster, would, if he came in, recognize at +once its superior flavour; and when the door-keeper suddenly entered to +tell me that Angelo wished to speak to me for a moment, the doctor +thought it politic to throw aside the cigar I had given him and replace +it by one of Angelo's vile weeds. + +As to Angelo's exact pecuniary position at this moment it is difficult +to speak with certainty. Some say that he is without a shilling, and my +baritone, Signor de Anna, declares that he accommodated him with that +sum a few weeks ago when he was passing through New York. According to +other accounts he is a millionaire, with his millions safely invested in +Italian securities. + +To return to my own managerial business. I now fitted out an expedition +for the following October, when I proposed to make an operatic tour +throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Some few days before my departure +I was much astonished at an embargo being laid on all my costumes and +music under a bill of sale, voluntarily given by me to two friends, in +order to secure a sum which they had advanced as subscribers for the +previous season; which, but for Mdme. Patti's refusal to sing, would +have been completed. I thought that, under the circumstances, my friends +might have waited until after the tour had started. This incident +prevented me from getting away at the appointed time, and I was delayed +in London for nearly a week with the whole of my artists and chorus on +my hands. I, however, got over this difficulty, and left for Ireland +with a most attractive Company. + +We opened in Dublin about the middle of October with an excellent +performance of _Carmen_; Minnie Hauk not having appeared there since ten +years previously on our way to America for our first visit, when Bizet's +opera was totally unknown. On this occasion we were rewarded with a very +crowded audience. Mdme. Rolla made her _début_ as "Michaela," in which +she met with great success; Del Puente, of course, being the "Toreador." + +On the following night Mdlle. Dotti appeared as "Leonora" in +_Trovatore_, when the house was again crowded. The third night was +devoted to the _Barbiere_, for which I expected Mdlle. Arnoldson, who +did not turn up. The part was, therefore, undertaken by Mdme. Rolla, who +met with great success. Some eight months previously it had been agreed +with Ravelli, prior to his departure for South America, that he should +return to me in Ireland for this engagement, and I must give him credit +this time for having kept his word. He had been travelling continuously +for over seven weeks, and, landing at Bordeaux, had to work his way on +to Dublin, where he joined the Company. There was now no murderous +feeling between him and Minnie Hauk; they seemed to be the best of +friends. I felt sure, however, that this reconciliation would be only +temporary. I remained in Dublin a fortnight, during which time I +produced _Le Nozze di Figaro_, and _Ernani_, with Mdme. Rolla's +excellent impersonation of "Elvira" and Signor De Anna's superb +rendering of "Carlo V." This was followed by _Don Giovanni_, _Faust_, +_Rigoletto_, _Il Flauto Magico_, in which the whole Company took part, +the exceptionally difficult _rôle_ of the "Queen of Night" being +undertaken with great effect by Mdlle. Marie Decca. I afterwards left +for Cork, where the Company met with great artistic success, the Press +notices being more favourable than they had ever been on previous +visits. + +On the 29th October, being the centenary of Mozart's _Don Giovanni_, I +was determined to celebrate the event with due circumstance; and the +great opera was given with the following very efficient cast:--"Donna +Anna," Mdlle. Louise Dotti; "Donna Elvira," Mdme. Rolla; "Zerlina," +Mdme. Minnie Hauk; "Don Ottavio," Signor Ravelli; "Leporello," Signor +Caracciolo; "Il Commendatore," M. Abramoff; "Masetto," Signor Rinaldini; +and "Don Giovanni," Signor Padilla; conductor, Signor Arditi. + +I had arranged at the close of the first act to place a bust of Mozart +on the stage, executing at the same time the grand chorus of the _Magic +Flute_ while the High Sheriff of the County crowned the immortal +composer. Alas! there was no bust of Mozart to be obtained. But the +property-man reported that he had one of Parnell, which, by the removal +of the beard and some other manipulation, could be made to resemble +Mozart. The High Sheriff having declined to perform the ceremony in +connection with the bust of Parnell, the Mayor of Cork immediately +volunteered to replace him. The public soon got wind of what was going +on; and, fearing a popular commotion--as this very day the city had been +proclaimed in consequence of the Land League meetings--I had to content +myself with performing the opera as Mozart originally intended. + +The part of the dissolute "Don" was superbly rendered by Signor Padilla, +the eminent Spanish baritone, whose appearance reminded me forcibly of +Mario. He had just returned from Prague, where Mozart's centenary had +been duly celebrated, the whole of the arrangements having been left in +his hands. He told me many interesting stories concerning his researches +in the museums and libraries that had been placed by the Government at +his disposal during his stay there, which extended over some five or six +weeks. He succeeded in ascertaining the correct date of the original +production of _Don Giovanni_ at Prague. The authorities in Paris +insisted that it had been first performed on the 27th October, 1787, and +they even went so far as to regulate their centenary performance by that +day. Signor Padilla, however, obtained the original play-bill from the +National Library, in which it was clearly set forth that _Il Don +Giovanni_, _Ossia_, _Il Dissoluto Punito_ was first produced on the 29th +day of October, 1787. + +In my representation the absurd scene of "Don Giovanni" surrounded by a +lot of stage demons flashing their torches of resin all over him was, of +course, omitted. He simply went below in the hands of the Uomo di +Pietra. + +This reminds me of an amateur operatic performance we once had at +Woolwich, in which I took part for the benefit of some regimental +charities. + +I was dining at my Club with some friends when the performance was first +suggested. It was decided to give _Rigoletto_, in which I was asked to +undertake the part of the Duke; this to be followed by the last act of +_Don Giovanni_. + +I, of course, said "Yes," as I usually do to everything; and before the +dinner was over so many bets had been made on the question whether or +not I would appear as the "Duke of Mantua" that, on making up my book, +I found I must either play the arduous part or pay some £300 or £400. I +determined on the former course. + +I, of course, kept the matter a profound secret from all connected with +my theatre. On the night of the performance, on the rising of the +curtain, I was horrified in the midst of my first aria at seeing Mdme. +Titiens, Mdme. Trebelli, Sir Michael Costa, and Adelina Patti amongst +the audience; and it required some nerve to pull myself together and +continue the part. I succeeded, however, in obtaining the customary +encore for the "La donna è mobile" and for the quartett; and on the +whole I believe I acquitted myself well. So, at least, said the notices +which, to my astonishment, appeared next morning in the daily papers. + +A catastrophe occurred at the close of the last scene, where the late +Colonel Goodenough, in the character of "Rigoletto," had to mourn over +the corpse of the murdered "Gilda." At the rehearsal a man had been +placed in the sack, but he was too heavy to be dragged out; and, as +Colonel Goodenough was very nervous, the property-man made the sack +lighter by placing inside some straw and two large bladders full of air. +Just as the curtain was descending Goodenough, who was a very heavy man, +threw himself for the final lament on to the corpse of his daughter, +when a loud explosion took place, one of the bladders having burst. + +The performance concluded with the last act of _Don Giovanni_, in which +Colonel Stracey undertook the part of the dissolute "Don." The demons +were gunners from the Royal Artillery. It was most ludicrous, every time +the Colonel gave the slightest stage direction as to where these men +were to go and when they were to take hold of him and carry him down, to +see the eight demons all give the military salute at the same time. +Stracey told them not to salute him, on which they said "No, Colonel!" +and gave another salute. + +On leaving Cork we had to return to Dublin, where, in consequence of +enormous success, we were called upon to give an extra week. We finished +up on the following Saturday evening with a performance of Wallace's +_Maritana_, in the Italian language, to a house literally packed to the +very roof. Ravelli sang the part of "Don Cæsar;" and being encored in +"Let me like a soldier fall," gave it the second time in English. + +We afterwards went to Liverpool, when suddenly Mdme. Minnie Hauk, +without a moment's warning, left the Company. Two days afterwards I +received a medical certificate from Dr. Weber, to the effect that the +lady was in a precarious state of health, and utterly voiceless, so that +it was necessary for her to go to a certain mountain in Switzerland to +recover her health. It was the month of December. + +I afterwards ascertained that _en route_ she had sung at three concerts +for her own benefit. + +We next visited Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Brighton, +etc., concluding at the last-named town just before Christmas with a +memorable performance of _Maritana_, when the curtain had to be raised +no less than five times. + +On the termination of the season we returned to London, where the +Company disbanded for the holidays, my Italian chorus being now sent +back to Italy. + +It costs £8 to get an Italian chorus singer from his native land to +England; and this seems money wasted when one reflects that just as good +voices are to be found in this country as in Italy. If such a thing as a +permanent Opera could be established in London arrangements might be +made by which it would look for its chorus to one or more of our +numerous musical academies, which at present seem to exist and to be +multiplied solely to deluge the country with music teachers, whose keen +competition lessens daily the value of their services. When the Royal +Academy of Music was established the Earl of Westmorland, who presided +at the first meeting of the promoters, said, in reference to the +expected advantages of such an institution, that he hoped to see the day +when music lessons would be given in England at the rate of 6d. an hour. + +A nice time music teachers will have when ten hours' work a day will +give them an income of 30s. a week! But what, if not music teachers, are +the pupils of our four leading musical academies to become? The Royal +Academy of Music, the Royal College of Music, the Guildhall School of +Music, and Dr. Wylde's London Academy of Music must send out annually +some thousand or two well-taught musicians who have nothing to turn to +but teaching. + +Except among the richer classes almost everyone who studies music ends +by teaching music to someone else. Such is his fate whatever may have +been his ambition. What, except a music teacher, or an orchestral +player, or, by rare good luck, a concert singer, is he or she to become? +In other countries there is an established musical theatre with which +the recognized Academy of Music is in connection, and which in some +measure depends upon it as upon a feeder. The students of the Paris +Conservatoire sing in the chorus of the Grand Opera; and those students +who gain prizes, or otherwise distinguish themselves, obtain an +appearance, as a matter of course, at the great Lyrical Theatre, for +which they may be said to have been specially trained. In England, +however, we occupy ourselves exclusively with the teaching of music, +never in any manner dealing with the question what the students are to +do when their period of study is at an end. In other countries there is +together with one musical academy one Opera-house. Here we have four +musical academies and not one permanent operatic establishment. + +Such is the national mania for establishing schools of music that a few +years ago some £200,000 was collected for establishing a new musical +academy with, for the most part, the same professors as those already +employed at existing academies; and an attempt, moreover, was made to +shelve Sir Arthur Sullivan (who may yet, it is to be hoped, compose an +opera), by placing him at the head of this quite superfluous +establishment. More recently Sir Arthur refused to allow himself to be +shackled in the manner contemplated; and not many years afterwards +another composer, Mr. A. C. Mackenzie, who has already proved himself +capable of writing fine dramatic music, was put on the retired list in +similar fashion. Mozart, Rossini, Auber, Bellini, Verdi studied at no +academy; and my friend Verdi was rejected from the Conservatorio of +Milan as incapable of passing the entrance examination. We, however, +hope everything from music schools though we have nothing to offer our +composers or our singers when, in a theoretical sort of way, they have +once been formed. The money wasted in establishing the Royal College of +Music might have been usefully spent in founding a permanent lyrical +theatre for which our young composers might have worked, on whose +boards our young vocalists might have sung. Thus only, by practice in +presence of the public, can composers and singers perfect themselves in +their difficult art. It should be remembered too that for operatic music +the best school is an operatic establishment where fine performances can +be heard. + +The unhappy students, meanwhile, receive but small benefit from their +tuition, seeing that they are simply turned out to swell the ranks of +indigent teachers. No capital in Europe has anything like so many music +schools as London, and no capital in Europe is so entirely without the +means of offering suitable work to students who have once qualified +themselves for performing it. We have some twenty or thirty theatres in +London without one school of acting; which is possibly a mistake. But it +is not such a bad mistake as to have four large music schools without +one lyrical theatre. Nothing can be more preposterous. Yet there is at +this moment more chance of a fifth music school being established than +of an Opera-house being founded at which the shoals of composers and +vocalists shot out every year would have an opportunity of pursuing +their profession. + +Sixty years ago, since which time we are supposed to have made progress +in musical as in other matters, the Royal Academy of Music, which has +produced so many excellent singers, instrumentalists, and composers, +was intimately connected with the King's Theatre. Its students sang in +the Opera chorus, and every fortnight gave performances of their own, at +which leading vocalists, choristers, and orchestra were exclusively from +the Academy. These performances took place in the King's Concert Room, a +sort of _annexe_ to the theatre in which the performances of Italian +Opera were given. + +Nor in those days were singers who happened to be English ashamed to +call themselves by their own names. The present custom of Italianizing +English names as the only process by which they can be made fit for +presentation to the public is much more modern than is generally known. +Even in our own time two admirable vocalists, Mr. Sims Reeves and Mr. +Santley, have had the manliness to reject all suggestions for +Italianizing their names. The foreign musicians, often of the highest +eminence, who have settled amongst us, seem, on the other hand, to have +taken a pride in passing themselves off as Englishmen. Handel is always +called in the bills of the period Mr. Handel; Costa (until he was +knighted) was always Mr. Costa; Hallé (until he also was knighted) Mr. +Hallé; Benedict (until the moment when he was empowered to adopt the +"Sir"), Mr. Benedict; Herren Karl Rosa, August Manns, Alberto Randegger, +Wilhelm Ganz, and Wilhelm Kuhe (whose knighthood has not yet reached +them), are Mr. Carl Rosa, Mr. Manns, Mr. Randegger, Mr. Ganz, and Mr. +Kuhe. It cannot be a disgrace even for a musician to be an Englishman, +or so many foreign musicians of eminence would not so readily have +called themselves "Mr." + +An English vocalist, on the other hand, will not hesitate to pass +himself off, so far as a name can assist him in his enterprise, as some +sort of foreigner. My old pal, Jack Foley, becomes Signor Foli, and the +Signor sticks to him through life. We have a Signor Sinclair, a name +which seems to me as droll as that of Count Smith at the San Francisco +Hotel. Provincial managers have often entreated me to use my influence +with Mr. Santley in order to make him change his name to Signor +Santalini, which they assured me would look better in the programme, and +bring more money into the house. A Mr. Walker being engaged to appear at +Her Majesty's Theatre, called himself on doing so Signor Valchieri +(Signor Perambulatore would certainly have been better); and a +well-known American singer, Mr. John Clarke, of Brooklyn, transformed +himself on joining my Company into Signor Giovanni Chiari di Broccolini. +The English and American young ladies who now sing in such numbers on +the Italian stage take the prefix not of Signora or Signorina, but of +Madame or Mademoiselle. This, also, is confusing. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +FIGHT WITH MR. AND MRS. RAVELLI--AN IMPROVISED PUBLIC--RAVELLI'S +DANGEROUS ILLNESS--MR. RUSSELL GOLE--REAPPEARANCE OF MR. REGISTRAR +HAZLITT--OFFENBACH IN ITALIAN--WHO IS THAT YOUNG MAN?--FANCELLI'S +AUTOGRAPH--RISTORI'S ARISTOCRATIC HOUSEHOLD. + + +In the early part of January, 1888, I gave forty-two grand concerts in +forty-two different cities, commencing in Dublin, where I was placed in +a position of the greatest difficulty by the non-arrival of Padilla, the +baritone, Ravelli, the tenor, and my principal soloist, Van Biene, who +was laid up with rheumatism; so that it was only with the greatest +difficulty that I could even make a beginning. In due course Ravelli +arrived, but with such a cold that he was unable to speak. I, therefore, +had to proceed to the south of Ireland minus a tenor and a baritone. I +succeeded, however, in replacing the instrumentalist by M. Rudersdorf, +the eminent violoncellist, who resides in Dublin. + +Prior to going to Belfast, towards the latter part of the week, Signor +Padilla joined us, and for the next evening in Dublin all was arranged +for the appearance of Ravelli, who had been living the whole week with +his wife in the hotel at my expense. On notifying him to go to the +concert, he replied that he must be paid a week's salary for the time +during which he had been sick or he would not open his mouth. He +conducted himself in so disrespectful a manner that he deserved, I told +him, to be taken to the concert-room by force. I had scarcely made a +movement of my hand as in explanation when he thought I was going to +strike him, and made a rush at me in a most violent way, kicking up in +the French style in all directions, while his wife assisted him by +coming behind me with a chair. + +I knew that if I injured him in the slightest degree there would be no +concert that night. Meanwhile he was going full tilt at me to strike me +in any way he possibly could, and it taxed my ingenuity to stop all +action on his part without injuring him. It was fortunate I did so, as, +after he had calmed down, seeing me in earnest, he dressed himself and +went on to the concert. All this occurred only half an hour before its +commencement. Afterwards Ravelli sang with comparative regularity. + +Business, however, was not what it ought to have been, in consequence of +the absence of favourite names from the programme. The musical +excellence of my Company was beyond question, but the public must have +old names of some kind or other, whether with voices or not, to ensure +an audience. + +We reached Leicester some four days afterwards. On the Company arriving +in a body at the hotel, the hostess looked at us with amazement, and +asked me if I had not come to the wrong town, since no announcement +whatever had appeared as to any concert taking place. I thereupon made +inquiries and found the landlady's statement to be perfectly true. All +the printed matter--bills and programmes--previously sent on was +discovered hidden away; and the person who had undertaken the +arrangement of the concert, being in difficulties, had been unable even +to announce our coming in the newspapers. + +I, of course, insisted upon giving the concert, and as evening +approached some half-dozen people who were accidentally passing +purchased tickets. The performance proceeded in due form, and Ravelli, +much to his disgust, obtained an encore from his audience of six. + +In a hall adjoining I heard excellent singing, as if from a large +chorus. I at once saw a way of giving encouragement to my artists, who +were going on with the concert. On entering I found that the local +Philharmonic Society was practising. It included many of the leading +ladies and gentlemen of Leicester, and numbered altogether some two or +three hundred singers. + +I told the conductor that a capital concert was going on in the +adjoining hall, to which I invited all present. If he would suspend the +rehearsal they could go and help themselves to the best seats. Great +astonishment was evinced amongst the six members of our public when they +suddenly found the room filling with a well-dressed and distinguished +audience, who were so delighted with the excellence of the performance +that they encored every piece. Prior to the close of the concert I +thought it was better to address a few words to my visitors, in which I +stated that the concert, having been given secretly, without the +knowledge of the town, I should look upon it as a private rehearsal +only; and that it was my intention to return to Leicester some two or +three weeks afterwards, when the public performance would take place. On +leaving the hall my new audience booked some £20 or £30 worth of seats +to make sure of obtaining places at my next visit. + +When I returned shortly afterwards the Concert Hall was packed from +floor to ceiling, and I was even requested to come back and give a third +entertainment. The Press declared that no better concert had ever been +given in Leicester. + +We afterwards visited Cheltenham, Bristol, Exeter, and some twenty other +cities, in each of which we were considerably handicapped by amateurs +giving concerts for the entertainment of other amateurs; neither +performers nor listeners seeming to have any high idea of art. + +On reaching Cardiff Ravelli, without any reason, in the middle of the +concert, said that he was indisposed, and walked home. As there was no +other tenor present, and as it was impossible to continue the +performance without one, I volunteered my services. I had previously +notified the public; and after I had sung in the _Trovatore_ duet I was +recalled twice, and on taking an encore was again twice recalled. This +helped us for the moment. But I have no intention of again appearing as +a vocalist. + +Ravelli, after going home to bed, had requested me to send for a doctor, +as he was in a desperate state. The next morning, prior to leaving the +town, I gave instructions to the landlady that proper care should be +taken of him, adding that I would return in three or four days to see +how he was progressing. I requested her, moreover, to paste up the +windows to prevent any draught blowing into the room. + +I then started with the Company to Exeter. On reaching that city I +received a telegram from the landlady, stating that after my departure +Mr. Ravelli had gone to Paris by the next train with his wife. + +From Exeter we passed on to Plymouth and Torquay, where we gave a +morning concert, remaining in that delightful watering-place till the +following Monday morning, when we left for Salisbury; after which we +visited Southampton, Southsea, Cambridge, Leicester, and Nottingham. The +concert tour being now at an end, I returned to London. + +Although both Mdme. Minnie Hauk and Signor Ravelli had left me on the +plea of sickness without being seriously indisposed, I took no steps +against either of them. For a time, I must admit, I thought of having +recourse to the good services of my friend and solicitor--strange +conjunction!--Mr. Russell Gole; who during my career as impresario has +brought and defended for me actions innumerable, and invariably, I +believe, with the best results that under the circumstances could have +been obtained. The reader has already heard of Mr. Gole's ingenious +suggestion at a time when for six minutes I was in the position of a +bankrupt. During those memorable six minutes Mr. Registrar Hazlitt had +occupied the position of an impresario, and it would be difficult to say +whether at that momentous crisis he or I was most out of place. When Mr. +Gole reminded him that he was now _ex-officio_ the manager of Her +Majesty's Theatre, and that advice was expected from him as to the +cutting of _Lohengrin_, the making up of the ballet girls' petticoats, +and the pacification of an insubordinate tenor, he sent for the Book of +Practice, and after consulting it rescinded the order, observing that he +did so "in the interest of the public." + +Once more, only a few weeks ago, I stood in the presence of Mr. +Registrar Hazlitt, and, as in the days of Sir Michael Costa's disputed +cheque, had Mr. Russell Gole by my side. Once more, too, when an order +of bankruptcy was impending over me it was withdrawn partly through the +instrumentality of my solicitor, but mainly, of course, through the +goodwill of my creditors, who subscribed among themselves sufficient +money to pay into Court a sum which was at once accepted in liquidation +of all claims. + +I am generally regarded and have got into the habit of looking upon +myself as a manager of Italian Opera. But, accepting that character, I +do not think I can be fairly accused of exclusiveness as towards the +works of German or even of English composers. Nor can I well be charged +with having neglected the masterpieces of the lyric drama by whomsoever +composed. For a great many years past no manager but myself has given +performances of Cherubini's _Medea_. _Fidelio_ is a work which, from the +early days of Mdlle. Titiens until my last year at Her Majesty's +Theatre, with Mdlle. Lilli Lehmann in the principal part, I have always +been ready to present. I was the first manager to translate Wagner's +_Tannhäuser_ and _Lohengrin_ into Italian, and the only one out of +Germany who has been enterprising enough to produce the entire series of +the _Ring des Nibelungen_. + +As regards English Opera, Macfarren's _Robin Hood_ and Wallace's _Amber +Witch_ owe their very existence to me. It was I who, at Her Majesty's +Theatre in 1860-61, brought out both those works, which had been +specially composed for the theatre. I myself adapted Balfe's _Bohemian +Girl_ to the Italian stage, and in the course of my last provincial tour +I gave for the first time in Italian, and with remarkable success, the +_Maritana_ of Wallace. + +Casting back my recollection over a long series of years I find that the +only composer of undisputed influence and popularity whose propositions +I could at no time accept were those of Jacques Offenbach; whom, +however, in his own particular line I am far from undervaluing. The +composer of _La grande Duchesse de Gérolstein_, _La Belle Hélène_, and a +whole series of masterpieces in the burlesque style, tried to persuade +me that his works were not so comic as people insisted on believing. +They had, according to him, their serious side; and he sought to +convince me that _La Belle Hélène_, produced at Her Majesty's Theatre +with an increased orchestra, and with a hundred or more additional +voices in the chorus, would prove a genuine artistic success. I must +admit that I gave a moment's thought to the matter; but the project of +the amiable _maestro_ was not one that I could seriously entertain. I +may here remind the reader that Offenbach began life as a composer of +serious music. He was known in his youth as an admirable violoncellist, +playing with wonderful expression all the best music written for the +instrument he had adopted. He was musical conductor, moreover, at the +Théâtre Français in the days when the "House of Molière" maintained an +orchestra, and, indeed, a very good one. When Offenbach composed the +choruses and incidental music for the _Ulysse_ of M. Ponsard he did so +in the spirit of Meyerbeer, who had undertaken to supply the music of +the piece; and he then showed his aptitude for imitating the composer of +_Les Huguenots_ in a direct manner, as he afterwards did in burlesquing +him. + +Offenbach was destined not to be appreciated as a serious composer, +though in one of his works, the little-known _Contes d'Hoffmann_, there +is much music which, if not learned or profound, is at least artistic. + +Had I agreed to Offenbach's offer, I was also to accept his services as +conductor; which would have been more, I think, than Sir Michael Costa, +who would have had to direct on alternate nights, would have been able +to stand. Sir Michael was not only peculiarly sensitive, but also +remarkably vindictive; and the engagement of Offenbach at a theatre +where he was officiating would certainly have caused him no little +resentment. He forgave no slight, nor even the appearance of one in +cases where no real slight could possibly have been intended. When he +left the Royal Italian Opera he was of opinion that the late Mr. +Augustus Harris, who was Mr. Gye's stage manager at the time, should +also have quitted the establishment; and carrying his hostile feelings +in true vendetta fashion from father to son, he afterwards objected to +the presence of the Augustus Harris of our own time, at any theatre +where he, Sir Michael, might be engaged. + +"Who is that young man?" he said to me one day when the future +"Druriolanus" was acting as my stage manager. "He seems to know his +business, but I think I heard you call him 'Harris.' Can he be the son +of my enemy?" + +I tried to explain to Sir Michael that the gentleman against whom he +seemed to nourish some feeling of animosity could not be in any way his +foe. But the great conductor would not see this. The father, he said, +had shown himself his enemy, and he was himself the enemy of the son. + +The hatred sometimes conceived by one singer for another of the same +class of voice and playing the same parts, is, if not more reasonable, +at least more intelligible. I shall never forget the rage which the +tenor Fancelli once displayed on seeing the name of the tenor Campanini +inscribed on a large box at a railway station with these proud words +appended to it: "Primo Tenore Assoluto, Her Majesty's Opera Company." It +was the epithet "assoluto" which, above all, raised Fancelli's ire. He +rushed at the box, attacked the offending words with his walking-stick, +and with the end of it tried to rub off the white letters composing the +too ambitious adjective, "assoluto." + +"Assoluto" was an epithet which Fancelli reserved for his own private +use, and to which he alone among tenors considered himself justly +entitled. Unfortunately, he could not write the word, reading and +writing being accomplishments which had been denied to him from his +youth upwards. He could just manage to scribble his own name in large +schoolboy characters. But his letter-writing and his "autographs" for +admiring ladies were done for him by a chorister, who was remunerated +for his secretarial work at the rate of something like a penny Pickwick +per month. The chorister, however, in agreeing to work on these moderate +terms, knew that he had the illustrious tenor in his hands; and in +moments of difficulty he would exact his own price and, refusing cheap +cigars, accept nothing less than ready money. + +Occasionally when the chorister was not at hand, or when he was called +upon, to give his autograph in presence of other persons, Fancelli +found himself in a sad plight; and I have a painful recollection of his +efforts to sign his name in the album of the Liverpool Philharmonic +Society, which contains the signatures of a large number of celebrated +singers and musicians. In this musical Book of Gold Fancelli made an +earnest endeavour to inscribe his name, which with the exception only of +the "c" and one of the "l's" he succeeded in writing without the +omission of any of the necessary letters. He had learned, moreover, to +write the glorious words "Primo tenore," and in a moment of aspiration +tried to add to them his favourite epithet of "assoluto." He had written +a capital "A," followed by three "s's," when either from awkwardness or +in order to get himself out of the scrape in which he already felt +himself lost, he upset the inkstand over the page. Then he took up the +spilt ink on his forefinger and transferred it to his hair; until at +last, when he had obliterated the third "s," his signature stood in the +book and stands now-- + + "FANELI PRIMO TENORE ASS--" + +Some rude critics having declared of Signor Fancelli's singing that it +would have been better if he had made a regular study of the vocal art, +he spoke to me seriously about taking lessons. But he declared that he +had no time, and that as he was making money by singing in the style to +which he was accustomed it would be better to defer studying until he +had finished his career, when he would have plenty of leisure. + +About this time the strange idea occurred to him of endeavouring to +master the meaning of the parts entrusted to him in the various operas. + +"In _Medea_," he innocently remarked, "during the last two years I have +played the part of a man named 'Jason'; but what he has to do with +'Medea,' I have never been able to make out. Am I her father, her +brother, her lover, or what?" + +Fancelli had begun life as a _facchino_ or baggage porter at Leghorn, so +that his ignorance, if lamentable, was at least excusable. On retiring +from the stage he really applied himself to study; with what success I +am unable to say. At his death he left a large sum of money. + +It has often astonished me that singers without any education, musical +or other, should be able to remember the words and music of their parts. +Some of them resort to strange devices in order to supply the want of +natural gifts; and one vocalist previously mentioned, Signor Broccolini, +would write his "words" on whatever staff or stick he might happen to be +carrying, or in default of any such "property," on the fingers and palm +of his hand. In representing the statue of the Commander, in _Don +Giovanni_, he inscribed beforehand the words he had to sing on the +_bâton_ carried by the Man of Stone; but to be able to read them it was +necessary to know on which side in the scene of the cemetery the rays of +the moon would fall. On one occasion he had majestically taken up his +position on horseback, with the _bâton_ grasped in his right hand, and +reposing on his right hip, and was expecting a rush of moonlight from +the left, when the position of the orb of night was suddenly changed, +and he was unable to read one syllable of the words on which he +depended. Having to choose between two difficulties, he at once selected +the least, and, to the astonishment of the audience, transferred the +Commander's _bâton_ from the right hand to the left. + +The vanity of an opera singer is generally in proportion to the lowness +of his origin. This rule, however, does not seem to apply to dramatic +artists, for I remember that when I once called upon Mdme. Ristori at +Naples I found her principal actors and actresses, who had apparently +begun life as domestic servants, continuing the occupations of their +youth while at the same time impersonating on the stage the most exalted +characters. "Sir Francis Drake" waited at table, the "Earl of Essex" +opened the street door, "Leicester" acted as butler; and I have reason +to believe that "Dirce" dressed "Medea's" hair. + +Two more anecdotes as to the caprices and the exactions of vocalists. My +basso, Cherubini, on one occasion refused to go on with his part in +_Lucia_ because he had not been applauded on entering. + +An incident of quite an opposite character occurred at Naples during the +Titiens engagement. Armandi, a tenor of doubtful repute, who resided at +Milan, always awaited the result of the various _fiascos_ of St. +Stephen's night (26th December) which marks the beginning of the +Carnival season, when some hundreds of musical theatres throw open their +doors. He had a large _répertoire_; and, after ascertaining by telegraph +where his services were most in need, and where they would be best +remunerated, he would accept an engagement as a kind of stop-gap until +another tenor could be found. Generally, at the close of the first +evening he was paid for his six performances and sent back to Milan. + +But on the occasion I am speaking of Armandi had stipulated in his +contract that he should be paid the six nights and sing the six nights +as well; for he was tired, he said, of being systematically shelved +after a single performance. + +The part in which he had to appear at Naples, where the leading tenor of +the establishment had hopelessly broken down, was that of "Pollio" in +Norma; but every time he attempted to sing the public accompanied him +with hisses, so that he soon became inaudible. At the close of the first +act he came before the curtain, and after obtaining a hearing begged the +audience to allow him to finish the opera in peace, when he would leave +the city. If they continued hissing he warned them that he would sing +the remaining five nights of his engagement. + +The public took the candour of the man in such good part that they not +only applauded him throughout the evening, but allowed him to remain the +entire season. + + + + +FINAL CHAPTER. + + +Figures are dull and statistics fatiguing; or I might be tempted to give +the reader particulars as to the number of miles that I have travelled, +the sums of money I have received and spent during my career as manager; +with other details of a like character. I may mention, however, that for +many years during our operatic tours in the United Kingdom and in the +United States, our average annual travelling with a large company of +principal singers, choristers, dancers, and orchestral players amounted +to some 23,000 miles, or nearly the length of the earth's circumference. +This naturally necessitated a great deal of preparation and forethought. +The average annual takings were during this period over £200,000. All +this involved so much organization and such careful administration, that +a mere impresario might, without disgrace, have proved unequal to the +work. The financial department, in particular, of such an enterprise +ought, to be thoroughly well managed, to enjoy the supervision of a +Goschen. + +Difficulties, however, are only obstacles set in one's way in order to +be overcome, and mine have never caused me any serious trouble. I am +disposed by nature to take a cheerful view of things, and I can scarcely +think of any dilemma in which I have been placed, however serious, which +has not presented its bright, or at least when I came to think of it, +its amusing side. When, moreover, one has had, throughout a long career, +difficulties, often of a very formidable character, to contend with, the +little inconveniences of life are scarcely felt. + +I remember one day dining with a millionaire of my acquaintance who got +red in the face, stamped, swore, and almost went into convulsions +because the salmon had been rather too much boiled. He had led too easy +a life; or so trifling a mishap would have had no effect upon him. + +Often when affairs looked almost tragic, I have been able to bear them +by perceiving that they had also their comic aspect. The reader, indeed, +will have seen for himself that some of my liveliest anecdotes are +closely connected with very grave matters indeed. Of such anecdotes I +could tell many more. But I feel that I have already taken up too much +of the reader's time, and, having several important projects on hand +which will take up the whole of mine, I must now conclude. + + + + +APPENDIX. + + +SINGERS AND OPERAS PRODUCED BY ME. + + +The following is a list of the principal artists whom I first had the +honour of engaging for this country, and, with two exceptions (marked by +asterisks), of introducing for the first time to the British public:-- + + _European Prime Donne._ + +*Adelina Patti, + +Christine Nilsson, + +Etelka Gerster, + +Marguerite Chapuy, + +Ilma di Murska, + +Marie Roze, + +Marie Marimon, + +Emelie Ambré, + +Caroline Salla, + +Lilli Lehmann, + +Eugénie Pappenheim, + +Harriers Wippern, + +Victoire Balfe, + +Jenny Broch, + +Elena Varese, + +Marianina Lodi, + +Alma Fohström, + +Caroline Reboux, + +Clarice Sinico, + +Louise Sarolta, + +Mathilde Sessi, + +Bianca Donadio, + +Matilda Bauermeister, + +Zelie Trebelli, + +Sofia Scalchi, + +Anna de Belocca, + +Borghi-Mamo, + +Carolina Guarducci, + +Caroline Bettelheim. + + _American Prime Donne._ + +*Emma Albani, + +Clara Louise Kellogg, + +Alwina Valleria, + +Marie Vanzandt, + +Emma Nevada, + +Emma Abbott, + +Marie Litta, + +Lilian Nordica, + +Louise Dotti, + +Hélène Hastreiter, + +Emma Juch, + +Annie Louise Cary, + +Kate Rolla, + +Laura Harris-Zagury, + +Lilian Lauri, + +Marie Engle, + +Genevieve Ward, + +Minnie Hauk, + +Nikita, + +Etc., etc., etc. + + _Tenors._ + +Pietro Mongini, + +Roberto Stagno, + +Italo Campanini, + +Luigi Ravelli, + +Dr. Gunz, + +Carlo Bulterini, + +Ernesto Nicolini, + +De Capellio-Tasca, + +Victor Capoul, + +Giovanni Vizzani, + +Tom Hohler, + +Allesandro Bettini, + +Antonio Aramburo, + +Giuseppe Fancelli. + + _Baritones._ + +Enrico Delle-Sedie, + +Mariano de Padilla, + +Charles Santley, + +Enrico Fagotti, + +Jean de Reszke, + +Antonio Galassi, + +Giuseppe Del Puente, + +Innocente de Anna, + +Pandolfini, + +Agnesi, + +Senatore Sparapani, + +Colonnese, + +Varese, + +Badiali, + +Paul Lhérie, + +Giovanni Rota. + + _Basses._ + +Rokitansky, + +Bagagiolo, + +Medini, + +Castelmary, + +Belval, + +Junca, + +Behrens, + +Novara, + +Cherubini, + +Foli. + + _Buffos._ + +Scalese, + +Ciampi. + + _Conductors._ + +Bevignani, + +Vianesi, + +Logheder, + +Fred Cowen, + +Bisaccia, + +Pasdeloup, + +Etc., etc., etc. + + _Tragedian._ + +Tommaso Salvini. + +The following celebrities ended their operatic career with me, having +remained for many years previously under my management.:-- + +Thérèse Titiens, + +Giulia Grisi, + +Marietta Alboni, + +Fanny Persiani, + +Pauline Viardot, + +Mario, + +Antonio Giuglini, + +Italo Gardoni, + +Ignazio Marini, + +Karl Formes, + +Sir Michael Costa. + +The following works were, in England, first produced under my +management:-- + + _Faust_ Gounod. + _Damnation de Faust_ Berlioz. + _Messe Solennelle_ Rossini. + _Ballo in Maschera_ Verdi. + _Forza del Destino_ Verdi. + _I Vespri Siciliani_ Verdi. + _Carmen_ Bizet. + _Leila_ (_Pêcheurs de Perles_) Bizet. + _Mirella_ Gounod. + _Falstaff_ (_Merry Wives of Windsor_) Nicolai. + _Don Bucefalo_ Cagnoni. + _Hamlet_ Thomas. + _Rinnegato_ Orczy. + _Nicolo de Lapi_ Schira. + _Esmeralda_ Campana. + _Mefistofele_ Boito. + _Talismano_ Balfe. + _Ruy Blas_ Marchetti. + _Medea_ Cherubini. + _Iphigénie_ Gluck. + _Deux Journées_ Cherubini. + _Seraglio_ Mozart. + _Ring des Nibelungen_ Wagner. + +The following revivals, among others, were given by me with entirely new +scenery, dresses, and decorations:-- + + _Fidelio_ Beethoven. + _Freischütz_ Weber. + _Oberon_ Weber. + _Aida_ Verdi. + _Flauto Magico_ Mozart. + _Anna Bolena_ Donizetti. + _Lohengrin_ Wagner. + _Dinorah_ Meyerbeer. + _Semiramide_ Rossini. + + + + +INDEX TO VOLS. I. AND II. + + +A. + +Aaron, Sheriff, Vol. II., 81. + +Abbey, Mr., Vol. I., 265, 308, 318, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325; Vol. +II., 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 22, 27, 31, 32, 37, 38, 39, 79, 254. + +Abbot, Emma, Vol. I., 190; Vol. II., 297. + +Abramoff, M., Vol. II., 266. + +Adams, J. McGregor, Vol. II., 232. + +Adini, Mdme., Vol. I., 232. + +Agnesi, Signor, Vol. I., 155; Vol. II., 299. + +Albani, Emma, Vol. I., 142, 143, 148, 251, 288, 304, 305, 306, 307, 309, +310, 312, 313, 314, 315, 317, 318, 319, 320; Vol. II., 5, 174, 297. + +Alboni, Vol. I., 9, 26, 27, 35, 36; Vol. II., 300. + +Aldighieri, Vol. I., 19, 26, 47. + +Ambré, Emelie, Vol. I., 220, 229; Vol. II., 296. + +Angelo, Vol. II., 241, 258, 259, 260, 262, 263. + +Antrobus, Captain, Vol. I., 281. + +Aramburo, Vol. I., 232; Vol. II., 174, 298. + +Arditi, Signor, Vol. I., 16, 17, 36, 37, 55, 68, 70, 77, 89, 104, 127, +129, 131, 199, 215, 216, 217, 243, 244, 250, 266, 288, 312; Vol. II., +12, 16, 67, 85, 129, 147, 161, 178, 179, 193, 231, 244, 266. + +Arditi, Mdme. and Signor, Vol. I., 104. + +Armandi, Signor, Vol. II., 290. + +Arnoldson, Mdlle., Vol. II., 264. + +Arnoux, Judge W. R., Vol. I., 326. + +Arthur, President, Vol. I., 313, 314, 315. + +Auber, Vol. II., 169, 272. + +Austin, Mr., Vol. I., 193. + +Austin, Fredk., Vol. II., 138. + + +B. + +Babbitt, Councillor, Vol. II., 42. + +Bacon, Arthur, Vol. I., 45. + +Badiali, Signor, Vol. I., 10, 11; Vol. II., 299. + +Bagagiolo, Signor, Vol. II., 299. + +Baldanza, Signor, Vol. II., 229. + +Balfe, M. W., Vol. I., 2, 161; Vol. II., 283. + +Balfe, Victoire, Vol. I., 16; Vol. II., 296. + +Ballantine, Serjeant, Vol. I., 14. + +Barnes, General W. H. L., Vol. II., 57, 63, 198, 204, 205. + +Bauermeister, Mdme., Vol. I., 198; Vol. II., 116, 161, 162, 164, 178, +192, 248, 296. + +Baxter, Mr., Vol. I., 70. + +Bedford, Duke of, Vol. I., 175. + +Beecher, Rev. Henry Ward, Vol. II., 89. + +Beethoven, Vol. I., 82; Vol. II., 251. + +Behrens, Herr, Vol. II., 299. + +Belart, Signor, Vol. I., 27. + +Belval, M., Vol. I., 152; Vol. II., 299. + +Belasco, Signor, Vol. II., 192, 193. + +Belletti, Signor, Vol. I., 2, 3. + +Bellini, Vol. I., 90; Vol. II., 272. + +Belocca, Mdlle. Anna de, Vol. I., 225, 227, 228, 261; Vol. II., 296. + +Belmont, August, Vol. I., 274. + +Belmont, Mrs. August, Vol. I., 316. + +Benedict, Sir Julius, Vol. I., 16, 17, 27, 172, 197; Vol. II., 274. + +Bentinck, Cavendish, Vol. I., 155. + +Berghi, Mdlle., Vol. I., 288; Vol. II., 248. + +Bernhardt, Sarah, Vol. I., 129, 265; Vol. II., 240. + +Bertini, Signor, Vol. II., 13, 14. + +Bettelheim, Mdlle., Vol. I., 81; Vol. II., 296. + +Bettini, Signor, Vol. I., 6, 7, 73, 76, 77, 81, 120; Vol. II., 298. + +Bettini-Trebelli, Mdme., Vol. I., 7. + +Beviguani, Signor, Vol. I., 109; Vol. II., 300. + +Bidwell, David, Mr., Vol. II., 102. + +Bieletto, Signor, Vol. II., 161, 162, 164. + +Billing, Dr., Vol. I., 8. + +Bimboni, Signor, Vol. II., 231. + +Bisaccia, Signor, Vol. II., 300. + +Bizet, Vol. II., 249, 251, 264. + +Blackstone, T. B., Vol. II., 232. + +Blondin, Vol. I., 283, 284. + +Boito, Vol. I., 240, 241, 242, 249, 252, 253, 254; Vol. II., 251. + +Bologna, Signor, Vol. II., 229. + +Bolton, George, Mr., Vol. I., 61, 298. + +Booker, British Consul General, Vol. I., 326. + +Borchardt, Mdme., Vol. I., 45, 46, 47, 52, 54. + +Borghi-Mamo, Vol. I., 26; Vol. II., 296. + +Bossi, Signor, Vol. I., 89. + +Bowdoin, Mrs., Vol. I., 317. + +Bowen, Detective, Vol. II., 57. + +Boyne, George, Vol. II., 136, 232. + +Bradwell, Vol. I., 271. + +Brady, Judge J. R., Vol. I., 326. + +Braham, Marquis, Vol. I., 65. + +Braham, Charles, Vol. I., 10, 12; Vol. II., 247. + +Brichanteau, Count, Vol. II., 68. + +Brignoli, Signor, Vol. I., 220, 235, 236; Vol. II., 92. + +Broccolini, Signor Giovanni Chiari di, Vol. II., 275, 288. + +Broch, Mdlle. Jenny, Vol. II., 244, 248, 296. + +Brodie, Dr., Vol. I., 310. + +Brooks, Captain, Vol. I., 201. + +Browne, Dr. Lennox, Vol. I., 182. + +Buck, Dr. J. D., Vol. I., 269. + +Burdett-Coutts, Baroness, Vol. I., 172. + +Burnett, C. J., Vol. I., 278. + +Burroughs, Colonel, Vol. I., 282. + +Bulterini, Signor, Vol. II., 298. + + +C. + +Cairns, Sir Hugh, Vol. I., 14. + +Calzolari, Signor, Vol. I., 3. + +Campanini, Signor, Vol. I., 153, 154, 155, 166, 197, 199, 202, 214, 215, +220, 232, 233, 235, 240, 243, 247, 261, 268, 271, 288; Vol. II., 3, 11, +174, 260, 286, 298. + +Capoul, M., Vol. I., 152; Vol. II., 298. + +Capponi, Vol. II., 169. + +Caracciolo, Signor, Vol. II., 161, 162, 164, 266. + +Carden, George, Vol. I., 278. + +Cardinali, Vol. II., 130, 152, 153. + +Carey, Hon. Eugene, Vol. II., 106, 136, 232. + +Carrion, Signor, Vol. I., 172. + +Cary, Annie Louise, Vol. I., 235, 243, 247; Vol. II., 297. + +Carvalho, Mdme. Miolan, Vol. I., 71, 72. + +Castelmary, M., Vol. II., 299. + +Castlereagh, Lord, Vol. I., 93. + +Catalani, Mdme., Vol. I., 42. + +Cavalazzi, Mdme. Malvina, Vol. II., 161, 162, 164. + +Caylus, M., Vol. II., 248. + +Cesnola, General, Vol. I., 326. + +Chappell, Mr. Thos., Vol. I., 28, 66, 67. + +Chappell, Mr. Frank, Vol. I., 66, 67. + +Chapuy, Mdlle. Marguerite, Vol. I., 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172; Vol. +II., 295. + +Charlier, Professor A., Vol. I., 326. + +Chatterton, F. B., Vol. I., 110, 111, 189, 190, 191, 199. + +Cherubini, Vol. I., 88, 89; Vol. II., 32, 119, 127, 161, 162, 163, 169, +170, 195, 229, 282, 289, 299. + +Choate, Mrs. W. G., Vol. I., 319. + +Choudens, M., Vol. I., 66, 67. + +Chorley, Mr., Vol. I., 28. + +Ciampi, Signor, Vol. II., 244, 249, 299. + +Cirilla, Duke and Duchess of, Vol. I., 19, 20, 21, 22. + +Clarke, Mr. John, of Brooklyn, Vol. II., 275. + +Clarkson, Vol. II., 223. + +Clementine, Mdlle., Vol. I., 31. + +Clewes, Mrs. Henry, Vol. I., 317. + +Clodio, Signor, Vol. I., 294, 326. + +Coffee, John, Vol. II., 110, 111. + +Colman, Commissioner J. S., Vol. I., 326. + +Colonne, M., Vol. II., 9. + +Colonnese, Signor, Vol. II., 299. + +Colville, Lord, Vol. I., 110. + +Commander-in-Chief, H.R.H., Vol. I., 277. + +Cooke, H., Vol. I., 278. + +Cornell, Mrs. Alonzo B., Vol. I., 317. + +Corsini, Signor, Vol. I., 314. + +Corsi, Signor, Vol. I., 53, 54, 55, 56. + +Costa, Sir Michael, Vol. I., 2, 9, 33, 125, 126, 139, 140, 151, 157, +166, 167, 189, 190, 193, 197, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 237, 238, +239; Vol. II., 148, 268, 274, 282, 284, 285, 301. + +Cottrell, Mr., Vol. I., 14. + +Cowen, Mr. F., Vol. II., 300. + +Crane, R. T., Vol. II., 136. + +Crittenden, Governor, Vol. II., 68, 69. + +Crosmond, Hélène, Vol. I., 220. + +Crowley, Chief, Vol. II., 55. + +Cummings, Miss Eva, Vol. II., 237. + + +D. + +Daly, Chief Justice C. P., Vol. I., 326. + +Daniel, Vol. I., 14. + +Dater, Councillor, Vol. II., 42. + +Davis, Chief Justice Noah, Vol. I., 326. + +De Anna, Signor, Vol. II., 97, 108, 119, 122, 130, 131, 161, 164, 174, +182, 184, 263, 265, 299. + +Decca, Mdlle. Marie, Vol. II., 265. + +Dell'Era, Mdlle., Vol. II., 249. + +Delmonico, Vol. II., 80. + +Del Puente, Signor, Vol. I., 156, 197, 199, 203, 215, 233, 261, 268, +288; Vol. II., 6, 7, 11, 127, 161, 162, 163, 164, 169, 170, 174, 182, +216, 243, 244, 247, 249, 264, 299. + +Dierck, Theodore, Vol. II., 117. + +Didiée, Mdme. Nantier, Vol. I., 71, 82. + +Dix, Mrs. General, Vol. I., 316. + +Dogherty, Hon. Daniel, Vol. I., 289. + +Dolby, Miss, Vol. I., 7. + +Donadio, Mdlle. Bianca, Vol. II., 244, 296. + +Donizetti, Vol. I., 90. + +Dotti, Mdlle., Vol. I., 265, 268, 288, 293, 306, 307, 314; Vol. II., +108, 127, 161, 164, 192, 244, 246, 248, 264, 265, 297. + +Douste, Louise and Jeanne, Vol. I., 201; Vol. II., 16. + +Drake, John B., Vol. II., 232. + +Drisler, Professor Henry, Vol. I., 326. + +Dudley, Lord, Vol. I., 23, 40, 70, 112, 136, 138, 139, 140, 141, 146, +147, 148, 152, 173, 190, 191. + +Durat, M., Vol. I., 288. + + +E. + +Edinburgh, H.R.H. the Duchess of, Vol. I., 185, 186, 187, 188, 189; Vol. +II., 255. + +Edinburgh, H.R.H. the Duke of, Vol. I., 178, 179, 185. + +Edson, Mayor, Vol. I., 326. + +Edson, Mrs. Franklin, Vol. I., 316. + +Eldridge, Joe, Vol. II., 113, 114, 115, 116. + +Engle, Mdlle. Marie, Vol. II., 161, 244, 246, 248, 297. + +Evans, Judge Oliver P., Vol. II., 57. + +Everardi, Signor, Vol. I., 26, 27. + + +F. + +Faccio, Signor, Vol. I., 253. + +Fagotti, Signor Enrico, Vol. II., 298. + +Fairbank, Mr. N. K., Vol. II., 232. + +Falco, Signor de, Vol. II., 161, 162, 163, 179. + +Fancelli, Signor, Vol. I., 155, 220; Vol. II., 286, 287, 288, 298. + +Faure, Mons., Vol. I., 71, 128, 129, 131, 172, 221. + +Fennessy, Mr., Vol. II., 32, 37. + +Ferri, Signor, Vol. II., 92. + +Field, Henry, Vol. II., 136. + +Field, Mr. Marshall, Vol. II., 232. + +Field, Mrs. Marshall, Vol. II., 229. + +Fitzgerald, Thos., Vol. I., 22. + +Flattery, Father, Vol. II., 17, 18, 19. + +Fohström, Mdlle., Vol. II., 156, 161, 162, 163, 164, 169, 179, 180, 182, +184, 192, 213, 224, 227, 235, 243, 244, 245, 248, 296. + +Foli, Signor, Vol. I., 87, 89, 129, 139, 155, 172, 199, 208, 215, 217; +Vol. II., 174, 244, 249, 275, 299. + +Forchheimer, Dr. F., Vol. I., 269. + +Ford, Hon., Vol. II., 42. + +Formes, Carl, Vol. I., 7; Vol. II., 301. + +Fowler, Dr., Vol. II., 181. + +Fowler, Mr., Vol. I., 177, 178, 179. + +Fox, Mr. Charles, Vol. II., 129. + +Franchi, Signor, Vol. I., 290, 325; Vol. II., 4, 23, 24. + +Francis, George, Vol. I., 4, 5. + +Frank, Eisner and Regensburger, Vol. II., 197. + +Frapolli, Signor, Vol. I., 199, 215, 220, 314; Vol. II., 244. + +Fraschini, Signor, Vol. I., 117. + +French, Mrs. Barton, Vol. I., 317. + +Freret, William, Vol. II., 103. + +Fursch-Madi, Mdme., Vol. I., 288, 294, 306, 307, 312, 314; Vol. II., 30, +105, 119, 130, 174. + + +G. + +Gage, A. S., Vol. II., 232. + +Galassi, Mdme., Vol. I., 294. + +Galassi, Signor, Vol. I., 166, 199, 203, 208, 215, 235, 247, 255, 259, +261, 265, 271, 288, 307, 310, 312, 314, 318; Vol. II., 32, 56, 67, 85, +174, 299. + +Ganz, Mr. Wilhelm, Vol. II., 274, 275. + +Gardini, Dr., Vol. I., 245; Vol. II., 263. + +Gardoni, Signor, Vol. I., 2, 95, 146; Vol. II., 301. + +Garibaldi, Vol. I., 45, 81. + +Garulli, Signor, Vol. II., 248. + +Gassier, Mdme., Vol. I., 8. + +Gassier, Signor, Vol. I., 36, 68, 81. + +Gayarré, Signor, Vol. I., 149. + +Genese, Sam, Vol. I., 29, 30. + +Gerster, Etelka, Vol. I., 195, 197, 199, 200, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, +207, 208, 209, 210, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 228, 229, 233, 240, 242, +244, 245, 247, 249, 250, 251, 274; Vol. II., 4, 6, 11, 13, 22, 25, 27, +28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 53, +54, 58, 62, 67, 68, 69, 72, 74, 76, 77, 174, 218, 245, 263, 295. + +Giannini, Signor, Vol. II., 108, 119, 127, 161, 162, 164, 182, 235, 261. + +Giffard, Mr., Vol. I., 14. + +Gille, M. Ph., Vol. II., 161. + +Giuglini, Vol. I., 9, 17, 23, 26, 35, 36, 37, 38, 43, 44, 45, 47, 49, +50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 60, 68, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 89; +Vol. II., 300. + +Gluck, Vol. I., 95. + +Goddard, Arabella, Vol. I., 7. + +Gole, Messrs. J. and R., Vol. II., 145. + +Gole, Mr. Russell, Vol. II., 281, 282. + +Goodenough, Colonel, Vol. II., 268. + +Goschen, the Right Honourable G. J., Vol. II., 292. + +Gounod, Vol. I., 68, 70, 72, 250; Vol. II., 123, 130, 249. + +Graziani, Signor, Vol. I., 13, 14, 71. + +Grisi, Mdme., Vol. I., 9, 26, 33, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93; Vol II., 300. + +Guarducci, Mdlle., Vol. I., 17, 18, 19, 22; Vol. II., 296. + +Gunz, Dr., Vol. I., 95; Vol. II., 298. + +Gye, Mr. Ernest, Vol. I., 305, 310, 320, 321, 322, 325; Vol. II., 1, 3, +4, 5, 81, 82, 84, 85. + +Gye, Commander, Vol. I., 288, 290, 303, 304. + +Gye, Messrs., Vol. I., 260, 287. + +Gye, Mr., Vol. I., 8, 9, 13, 14, 33, 36, 41, 42, 67, 70, 71, 72, 111, +112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 118, 119, 124, 125, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, +132, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 142, 143, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 153, +154, 160; Vol. II., 285. + + +H. + +Haines, Vol. I., 216. + +Hallé, Chas., Vol. I., 28, 172; Vol. II., 9, 274, 282. + +Hammond, Surgeon-General, Vol. II., 218. + +Hancock, General, Vol. I., 326. + +Hancock, Mrs. General, Vol. I., 317. + +Handel, Vol. II., 274. + +Harding, George F., Vol. II., 136, 232. + +Harding, J., Vol. II., 232. + +Harrison, Mr. Carter H., Vol. II., 134, 232. + +Harris, Augustus, the late, Vol. I., 42, 67, 145. + +Harris, Miss Laura, Vol. I., 187; Vol. II., 297. + +Harris, Augustus, Vol. I., 276; Vol. II., 243, 285. + +Hastreiter, Mdme., Vol. II., 244, 246, 248, 297. + +Hauk, Minnie, Vol. I., 61, 125, 197, 199, 200, 202, 203, 206, 207, 215, +220, 261, 268, 271, 288; Vol. II., 161, 162, 163, 164, 175, 176, 177, +178, 179, 181, 182, 192, 193, 194, 201, 213, 214, 221, 226, 227, 248, +264, 265, 269, 281, 297. + +Haweis, Rev. H., Vol. II., 171, 172. + +Hawkins, Vol. I., 14. + +Hayes, Miss Catherine, Vol. I., 8. + +Hayten, Mdlle., Vol. II., 249. + +Hazlitt, Mr. Registrar, Vol. I., 239, 240; Vol. II., 281. + +Heatly, Mr. Tod, Vol. I., 183. + +Henderson, Mr., Vol. II., 230, 233, 238. + +Henderson, C. M., Vol. II., 232. + +Heringhie, Samuel, Vol. II., 198. + +Hinds, J. Clowes, Vol. I., 279. + +Hingston, Vol. I., 108. + +Hoffman, Rev. Dr., Vol. I., 326. + +Hogg, Sir James McGarel, Vol. I., 179. + +Hohler, Tom, Vol. II., 298. + +Holliday, Councillor, Vol. II., 42. + +Homer, Councillor, Vol. II., 42. + +Hopkins, Mrs. Mark, Vol. II., 118. + +Humphreys, Sir John, Vol. I., 182. + + +I. + +Insom, Signor, Vol. I., 11. + +Irvine, Councillor, Vol. II., 42. + +Irving, Henry, Vol. II., 37. + +Isia, Mdme., Vol. II., 191. + +Isidor, Mdlle. Rosina, Vol. II., 248. + + +J. + +Jacobi, Dr., Vol. I., 202. + +Jaquinot, M., Vol. II., 247. + +Jarrett, Mr., Vol. I., 110, 111, 129, 130, 132, 133, 160, 231. + +Jay, Mrs., Vol. I., 316. + +Jones, Hon., Vol. II., 42. + +Jones, J. Russell, Vol. II., 232. + +de Jong, Mike, Vol. II., 75. + +Joseffy, Herr Rafael, Vol. I., 320. + +Joyce, Mr., Vol. I., 5. + +Juch, Miss Emma, Vol. II., 297. + +Junca, Vol. I., 146; Vol. II., 299. + + +K. + +Kalakana I., H.M. King, Vol. I., 295, 296. + +Keith, Edson, Vol. II., 232. + +Kellogg, Clara Louise, Vol. I., 117, 153, 220; Vol. II., 297. + +Kendal, Mrs., Vol. I., 100; Vol. II., 167. + +Kernochan, Mrs. Frederick, Vol. I., 317. + +Kleist, Albert, Vol. II., 138. + +Knox, Colonel E. B., Vol. II., 138. + +Knox, George F., Vol. II., 205. + +Knox, Colonel Brownlow, Vol. I., 147. + +Kuhe, Herr Wilhelm. Vol. II., 274, 275. + + +L. + +Lablache, Signor, Vol. I., 3, 89. + +Lablache, Mdme., Vol. I., 233; Vol. II., 6, 7, 116, 127, 161, 162, 164, +170, 248. + +Lamoureux, M., Vol. II., 9. + +Lanner, Mdme. Katti, Vol. I., 196; Vol. II., 116. + +Lauri, Lilian, Vol. II., 297. + +Lavine, Mr. John, Vol. II., 84. + +Lawrence, Judge Abraham R., Vol. I., 326. + +Lee and Paine, Vol. I., 173. + +Lehmann, Mdlle. Lilli, Vol. II., 250, 251, 252, 282, 296. + +Leinster, Duke of, Vol. I., 146. + +Lennox, Lord Algernon, Vol. I., 208. + +Lewis, Vol. I., 276. + +Lhérie, M., Vol. II., 249, 299. + +Lido, Mdlle. Marie de, Vol. I., 211. + +Lilly, General, Vol. I., 316, 318. + +Lincoln, Dr., Vol. I., 202. + +Lind, Jenny, Vol. I., 2, 172, 173, 205. + +Litvinoff, Mdlle. Felia, Vol. II., 161, 164. + +Litta, Miss Marie, Vol. II., 297. + +Livingstone, Mrs., Vol. I., 316. + +Lodi, Mariannina, Vol. II., 296. + +Logheder, Signor, Vol. II., 249, 300. + +Lombardelli, Signor, Vol. II., 63, 67. + +Lorillard, Pierre, Vol. I., 273. + +Lorillard, Mrs. Pierre, Vol. I., 317. + +Lotti, Mdlle., Vol. I., 7. + +Lucca, Pauline, Vol. I., 72, 134, 135, 229. + +Lucca, Mdme., Vol. II., 262. + +Lumley, Mr., Vol. I., 8, 9, 12, 23, 24, 25, 35, 41. + +Lyon, Geo. W., Vol. II., 138. + + +M. + +Macpherson, Captain Fitzroy, Vol. I., 280. + +Mackenzie, Sir Morell, Vol. I., 182. + +Mackenzie, Dr. A. C., Vol. II., 272. + +Macfarren, Sir G., Vol. II., 283. + +Macvitz, Mdlle., Vol. I., 156. + +Magnani, Vol. I., 241, 271. + +Manns, Mr. August, Vol. II., 274, 275. + +Mapleson, Vol. I., 15, 16, 20, 21. + +Maple, Mr., Vol. I., 226, 227. + +Maple, Blundell, Vol. I., 192. + +Mario, Vol. I., 9, 33, 72, 89, 93, 94, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 128; +Vol. II., 25, 266, 300. + +Marini, Vol. I., 10, 11; Vol. II., 301. + +Maretzek, Max, Vol. I., 7. + +Martindale, Mr., Vol. I., 14. + +Marchisio, Sisters, Vol. I., 43. + +Marimon, Mdlle., Vol. I., 140, 143, 155, 171, 229, 230, 231, 233, 234, +235, 236; Vol. II., 295. + +Marchesi, Signor, Vol. I., 144, 145. + +Massenet, Vol. II., 161. + +Masini, Signor, Vol. I., 220, 221, 222, 223; Vol. II., 148. + +Mathews, Charles, Vol. I., 173. + +Mattei, Signor Tito, Vol. II., 162. + +Mazzucato, Signor, Vol. I., 4, 6. + +McCaull, Vol. II., 234. + +McCray, Colonel, Vol. I., 141, 143. + +Means, Mayor, Vol. I., 308. + +Medill, Hon. J., Vol. II., 232. + +Medini, Signor, Vol. II., 299. + +Meilhac, M., Vol. II., 161. + +Melcy, M. de, Vol. I., 93. + +Mercadante, Vol. I., 18, 65. + +Meyerbeer, Vol. I., 3, 43, 266; Vol. II., 284. + +Middleton, Admiral Sir George Broke, Vol. I., 182. + +Mierzwinski, M., Vol. I., 288, 307, 312; Vol. II., 174. + +Miller, Hon., Vol. II., 42. + +Millais, Vol. I., 72. + +Miranda, Signor, Vol. II., 249. + +Mitchell, Vol. I., 40. + +Mongini, Signor, Vol. I., 16, 26, 27, 95, 96, 97, 98, 117, 128, 129, +131; Vol. II., 298. + +Monti, Signor, Vol. I., 304, 307. + +Moriami, Signor, Vol. I., 152. + +Morris, Vol. I., 183. + +Mott, Dr., Vol. I., 295. + +Mozart, Vol. I., 11, 117, 270, 319; Vol. II., 265, 266, 272. + +Müller, Miss Marie, Vol. I., 201. + +Murska, Mdlle. Ilmade, Vol. I., 87, 95, 129, 131, 133, 143, 152, 155, +156, 163, 164, 165, 166, 190; Vol. II., 295. + + +N. + +Nannetti, Vol. I., 240, 252, 253. + +Naples, King of, Vol. I., 19. + +Nassau, Dr., Vol. II., 127. + +Nandin, Signor, Vol. I., 10, 11, 44. + +Nevada, Emma, Vol. II., 86, 89, 90, 97, 109, 110, 111, 116, 119, 121, +122, 123, 124, 130, 149, 150, 248, 250, 297. + +Niagara, Vol. I., 297. + +Nicolini, Signor, Vol. I., 152, 288, 310, 319, 320, 323, 324; Vol. II., +32, 35, 44, 47, 48, 49, 65, 78, 88, 107, 122, 131, 149, 150, 155, 252, +253, 255, 298. + +Nichols, Colonel George Ward, Vol. I., 247, 267. + +Nikita, Vol. II., 297. + +Nilsson, Christine, Vol. I., 104, 106, 117, 128, 129, 131, 133, 143, +148, 150, 152, 153, 155, 157, 158, 159, 160, 162, 163, 166, 172, 178, +190, 193, 194, 195, 220, 221, 224, 229, 237, 240, 241, 243, 253, 254, +303, 308, 321, 322; Vol. II., 2, 11, 30, 33, 38, 81, 86, 218, 295. + +Nixon, Mr. William Penn, Vol. II., 136. + +Nordica, Mdme. Lilian, Vol. II., 161, 180, 182, 184, 193, 213, 224, 227, +244, 246, 248, 297. + +Novara, Vol. I., 243, 247, 261; Vol. II., 11, 299. + +Novello, Clara, Vol. I., 7. + +Nugent, Mr., Vol. I., 68, 70. + + +O. + +O'Connell, Officer, Vol. II., 64. + +Offenbach, Jacques, Vol. II., 283, 284, 285. + +O'Gorman, Judge, Vol. II., 7. + +Ole Bull, Vol. I., 218. + +O'Molloy, John, Vol. II., 209. + +Orczy, Baron Bodog, Vol. I. 254, 255, 258, 260. + +Oselio, Mdlle., Vol. II., 250. + +Oxenford, John, Vol. I., 28. + +P. + +Padilla, Signor, Vol. II., 244, 249, 266, 267, 276, 277, 298. + +Paget, Lord Alfred, Vol. I., 177, 178, 183. + +Palmer, Potter, Mr., Vol. II., 232. + +Palmer, Mr. Courtlandt, Vol. II., 171. + +Palmer, Dr., Vol. II., 116. + +Palmer, Colonel H. W., Vol. I., 281. + +Pandolfini, Signor, Vol. II., 299. + +Pappenheim, Madame, Vol. I., 203; Vol. II., 6, 14, 296. + +Parepa, Madame, Vol. I., 29. + +Parnell, Mr., Vol. II., 266. + +Parmenter, Judge, Vol. I., 212. + +Parodi, Mdlle., Vol. I., 211. + +Parry, Mr., Vol. II., 6, 7, 116, 231. + +Pasdeloup, M., Vol. II., 300. + +Patey, Madame, Vol. I., 28. + +Patti, Adelina, Vol. I., 33, 35, 36, 72, 82, 83, 145, 150, 153, 167, +224, 251, 264, 265, 267, 268, 269, 270, 272, 273, 274, 288, 290, 291, +295, 296, 300, 301, 302, 303, 305, 306, 307, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, +315, 317, 318, 319, 320, 323, 324; Vol. II., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 14, 15, +22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, +43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 51, 52, 54, 58, 59, 65, 67, 68, 69, 72, 74, 75, +76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 85, 86, 87, 88, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 101, +103, 105, 107, 113, 116, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 127, +130, 131, 132, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, +151, 154, 155, 156, 157, 159, 160, 161, 163, 169, 174, 209, 218, 236, +243, 252, 253, 254, 255, 261, 268, 295. + +Peabody, George, Vol. I., 5, 6. + +Pearce, Mr. Irving, Vol. II., 232. + +Peck, President Ferd. W., Vol. II., 106, 133, 135, 136, 232, 238. + +Persiani, Mdme., Vol. I., 10, 11; Vol. II., 300. + +Peyten, Father, Vol. II., 17. + +Phelps, Mr., Vol. I., 8. + +Phillips, Mr. R., Vol. I., 69. + +Phillips, Colonel L. E., Vol. I., 281. + +Piccolomini, Mdlle., Vol. I., 9, 19. + +Planché, J. R., Vol. I., 27, 43. + +Ponchielli, Vol. II., 31. + +Ponsard, M., Vol. II., 284. + +Pope, His Holiness the, Vol. I., 18. + +Post, Mr. Chas. N., Vol. II., 138. + +Potter, Cipriani, Vol. I., 1. + +Pratt, Mr. S. G., Vol. II., 136. + +Prévost, M., Vol. I., 262. + +Prussia, Crown Prince of, Vol. I., 8. + +Pryor, Mrs., Vol. I., 317. + +Puzzi, Mdme., Vol. I., 49, 50, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57. + + +Q. + +Queen, Her Majesty the, Vol. II., 243. + +Quilter, Vol. I., 183. + + +R. + +Randegger, Mr. Alberto, Vol. II., 274, 275. + +Rattray, Colonel J. C., Vol. I., 279. + +Ravelli, Signor, Vol. I., 242, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 288, 294, 297, +298, 299, 307, 313, 320, 326; Vol. II., 161, 162, 164, 169, 173, 175, +176, 177, 178, 179, 181, 182, 183, 184, 186, 187, 188, 193, 194, 195, +196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 209, 210, 229, 248, 264, +266, 269, 276, 277, 280, 281, 298. + +Reboux, Caroline, Vol. II., 296. + +Reeves, Sims, Mr., Vol. I., 4, 7, 28, 74, 75, 78. + +Reeves, Sims, Mrs., Vol. I., 74, 75. + +Remenyi, M., Vol. I., 2. + +Reszke, M. Jean de, Vol. II., 298. + +Rhaden, Baron von, Vol. I., 134. + +Richter, Herr, Vol. I., 237, 239. + +Ricordi, Vol. I., 252; Vol. II., 262. + +Rigo, Vol. II., 193. + +Rinaldini, Signor, Vol. II., 161, 162, 163, 164, 266. + +Risley, Professor, Vol. I., 107. + +Ristori, Mdme., Vol. I., 156; Vol. II., 289. + +Rives, George L., Vol. I., 152; Vol. II., 85. + +Rives, Mrs. G. L., Vol. I., 316. + +Robertson, Madge, Vol. I., 100. + +Roger, M., Vol. I., 3. + +Rokitanski, Herr, Vol. I., 87, 95; Vol. II., 299. + +Rolla, Mdme., Vol. II., 264, 265, 297. + +Rolt, Mr., Vol. I., 14. + +Ronconi, Signor, Vol. I., 326. + +Rosa, Mr. Carl, Vol. II., 274, 275. + +Rosenbecker, A., Vol. II., 138. + +Rossi, Signor, Vol. I., 189. + +Rossini, Vol. I., 90; Vol. II., 272. + +Rossini, G., Vol. I., 265, 313. + +Rossini, Mdlle. Paolina, Vol. I., 265, 266, 267, 288, 293. + +Rota, Signor, Vol. II., 299. + +Rothschild, Messrs., Vol. II., 145. + +Rothschild, Vol. I., 230. + +Rouzand, M., Vol. I., 155, 159. + +Rovere, Vol. I., 10, 11. + +Roze, Marie, Vol. I., 155, 156, 163, 190, 206, 207, 214, 215, 220; Vol. +II., 295. + +Rudersdorff, Mdme., Vol. I., 11. + +Rudersdorff, M., Vol. II., 276. + +Rullman, Mr. F., Vol. II., 241. + +Runcio, Signor, Vol. II., 244, 247. + + +S. + +Salla, Mdlle., Vol. I., 193, 196, 220, 225; Vol. II., 296. + +Salvini, Vol. I., 166, 167, 185, 189, 190, 238; Vol. II., 300. + +Salvini-Donatelli, Vol. I., 10. + +Santa, Della, Signor, Vol. I., 7. + +Santley, Mr., Vol. I., 28, 68, 81, 87, 88, 89, 95, 117, 129, 131, 133, +139, 146; Vol. II., 275, 298. + +Sapio, Signor, Vol. II., 178, 193. + +Sarata, Signor Alberto, Vol. II., 237. + +Sarolta, Louise, Vol. II., 296. + +Savio, Mdlle., Vol. I., 288, 294. + +Saxe-Weimar, Prince Edward of, Vol. I., 281. + +Sayers and Heenan, Vol. I., 25, 26. + +Scalchi, Madame, Vol. I., 124, 155, 288, 292, 296, 301, 305, 306, 307, +309, 312, 313, 314, 317, 319, 320; Vol. II., 2, 5, 11, 31, 79, 85, 90, +94, 97, 105, 108, 112, 113, 116, 119, 120, 122, 124, 127, 130, 131, 151, +152, 174, 296. + +Scalese, Signor, Vol. II., 299. + +Schneider, Mr. George, Vol. II., 106, 136, 232. + +Scott, Dr. Joseph, Vol. II., 102. + +Seabury, Rev. Professor, Vol. I., 326. + +Sedie, Signor Delle, Vol. I., 36; Vol. II., 298. + +Selika, Mdlle., Vol. II., 100. + +Sembrich, Mdlle., Vol. II., 2, 30. + +Sessi, Mdlle. Mathilde, Vol. II., 296. + +Shah of Persia, Vol. I., 156, 157, 158. + +Sharon, Mr., Vol. II., 74. + +Shea, Chief Justice, Vol. I., 326; Vol. II., 151. + +Sherman and Clay, Messrs., Vol. II., 49, 50, 51, 52. + +Sherrington, Mdme. L., Vol. I., 28. + +Short, Captain, Vol. II., 55, 57, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 74, 75. + +Shortball, S. S., Vol. II., 232. + +Sinclair, Signor, Vol. II., 275. + +Sinico, Mdme., Vol. I., 87, 215; Vol. II., 296. + +Sivori, Vol. II., 32. + +Smith, Count, Vol. II., 275. + +Smith, Health Officer, Vol. II., 88. + +Smith, Mr. E. T., Vol. I., 9, 11, 12, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, +29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 41, 283. + +Smith, Right Honble. W. H., M.P., Vol. I., 179, 285, 286. + +Smyth, Recorder, Vol. I., 326. + +Snowe, Vice-Consul, Vol. I., 22. + +Sontag, Mdme., Vol. I., 3. + +de Sortis, Bettina, Vol. II., 56. + +Sparapani, Signor, Vol. II., 299. + +Spencer, Lady, Vol. I., 227, 228. + +Spencer, Lord, Vol. I., 227. + +Sprague, Mr. A. A., Vol. II., 136, 232. + +Springer, Reuben, Vol. I., 251, 308. + +Stanley, Dean, Vol. I., 155. + +Stagno, Signor, Vol. I., 89, 95; Vol. II., 298. + +Stanton, Mr., Vol. II., 85. + +Starin, John H., Vol. I., 326. + +Steinway and Sons, Vol. I., 214, 215; Vol. II., 77. + +Steinway, William, Vol. I., 326. + +Stone, Dr., Vol. II., 115. + +Stores, Hon. Emery A., Vol. II., 106. + +Stracey, Colonel, Vol. II., 269. + +Strauss, Oscar S., Vol. I., 326. + +Strakosch, Maurice, Vol. I., 33, 36. + +Sullivan, Sir Arthur, Vol. II., 272. + +Swanstone, Clement, Vol. I., 14. + +Swing, Professor, Vol. II., 232. + + +T. + +Tabor, I. W., Vol. II., 117. + +Tagliafico, Signor, Vol. II., 169. + +Tamberlik, Signor, Vol. I., 71, 72, 82, 172. + +Tasca, Signor, Vol. I., 102, 103; Vol. II., 298. + +Taylor, The Prophet, Vol. II., 44, 45, 76. + +Telbin, Mr., Vol. I., 82, 94. + +Terry, Miss Ellen, Vol. II., 167. + +Thalberg, M., Vol. I., 3. + +Thomas, Ambroise, M., Vol. II., 163. + +Thomas, Theodore, Vol. II., 9, 10, 165, 171. + +de Thomsen, Baroness, Vol. I., 317. + +Thornycroft, Vol. I., 182. + +Thurber, Mr. F. B., Vol. I., 326. + +Thurber, Mrs. F. B., Vol. I., 317, 319. + +Titiens, Thérèse, Vol. I., 9, 12, 18, 19, 23, 26, 27, 35, 36, 37, 38, +42, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 55, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 68, 72, 77, 78, 81, +82, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 95, 100, 101, 103, 104, 109, 112, 117, 120, +121, 122, 123, 124, 128, 139, 140, 143, 146, 152, 154, 155, 156, 157, +159, 161, 162, 166, 167, 177, 178, 190, 193, 194, 196; Vol. II., 15, 25, +268, 282, 290, 300. + +Trebelli, Mdme., Vol I., 43, 58, 59, 60, 68, 72, 73, 77, 79, 89, 101, +104, 129, 131, 139, 140, 146, 154, 155, 156, 160, 190, 199, 220, 221, +240; Vol. II., 3, 30, 250, 255, 268, 296. + + +V. + +Vachot, Mdlle., Vol. I., 261, 262, 263. + +Valda, Mdme, Vol. II., 261. + +Valchieri, Signor, Vol. II., 275. + +Valleria, Mdlle., Vol. I., 156, 190, 198, 199; Vol. II., 297. + +Van Biene, Auguste, Vol. II., 276. + +Vanderbilt, Mrs., Vol. I., 317. + +Vanderbilt, Mr. W. H., Vol. I., 324, 325. + +Vanderpoel, Aaron, Vol. I., 326. + +Van Zandt, Vol. I., 164, 220; Vol. II., 297. + +de Vaschetti, Signor, Vol. II., 161, 162, 163, 164, 249. + +Varese, Mdlle. Elena, Vol. II., 296. + +Varese, Signor, Vol. II., 299. + +Verdi, Vol. I., 43, 45, 271; Vol. II., 272. + +Vetta, Signor, Vol. II., 161, 244, 247, 249. + +Vianelli, Mdlle., Vol. II., 6. + +Vianesi, Signor, Vol. I., 10, 127; Vol. II., 244, 300. + +Viardot, Mdme., Vol. I., 3, 10, 11; Vol. II., 300. + +Victoria, Princess, Vol. I., 8. + +de Vigne, Mdlle., Vol. II., 161, 162, 163, 195. + +Vivian, Colonel, Vol. I., 208. + +Vizzani, Signor, Vol. II., 298. + +Vocke, Mr. William, Vol. II., 178. + +Volpini, Mdme., Vol. I., 72, 78, 79. + +Volpini, Signor, Vol. I., 73, 74, 76, 79, 298. + + +W. + +Wagstaff, Mr., Vol. I., 113. + +Wagner, Vol. I., 263, 315; Vol. II., 171, 172. + +Wahl, Mr. Louis, Vol. II., 136. + +Wales, Prince of, Vol. I., 111, 139, 157, 192; Vol. II., 243. + +Wales, Prince and Princess of, Vol. I., 91. + +Wallace, Vincent, Vol. I., 28. + +Wallhofen, Baron Von, Vol. I., 134, 135. + +Walker, Mr. J. W., Vol. I., 279, 280. + +Walker, Mr., Vol. II., 275. + +Wallace, Vincent, Vol. II., 162, 173, 269, 283. + +Walsh, Mr. John R., Vol. II., 136, 232. + +Ward, Miss Genéviève, Vol. II., 297. + +Wartegg, Baron E. de Hesse, Vol. II., 177, 194. + +Warren, Councillor, Vol. II., 42. + +Weber, Dr., Vol. II., 269. + +Weber, Vol. I., 27, 43; Vol. II., 131. + +Weber, Vol. I., 216. + +Webster, Mr., Vol. I., 175, 176, 177, 179. + +Wellington, Duke of, Vol. I., 41. + +Wetterman, Vol. II., 52. + +White, Mayor, Vol. I., 300. + +Whitney, Mrs. W. C., Vol. I., 317. + +Willis, Mrs. Benjamin, Vol. I., 317. + +Wippern, Mdme. Harriers, Vol. II., 296. + +Wixom, Dr., Vol. II., 116. + +Wood, Vice-Chancellor, Vol. I., 14. + +Wood, Mr. George, Vol. I., 129, 130, 131, 132, 133. + +Woodford, General Stewart L., Vol. I., 326. + +Wyndham, Mr., Vol. I., 52. + +Wyndham, Mrs., Vol. I., 57. + + +Y. + +Yorke, Miss Josephine, Vol. II., 6, 32. + + +Z. + +Zacharoff, Count, Vol. II., 47. + +Zagury, Mdlle., Vol. I., 288, 293. + +Zamperoni, Signor, Vol. II., 262. + +Zimelli, Signor, Vol. I., 141. + + * * * * * + + Typographical errors corrected: + +made every preparation for going on to the stage=>make every preparation +for going on to the stage + +conterfeits=>counterfeits + +County of San Franscisco=>County of San Francisco + +Augsutus Harris=>Augustus Harris + +lieu of La Sonnambulu=>lieu of La Sonnambula + + (note of etext transcriber.) + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Mapleson Memoirs, vol II, by James H. 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Mapleson. +</title> +<style type="text/css"> + p {margin-top:.2em;text-align:justify;margin-bottom:.2em;text-indent:2%;} + +.c {text-align:center;text-indent:0%;} + +.cb {text-align:center;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;} + +.hang {text-indent:-2%;margin-left:2%;} + +.ind4 {text-indent:4%;} + +.ind5 {text-indent:5%;margin-top:3%;margin-bottom:3%;} + +.letra {font-size:125%;margin-left:4%;font-weight:bold;} + +.nind {text-indent:0%;} + +.r {text-align:right;margin-right:5%;} + + h1,h3 {margin-top:15%;text-align:center;clear:both;} + + hr.full {width:100%;margin:5% auto 5% auto;border:4px double gray;} + + table {margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;border:none;text-align:left;} + + body{margin-left:2%;margin-right:2%;background:#fdfdfd;color:black;font-family:"Times New Roman", serif;font-size:medium;} + +a:link {background-color:#ffffff;color:blue;text-decoration:none;} + + link {background-color:#ffffff;color:blue;text-decoration:none;} + +a:visited {background-color:#ffffff;color:purple;text-decoration:none;} + +a:hover {background-color:#ffffff;color:#FF0000;text-decoration:underline;} + + img {border:none;} + +.blockquot {margin:5% auto 5% auto;font-size:80%;} + +.blockquot2 {margin:5% auto 5% auto;font-size:100%;} + +.blockquot3 {margin:5% 10% 5% 10%;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;} + +.figcenter {margin:auto;text-align:center;} +</style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Mapleson Memoirs, vol II, by James H. Mapleson + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Mapleson Memoirs, vol II + 1848-1888 + +Author: James H. Mapleson + +Release Date: May 24, 2011 [EBook #36144] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MAPLESON MEMOIRS, VOL II *** + + + + +Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<hr class="full" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 354px;"> +<a href="images/cover_lg.jpg"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="354" height="550" alt="image of the book's cover" title="image of the book's cover" /></a> +</div> + +<p> +<br /> +<br /> +</p> + +<p class="cb">THE MAPLESON MEMOIRS<br /><br /> + +VOL. II.</p> + +<p> +<br /> +<br /> +</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 396px;"> +<a href="images/ill_mapleson_lg.jpg"> +<img src="images/ill_mapleson.jpg" width="396" height="550" alt="J H Mapleson" title="J H Mapleson" /></a> +</div> + +<h1>THE MAPLESON MEMOIRS</h1> + +<p class="cb">1848-1888</p> + +<p> +<br /> +</p> + +<p class="cb">IN TWO VOLUMES</p> + +<p> +<br /> +</p> + +<p class="cb">WITH PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR</p> + +<p> +<br /> + +</p> + +<p class="cb">VOL II</p> + +<p> +<br /> +</p> + +<p class="cb">CHICAGO, NEW YORK, AND SAN FRANCISCO<br /> +BELFORD, CLARKE & CO.,<br /> +P<small>UBLISHERS</small>.<br /> + +1888<br /> +[<i>All rights reserved</i>].</p> + +<p> +<br /> +</p> + +<p class="c">C<small>OPYRIGHT, 1888, by<br /> +JAMES H. MAPLESON</small></p> + +<p> +<br /> +</p> + +<p class="c"><small>TROW'S<br /> +PRINTING AND BOOKBINDING COMPANY,<br /> +NEW YORK.</small></p> + +<p> +<br /> +</p> + +<h3>CONTENTS.</h3> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><p class="hang">My Connection Severed—Musical Protective Union—American +Orchestras—Rival Opera-Houses—Operatic Trial by Jury +—St. Cecilia's Day—The Feast of Father Flattery</p></td><td align="right" valign="bottom" style="white-space:nowrap;"><a href="#page_001">pp. 1-21</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><p class="hang">Patti and her Shoes—Patti Seized for Debt—Flight of Gerster +—Conflict at Chicago—Bouquets out of Season—Cincinnati +Floods—Abbey's Collapse—Resolve to go West</p></td><td align="right" valign="bottom" style="white-space:nowrap;"><a href="#page_022">pp. 22-39</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><p class="hang">Gerster Refuses; Patti Volunteers—Arrival at Cheyenne +—Patti Dines the Prophet—Threats of an Interviewer—Arrival +at San Francisco</p></td><td align="right" valign="bottom" style="white-space:nowrap;"><a href="#page_040">pp. 40-49</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><p class="hang">The Patti Epidemic—Gerster Furore—Tickets 400% Premium +—My Arrest—Capture of "Scalpers"—Death of my +First "Basso"—"That Patti Kiss"</p></td><td align="right" valign="bottom" style="white-space:nowrap;"><a href="#page_050">pp. 50-69</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><p class="hang">Luncheon on H.M.S. <i>Triumph</i>—Opera Auction—Concert at +Mormon Tabernacle—Return to New York—Return to +Europe—Sheriffs in the Academy—I Depart in Peace</p></td><td align="right" valign="bottom" style="white-space:nowrap;"><a href="#page_070">pp. 70-83</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><p class="hang">Royal Italian Opera Liquidates—Getting Patti off the Ship—Henry +Ward Beecher's Cider—Patti's Silver Wedding—A +Patti Programme of 1855—A Black Concert</p></td><td align="right" valign="bottom" style="white-space:nowrap;"><a href="#page_084">pp. 84-100</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><p class="hang">Panic at New Orleans—Thermometer Falls 105 Degrees—Banquet at +Chicago—The "Count di Luna" at Market—Coffee John—An American George +Robins—My Under-taker</p></td><td align="right" valign="bottom" style="white-space:nowrap;"><a href="#page_101">pp. 101-117</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><p class="hang">Patti and Scalchi—Nevada's <i>Début</i>—A Chinese Swing—A +Visit from Above—Rescued Treasure—Great Chicago +Festival—American Hospitality</p></td><td align="right" valign="bottom" style="white-space:nowrap;"><a href="#page_118">pp. 118-139</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><p class="hang">"Count di Luna" Introduced to "Leonora"—A Patti Contract +—The Sting of the Engagement—A Tenor's Suite—A +Presentation of Jewellery—My "Don Giovanni"—A +Profitable Tour</p></td><td align="right" valign="bottom" style="white-space:nowrap;"><a href="#page_140">pp. 140-154</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><p class="hang">My Covent Garden Season—Patti's London Silver Wedding—Return +to New York—Difficulties Begin—Rival Rehearsals—Grand Opera +and Operetta</p></td><td align="right" valign="bottom" style="white-space:nowrap;"><a href="#page_155">pp. 155-167</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><p class="hang">House Divided against Itself—Rev. H. Haweis on Wagner—H.R.H. +and Wotan—Elle a déchiré mon gilet—Arditi's +Remains—Return to San Francisco</p></td><td align="right" valign="bottom" style="white-space:nowrap;"><a href="#page_168">pp. 168-184</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><p class="hang">The Retreat from Frisco—Hotel Dangers—A Scene from +<i>Carmen</i>—Operatic Invalids—Murderous Lovers—Ravelli's +Claim—General Barnes's Reply—Clamour for Higher +Prices—My Onward March</p></td><td align="right" valign="bottom" style="white-space:nowrap;"><a href="#page_185">pp. 185-214</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><p class="hang">Del Puente in the Kitchen—Scalding Coffee—Californian +Wine—The Sergeant takes a Header—The Russian +Mother—I Become a Sheriff—A Dumb Chorus—Dynamite +Bombs</p></td><td align="right" valign="bottom" style="white-space:nowrap;"><a href="#page_215">pp. 215-228</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><p class="hang">Subterranean Music—The Striker Struck—Tuscan Taffy—A +Healthy "Lucia"—I Recover from the United States—A +Beknighted Mayor</p></td><td align="right" valign="bottom" style="white-space:nowrap;"><a href="#page_229">pp. 229-243</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><p class="hang">Back in the Old Country—The London Season—Sluggish +Audiences—My Outside Public—The Patti Disappointments—The +"Sandwich's" Story</p></td><td align="right" valign="bottom" style="white-space:nowrap;"><a href="#page_244">pp. 244-257</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><p class="hang">Master and Man—<i>Don Giovanni</i> Centenary—Mozart and +Parnell—Bursting of "Gilda"—Colonel Stracey and the +Demons—The Hawk's Mountain Flight—Ambitious Students and +Indigent Professors—A School for Opera—Anglicized +Foreigners—Italianized Englishmen</p></td><td align="right" valign="bottom" style="white-space:nowrap;"><a href="#page_258">pp. 258-275</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><p class="hang">Fight with Mr. and Mrs. Ravelli—An Improvised Public—Ravelli's +Dangerous Illness—Mr. Russell Gole—Reappearance of +Mr. Registrar Hazlitt—Offenbach in Italian—Who +is that Young Man?—Fancelli's Autograph—Ristori's +Aristocratic Household</p></td><td align="right" valign="bottom" style="white-space:nowrap;"><a href="#page_276">pp. 276-291</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#FINAL_CHAPTER">FINAL CHAPTER.</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><p class="hang">Envoi </p></td><td align="right" valign="bottom" style="white-space:nowrap;"><a href="#page_293">pp. 293</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#APPENDIX">APPENDIX.</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><p class="hang">Singers and Operas produced by me</p></td><td align="right" valign="bottom" style="white-space:nowrap;"><a href="#page_295">pp. 295</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><p class="hang"><a href="#INDEX"> Index to Volumes I. and II.</a></p></td><td align="right" valign="bottom" style="white-space:nowrap;"><a href="#page_303">pp. 303</a></td></tr> +</table> + +<p><a name="page_001" id="page_001"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h3> + +<div class="blockquot3"><p class="hang">MY CONNECTION SEVERED—MUSICAL PROTECTION UNION—AMERICAN +ORCHESTRAS—RIVAL OPERA-HOUSES—OPERATIC TRIAL BY JURY—ST. CECILIA'S +DAY—THE FEAST OF FATHER FLATTERY.</p></div> + +<p class="nind">S<small>HORTLY</small> after my return to London I had various meetings with the +Directors of the Royal Italian Opera Company, Limited, when, to my +astonishment, they informed me they would not ratify the contract I had +made with Mdme. Patti. In fact, they repudiated the engagement +altogether, although it had been concluded by me conjointly with Mr. +Ernest Gye, the General Manager of the Company. I was therefore left +with about £15,000 worth of authorized contracts which the Company had +made with other artists, in addition to Mdme. Patti's contract for +250,000 dollars (£50,000).</p> + +<p>I represented to the Directors that the only way to get out of the +difficulty was to release me entirely from all connection with the +Company, as I could then carry out the contracts I had made in the name +of myself and of their representative with Mdme. Patti and with several +other artists.<a name="page_002" id="page_002"></a></p> + +<p>The matter, however, ended by the Directors giving me my <i>congé</i>, +refusing at the same time to pay me any of the money that was then owing +to me.</p> + +<p>I had now seriously to consider my position, which was this: I had +parted with my lease of Her Majesty's Theatre to the Royal Italian Opera +Company, Ltd., a lease for which I had paid Lord Dudley £30,000. I had +parted with a large quantity of scenery and dresses, of which a full +inventory was attached to my agreement, and which were valued at many +thousands of pounds. In addition to this, during my absence in America, +Her Majesty's Theatre had been entirely dismantled and many thousand +pounds worth of property not in the inventory taken and removed to +Covent Garden. The amount of salary owing to me was absolutely refused. +My £10,000 worth of shares (being the consideration for the purchase) I +could not obtain; and the Company further gave me notice that I owed +them some £10,000 for losses incurred whilst in America.</p> + +<p>In fact, all I had left to me was my liability for the £50,000 payable +to Mdme. Patti, and for over £15,000 on the authorized contracts made +with other artists on behalf of the Company; whilst on the other side of +the ocean I should have to face Abbey's new Metropolitan Opera-house, +for which all the seats had been sold, and the following artists +engaged—all with but one or two exceptions taken from me:—Mdme. +Christine Nilsson, Mdlle. Valleria, Mdme. Sembrich, Mdme. Scalchi, +Mdme.<a name="page_003" id="page_003"></a> Trebelli, Signor Campanini, etc., etc. My scene painter had been +tampered with and taken away, together with many of the leading +orchestral performers and the chorus—indeed, the whole Company, even to +the call-boy.</p> + +<div class="blockquot2"> +<p class="c">[<small>FROM THE</small> <i>Times</i> <small>OF</small> N<small>EW</small> Y<small>ORK</small>, J<small>ULY 4, 1883</small>.]<br /> +"MR. MAPLESON'S PARTNERS.<br /> +"HIS TROUBLE WITH THE ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA COMPANY.<br /> +"THE ACADEMY STOCKHOLDERS PREPARING FOR HIM, HOWEVER,<br /> +AND CONFIDENT OF A BRILLIANT SEASON.</p> + +<p>"Every mail from England brings papers containing some discussion of the +trouble in the operatic camp; and it is evident that a serious +misunderstanding has arisen between the Royal Italian Opera Company +(Limited)—principally Mr. Gye—and Col. Mapleson. The substance of this +misunderstanding appears to be that Mr. Gye and his Company have decided +to repudiate certain contracts made by Col. Mapleson as their accredited +agent. The principal trouble is in regard to the contract by which the +Colonel agrees to pay Mdme. Patti 5,000 dollars per night. It will be +readily remembered by readers of the <i>Times</i> that a great struggle took +place at the close of last season between Mr. Abbey and Col. Mapleson +for the possession of the great singer's services. For a long time it +was impossible to tell to which house she was going, and public +curiosity was aroused to such an extent that everyone felt<a name="page_004" id="page_004"></a> like +addressing her in the language of Ancient Pistol: 'Under which King, +Bezonian? Speak, or die!' Mr. Abbey offered her more money than any +singer had ever before received, whereupon Mr. Mapleson, knowing that he +must have Patti to fight the strong attraction of a new Opera-house, saw +Mr. Abbey and went him a few hundreds better. Then Mr. Abbey threw down +his hand and Mr. Mapleson gathered in the prima donna. It will also be +remembered that subsequently the stockholders of the Academy met in +secret conclave and generously voted to support the manager who +established Italian Opera in this country as a permanent source of +amusement and art-cultivation by assessing themselves. They decided to +raise a subsidy of 40,000 dollars to guarantee the Patti contract and +secure the coming season at the Academy. Mdme. Patti subsequently +ratified the contract made by Signor Franchi, her agent, with Col. +Mapleson, and the Colonel wrote to the stockholders here thanking them +for their generous support, and saying that he would return their +kindness by bringing to America next Fall a Company of superior +strength. An early evidence of the earnestness of his purpose was the +engagement of Mdme. Gerster, an artist who is a firm favourite with this +public, and whose great merits are unquestionable. Mr. Gye was in this +city, it will also be remembered, during the latter part of last season, +and was fully aware of Mr. Mapleson's movement. Therefore the +stockholders<a name="page_005" id="page_005"></a> of the Academy have learned with surprise, not to say +disgust, the action of the Royal Italian Opera Company (Limited). It has +transpired that the principal cause of dissatisfaction was a belief that +there could be little or no profit in an American Opera season with +Patti at 5,000 dollars per night. The <i>Times</i>, in an article published +just after the close of the last season, showed that Col. Mapleson had +been unfortunate. While the good people of the West, who are popularly +supposed to possess but a tithe of the culture that animates the East, +flocked to the Opera as if they really knew that they were not likely, +as the Boston Theatre stage carpenter expressed it, to hear any better +singing than that of Patti and Scalchi this side of heaven, the people +of New York and Philadelphia failed to regard the entertainment in the +same light. The result was serious for Col. Mapleson, and he left this +country financially embarrassed. The Royal Italian Opera Company +(Limited) knew this, and decided that it did not care to embark in +another American season, especially with increased salaries and an +opposition of respectable strength. The London <i>World</i>, in a long +article on the condition of these operatic affairs, has said that +another cause of dissatisfaction was Mr. Gye's earnest conviction that, +if Mdme. Patti's salary was to be increased, the salary of his wife, +Mdme. Albani, ought also to be raised.</p> + +<p>"However all these things may be, it is certain<a name="page_006" id="page_006"></a> that the great question +now is whether Col. Mapleson will come over next season as a +representative, or rather a part, of the Royal Italian Opera Company +(Limited)."</p></div> + +<p>Despite obstacles of all kinds, I felt happy at being rid of the Royal +Italian Opera, Covent Garden, and I set vigorously to work to complete +the company with a view to the operatic battle which was to be fought +the following autumn in New York.</p> + +<p>During the month of June I was fortunate enough to conclude an +engagement with Mdme. Etelka Gerster, also with Mdme. Pappenheim, who +was a great favourite in America. For my contraltos I engaged Miss +Josephine Yorke, and also Mdlle. Vianelli. Galassi, my principal +baritone of the previous years, remained with me, despite the large +offers that had been made to him by Abbey.</p> + +<p>Prior to the commencement of my season, I found on perusing Mr. Abbey's +list the names of Signor Del Puente, of Mdme. Lablache, of my +stage-manager, Mr. Parry, and a good many of the choristers, all of whom +were under formal engagement to me.</p> + +<p>It is true I did not care much for the services of these people, but I +could not allow them to defy me by breaking their contracts. I +consequently applied for an injunction against each, which was duly +granted, restraining them from giving their services in any other place +than where by writing I directed. Arguments were heard the<a name="page_007" id="page_007"></a> following +day before Judge O'Gorman, on my motion to confirm the injunction which +I had obtained against Signor Del Puente and Mdme. Lablache, who were +announced to sing the opening night at the new Metropolitan Opera House. +The injunction, as in the case of all operatic injunctions, was +ultimately dissolved by the Court, and I agreed to accept a payment from +Del Puente of 15,000 francs, Mr. Parry and the choristers being at the +same time handed over to me.</p> + +<p>Shortly after my arrival in New York I was honoured with a serenade in +which no less than five hundred musicians took part. The sight alone was +a remarkable one. I was at my hotel, on the point of going to bed, when +suddenly I heard beneath my window a loud burst of music. The immense +orchestra had taken possession of the street. The musicians were all in +evening dress; they had brought their music stands with them, also +electric or calcium lights; and, as I have before said, they occupied +the road in front of the hotel.</p> + +<p>I was extremely gratified, and when after the performance I went down +into the street to thank the conductor, I begged that he would allow me +to make a donation of £100 towards the funds of the Musical Protective +Union. But he would not hear of such a thing, and was so earnest on the +subject that I felt sorry at having in a moment of impulse ventured upon +such an offer.</p> + +<p>The Musical Protective Union is an association<a name="page_008" id="page_008"></a> extending over the whole +of the United States, to which all the capable instrumental players of +the country belong. There may be, and probably are, a very few who stand +outside it; and I remember that Mr. Abbey, unwilling to be bound by its +rules, resolved to do without it altogether, and to import his musicians +from abroad. Soon, however, this determination placed him in a very +awkward predicament: his first oboe fell ill, and for some time it was +found impossible to replace him.</p> + +<p>I have nothing but good to say of the Musical Union. The very slight +disagreement which I once had with those of its members who played in my +orchestra was arranged as soon as we had an opportunity of talking the +matter over. If I have every reason to be satisfied with the Musical +Union, I can equally say that this Association showed itself well +content with me.</p> + +<p>While on the subject of American orchestras, I may add that their +excellence is scarcely suspected by English amateurs. In England we have +certainly an abundance of good orchestral players, but we have not so +many musical centres; and, above all, we have not in London what New +York has long possessed, a permanent orchestra of high merit under a +first-rate conductor. Our orchestras in London are nearly always +"scratch" affairs. The players are brought together anyhow, and not one +of our concert societies gives more than eight concerts in the course of +the year. Being paid so<a name="page_009" id="page_009"></a> much a performance, our piece-work musicians +make a great fuss about attending rehearsals; and they are always ready, +if they can make a few shillings profit by it, to have themselves +replaced by substitutes.</p> + +<p>All really good orchestras must from the nature of the case be permanent +ones, composed of players in receipt of regular salaries. Attendance at +rehearsals is then taken as a matter of course, and no question of +replacement by substitutes can be raised. The only English orchestra in +which the conditions essential to a perfect <i>ensemble</i> are to be found +is the Manchester orchestra conducted by Sir Charles Hallé.</p> + +<p>A larger and better orchestra than the excellent one of Sir Charles +Hallé is that of M. Lamoureux.</p> + +<p>Better even than the orchestra of M. Lamoureux is that of M. Colonne. +But I have no hesitation in saying that M. Colonne's orchestra is +surpassed in fineness and fulness of tone, as also in force and delicacy +of expression, by the American orchestra of 150 players conducted by Mr. +Theodore Thomas. The members of this orchestra are for the most part +Germans, and the eminent conductor is himself, by race at least, a +German. Putting aside, however, all question of nationality, I simply +say that the orchestra directed by Mr. Theodore Thomas is the best I am +acquainted with; and its high merit is due in a great measure to the +permanence of the body. Its members work together habitually and<a name="page_010" id="page_010"></a> +constantly; they take rehearsals as part of their regular work; and they +look to their occupation as players in the Theodore Thomas orchestra as +their sole source of income. As for substitutes, Mr. Thomas would no +more accept one than a military commander would accept substitutes among +his officers.</p> + +<p>There has from time to time been some talk of Mr. Theodore Thomas's +unrivalled orchestra paying a visit to London, where its presence, apart +from all question of the musical delight it would afford, would show our +public what a good orchestra is, and our musical societies how a good +orchestra ought to be formed and maintained.</p> + +<p>Before taking leave of Mr. Theodore Thomas and of American orchestras +generally, let me mention one remarkable peculiarity in connection with +them. So penetrated are they with the spirit of equality that no one +player in an orchestra is allowed to receive more than another; the +first violin and the big drum are, in this respect, on precisely the +same footing. In England we give so much to a first clarinet and +something less to a second clarinet, and a leader will always receive +extra terms. In America one player is held to be, in a pecuniary point +of view, as good as another.</p> + +<p>My season at the Academy commenced on the 22nd October—the same night +as my rival's at the New Metropolitan Opera, to which subscriptions had +been extended on a most liberal scale. In fact<a name="page_011" id="page_011"></a> the whole of New York +flocked there, as much to see the new building as to hear the +performance.</p> + +<p>On my opening night I presented <i>La Sonnambula</i>, when Mdme. Etelka +Gerster, after an absence of two years, renewed her triumphs in America. +The rival house presented Gounod's <i>Faust</i>, with Christine Nilsson as +"Margherita," Scalchi as "Siebel," Novara as "Mephistopheles," Del +Puente as "Valentine," and Campanini as "Faust;" a fine cast and +perfectly trained, since all these artists had played under my direction +and did not even require a rehearsal. After a few nights I began to +discover that the counter attraction of the new house was telling +considerably against me, and I informed the Academy Directors of my +inability to contend against my rival with any degree of success, unless +I could have a small amount of backing.</p> + +<p>After consultation, several stockholders signed a paper, each for a +different amount, which totalled up to something like £4,500, which I +had previously calculated would be about the amount required to defeat +the enemy. This was guaranteed by them to the Bank of the Metropolis on +the understanding that I should never draw more than £600 a week from +it, and then only in case of need.</p> + +<p>The Manager of the rival Opera-house had fired off all his guns the +first night; and after a few evenings, as soon as the public had seen +the interior of the new building, the receipts gradually began to +decline. In the meanwhile, I was anxiously<a name="page_012" id="page_012"></a> expecting notice of Adelina +Patti's approaching arrival. I, therefore, arranged to charter sixteen +large tug boats, covered with bunting, to meet the <i>Diva</i>; eight of them +to steam up the bay on each side of the arriving steamer, and to toot +off their steam whistles all the way along, accompanied by military +bands. All was in readiness, and I was only waiting for a telegraphic +notification. Some of the pilots at Sandy Hook, moreover, had promised +to improvise a salute of twenty-one guns; and Arditi had written a +Cantata for the occasion, which the chorus were to sing immediately on +Patti's arrival.</p> + +<p>By some unfortunate mistake, either from fog or otherwise, the steamer +passed Fire Island and landed <i>la Diva</i> unobserved at the dock, where +there was not even a carriage to meet her. She got hustled by the crowd, +and eventually reached her hotel with difficulty in a four-wheeler. The +military bands had passed the night awaiting the signal which I was to +give them to board the tugs.</p> + +<p>On learning of Mdme. Patti's arrival, I hurried up to the Windsor Hotel, +when I was at once received.</p> + +<p>"Is it not too bad?" she exclaimed, with a comical expression of +annoyance. "It is a wonder that I was not left till now on the steamer. +As it was, by the merest chance one of my friends happened to come down +to the dock and luckily espied me as I was wandering about trying to +keep my feet<a name="page_013" id="page_013"></a> warm, and assisted me into a four-wheeler. However, here I +am. It is all over now, and I am quite comfortable and as happy as +though twenty boats had come down to meet me."</p> + +<p>She then agreed to make her <i>début</i> three days afterwards in <i>La Gazza +Ladra</i>.</p> + +<p>On the second night of the opera we had a brilliant audience for +<i>Rigoletto</i>, Mdme. Gerster undertaking the part of "Gilda," which she +sang with rare delicacy and brilliancy of vocalization, so that +"Brava's!" rang throughout the entire audience.</p> + +<p>My new tenor, Bertini, who likewise made his <i>début</i> on this occasion, +produced but little effect, either vocally or dramatically. In the "La +Donna è Mobile" he cracked on each of the high notes, whilst in the +"Bella Figlia" quartet his voice broke in a most distressing manner when +ascending to the B flat, causing loud laughter amongst the audience.</p> + +<p>I was therefore under the necessity of sending him the following letter +the next morning:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot2"> +<p class="c">"T<small>O</small> S<small>IGNOR</small> B<small>ERTINI</small>.</p> + +<p>"In consequence of the lamentable failure you met with on Wednesday +evening last, the 24th inst., it is my painful duty to notify you that +by reason of your inability to perform your contract, I hereby put an +end to it. At the same time I request that you will return me the +balance of the money that I advanced to you, amounting to 1,000 dollars.</p> + +<p class="r"> +<span style="margin-right: 8em;">"Yours, truly,</span><br /> +"<span style="margin-right: 5em;">(Signed)</span> J. H. M<small>APLESON</small>."</p> +</div> + +<p><a name="page_014" id="page_014"></a></p> + +<p>Of course he did not return my thousand dollars, but fell into the hands +of some attorneys, who at once issued process against me for 50,000 +dollars damages!</p> + +<p>While admitting that at the time I engaged him he was a good singer, I +maintained that latterly, from some cause or other, his voice had +utterly gone. I had engaged him to perform certain duties which he was +unable to fulfil.</p> + +<p>His lawyers insisted upon his having another opportunity. This I at once +agreed to; but not before the public, for whom I had too much respect to +inflict another dose of Bertini upon them. I therefore offered him the +empty house, full orchestra and chorus, and a jury half of his own +selection and half of mine, with the Judge of one of the Superior Courts +as umpire; but this he refused. The matter, therefore, went into the +usual groove of protracted law proceedings and consequent annoyances and +attachments. The very next day all my banking account was attached, and +it was two days before I could get bondsmen in order that it might be +released, so that I could continue to pay my salaries to the other +artists.</p> + +<p>On the following night we performed <i>Norma</i> at Brooklyn, with Mdme. +Pappenheim as the Druid priestess; the night afterwards being reserved +for the <i>début</i> of Mdme. Patti at New York in <i>La Gazza Ladra</i>. The +occasion naturally drew together an immense audience, which displayed +much enthusiasm<a name="page_015" id="page_015"></a> for the singer. The pleasure of hearing Mdme. Patti +again was increased by the fact that the work in which she was to appear +was not a hackneyed one.</p> + +<p>The opera, however, failed to make the effect I expected, being +generally pronounced by the Press and the public to be too antiquated. +The contralto who undertook the <i>rôle</i> of "Pippo" was excessively +nervous, having had no rehearsals and never having met Patti before.</p> + +<p>One daily paper said that the lesser <i>rôles</i> were well taken, down to +the stuffed magpie, who flew down and seized the spoon, and sailed away +into the flies with prodigious success, adding: "<i>La Gazza Ladra</i> will +soon be laid permanently on the shelf. It is many years since it was +done here before, and from a judgment of last evening, it will be many +years before the experiment will be repeated."</p> + +<p>Some time before this, a gentleman called on me. I was about to put him +off, saying I was too busy; but he seemed so earnest for a few moments' +conversation that I turned round, and on his raising his hat and +loosening his overcoat, discovered him to be a priest. On his mentioning +to me that Mdlle. Titiens had done service formerly for a church in +Ireland with which he was connected, I at once gave him every attention. +He explained that the small parish then under his charge was in great +want, whilst the church had a debt of some £700 or £800. All he +solicited was one of my singers, for whom he would pay the sum I might +demand.<a name="page_016" id="page_016"></a></p> + +<p>I at once told him that I would aid his charity to the best of my +ability, and further, that on the appointed day, which happened to be +St. Cecilia's Day, the 24th November, I would place some of my leading +singers at his disposal for the high mass, and would, moreover, hold the +plate myself at the church door to receive any offerings that might be +made. After meeting him once or twice, I promised to take still further +interest in relieving the Church of its difficulties by giving an +evening concert in addition at the Steinway Hall, placing my best +artists at his disposal, together with the whole of my chorus, and full +orchestra under Arditi's direction, likewise my wonderful child pianist, +Mdlle. Jeanne Douste.</p> + +<p>In due course the following announcement was made regarding the concerts +I had promised:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot2"> +<p class="c">"S<small>T.</small> C<small>ECILIA'S</small> D<small>AY</small>.</p> + +<p>"The greatest musical treat ever offered the people of Harlem will be +given on Sunday (to-morrow) in the Church of St. Cecilia, Corner of +105th Street and 2nd Avenue. It will be the feast of the day of the +'Divine Cecilia'—patroness of music. Colonel Mapleson, of the Royal +Opera Company, London, takes a personal interest in the celebration of +the day, and has kindly consented to send a number of his best artists +to delight the people and do honour to the beautiful 'Queen of Melody.' +Our music-loving people will have at their own doors a genuine artistic +treat—such a one as has never been<a name="page_017" id="page_017"></a> given in Harlem before—and we +doubt not they will appreciate it and fill St. Cecilia's Church to +overflowing. The gallant Colonel has promised to hold the plate at the +door and receive the offerings of the congregation—the only charge for +a rushing torrent of the most delicious music. No doubt his noble and +handsome presence will secure for his friend, Father Flattery, quite a +big collection—a very essential element in such uncommon events.</p> + +<p>"Our readers are referred to our advertising columns for the extensive +and varied programme of the great Cecilian Concert at Steinway Hall on +the same day. The famous Mapleson Opera Company will be at their best, +supported by a superb chorus and a full and powerful orchestra. This +will, indeed, be a Cecilian Concert in the best sense of the word."</p> +</div> + +<p>In due course the day of the Feast of St. Cecilia arrived, which was +most appropriately celebrated at St. Cecilia's Church, Harlem, some +considerable distance "up town." There was no charge for admission, but +I held the plate at the door, and everyone who entered gave something +according to his means or inclination, a most handsome sum being thus +collected. Father Flattery occasionally showed himself near my plate +exhorting the incoming congregation to give liberally.</p> + +<p>The service was conducted by Father Peyten, of St. Agnes' Church. Father +Flattery did not preach a regular sermon, but confined his remarks to +the<a name="page_018" id="page_018"></a> life and character of St. Cecilia. "In venerating this saint," said +he, "we intensify our love of God. St. Cecilia stands conspicuous in the +noble choir as one of the typical saints. In studying her life we are +carried back to the dark days of the Cæsars. More than St. Peter himself +this noble lady sacrificed when she left all and devoted herself to God. +Peter was but a poor fisherman, and left but his nets and boats; she was +a noble lady of conspicuous distinction. Hers was no common origin, hers +no ordinary name; but she relinquished all this social <i>prestige</i> for +her religion. What wonder that she should be so popular among Christians +when she is everywhere recognized as the patroness of the loveliest of +arts, an art which lives beyond the bounds of time and can never die! +Like the immortal souls of men, there is nothing destructive about +music. It is music which illustrates the relation between art and +religion. How much the art of music adds to the profound mystery of +religion! How in the hour of exalted triumph it chants its pæans! The +Festival of St. Cecilia is a festival of music; and music becomes more +beautiful still when it is emblemized through such a life as that of +this saint. Enviable is that professional art which has such a saint for +its patron." At the close of his sermon Father Flattery expressed his +own and the sincere thanks of the congregation to the manager and his +artists who in their generosity had done so much for the cause of +religion; and he<a name="page_019" id="page_019"></a> expressed the hope that "when Colonel Mapleson ends +his days St. Cecilia may come down to bear him up to Heaven."</p> + +<p>At the conclusion of the service a sumptuous breakfast was served at +Father Flattery's, to which some 200 guests were invited. Afterwards +some speeches were made and thanks tendered to me for what I had done. +The ladies present handed me, moreover, a set of studs and sleeve-links.</p> + +<p>We afterwards drove down to the Steinway Hall to attend the evening +concert (for the breakfast had lasted some time), which was crowded to +the very doors. The receipts taken in the morning at the Church, coupled +with those of the Steinway concert completely extinguished the debt +which had weighed so heavily on St. Cecilia's Church.</p> + +<p>About a year afterwards I was in New York, and having one afternoon +(strangely enough) a little leisure, I determined to pay a visit to my +excellent friend, Father Flattery. It was a Sunday afternoon, and when I +got to his house, at some little distance from the central quarters of +New York, I found him teaching a number of school children. As soon, +however, as he saw me he struck work and his young pupils were dismissed +to their homes.</p> + +<p>I told Father Flattery that I had come to pay him a short visit.</p> + +<p>"Nothing of the kind," he replied, in his frank, genial manner; "you +have come to dine with me, and you are just in the nick of time. Dinner +will<a name="page_020" id="page_020"></a> be ready very soon; and I hope you have brought a good appetite +with you."</p> + +<p>My hospitable friend left me for a minute to give some orders; and while +he was away one of his servants whispered to me that dinner was just +over, and that there was nothing in the house.</p> + +<p>I was too discreet to take any notice of this communication, and when +the good priest returned I saw from his manner that he would take no +refusal, and that whether there was anything in the house or not, +whether he had already dined or not, I was to stay that afternoon to +dinner.</p> + +<p>After a certain delay, guests arrived, including some very charming +ladies; and in due time dinner was served. It was quite an Homeric +feast. Three roast turkeys were followed by two legs of mutton, and +these, again, by four roast ducks. The wines were of the finest quality, +and among those of French growth the vintages of <i>Heidsieck</i> and of +<i>Pommery Greno</i> were not forgotten.</p> + +<p>No one but Father Flattery could have improvised such a banquet at a +moment's notice; and I afterwards found that in order to be agreeable to +me, and to express his gratitude for a slight service which I had most +willingly rendered him, he had requisitioned viands, wines, and guests +from the houses of his neighbours.</p> + +<p>"I want that turkey, Pat; I should like to have that leg of mutton, +Mike; Murphy, send me round those ducks you have on the table." In this<a name="page_021" id="page_021"></a> +summary fashion my amiable and generous host had furnished the feast; or +it may be that in summoning his guests he recommended them to bring +their dinner with them. I can only speak with absolute certainty as to +the result, and I must add that the banquet was thoroughly successful. +After the dinner was at an end we had whisky-toddy and Irish songs.<a name="page_022" id="page_022"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot3"><p class="hang">PATTI AND HER SHOES—PATTI SEIZED FOR DEBT—FLIGHT OF GERSTER—CONFLICT +AT CHICAGO—BOUQUETS OUT OF SEASON—CINCINNATI FLOODS—ABBEY'S +COLLAPSE—RESOLVE TO GO WEST.</p></div> + +<p class="nind">N<small>OTWITHSTANDING</small> the successful performances, which I continued to give, +the receipts never reached the amount of the expenditure—as is +invariably the case when two Opera-houses are contending in the same +city.</p> + +<p>So bent was Mr. Abbey on my total annihilation that in each town I +intended visiting during the tour at the close of the season I found his +company announced. I, therefore, resolved as far as possible to steal a +march upon him. I altered most of my arrangements, anticipating my +Philadelphia engagement by five weeks, and opening on the 18th December. +Mdme. Patti appeared in <i>Ernani</i> to a 10,000-dollar house, Mdme. Gerster +performing "Linda" the following night to almost equally large receipts. +<i>Semiramide</i> likewise brought a very large house.<a name="page_023" id="page_023"></a> From Philadelphia we +went to Boston, where, unfortunately, the booking was not at all great, +it not being our usual time for visiting that city. Moreover, I had to +go to the Globe Theatre. On the second night of our engagement we +performed <i>La Traviata</i>. That afternoon, about two o'clock, Patti's +agent called upon me to receive the 5,000 dollars for her services that +evening. I was at low water just then, and inquiring at the +booking-office found that I was £200 short. All I could offer Signor +Franchi was the trifle of £800 as a payment on account.</p> + +<p>The agent declined the money, and formally announced to me that my +contract with Mdme. Patti was at an end. I accepted the inevitable, +consoling myself with the reflection that, besides other good artists in +my company, I had now £800 to go on with.</p> + +<p>Two hours afterwards Signor Franchi reappeared.</p> + +<p>"I cannot understand," he said, "how it is you get on so well with prime +donne, and especially with Mdme. Patti. You are a marvellous man, and a +fortunate one, too, I may add. Mdme. Patti does not wish to break her +engagement with you, as she certainly would have done with anyone else +under the circumstances. Give me the £800 and she will make every +preparation for going on to the stage. She empowers me to tell you that +she will be at the theatre in good time for the beginning of the opera, +and that she will be ready dressed in the costume of<a name="page_024" id="page_024"></a> "Violetta," with +the exception only of the shoes. You can let her have the balance when +the doors open and the money comes in from the outside public; and +directly she receives it she will put her shoes on and at the proper +moment make her appearance on the stage." I thereupon handed him the +£800 I had already in hand as the result of subscriptions in advance. "I +congratulate you on your good luck," said Signor Franchi as he departed +with the money in his pocket.</p> + +<p>After the opening of the doors I had another visit from Signor Franchi. +By this time an extra sum of £160 had come in. I handed it to my +benevolent friend, and begged him to carry it without delay to the +obliging prima donna, who, having received £960, might, I thought, be +induced to complete her toilette pending the arrival of the £40 balance.</p> + +<p>Nor was I altogether wrong in my hopeful anticipations. With a beaming +face Signor Franchi came back and communicated to me the joyful +intelligence that Mdme. Patti had got one shoe on. "Send her the £40," +he added, "and she will put on the other."</p> + +<p>Ultimately the other shoe was got on; but not, of course, until the last +£40 had been paid. Then Mdme. Patti, her face radiant with benignant +smiles, went on to the stage; and the opera already begun was continued +brilliantly until the end.</p> + +<p>Mdme. Adelina Patti is beyond doubt the most<a name="page_025" id="page_025"></a> successful singer who ever +lived. Vocalists as gifted, as accomplished as she might be named, but +no one ever approached her in the art of obtaining from a manager the +greatest possible sum he could by any possibility contrive to pay. +Mdlle. Titiens was comparatively careless on points of this kind; Signor +Mario equally so.</p> + +<p>I am certainly saying very little when I advance the proposition that +Mdme. Patti has frequently exacted what I will content myself with +describing as extreme terms. She has, indeed, gone beyond this, for I +find from my tables of expenditure for the New York season of 1883 that, +after paying Mdme. Patti her thousand pounds, and distributing a few +hundreds among the other members of the company, I had only from 22 to +23 dollars per night left on the average for myself.</p> + +<p>Mdme. Patti's fees—just twenty times what was thought ample by Signor +Mario and by Mdlle. Titiens, than whom no greater artists have lived in +our time—was payable to Mdme. Patti at two o'clock on the day of +representation.</p> + +<p>From Boston we went to Montreal, opening there on Christmas Eve, +operatically the worst day in the year; when Mdme. Gerster's receipts +for <i>La Sonnambula</i> were very light. We afterwards performed <i>Elisir +d'Amore</i>, and on Friday, the 4th January, Mdme. Patti made her <i>début</i> +before as bad a house as Gerster's.</p> + +<p>Soon afterwards the most money-making of prime<a name="page_026" id="page_026"></a> donne was, without being +aware of it at the time, seized for debt. It happened in this manner. +From Boston we had travelled to Montreal, where, by the way, through the +mistake of an agent, gallery seats were charged at the rate of five +dollars instead of one. On reaching the Montreal railway station we were +met by a demand on the part of the railway company for 300 dollars. The +train had been already paid for; but this was a special charge for +sending the Patti travelling car along the line. I, of course, resisted +the claim, and the more energetically inasmuch as I had not 300 dollars +in hand. I could only get the money by going up to the theatre and +taking it from the receipts.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the sheriffs were upon me; and the Patti travelling car, with +Adelina asleep inside, was attached, seized, and ultimately shunted into +a stable, of which the iron gates were firmly closed.</p> + +<p>There was no room for argument or delay. All I had to do was to get the +money; and hurrying to the theatre I at once procured it. Unconscious of +her imprisoned condition, Mdme. Patti was still asleep when I took the +necessary steps for rescuing from bondage the car which held her.</p> + +<p>The public of Montreal, more gracious than the railway authorities, +received us with enthusiasm. An immense ice palace was erected just +opposite the hotel at which we were staying; and the architecture of the +building, and especially the manner in<a name="page_027" id="page_027"></a> which the blocks of ice were +placed one above the other and then soldered together, interested me +much. The ice blocks were consolidated by the agency of heat. Hot water +was applied to the points of contact, and the ice thus liquefied left to +freeze.</p> + +<p>We afterwards returned to New York, performing there the first three +weeks of January, business still being very light indeed; and it was not +until my benefit night, on the 18th, that a fine house was secured, when +over 11,000 dollars were taken. After giving a Sunday concert we left +for Philadelphia, where I arranged for three special performances, it +being three days before Mr. Abbey's arrival there with his Opera troupe. +The three performances were extremely successful. We afterwards left for +Baltimore.</p> + +<p>On arriving there Mdme. Gerster accidentally saw a playbill in which +Mdme. Patti's name was larger than hers; further, that they were +charging only five dollars for her appearance, whilst they demanded +seven dollars for the Patti nights. Without one moment's warning, and +unbeknown even to her husband, the lady went to the station and entered +the train for New York. When dinner-time arrived Dr. Gardini was in a +great state, as his wife was nowhere to be found, and it was by mere +accident one of the chorus told me that he had seen her going in the +direction of the railway station.</p> + +<p>I thereupon telegraphed to Wilmington—the first<a name="page_028" id="page_028"></a> station at which her +train would stop—requesting her to return, as all matters had been +arranged. There was no train by which she could get back. But through +the kindness of the manager of the road, who happened to be in +Baltimore, a telegraphic despatch was sent to Wilmington to detain the +express—in which unfortunately Patti happened to be seated—until the +arrival of Gerster's train, so that she could return immediately in time +for the performance. I afterwards learned that Mdme. Patti, on inquiring +the cause of the delay, was excessively angry at being detained for +upwards of three-quarters of an hour on account of Mdme. Gerster. +Nicolini was enraged for a different reason. He had ordered a sumptuous +dinner at our hotel, where there was a new <i>chef</i>; and he knew that, +having to wait for Mdme. Patti, his terrapin and his canvas-back duck +would be spoiled.</p> + +<p>All endeavours to induce Mdme. Gerster to enter a train in which the +state-room was occupied by Mdme. Patti were useless, and I afterwards +received a telegram that she had gone on to New York.</p> + +<p>I thereupon put up the following announcement at the opening of the +doors, not wishing to make a scandal:—"Owing to the non-arrival of +Mdme. Gerster from New York she will be unable to appear this evening. +The opera of <i>Ernani</i> will be substituted. Money will be returned to +those desiring it."</p> + +<p><a name="page_029" id="page_029"></a>In a short time the entire Opera was closely packed with ladies in full +evening dress. All were in a high state of excitement, and seemed unable +to decide what to do, whether to go into the theatre or take their +carriages and return home. The ladies shrugged their shoulders, and the +gentlemen gesticulated indignantly, looking at me as if they would like +to say something forcible but impolite. "Outrage!" "disgrace!" +"shameful!" and other excited utterances born of polite anger were heard +on all sides. About one-third of the indignant ones left the theatre, +whilst the balance remained to hear <i>Ernani</i>, which was exceedingly well +played. Two minutes after the curtain rose on <i>Ernani</i> I hurried down to +the railway station and entered the train for New York in quest of the +fugitive prima donna. As I had eaten nothing from early morn I was +placed in a very disagreeable position. I could not get even a glass of +water or a piece of bread until some six or seven o'clock the next +morning.</p> + +<p>On reaching New York I went in quest of Mdme. Gerster at all the likely +places, and at length discovered her at her brother's. It took the whole +of the day to get things into shape, and I succeeded towards night in +bringing back the truant, and inducing her to appear the following day, +at a <i>matinée</i>, in <i>L'Elisir d'Amore</i>, when she attracted an enormous +audience.</p> + +<p>I was placed in great difficulty with regard to the public and the +press, knowing that the reports would be greatly exaggerated, and injure +the business<a name="page_030" id="page_030"></a> in all the other cities to which we were going. I +thereupon circulated the news that Mdme. Gerster's baby in New York had +taken a cold in its stomach, and that she had been hurriedly sent for. +This got repeated during the next four or five weeks in the papers at +all the cities we visited, and afterwards gradually died out.</p> + +<p>Before leaving Baltimore I had a bill presented to me for return of +money in consequence of the Gerster disappointment as follows:—</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left">Two opera tickets at five dollars</td><td align="right">$10.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Carriage</td><td align="right">5.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Gloves</td><td align="right">2.50</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Necktie</td><td align="right">0.25</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Overlooking and pressing a dress suit</td><td align="right">3.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Flowers for <i>her</i> corsage</td><td align="right">3.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Two return tickets</td><td align="right" +style="border-bottom:1px black solid;">14.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Total</td><td align="right">$37.75</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>Legal proceedings were resorted to, but I ultimately settled the matter +by giving a private box for our next visit.</p> + +<p>On arriving at Chicago we found ourselves not only in the same town with +our rivals, but also in the same hotel.</p> + +<p>Such a galaxy of talent had never before been congregated together under +one roof. The ladies consisted of Adelina Patti, Etelka Gerster, +Christine Nilsson, Fursch-Madi, Sembrich, Trebelli, and<a name="page_031" id="page_031"></a> Scalchi, whose +rooms were all along the same corridor.</p> + +<p>It was here that our great battle began; and I have much satisfaction in +quoting the following account of the conflict from a leading journal:—</p> + +<p>"The Mapleson season opened with a brilliant house on Monday evening. +The opera and cast were not very strong for an opening night, but +Patti's name proves a drawing card on all occasions, and she was given a +flattering reception as she once more presented herself to Chicago. +<i>Crispino</i> is not a strong opera, the music being of the lightest order. +She was finely supported by the other artists. Mdme. Etelka Gerster as +'Adina' was very charming; she appeared the following evening in <i>Elisir +d'Amore</i>. At the rival house Ponchielli's <i>La Gioconda</i> attracted a +large but not a crowded audience on the opening night. Both Opera +Companies continued vigorously throughout the week, giving a series of +the finest performances. The palm must readily be awarded to Mr. +Mapleson's able management, as Mr. Abbey closed probably the +worst-managed opera season Chicago had ever had. It opened amidst a +flourish of trumpets, which heralded great conquests, but the results +did not justify the reports."</p> + +<p>I must now mention that when I organized the first Cincinnati Festival I +stipulated with the Directors, in case of any repetitions, that the +terms should be the same, and that I should have the sole control.<a name="page_032" id="page_032"></a> The +three preceding Festivals had been given under my direction, with +distinguished success, and with large profits. But I now found that +here, too, Mr. Abbey had stepped in and secured the great Festival for +himself. It was useless going to law with a body of directors. I, +therefore, trusted to injustice meeting with its own reward, as it +inevitably does. I could illustrate this by many hundreds of cases.</p> + +<p>I now hastened to conclude engagements for another Opera Festival at Mr. +Fennessy's elegant theatre—one of the most beautiful in Cincinnati—in +order that Mr. Abbey might not have the whole affair to himself.</p> + +<p>The sale of seats for my contemplated performances at Cincinnati the +following week opened grandly, no less than 235 seats being sold for the +whole series quite early in the day. The number had increased before the +close of the office to 653, the total sale realizing £6,000 (30,000 +dollars). Bills were duly posted announcing for the opening night +Meyerbeer's <i>Huguenots</i>, with Nicolini as "Raoul," Galassi as "St. +Bris," Sivori as "Nevers," Cherubini as "Marcel," Josephine Yorke as +"The Page," Etelka Gerster as "The Queen," and Patti as "Valentine." +This, it seemed to me, was presenting a bold front against anything Mr. +Abbey might produce.</p> + +<p>About this time grave rumours got into circulation with regard to Mr. +Abbey's losses. It oozed out that prior to the entry of his Company +into<a name="page_033" id="page_033"></a> Cincinnati he had dropped on the road some 53,000 dollars.</p> + +<p>The Abbey Company opened their season at Chicago with <i>Gioconda</i>. But +the tenor was bad, and the principal female part quite unsuited to Mdme. +Christine Nilsson, so that little or no effect was made. I opened with +<i>Crispino</i>, Adelina Patti appearing in the principal <i>rôle</i>; which was +followed by <i>L'Elisir d'Amore</i>, with Gerster. On the third night <i>Les +Huguenots</i> was performed, with Mdme. Patti as "Valentine," and Mdme. +Gerster as the "Queen," when the following scene occurred:—</p> + +<p>Prior to the commencement of the opera numbers of very costly bouquets +and lofty set pieces had been sent into the vestibule according to +custom for Mdme. Patti, whilst only a small basket of flowers had been +received for presentation to Mdme. Gerster. Under ordinary circumstances +it is the duty of the prima donna's agent to notify to the +stall-keepers, or ushers, as they are called in America, the right +moment for handing up the bouquets on to the stage. That evening Mdme. +Patti's agent was absent, and at the close of the first act, during +which "Valentine" has scarcely a note to sing, whilst the "Queen" has +much brilliant music to execute, he was nowhere to be found. There was a +general call at the close of the act for the seven principal artists. At +that moment the stall-ushers, having no one to direct their movements, +rushed frantically down the leading aisles with<a name="page_034" id="page_034"></a> their innumerable +bouquets and set pieces, passing them across to Arditi, who sometimes +could scarcely lift them. Reading the address on the card attached to +each offering, he continued passing the flowers to Mdme. Patti. This +lasted several minutes, the public meanwhile getting impatient.</p> + +<p>At length, when these elaborate presentations to Mdme. Patti had been +brought to an end, a humble little basket addressed to Mdme. Gerster was +passed up, upon which the whole house broke out into ringing cheers, +which continued some minutes. This <i>contretemps</i> had the effect of +seriously annoying Mdme. Patti, who, at the termination of the opera, +made a vow that she would never again perform in the same work with +Mdme. Gerster.</p> + +<p>Mdme. Patti had braced herself up sufficiently to go through the +performance in very dramatic style. But after the fall of the curtain, +when she had time to think of the ludicrous position in which she had +been placed, she became hysterical.</p> + +<p>On returning to her hotel she threw herself on to the ground and kicked +and struggled in such a manner that it was only with the greatest +difficulty she could be got to bed. The stupidity of the "ushers" seemed +to her so outrageous that she could scarcely accept it as sufficient +explanation of the folly committed in sending up her bouquets, her +baskets, and her floral devices of various kinds at the wrong moment. At +one time when she was in<a name="page_035" id="page_035"></a> a comedy vein, she would exclaim: "It is all +that Mapleson;" and she actually did me the honour to say that I had +arranged the scene in order to lower her value in the eyes of the +public, and secure her for future performances at reduced rates.</p> + +<p>Then she would take a serious, not to say tragic view of the matter, and +attribute the misadventure to the maleficent influence of Gerster. The +amiable Etelka possessed, according to her brilliant but superstitious +rival, the evil eye; and after the affair of the bouquets no misfortune +great or small happened, but it was attributed by Mdme. Patti to the +malignant spirit animating Mdme. Gerster. If anything went wrong, from a +false note in the orchestra to an earthquake, it was always, according +to the divine Adelina, caused by Gerster and her "evil eye." "Gerster!" +was her first exclamation when she found the earth shaking beneath her +at San Francisco.</p> + +<p>Far from endeavouring to cure her of her childish superstitions, +Nicolini encouraged her, and, in all probability, took part himself in +her quaint delusions.</p> + +<p>Whenever Gerster's name was mentioned, whenever her presence was in any +way suggested, Mdme. Patti made with her fingers the horn which is +supposed to counteract or avert the effect of the evil eye; and once, +when the two rivals were staying at the same hotel, Mdme. Patti, passing +in the dark the room occupied by Mdme. Gerster, extended her<a name="page_036" id="page_036"></a> first and +fourth fingers in the direction of the supposed sorceress; when she +found herself nearly tapping upon the forehead of Mdme. Gerster's +husband, Dr. Gardini, who, at that moment, was putting his boots out +before going to bed.</p> + +<p>Two days before the close of the Chicago engagement grave rumours +reached me from Cincinnati, where we were due the following Monday. +Great floods had set in, and the water was still rising daily, and, +indeed, hourly.</p> + +<p>I received frequent telegraphic reports as to the sad effects of the +flood, and I at last found it necessary to postpone our departure until +the following day, hoping the water might then begin to recede.</p> + +<p>On learning the state of things Mdme. Patti refused absolutely to enter +the train now in readiness, and several of the other artists followed +her example. The water still kept rising, and it at last reached the +extraordinary height of 64 feet.</p> + +<p>Cincinnati, I learned, was placed in total darkness through the gas +works being submerged. The inhabitants were compelled to burn candles +and oil lamps in order to obtain light, whilst the city was isolated +from every other part of America. I was, moreover, informed by the +railway authorities there was great uncertainty as to the train ever +being able to reach the city at all. No Festival could possibly be given +where such utter desolation existed; where the public was so far removed +from everything festive.<a name="page_037" id="page_037"></a></p> + +<p>I therefore telegraphed Manager Fennessy to postpone my week's visit +until the 31st of the following month, and I now saw no alternative but +to stay at Chicago, though I had no engagements whatever, and had all +the people on my hands. On conversing with Mdme. Patti and Mdme. Gerster +I found that they both sympathized with the sufferers from this sad +calamity. I therefore decided that in lieu of attempting to get money +out of the ill-fated city, it was our duty to raise funds and transmit +them to the sufferers as speedily as possible. With that view I +organized a morning performance in all haste at Chicago, in which both +Mdme. Patti and Mdme. Gerster took part. The public accorded the most +generous support. Henry Irving, who was staying in our hotel, gave £20 +for a box with his usual characteristic liberality; and I had the +pleasure of remitting the very next day to the Mayor of Cincinnati +upwards of £1,200.</p> + +<p>In order to keep the band and chorus employed, I arranged to perform for +three nights at Minneapolis, which, although a considerable distance +off, I determined to try. I therefore ordered my special train to be in +readiness for our departure.</p> + +<p>We opened at Minneapolis during the latter part of the week, giving the +three performances to excellent business. Whilst there I heard fresh +reports as to Abbey's losses, both at the Metropolitan Opera-house, and +likewise on his tour.</p> + +<p>On taking up the newspapers I found it stated<a name="page_038" id="page_038"></a> that Mr. Abbey had lost +nearly 239,000 dollars, and that he was, in fact, compelled to retire +from his management.</p> + +<p>Although Mr. Abbey had treated me anything but handsomely, I felt some +regret at hearing of the downfall of this not very clever showman. It +was a struggle between money and ability, his object being to put me out +of the way, so that his new enterprise might have no opposition to +encounter. My singers, musicians, and <i>employés</i> had been hired away +from me at double, treble, and quadruple salaries. From Nilsson down to +the call-boy, all had been tempted, and many led away. When my people +came in to me and said: "What shall I do? he is offering me four times +my salary," I replied: "My dear people, go by all means; you are sure to +come back to me next season."</p> + +<p>I had myself run very close to the wind throughout all this business, +and but for great care and some judgment should have been ruined.</p> + +<p>After the morning performance which closed our engagement at +Minneapolis, our special train had to travel for 36 hours to reach St. +Louis, where we opened on the following Monday.</p> + +<p>There was great excitement at St. Louis about the performance of <i>Les +Huguenots</i>, announced for the Thursday following, in which Patti and +Gerster were to appear together in their respective parts. But in +consequence of Mdme. Patti's declaration that she would never sing with +Gerster again in<a name="page_039" id="page_039"></a> any opera, I had to change the bill, much to the +annoyance of the public and to my own loss.</p> + +<p>I will now mention something that occurred during the latter part of my +visit to St. Louis.</p> + +<p>Finding business not so flourishing as it would have been but for this +irritating rivalry of Abbey's, also that Mdme. Patti's engagement +included only fifty guaranteed nights during the five months over which +the engagement extended, I concluded to give her a rest of some three or +four weeks, inasmuch as she had already sung nearly two-thirds of the +guaranteed number of times, and I had ample time to work out the +remainder. I also resolved to start the Company far away out of the +reach of Mr. Abbey to the wealthy San Francisco. Our exchequer was sadly +in need of replenishment. Mdme. Gerster consented to remain with me, but +only on condition that Mdme. Patti kept away. Finding this suited my +purpose, I agreed to it.<a name="page_040" id="page_040"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot3"><p class="hang">GERSTER REFUSES—PATTI VOLUNTEERS—ARRIVAL AT CHEYENNE—PATTI DINES THE +PROPHET—THREATS OF AN INTERVIEWER—ARRIVAL AT SAN FRANCISCO.</p></div> + +<p class="nind">A<small>T</small> the conclusion of the farewell morning performance of <i>Martha</i>, in +which Gerster took part, at St. Louis, she went home to prepare for the +journey to San Francisco. I performed <i>La Favorita</i> that evening, and +gave orders for the Company to start at 2 a.m. for the Far West. At +about a quarter to one my agent called me, stating that Mdme. Gerster +had gone to bed and refused to allow her boxes to leave the hotel. +Feeling now that she was free from Patti, she thought she could do as +she liked. All arguments were useless, and in lieu of packing the boxes +she gave calm directions to her maids to hang her dresses up. During +this time the special train was waiting in the station ready to take its +departure. In the midst of my trouble a little card was brought in +enclosed in an envelope, stating that Mdme. Patti would like to see me.<a name="page_041" id="page_041"></a> +She, too, had been on the point of going to bed. But on learning the +strait in which I was placed she at once rang the bell, mustered her +maids, requested them to pack up all her worldly effects, and now +assured me that she would sing for me day and night rather than let me +be the victim of Gerster's caprices.</p> + +<p>Whilst I was thanking Mdme. Patti another little card was slipped in my +hand from the adjoining room requesting a word with me. On entering +Mdme. Gerster's apartments I found her dressed, and she now declared her +willingness to accompany me to the Far West.</p> + +<p>The long and short of it was that I found myself in the train with both +my prime donne. I thereupon telegraphed to my agent in advance to call +in at Denver and arrange for a performance of Mdme. Patti in <i>La +Traviata</i> on the following Saturday morning on our way through. We duly +arrived in Denver, when on reaching the hotel Mdme. Gerster accidentally +saw that Patti had been announced for one of the performances.</p> + +<p>Without a moment's warning she left the hotel, presented herself at the +station, and ordered a special train to take her back to the East on her +way to Europe. It was, indeed, a sore trial to bring matters to an +amicable conclusion; but in this I eventually succeeded. I assured Mdme. +Gerster that Mdme. Patti would have nothing further to do for some +length of time. If Patti sang again<a name="page_042" id="page_042"></a> Mdme. Gerster declared she would +leave the Company.</p> + +<p>At the conclusion of my Denver engagement we left for Cheyenne. The +opera train consisted of eleven elegant carriages; and prior to our +arrival at Cheyenne we were met on the road by two special cars, having +on board Councillors Holliday, Dater, Babbitt, Warren, Irvine, and +Homer, likewise the Hon. Jones, Ford, and Miller, and some forty other +representatives of the Upper and Lower Houses of the great territory of +the West. We were agreeably surprised when the train pulled up. To my +great astonishment both Houses had been adjourned in honour of our +visit. There was, in fact, a general holiday. One carriage contained dry +Pommery and Mumm champagne, intersected with blocks of ice, whilst +another compartment was full of cigars. Both trains pulled up on the +plains, when an interchange of civilities took place and several +speeches were made.</p> + +<p>Shortly afterwards we started the train again in the direction of +Cheyenne, where the band of the 9th Regiment, brought from a +considerable distance from one of the military stations, was waiting to +receive us. Mdme. Patti, who was in her own car, insisted upon having it +detached from the train in order not to interfere with the welcome she +considered due to Mdme. Gerster, who was to perform that evening in <i>La +Sonnambula</i>, which was the only opera to be given during our visit. At +the conclusion<a name="page_043" id="page_043"></a> of the reception Gerster was accompanied to the hotel. +Two hours later there was to be a serenade to Mdme. Patti, who at a +given time was drawn into the station. The brass band, being placed in a +circle with the bandmaster in the centre, commenced performing music +which was rather mixed. Mdme. Patti requested me to ask the bandmaster +what they were playing; but on my attempting to enter the circle the +bandmaster rushed at me, telling me with expressive gestures that if I +touched one of his musicians the whole circle would fall down. They had +been on duty during the last thirty-six hours waiting our arrival, and +as they had taken "considerable refreshment," he had had great +difficulty in placing them on their feet. We dispensed with all +ceremony, and the night serenade was struck out of the programme, the +men being sent home.</p> + +<p>The opera of <i>Sonnambula</i> was performed that evening, and although ten +dollars a seat were charged, the house was crowded. To my great +astonishment, although Cheyenne is but a little town, consisting of +about two streets, it possesses a most refined society, composed, it is +true, of cowboys; yet one might have imagined one's self at the London +Opera when the curtain rose—the ladies in brilliant toilettes and +covered with diamonds; the gentlemen all in evening dress.</p> + +<p>The entire little town was lighted by electricity. The club house is one +of the pleasantest<a name="page_044" id="page_044"></a> I have ever visited; and the people are most +hospitable.</p> + +<p>When the performance was over we all returned to the train, and started +for Salt Lake City.</p> + +<p>On our arrival there Mdme. Gerster drove to the theatre. Mdme. Patti and +Nicolini amused themselves by visiting the great Tabernacle, I +accompanying them. On entering this superb building, excellent in an +acoustic point of view, and capable of seating 12,000 persons, the idea +immediately crossed my mind of giving, if possible, a concert there on +our return from San Francisco; but I was unsuccessful in my endeavours +to obtain the use of it. I thereupon resolved that Mdme. Patti should +invite the Mormon Prophet himself, together with as many of the twelve +apostles as we could obtain, to visit her private car, then outside the +station; and a splendid <i>déjeuner</i> was prepared by the cooks.</p> + +<p>The next morning the Prophet Taylor came, accompanied by several of his +apostles. Mdme. Patti took great care to praise the magnificent building +she had visited the day previously, expressing a strong desire that she +might be allowed to try her voice there, which led on to my observing +that a regular concert would be more desirable. To this a strong +objection was made by several apostles, who stated that the building was +not intended for any such purpose, but was simply a place of worship.</p> + +<p>Mdme. Patti, however, launched into enthusiastic<a name="page_045" id="page_045"></a> praise of the Mormon +doctrines, and, in fact, expressed a strong wish to join the Mormon +Church. After hearing her sing two or three of her dainty little songs +the Prophet was so impressed that he actually consented to a concert +being given in the Tabernacle the following month. On my suggesting +three dollars for the best seats an objection was instantly made by one +of the apostles, who, having five wives, thought it would be rather a +heavy call upon his purse. It was ultimately settled that the prices +should be only two dollars and one dollar.</p> + +<p>We performed the opera of <i>Lucia</i> that evening in Salt Lake Theatre in +presence of all the prominent inhabitants of the lovely city, the +receipts reaching some £750. The Prophet attended.</p> + +<p>Starting for the West immediately after the opera, we about thirty hours +afterwards reached Reno, where we stopped to water the engine; and, +although still some 250 miles from San Francisco, the train was boarded +by a lot of reporters, who had been waiting a couple of days to meet the +party, determined if possible to secure an interview with the <i>Diva</i>. In +the meantime they busied themselves writing a description of the +magnificent train of boudoir state-rooms until we reached Truckee, where +a considerable portion of the line had been washed away. There had, +moreover, been a snow-slide from some of the great mountains, which +caused a stoppage of nearly twelve hours.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, as if by magic, some 1,500 Chinamen<a name="page_046" id="page_046"></a> arrived and commenced +repairing the road. During this time the reporters had ample time to +interview everybody, as the railway carriages one by one had to be +conveyed over a temporary road which the Chinamen had built.</p> + +<p>The whole of Truckee's population came out to meet us, composed of +cowboys, miners, and Indians. Patti was much charmed with a little +papoose carried on one of the Indian women's backs. She placed herself +at the piano and commenced singing nursery rhymes. She likewise whistled +a polka very cleverly to her own accompaniment; which made the papoose +laugh. She thereupon expressed a strong wish to purchase it and adopt +it, having no children of her own. It was only in compliance with +Nicolini's persuasive powers that she ultimately desisted.</p> + +<p>On our leaving Truckee a wild shout went up from the Indians, resembling +a kind of war-whoop, in which the whole of the Truckee population +joined.</p> + +<p>Ultimately we reached Sacramento. Again all the inhabitants came out, +many crying, "God bless her Majesty!" "God bless Colonel Mapleson!" the +crowd, as usual, being largely composed of Indians and Chinese. An +attempt was made to surround Patti's car in order to make her get out +and sing.</p> + +<p>Prior to leaving Sacramento other reporters got in, insisting upon +interviewing Patti. I replied—</p> + +<p>"Do you think I pay Patti £1,000 a night and spend all my profits buying +these magnificent cars for her and Nicolini to have her interviewed by<a name="page_047" id="page_047"></a> +newspaper reporters? No, sir, you cannot interview Patti. We have a lot +of beautifully-written interviews already in type in my ante-room, and +you can go and select those you like best. You can see the car, +moreover, with Count Zacharoff. In the hind car you will find some +Apollinaris and rye whisky, and there is a box of cigars in the corner."</p> + +<p>"Look here, Colonel," replied one of the reporters, very firmly, placing +his right hand in his hip pocket, "I am no London reporter to be put off +in that kind of way. I have come several hundreds of miles to interview +Patti, and see her I must. Refuse me, and I shall simply telegraph two +lines to San Francisco that Patti has caught a severe cold in the +mountains, and that Gerster's old throat complaint is coming on again. +Do you understand?"</p> + +<p>I replied, "Cannot you interview me instead?" feeling appalled at his +threat.</p> + +<p>"No, sir," replied he; "Patti or perdition!"</p> + +<p>I now saw Nicolini, who ultimately consented to the reporter's seeing +the <i>Diva</i>. Summoning a swarthy valet, he ordered him to conduct the +journalist to Mdme. Patti's apartments, Nicolini following him.</p> + +<p>A few seconds later the reporter was face to face with Patti in her +gorgeous palace car. Nicolini performed the ceremony of introduction, +while the parrot muttered a few "cusses" in French. Patti smilingly +motioned the reporter to be seated, and the long-expected interview was +about to take place, when Nicolini suddenly returned and commenced +ringing the electric bells. In an instant all was<a name="page_048" id="page_048"></a> confusion. Valets +rushed hither and thither, Nicolini declaring in the choicest Italian +that he had discovered a small draught coming through a ventilator; and +it was not until this had been closed and his adored madame had been +wrapped in shawls that the interview could proceed.</p> + +<p>Patti had evidently been interviewed before, for she took the lead in +the conversation from the start. Her first inquiry was about the weather +in California, of which she had heard. She asked whether it was warm and +sunny like her native Spain. She said she was tired of ice and snow, of +Colorado and Montana, and that she was very pleased at being able to +reach San Francisco. At the conclusion of the interview the reporter +left the room, went to the end of the train, and dropped a small parcel +overboard on passing one of the signal boxes. I afterwards learned that +it contained a page of matter which we found in print on our arrival at +San Francisco. He had given a detailed report of all that had occurred +in the train.</p> + +<p>In due course we reached San Francisco, where my agent informed me that +the engagement was going to be a great success, two-thirds of the +tickets having been sold for the entire season.</p> + +<p>On our arriving at Oakland, opposite San Francisco, the morning papers +were eagerly purchased, and the announcements scanned by Signor Nicolini +and Patti, both of whom expressed amazement at having been brought some +3,000 miles to do<a name="page_049" id="page_049"></a> nothing. In fact, I myself felt rather for the moment +nonplussed. I nevertheless immediately took the matter up, whispering to +Nicolini to be quiet, and to tell Mdme. Patti to be quiet, as I had +prepared a scheme which I thought she would be pleased with.</p> + +<p>I then set to work to think what could be done. On reaching my hotel, it +being Sunday, of course no printing could be attempted. I, therefore, +inserted an advertisement in the paper for the following morning +notifying that, profiting by Mdme. Patti's and Signor Nicolini's +presence on a voyage of pleasure to the Far West, I had persuaded them +to give a performance. I had selected the ensuing Thursday—the only +blank night I had. At the same time, in justice to those who had +subscribed so liberally for the season, I notified that the original +subscribers should have the first choice of the Patti tickets in +priority to the general public, with a discount of 10 per cent. besides. +This contented them, and, in fact, augmented still further the +subscription for the whole season, many joining in simply for the chance +of being able to obtain a ticket for Patti.</p> + +<p>When this arrangement had been carried out I met Messrs. Sherman and +Clay, the well-known music sellers, and begged them kindly to dispose of +the few remaining tickets at their shop, on the following Tuesday, so as +not to have any confusion with my regular box-office lettings at the +theatre.<a name="page_050" id="page_050"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot3"><p class="hang">THE PATTI EPIDEMIC—GERSTER FURORE—TICKETS 400% PREMIUM—MY +ARREST—CAPTURE OF "SCALPERS"—OPERA TICKET AUCTION—DEATH OF MY FIRST +"BASSO."</p></div> + +<p class="nind">O<small>NE</small> of the most extraordinary spectacles ever witnessed in San Francisco +was that which presented itself on the evening of our arrival as soon as +it got buzzed about that some Patti tickets were to be sold the +following Tuesday at Sherman and Clay's.</p> + +<p>Shortly after ten o'clock that night the first young man took up his +position, and was soon joined by another and another. Then came ladies, +until shortly after midnight the line extended as far as the district +telegraph office. Some brought chairs, and seated themselves with a pipe +or a cigar, prepared for a prolonged siege. Others had solid as well as +liquid solace in their pockets to pass away the hours. Telegraph boys +were numerous. So were many other shrewd young men who were ready the +following morning to sell their places in line to<a name="page_051" id="page_051"></a> the highest bidder; a +position in line costing as much as £2 when within thirty from the door +of the office in which the tickets were to be disposed of.</p> + +<p>The Adelina Patti epidemic gradually disseminated itself from the moment +of her arrival, and began to rage throughout the city from early the +following morning.</p> + +<p>Many ladies joined the line during the night, and had to take equal +chances with the men. Towards morning bargains for good positions in the +line reached as high as £4, a sum which was actually paid by one person +for permission to take another person's place. Numbers of those in the +van of the procession were there solely for the purpose of selling their +positions.</p> + +<p>The next morning I rose early and took a stroll to admire the city. I +observed a vast crowd down Montgomery Street. In fact, the passage +within hundreds of yards was impassable, vehicles, omnibuses, etc., all +being at a standstill. On inquiring the reason of this commotion I was +informed by a policeman that they were trying to buy Patti tickets, +which Messrs. Sherman and Clay had for disposal.</p> + +<p>On forcing my way gradually down the street and approaching Sherman and +Clay's establishment, I saw, to my great astonishment, that there was +not a single pane of glass in any of the windows, whilst the tops of the +best pianos and harmoniums were occupied by dozens of people standing +upon them in<a name="page_052" id="page_052"></a> their nailed boots, all clamouring for Patti tickets. +Messrs. Sherman and Clay solicited me earnestly either to remove Patti +from the town, or, at least, not to entrust them with the sale of any +more tickets, the crowd having done over £600 of damage to their stock.</p> + +<p>I had no further difficulty at the moment with Gerster, who believed +Patti was going to sing but one night. Besides, the sale of tickets had +been very great on her account before Patti's presence in the city had +become known.</p> + +<p>About eight o'clock that evening a serenade was tendered to Patti by a +large orchestra under Professor Wetterman; the court-yard of the Palace +Hotel where she was staying being brilliantly illuminated. The six tiers +of magnificent galleries surrounding it were crowded with visitors and +illuminated <i>a giorno</i>. As soon as the first strains of the music were +heard Mdme. Patti came from her room with a circle of friends, and was +an attentive listener. After remaining some time she deputed Signor +Arditi to congratulate the orchestra on their brilliant performance, the +favourite conductor receiving quite an ovation as he delivered the +message.</p> + +<p>The preparations at the Grand Opera were most elaborate, and the +decorations particularly so. The theatre and passages had been +repapered, flags festooned, and in the centre facing the main door was a +huge crystal fountain, having ten smaller jets<a name="page_053" id="page_053"></a> throwing streams of eau +de Cologne into glass basins hung with crystal pendants. All over the +vestibule were the rarest tree orchids, violets in blossom and roses in +full bloom; while the corner of the vestibule was draped with the flags +of every nation, among which England, America, Italy, and Hungary +predominated.</p> + +<p>On the opening night the Grand Opera-house presented a spectacle of +magnificence which I may say without exaggeration can never have been +surpassed in any city. The auditorium was quite dazzling with a +bewildering mass of laces, jewels, and fair faces. Every available place +was taken. Outside in the street there must have been thousands of +people all clamouring for tickets, whilst the broad steps of the church +opposite were occupied by persons anxious to catch a glimpse of the +toilettes of the ladies as they sprang out of their carriages into the +vestibule.</p> + +<p>The season opened with <i>Lucia di Lammermoor</i>, in which Mdme. Etelka +Gerster appeared as the ill-fated heroine. I will not go into details of +the performance, further than to say that the stage was loaded after +every act with the most gorgeous set pieces of flowers, several being so +cumbersome that they had to be left on the stage at the sides in sight +of the audience during the remainder of the opera. The next evening was +devoted to rest after the long and fatiguing journey that we had all +undergone, Mdme. Gerster remaining in her apartments<a name="page_054" id="page_054"></a> to prepare for her +second appearance the following night.</p> + +<p>The next evening was devoted to a performance of <i>L'Elisir d'Amore</i>, +when Mdme. Gerster drew another 10,000 dollar house—the floral +picturesqueness of the auditorium of the previous Monday being repeated.</p> + +<p>Mdme. Patti was now to appear as "La Traviata." On the day of the +performance it took the whole of the police force to protect the theatre +from the overwhelming crowds pressing for tickets, although it had been +announced that no more were to be had. Long before daylight the would-be +purchasers of Patti tickets had collected and formed into line, reaching +the length of some three or four streets; and from this time until the +close of the engagement, some four weeks afterwards, that line was never +broken at any period of the day or night. A brisk trade was done in the +hiring of camp stools, for which the modest sum of 4s. was charged. A +similar amount was levied for a cup of coffee or a slice of bread and +butter. As the line got hungry dinners were served, also suppers. High +prices were paid to obtain a place in the line, as the head of it +approached the box-office; resulting only in disappointment to the +intending buyer, who was, of course, unable to procure a ticket. Large +squads of police were on duty the whole time, and they were busily +employed in keeping the line in its place, and in defeating outsiders in +their attempts<a name="page_055" id="page_055"></a> to make a gap in it. Later on it was announced that a +limited number of gallery tickets would be sold, when a rush was made, +carrying away the whole of the windows, glass, statuary, plants, etc.</p> + +<p>Ticket speculators were now offering seats at from £4 to £10 each, +places in the fifth row of the dress circle fetching as much as £4, +being 400 per cent. above the box-office price. They found buyers at +rates which would have shamed Shylock. Later in the day fulminations +were launched upon my head, and I was accused of taking part in the +plunder. I therefore determined, as far as possible, to set this right.</p> + +<p>At length evening approached, and hundreds of tickets had been sold for +standing room only.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Chief Crowley and Captain Short of the police, on seeing the +aisles leading to the orchestra stalls and dress-circle blocked by the +vast crowd, many of whom were seated on camp-stools which they had +secretly brought with them, procured a warrant for my arrest the +following morning. Several hot disputes occurred about this time in the +main vestibule in consequence of numbers of duplicate tickets having +been issued; and several seatholders were unable to reach their places. +One gentleman challenged another to come and fight it out on the side +walk with revolvers.</p> + +<p>To describe the appearance of the house would be impossible. The +toilettes of the ladies were charming. Many were in white, and nearly +all were sparkling<a name="page_056" id="page_056"></a> with diamonds. In the top gallery people were +literally on the heads of one another, and on sending up to ascertain +the cause, as the numbers were still increasing, the inspector +ascertained that boards had been placed from the top of an adjoining +house on to the roof of the Opera-house, from which the slates had been +taken off; and numbers were dropping one by one through the ceiling on +to the heads of those who were seated in the gallery.</p> + +<p>Patti, of course, was smothered with bouquets, and the Italian residents +of the city sent a huge globe of violets, supported on two ladders, with +the Italian and American flags hanging over each side. At the end of +each act huge stands and forms of flowers were sent up over the +footlights and placed on the stage. To name the fashionable people in +the audience would be to go over the invitation lists of the balls given +in the very best houses in the city. It would be useless to describe a +performance of <i>la Diva</i>, with which everyone is already familiar. +Galassi, the baritone, made a great success; and in the gambling scene +an elegant ballet was introduced, led by little Mdlle. Bettina de +Sortis. Chief Crowley reported that it would require 200 extra police to +keep order the next day. On going through the tickets in the treasury, +we discovered upwards of 200 bogus ones taken at the door. These +counterfeits were so good, even to the shade of colour, that it was +almost impossible to detect the difference from the real ones; the +public having<a name="page_057" id="page_057"></a> smashed into the opera as if shot from howitzers. Several +ladies declared that their feet had never even touched the ground from +the time they got out of their carriages; and it was with difficulty +that the tickets were snatched from them as they passed. Many who had +paid for standing room brought little camp stools concealed under their +clothes, and afterwards opened them out, placing them in the main +passage ways. Had any panic occurred, or any alarm of fire, many lives +must have been sacrificed.</p> + +<p>Of course the blame for all this was put upon me. The next day there +were low mutterings of discontent all over the city against my +management, whilst the newspapers were unanimous in attacking me, some +of their articles being headed "The Opera Swindle."</p> + +<p>The following day I was arrested at half-past two o'clock by Detective +Bowen, on a sworn warrant from Captain Short, for violating Section 49 +of the Fire Ordinance of the city and county, in allowing the passage +ways to be blocked up by the use of camp stools and overcrowding, the +penalty for such violation being a fine of not less than 500 dollars, +together with imprisonment for not less than six months.</p> + +<p>In obedience to the warrant issued, I entered the police court the next +day, accompanied by General W. H. L. Barnes, the eminent counsel who had +charge of the famous Sharon case, and Judge Oliver P.<a name="page_058" id="page_058"></a> Evans. On Barnes +asking to see the order for arrest he found that I was described as +"John Doe Mapleson," the explanation being that my Christian name was +unknown. I was charged with a misdemeanour in violating the ordinance of +the fire department, which declares that it is unlawful to obstruct the +passage-ways or aisles of theatres during a performance. After some +consultation a bond was drawn up in due form of law, General Barnes and +Judge Evans being my bondsmen.</p> + +<p>A meeting was afterwards held in the court, when the licensing collector +suggested that for the protection of the public, ticket pedlars on the +pavement should be made to take out a licence at an extra charge of 100 +dollars each.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding this enormous tax, more licences were issued that +afternoon at the increased rate.</p> + +<p>At the next <i>matinée</i> Mdme. Gerster appeared in <i>La Sonnambula</i>, when +the house was again crowded.</p> + +<p>I now announced a second performance by Mdme. Patti, for the following +Tuesday, in <i>Il Trovatore</i>, stating that the box-office would open for +the sale of any surplus tickets on the following Monday at 10. Early on +the morning of the sale, the line, formed between four and five o'clock +in the morning, was gradually increased by new comers, all anxious to +secure tickets; and by 10 o'clock, without exaggeration, it had swelled +to thousands.</p> + +<p>I herewith quote the following spirited and characteristic description +of the scene from the <i>Morning Call</i> of March 15th, 1884:—<a name="page_059" id="page_059"></a></p> + +<p>"To one who has stood on Mission Street, opposite the Grand Opera-house, +yesterday forenoon, and 'viewed the battle from afar,' as it might be +said, it seemed that a large number of people had run completely mad +over the desire to hear Patti sing. Such an excited, turbulent, and, in +fact, desperate crowd never massed in front of a theatre for the purpose +of purchasing tickets. It absolutely fought for tickets, and it is +questionable whether, if it had been an actual riot by a fierce and +determined mob, the scene could have been more exciting or the wreck of +the entrance of the theatre more complete. After the throng had melted +away the approaches to the box-office looked as if they had been visited +by a first-class Kansas cyclone in one of its worst moods. The fact that +tickets were on sale for several performances had much to do with it. It +was a sort of clean-up for last evening and to-day's <i>matinée</i>, but +above all for the Patti night on Tuesday. A line began to form as early +as five o'clock in the morning, and it grew and multiplied until at ten +o'clock it had turned the corner on Third Street, while the main +entrance was packed solid with a writhing and twisting mass of humanity, +which pressed close to the glass doors which form the first barrier, and +which were guarded by a lone policeman. He did his best to reduce the +pressure upon himself and upon the doors, but as the time passed and the +box-office did not open the crowd became more noisy and unmanageable, +and finally an<a name="page_060" id="page_060"></a> irresistible rush was made for the doors. They did not +resist an instant, and gave way as though they had been made of paper. +In the fierce tumult which followed the glass was all broken out of +them, a boy being hurled bodily through one of the panes, with a most +painful result to him, for he fell cut and bruised inside. There was not +an inch of available space between the street and the main entrance that +was not occupied by men, women, or children, indiscriminately huddled in +together. The potted plants were overturned and annihilated under the +feet of the throng; the glass in the large pictures which adorned the +walls was broken, and the pictures themselves dragged to the floor. The +box-office was besieged by a solidly-packed and howling mob, the regular +line entirely overwhelmed, and a grand struggle ensued to get as near +the box-office—which had not been opened—as possible. Then the crowd +itself essayed to get into some sort of order.</p> + +<p>"The more powerful forced themselves to the front and started a new line +without any regard for those who had been first in position before the +barriers were overthrown. It twisted itself about the lobby, forming +curves and angles that would have made the typical snake retire into +obscurity for very envy. This line was pressed upon from all sides by +unfortunates who had been left out of the original formation of it. The +air was thick and sultry, the crowd perspired and blasphemed, and the +storming of the box-office became imminent. Just<a name="page_061" id="page_061"></a> at this juncture +Captain Short arrived with a large squad of police, and under the +influence of a copious display of suggestive-looking locusts [the +truncheons of the American police are made of locust wood] the crowd +sullenly fell back and formed a somewhat orderly line. A line of +season-ticket holders was also formed to purchase tickets for the next +Patti night, and these were admitted through the inner door and served +from the manager's office. In addition the crowd was notified that no +Patti tickets would be sold from the box-office, but that all must go +inside. This produced a yell of anger and turned bedlam loose again, as +it broke up the line. But the police made a grand charge and forced +hundreds outside, against the indignant protests of many who claimed +that they had been in the regular line all the forenoon, only to be +deprived of their rights by the police. The sale which followed seems to +have given more satisfaction than that for the first Patti night."</p> + +<p>Prior to the opening of the sale I discovered that some thirty +speculators had somehow got to the inside barrier close to the office +before the <i>bonâ fide</i> public, who had been waiting outside so long. I +found that they had broken a window on the stage; afterwards clambering +up and passing through the lobby of the theatre to the inner barrier, +before the outer doors had been opened. I then saw that they intended to +secure the whole of the tickets offered for sale. I therefore, in +passing<a name="page_062" id="page_062"></a> a second time, quietly nudged one of them, winked suggestively, +and pointed to the upper circle ticket office; leading the willing dupes +who followed me through a door in the main wall to an inner office. No +sooner had the last one gone through than I had the door locked. I thus +"corralled" between 25 and 30 of these speculative gentry, and kept them +for over two hours, during which time the tickets were disposed of. This +cleared my character with the general body of the public, who at once +saw that I was in no league whatever with the speculators, or they would +have turned King's evidence after my treatment of them.</p> + +<p>While I was performing this manœuvre, the rush and jamb in the main +vestibule became so great that the police officers were obliged to draw +their clubs to maintain order.</p> + +<p>On that evening we performed the opera <i>Puritani</i>, in which Mdme. +Gerster again sang, to the delight of the numerous audience. About this +time I discovered that the head usher had been in the habit of secreting +a lot of stools and hiring them out to those who were standing at an +extra charge of 12s. apiece. I at once sent for Captain Short, the +esteemed Chief of Police, who said to the usher—</p> + +<p>"Have the kindness to ask that lady to get up and take that stool away."</p> + +<p>"All right," said the usher. "Please hand me that stool, madam."</p> + +<p>The lady responded—<a name="page_063" id="page_063"></a></p> + +<p>"But you made me pay 12s. for it; at all events, return me my money."</p> + +<p>The Captain said—</p> + +<p>"Give the lady back her 12s."</p> + +<p>The answer was—</p> + +<p>"We never return fees."</p> + +<p>The Captain then gave instructions for one of his officers to take the +usher off to the Southern Station and lock him up on a charge of +misdemeanour.</p> + +<p>The following morning I was again notified to attend the Police Court. +My counsel, General Barnes, pleaded for a postponement for one week, on +the ground that he was busily engaged in the Sharon case. To this the +prosecuting attorney objected, saying that the outraged public demanded +the speedy settlement of Mapleson, and the case was therefore set for +the following morning.</p> + +<p>When the case was called I was not present, being unavoidably detained +at the bedside of one of my bass singers, who had suddenly died of +pulmonary apoplexy. The deceased, Signor Lombardelli, was a great +favourite in the Company.</p> + +<p>General Barnes, however, appeared, demanding a postponement of the case, +and intimating that a trial by jury would be demanded.</p> + +<p>"If this should be conceded the case will go over until next May or +June," replied the Clerk of the Court, "by which time the accused will +be in Europe."</p> + +<p>He therefore protested against the postponement.<a name="page_064" id="page_064"></a> The Judge said sternly +that it would not be granted, and the case was therefore set for the +morrow.</p> + +<p>On the following morning I came up to the Police Court, which was +crowded. Police Captain Short was first called for the prosecution, and +testified that the Opera-house was a place of amusement, but that it had +been turned into a place of danger every evening since I had been there. +Stools and standing spectators were in the main passages, and in case of +a panic the consequences would have been most disastrous. Officer +O'Connell testified that on the particular night in question there were +57 people standing in one little passage-way having about a dozen small +folding stools amongst them. I was then placed on the witness stand, +when I stated that I was the manager of the Opera Company, but not of +the theatre. I had simply control of the stage, whilst the manager was +responsible for the auditorium, and had provided me with the delinquent +ushers. The box book-keeper was afterwards placed on the stand, who +swore that I had ordered him to sell one-fifth less tickets than the +manager had stated the house would hold. The defence only desired to +make out the point that I was not the responsible manager. The Judge, +however, decided otherwise, and found me guilty.</p> + +<p>I was to appear the following morning to hear sentence. A heavy fine was +imposed. But it was ultimately reduced to 75 dollars, which the Judge,<a name="page_065" id="page_065"></a> +evidently a lover of music, consented to take out in opera tickets.</p> + +<p>That evening Patti appeared as "Leonora" in <i>Il Trovatore</i>. Standing +room on the church steps opposite the main entrance to the theatre was +again at a great premium, and a force of policemen under Captain Short +was early on duty keeping the vestibule clear of loiterers, and allowing +none but those who intended to witness the opera to be present.</p> + +<p>I will not go into details of the performances either of Signor Nicolini +as "Manrico," or of Patti as "Leonora." The representation was one +unbroken triumph, and, as usual, the stage was piled up with set pieces +and flowers.</p> + +<p>About this time a report was brought to me as to the examination I had +caused to be made of the bogus tickets, which could only be recognized +after being soaked in water, when it appeared that the real ones +consisted of three plies of cardboard and the bogus ones only of two.</p> + +<p>But even after all this explanation, so disappointed and indignant were +those who held the bogus tickets that they insisted, not only upon their +money being returned, of which I had never received a penny, but also on +their travelling and hotel expenses being repaid them. Many had come +hundreds of miles in order to visit the opera.</p> + +<p>Having arranged to give a concert on the following Thursday at the +Pavilion, a large building capable of holding some 8,000 or 9,000 +people, and<a name="page_066" id="page_066"></a> in order to prevent a recurrence of the scenes I had just +encountered and the daily trouble experienced throughout this +engagement, I resolved to put up the choice of seats to auction.</p> + +<p>The auction took place in the Grand Opera-house, and was attended by +over 500 people, who had first to procure tickets of admission to attend +the sale. A huge diagram was placed on the drop curtain, showing the +seats that were to be sold divided into blocks. The auctioneer, who +occupied the conductor's desk, explained that the whole of the seats +would be placed on sale to the public and that none would be withheld, +the bidders merely to name the premiums they wished to give for the +privilege of purchasing the tickets. The first bidder gave 12s. premium +per seat for the first choice of six seats for the concert, and other +sums varied from 10s. down to 2s. 6d., the premiums alone reaching some +£1,000, in addition to the sale of tickets.</p> + +<p>This plan gave great satisfaction to the public, as whatever advance +they then paid on the ticket went into the manager's pocket instead of +the speculators'.</p> + +<p>When the great concert took place the vast building was nearly full. +Nine thousand persons had paid from one to five dollars each. The rain +meanwhile was coming down in sheets, and several speculators who had +obtained large numbers of tickets were now left out in the cold—and in +the rain—with their purchases. Inside, at the back of<a name="page_067" id="page_067"></a> the gallery, a +brisk business was done in telescopes, for such was here the distance +from Patti that, though her voice could be clearly heard, her features +could not be seen.</p> + +<p>A subscription was now started for the benefit of the widow of the late +basso, Signor Lombardelli. Patti had contributed 150 dollars, when +Gerster, to show that she was a greater artist, gave 1,000. I +contributed 600; Galassi, Arditi, and the others 100 dollars each.</p> + +<p>The following morning Lombardelli's funeral took place, which caused a +great stir in the city. There was a full choral service; the orchestra +and the whole Opera Company taking part in it, including the principal +artists. Not only was San Francisco in full <i>fête</i> at this extraordinary +funeral, but numbers of the Chinese came down from their city (called +"Chinatown") in order to be present.</p> + +<p>That evening a great reception was given by the San Francisco Verein in +honour of Mdme. Gerster. The guests commenced to arrive early, and the +entertainment was carried on till midnight. It is to be noted that the +night for the compliment to Gerster was that of the Patti concert at the +Pavilion.</p> + +<p>On the following evening Gerster appeared as "Margherita" in <i>Faust</i>, +the house being again crowded from floor to ceiling. That same night +Patti's admirers gave a grand ball in her honour at the Margherita Club, +for which 500 invitations were<a name="page_068" id="page_068"></a> issued. An immense floral bower had been +constructed for the occasion, the sides of the room being beds of choice +flowers and roses in full bloom, while four enormous horse-shoes, all of +flowers, adorned each corner of the room. Suspended from the roof was a +great star with the word "Patti" in electric incandescent burners.</p> + +<p>The Italian Consul, the Russian Consul, and several officers from the +Russian flagship then in San Francisco Bay were present. The Queen of +Song was escorted into the ballroom by Count Brichanteau, the band +playing the "Patti Valse," composed expressly for the occasion by +Arditi. A formal reception was afterwards held by the members of the +Club; and later on a gorgeous supper was served in the Pavilion, which +had been specially erected, decorated with large Italian and Union +flags. Dancing was kept up until an early hour the following morning.</p> + +<p>While the rivalry between Patti and Gerster was at its height it was +made known that General Crittenden, Governor of Missouri, had given +Patti a kiss. Thereupon Mdme. Patti was interviewed, when she spoke as +follows:—</p> + +<p>"I had just finished singing 'Home, Sweet Home' last Thursday evening, +when a nice-looking old gentleman, who introduced himself as Governor +Crittenden, began congratulating me. All of a sudden he leaned down, put +his arms around me, drew me up to him, and kissed me. He said,<a name="page_069" id="page_069"></a> 'Madame +Patti, I may never see you again, but I cannot help it;' and before I +knew it he was kissing me. When a gentleman, and such a nice old +gentleman, too, and a Governor of a great State, kisses one so quick +that one has not time to see and no time to object, what can one do?"</p> + +<p>The following dialogue on the subject between Mdme. Gerster and a +reporter who had interviewed her was afterwards published:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot2"> +<p class="c">"T<small>HAT</small> P<small>ATTI</small> K<small>ISS</small>."</p> + +<p>M<small>ODEST</small> R<small>EPORTER:</small> "I suppose, Mdme. Gerster, you have heard about that +kissing affair between Governor Crittenden and Patti?"</p> + +<p>Mdme. G<small>ERSTER</small>: "I have heard that Governor Crittenden kissed Patti +before she had time to resist; but I don't see anything in that to +create so much fuss."</p> + +<p>R<small>EPORTER</small> (interrogatively): "You don't?"</p> + +<p>G<small>ERSTER</small>: "Certainly not! There is nothing wrong in a man kissing a woman +old enough to be his mother."<a name="page_070" id="page_070"></a></p> +</div> + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot3"><p class="hang">LUNCHEON ON H.M.S. "TRIUMPH"—OPERA AUCTION—CONCERT AT MORMON +TABERNACLE—RETURN TO NEW YORK—RETURN TO EUROPE—SHERIFFS IN THE +ACADEMY—I DEPART IN PEACE.</p></div> + +<p class="nind">I <small>NOW</small> received an invitation from the Admiral commanding Her Britannic +Majesty's Pacific Squadron, whose flag-ship, the <i>Triumph</i>, had entered +the bay. Several of my leading artists were also invited. The steam +pinnace was sent on shore to take us on board. After visiting the ship +and receiving all possible courtesies from the officers, we entered the +grand saloon, in which an elegant <i>déjeuner</i> had been prepared, +comprising all the delicacies of the season. We had scarcely begun our +repast when an ominous whisper was passed by one of the officers to the +captain of the ship to the effect that most of the band had deserted to +go and play for Mapleson, who had offered them £12 a week each, and it +was therefore impossible that any music could be given<a name="page_071" id="page_071"></a> during the +luncheon. Not even "God Save the Queen" could be played. The captain, in +lieu of communicating this to the admiral, informed me of it privately. +I thereupon expressed my surprise, as I had heard nothing about it, and +I further gave my word that I would never permit one of the musicians +who had deserted to take part in any performance at my theatre.</p> + +<p>With this the captain was satisfied. It was rather hard lines to see the +men on shore who had deserted the ship, and yet be unable to send a +boat's crew to bring them back, after the many months of labour that had +been spent in instructing them.</p> + +<p>As the opera business kept on increasing, I determined to give an extra +week in San Francisco, and to put up the privilege of purchasing seats +to auction. Considerable doubt was felt, however, as to the probable +result of this venture, and many declared that their purses and patience +had been so thoroughly exhausted by the enormous drain of the past two +weeks that I had but slender chance of continued patronage for so +high-priced an entertainment.</p> + +<p>I will, however, describe the sale. At twelve a.m. I opened the doors of +the theatre, admission tickets being required to admit the purchasers, +so as to keep out the rougher element, as well as the "scalpers." The +auctioneer notified that the choice of every single seat in the house +would be offered on sale. Upon the drop curtain were colossal<a name="page_072" id="page_072"></a> diagrams +of the different portions of the house, and as fast as each seat was +sold it was erased by the auctioneer's assistant, who was in the +orchestra with a fishing rod and black paint, with which he crossed off +from the diagram each seat as it was sold.</p> + +<p>The bids made were for choice of seat and were in addition to the +regular price of the tickets.</p> + +<p>The arrangements were most satisfactory. I had no representative present +to guard my interests, but left all to the auctioneer and the public. +The proscenium boxes reached 240 dollars premium for the five nights, on +three of which I guaranteed that Gerster would sing, whilst Patti would +sing on the other two.</p> + +<p>Boxes were sold all round the house at an average of 120 dollars +premium, each purchaser calling out from the auditorium the seat he +would prefer, which was accordingly marked off, and a ticket handed to +him by which he could obtain the seat selected on payment at the box +office. Numbers of speculators somehow or another got mixed up with the +public, and thus obtained sundry tickets. The premiums for the five +nights reached £3,000.</p> + +<p>Nothing but standing room and the gallery was left for the paying +public. Notwithstanding this, the line I have already told the reader of +still existed, and was as long as ever. This I could not account for, +and on inquiry I found that numbers who had placed themselves in line +never intended<a name="page_073" id="page_073"></a> purchasing tickets, but waited there only for the +purpose of selling their places. An order was thereupon issued by the +police calling upon those nearest the office to produce their money to +show that they were <i>bonâ-fide</i> purchasers. Those who could not do so +were immediately removed. This difficulty, however, was met by some +enterprising Jews, who lent out money for the day, simply that it might +be shown to the police.</p> + +<p>Friday was selected for the benefit and farewell of Gerster in <i>L'Elisir +d'Amore</i>. Patti had chosen for her benefit <i>La Traviata</i>; which, +however, was changed at the request of some 500 people, who signed a +petition requesting me to substitute <i>Crispino</i>.</p> + +<p>Whilst occupied one morning in my room on the fourth story at the Palace +Hotel, counting with my treasurers several thousands of pounds, the +atmosphere suddenly became dark. A sort of wind was blowing round the +apartment, and my senses seemed to be leaving me. I could not make out +what it was. The Hotel rocked three inches one way and then three inches +another; the plates and knives and forks jumping off on to the floor, +whilst my money was rolling in all parts of the room. I made a rush for +the door, and then for the street, realizing now that there was an +earthquake. Although it lasted but ten seconds the time appeared at +least half an hour. On leaving the hotel I met the landlord.<a name="page_074" id="page_074"></a></p> + +<p>"Don't be frightened," he said.</p> + +<p>"Well, but I am."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! My hotel is earthquake-proof as well as fire-proof," he said, +handing me a card, on which I found this inscribed: "<i>The Palace Hotel. +Fire-proof and earthquake-proof.</i>"</p> + +<p>He afterwards explained to me that everything employed in the +construction of the building was either wood or iron, no plaster or +stone being used. Indeed, although this hotel is six stories high, with +open corridors looking into the main courtyard the length of the entire +building, it is wound round the exterior with no less than four miles of +malleable iron bands. The proprietor, Mr. Sharon, said it might move +into another street, but could not fall down.</p> + +<p>To such an extent had Patti's superstitious feeling with regard to +Gerster been developed that she at once ascribed the earthquake to +Gerster's evil influence. It was not merely a malicious idea of hers, +but a serious belief.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile money was no consideration to those amateurs who had it. +Tickets were gold. They were seized with avidity apart from any question +about price. Hundreds were content to wait throughout the night, with +money in their hands, to ensure the possession of even standing room, +whilst thousands who, in their impecuniosity, could not hope to cross +the threshold of the musical Valhalla, where Patti and Gerster were the +divinities presiding, thronged<a name="page_075" id="page_075"></a> the side walks, and gazed longingly at +the dumb walls of the theatre, and the crowd of idolaters pouring in to +worship.</p> + +<p>At eight o'clock a.m. a second line of enthusiasts began to occupy the +centre of the road leading to the Grand Opera, although the doors were +not to be thrown open until six hours afterwards. A line was formed down +Mission and Third Street, extending almost to Market Street. Ticket +speculators passed up and down the line, and did a brisk business, +tickets in some instances reaching £20 apiece.</p> + +<p>Captain Short again arrived with 60 extra policemen, but he was pushed +out with all his men, the crowd quite overpowering them. The 17 nights' +performances produced £40,000. The receipts of the first Patti night did +not fall far short of £5,000.</p> + +<p>On the morning of our departure from San Francisco four young men were +arrested, charged with the wholesale forgery of opera tickets. They had +issued 60 bogus tickets for the opening night alone, and this caused all +the confusion and wrangling. They were proved to have made a purchase of +printer's ink, and to have bought one Patti ticket as a model, from +which they had copied the remainder. They were duly convicted.</p> + +<p>We left San Francisco late that evening, being accompanied by Mr. de +Young, the proprietor of the leading newspaper, and his charming wife, +and we arrived in due course at Salt Lake City on Tuesday evening, where +Mdme. Patti dressed in her own railway<a name="page_076" id="page_076"></a> car, which afterwards conveyed +her to the concert. At the end of the concert she returned to the car, +where a magnificent supper had been prepared for her, and the train then +started for the East.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the Mormons had been enthusiastic at the idea of their +magnificent Tabernacle echoing with the tones of Adelina Patti. +President Taylor, the Prophet of the Mormon Church, assisted in the +preparations made to receive the great songstress. A special line of +railway had been laid down from the regular main line of Salt Lake City +to the Tabernacle, and on it the special train ran without a hitch up to +the very door of the building. Upwards of 14,000 people were present, +the event being considered one of extraordinary importance throughout +the whole of Utah territory; and the proceeds amounted to nearly £5,000.</p> + +<p>We left Salt Lake city after the concert about 1 a.m., and reached Omaha +on the following Friday, when Mdme. Gerster appeared as "Lucia di +Lammermoor." The train consisted as usual of four baggage cars, four +coaches for the principals, four coaches for the chorus and orchestra, +four sleeping cars, including the extra boudoir cars, <i>La Traviata</i>, <i>La +Sonnambula</i>, and <i>Semiramide</i>, also the <i>Lycoming</i>, my own private car, +followed by the car of Adelina Patti. The inhabitants were struck by the +elegant style and finish of our equipment, and as the train rolled into +the station curious crowds came to look<a name="page_077" id="page_077"></a> at it, and also to catch a +glimpse of the two leading stars, Adelina Patti and Etelka Gerster.</p> + +<p>Several artists who had to perform that evening left for the town. Mdme. +Patti went for a drive with Nicolini. During her absence a limited +number of notabilities were allowed to inspect her car, which had cost +£12,000. It was without doubt the most superb and tasteful coach on +wheels anywhere in the world. The curtains were of heavy silk damask, +the walls and ceilings covered with gilded tapestry, the lamps of rolled +gold, the furniture throughout upholstered with silk damask of the most +beautiful material. The drawing-room was of white and gold, and the +ceiling displayed several figures painted by Parisian artists of +eminence. The woodwork was sandal wood, of which likewise was the casing +of a magnificent Steinway piano, which alone had cost 2,000 dollars. +There were several panel oil paintings in the drawing-room, the work of +Italian artists. The bath, which was fitted for hot and cold water, was +made of solid silver. The key of the outer door was of 18-carat gold.</p> + +<p>On Patti's being interviewed she spoke with unbounded enthusiasm of her +trip to California, and expressed at the same time a wish to sing in +Omaha the following year. One of the most constant companions of the +<i>Diva</i> is the famous, world-renowned parrot, which has mastered several +words and sentences in French and English. On Patti<a name="page_078" id="page_078"></a> whistling a +particular tune, the bird imitates her exactly. The reporter wished for +its biography, and asked whether it was true that whenever Mapleson +entered the car the bird cried out: "Cash, cash!" The parrot had really +acquired this disagreeable habit.</p> + +<p>That evening Mdme. Patti attended the opera, and received a perfect +ovation. At the close of the performance the whole Company started for +Chicago, which we reached the following Sunday, when I received +telegraphic news of the sad state Cincinnati was in. The riots had +assumed terrible proportions, the streets were full of barricades, the +gaol had been burned down by petroleum, and the prisoners released from +it; whilst absolute fighting was taking place in the streets, and +numbers had been killed or wounded.</p> + +<p>According to the pictures sent me in an illustrated paper, the militia +were firing upon the populace; the Court House had been destroyed by +fire, as well as the gaol; and the struggle had already been on for over +three days. I therefore telegraphed at once to Fennessy, at Cincinnati, +the impossibility of my coming there, the singers one and all objecting +to move.</p> + +<p>To my great regret I was obliged to cancel my Cincinnati engagement, and +we started our train in the direction of New York. On the succeeding +Monday we opened the season, during which we produced <i>Romeo and +Juliet</i>, with Patti and Nicolini,<a name="page_079" id="page_079"></a> and gave performances of <i>Elisir +d'Amore</i>, followed by <i>Semiramide</i>, in which I was glad to be able to +reinstate Scalchi as "Arsace." She having been thrown out of her +engagement by the collapse of Mr. Abbey, I readily re-engaged her, not +only for that year, but also for the year following.</p> + +<p>Mdme. Patti afterwards sailed for Europe, leaving by the <i>Oregon</i>, which +was to start early on the Saturday morning. She decided to go on board +the day previously, but as it was Friday she drove about the city until +the clock struck twelve before she would embark. The following day I +shipped off the remainder of my Company.</p> + +<p>I myself was compelled to remain behind in consequence of a deal of +trouble which was then gathering, and which began by the attachment of +the whole of the Patti benefit receipts at the suit of the Bank of the +Metropolis. This bank had discounted a joint note of guarantee which the +stockholders of the Academy of Music had given me early in the season to +enable me to defeat the rival house, which I succeeded in doing.</p> + +<p>My losses during the New York season having exceeded £1,200 a week, I +was compelled to draw the maximum amount authorized. Nothing at the time +was said about my repaying any portion of the money, although I felt +morally bound, in case of success, to do so. The stockholders had really +acted for the preservation of their own property, my own means having +been already swamped in<a name="page_080" id="page_080"></a> the undertaking. I worked as economically as I +possibly could to achieve the purpose for which their assistance had +been given; and, in fact, drew some £800 less than I was entitled to. +Judge, therefore, of my surprise when I learned of their harsh course of +proceedings, beginning with what appeared to be the repudiation of their +own signatures.</p> + +<p>The Secretary having requested my attendance before the Directors, it +had been hinted to me by friends that I was to be invited to a banquet +at Delmonico's in recognition of the energy and skill with which, +through unheard-of difficulties, I had at last conducted my season to a +successful issue. All, however, that the Secretary had to say to me was +that unless I immediately took up my guarantors' joint note seizure +would be made on the whole of my worldly belongings.</p> + +<p>Just at this time most advantageous offers were made to me from the +rival Opera-house, then without a manager. But as I still had an +agreement with the Academy, I did not enter into the negotiation, +explaining my inability to do so, and at the same time relying fully on +the justice and liberality of my own Directors and stockholders.</p> + +<p>I felt sadly injured at their sending the Sheriff in on the very night +of Patti's benefit to lay hands on all my receipts in order to squeeze +the guarantee money out of me.<a name="page_081" id="page_081"></a></p> + +<p>The next day Sheriff Aaron and his satellites took entire charge of the +Academy. They commenced by unhanging all my scenery, and it was only +with difficulty that I got permission to remove a small writing desk +containing a few sheets of paper and half-a-dozen postage stamps. In +vain did I remonstrate with the Directors, urging that if they were +dissatisfied with my management they could easily set me at liberty from +my next year's lease, which would be a great saving to them, inasmuch as +by its terms they had to find the theatre for me free, and pay all the +gas, service, and other expenses. All my approaches were met with +silence, and I was again obliged to decline the tempting offer from the +rival theatre, at which I should have had the use of the magnificent +house and a very heavy subsidy to boot.</p> + +<p>As the Metropolitan Opera Directors could wait no longer, they now +opened negotiations with Mr. Gye.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the myrmidons of the law, assisted by my regular +scene-shifters and carpenters, set to work removing everything into the +Nilsson Hall adjoining the Academy, of which I held the lease, whilst +other assistants made out an inventory. As there were hundreds of scenes +and thousands of dresses, the work continued for many days.</p> + +<p>I met shortly afterwards one of the most prominent men of the Academy +Board of Directors,<a name="page_082" id="page_082"></a> who informed me that the Bank had not made +application to him, nor, in fact, to any of his friends who had +guaranteed the payment of the advance made on their joint bond; and he +urged me to insist upon the Bank's making direct application to the +signatories of the documents before proceeding to such extremities.</p> + +<p>At length I induced the Bank to make the application suggested, and I +must say that all the gentlemen punctually paid up. I afterwards +ascertained that the trouble had been caused by two individuals who were +unwilling to honour their own signatures. All this turmoil and fuss, +however, had given new encouragement to the rival directors, who on +learning of all the bother, and finding that I could not obtain my +release from the Academy, prosecuted their negotiations with Mr. Gye to +manage their Opera-house.</p> + +<p>It was not until the third week in May that I was able to take my +departure from New York. Some three or four hundred people met me at the +wharf on my leaving. On the table in the saloons of the steamer were the +most gorgeous flower devices sent by my friends of New York, +Philadelphia, and Boston. One piece was five feet in height; another +consisted of a large crown of roses supported on four rounded arms of +metal, covered with vines and blossoms holding an inscription in the +centre: "J. H. M., the Invincible," worked in forget-me-nots on a +background of red and white carnations.<a name="page_083" id="page_083"></a> In fact, such magnificent +tributes had scarcely ever been offered even to my prime donne.</p> + +<p>A tug followed the steamer up the bay with a band of music on board; +and, to tell the truth, I was very glad to get out of the place in order +that I might have a little relaxation.<a name="page_084" id="page_084"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot3"><p class="hang">ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA LIQUIDATES—GETTING PATTI OFF THE SHIP—HENRY WARD +BEECHER'S CIDER—PATTI'S SILVER WEDDING—A PATTI PROGRAMME OF 1855—A +BLACK CONCERT.</p></div> + +<p class="nind">A<small>FTER</small> my departure the Directors of the Metropolitan Opera-house, +convinced that they could make no arrangement with me in consequence of +my engagement with the Directors of the Academy, which had still a year +to run, took further steps towards securing Mr. Gye as manager; and it +was proposed that he should open his season at the new theatre on +November 10th, to continue for thirteen weeks. The negotiations were +conducted on his behalf by his agent, Mr. Lavine. The stockholders of +the Metropolitan Opera reserving seventy of the best boxes for +themselves, Mr. Gye was to have the house rent free, together with a +guarantee against loss, and £200 for each performance. This sum was +ultimately raised to £300 for each performance.<a name="page_085" id="page_085"></a></p> + +<p>Seeing another opera looming in the distance, I at once set to work by +re-engaging Mdme. Adelina Patti on her own terms of £1,000 a night; +likewise Mdme. Scalchi, Galassi, and Arditi, thus forming a very strong +nucleus to start with. I afterwards learned that Gye had been making +overtures to Mdme. Patti, Galassi, and others; but fortunately they had +already signed contracts with me.</p> + +<p>The Metropolitan Directors next dispatched their able attorney, George +L. Rives, to Europe for the purpose of completing the arrangements with +Gye.</p> + +<p>Shortly after my return to London I learned that the Royal Italian +Opera, Limited, had gone into liquidation. This, of course, snuffed out +at once Gye's contract with the Metropolitan Opera Directors, who being +now left without an impresario contemplated diverting the grand building +to other purposes. They ultimately, however, resolved to try a German +Opera rather than have no Opera at all, and they dispatched their +energetic secretary, Mr. Stanton, to Europe for the purpose of engaging +artists, Dr. Damrosch being appointed orchestral conductor.</p> + +<p>During the summer months I visited various parts of the Continent for +the purpose of obtaining the best talent I could find for the coming +contest. Various meetings were held by my Academy stockholders in New +York when they at length began to realize the justice of my demands for +assistance, as it could not be expected that 200 of the best seats,<a name="page_086" id="page_086"></a> for +which no payment whatever was to be made, should be occupied for +listening to Mdme. Patti, who was receiving £1,000 a night. After +various meetings, a resolution was passed by which they agreed to give +me a nightly assessment of four dollars a seat for the proscenium boxes, +three for the other boxes, and two for the seats elsewhere, which during +my season it was estimated by them would produce some £6,000; and a +cable was sent me to that effect in order to obviate the trouble we had +all fallen into in the previous year. At the same time the Directors +passed a resolution to keep the theatre closed in case I did not accept +their promised support.</p> + +<p>About this time a young singer named Emma Nevada was attracting +considerable attention in Europe, and after some difficulty I succeeded +in adding her name to my already powerful list, which, however, did not +include that of Madame Christine Nilsson, as I had contemplated; that +lady having cried off at the last moment without any valid reason, after +I had accepted all her conditions.</p> + +<p>In due course the New York prospectus was issued, and a very fine +subscription was the result, the demand for boxes being particularly +brisk.</p> + +<p>We sailed from Liverpool, and arrived in New York on the 1st November. I +had a few hours only to give preliminary instruction regarding the +commencement of my season when a telegram arrived<a name="page_087" id="page_087"></a> to the effect that +the <i>Oregon</i>, with Mdme. Patti on board, had been sighted off Fire +Island.</p> + +<p>I at once ordered the military band to go down to the <i>Blackbird</i>; but +as no further telegram reached me from Sandy Hook they went on shore for +beer. It was late in the evening when the expected telegram arrived, and +the vessel had to start immediately. The only musicians I had now on +board wherewith to serenade Patti were a clarinet, a trombone, and a big +drum.</p> + +<p>Stretched from mast to mast was a huge tarpaulin with the word +"Welcome!" on both sides, in letters three feet long. In the lower bay +of quarantine I met the <i>Oregon</i>, and as my steamer came alongside a +small group appeared, and I at once recognized Patti. Handkerchiefs were +waved, and three cheers given by my friends on board the <i>Blackbird</i>. We +had a ladder with us which just reached from the top of our paddle-box +to about two feet below the sides of the vessel. I was on the point of +clambering up when the captain shrieked out—</p> + +<p>"Patti cannot be taken out to-night without a permission from the +health-officer."</p> + +<p>I at once tendered a permit I had obtained from the barge office, +allowing Patti to go on shore. I passed it to the captain, who, on +reading it, said—</p> + +<p>"That is all right, but the health-officer must give me a permit before +I will let her out of the ship."<a name="page_088" id="page_088"></a></p> + +<p>I, therefore, had to steam my vessel to quarantine, and it was nearly +two hours before I could find health-officer Smith, through whose kind +assistance I obtained a permit to take Patti off the ship. On my +returning the whole of the passengers gave three hearty cheers as Patti +was let over the side into my boat, followed by Nicolini, the maid, the +parrot, and the diamonds.</p> + +<p>Mdme. Patti, Nicolini, the maid, the parrot, and the diamonds duly +arrived at the Windsor Hotel that evening, and the chief of the party +was, of course, interviewed forthwith as to how she had passed the +previous summer.</p> + +<p>"Delightfully," was the <i>Diva's</i> reply. "We had lots of Americans +stopping with us at my Castle, and the place grows dearer and dearer to +me every year."</p> + +<p>She was very much grieved to hear of poor Brignoli's death, which had +occurred the previous day, and she sent a magnificent wreath to be +placed on his coffin. I attended the funeral on behalf of my Company.</p> + +<p>When the arrival of Patti became known in New York great excitement +prevailed. The day afterwards the steamship <i>Lessing</i> arrived from +Hamburg with an entire German Company for the Metropolitan Opera-house. +I now felt quite at my ease, having no anxiety whatever as to the result +of their season.</p> + +<p>I opened brilliantly on the Monday following the<a name="page_089" id="page_089"></a> arrival of Patti, with +her inimitable performance of "Rosina" in <i>Il Barbiere</i>.</p> + +<p>On Sunday I was invited by Henry Ward Beecher to visit Plymouth Church, +at Brooklyn. On this occasion a number of railway guards and pointsmen +had been asked; and never shall I forget the sermon he preached to them. +It was magnificent, and in every way impressive. At the conclusion of +the service I was invited to Mr. Beecher's house to luncheon, where +there were some twenty of his relations and intimate friends present.</p> + +<p>As the water came round he may possibly have observed a distressed look +on my countenance. But certain it is that within a few minutes +afterwards he said he thought he had a bottle of cider which I might +prefer to the beverage then before us; and, although it was labelled +cider, I discovered that the bottle contained something resembling +excellent old "Pommery <i>sec</i>."</p> + +<p>Two nights afterwards I invited him to my box at the opera, scarcely +hoping that he would come; but shortly after the overture had commenced +I was surprised to find him sitting at my side. He remained there all +that evening, the eye of every one in the audience being fixed upon him.</p> + +<p>Shortly afterwards my new prima donna, Mdlle. Emma Nevada, arrived, and +in due course made her first appearance, in <i>La Sonnambula</i>, when a +remarkable scene occurred. At the close of the performance the audience, +instead of rushing to the doors<a name="page_090" id="page_090"></a> as usual, remained, rose to their feet, +and called the prima donna three times before the curtain.</p> + +<p>This was followed by a production of Gounod's <i>Mirella</i>, in which Emma +Nevada again appeared with brilliant success; and afterwards by <i>La +Gazza Ladra</i>, with Patti and Scalchi in the leading <i>rôles</i>.</p> + +<p>On the 24th November, it being the 25th anniversary of Patti's first +appearance at the New York Academy of Music, great preparations were +made for the purpose of celebrating her silver wedding with the New York +operatic stage.</p> + +<p>The opera selected for the occasion was <i>Lucia di Lammermoor</i>, being the +same work in which she had appeared exactly 25 years previously on the +Academy boards. Patti's first "Edgardo," Signor Brignoli, was to have +appeared with her. But his sudden death necessitated an alteration of +the original programme, and it was decided to give an opera which the +<i>Diva</i> had never sung in America, namely, <i>Martha</i>.</p> + +<p>The following account of Patti's <i>début</i>, which appeared in the New York +Herald, of November 25th, 1859, will be read with interest:—</p> + +<p class="c">"D<small>ÉBUT OF</small> M<small>ISS</small> P<small>ATTI</small>.</p> + +<p>"A young lady, not yet seventeen, almost an American by birth, having +arrived here when an infant, belonging to an Italian family which has +been fruitful of good artists, sang last night the favourite <i>rôle</i> of +<i>débutantes</i>, 'Lucia di Lammermoor.'<a name="page_091" id="page_091"></a></p> + +<p>"Whether it is from the natural sympathy with the forlorn <i>fiancée</i> of +the Master of Ravenswood which is infused into the female breast with +Donizetti's tender music, or from a clever inspiration that to be +unhappy and pretty is a sure passport to the affections of an audience, +we cannot say. Certain it is, however, that the aspirants for the +ovations, the triumphs, the glories, that await a successful prima donna +almost always select this opera for their preliminary dash at the +laurels. The music affords a fine opportunity to show the quality and +cultivation of the soprano voice, and it is so familiar as to provoke +comparison with first-rate artists, and provoke the severest criticisms +by the most rigid recognized tests.</p> + +<p>"All these were duly and thoroughly applied to Miss Adelina Patti a day +or two since by a very critical audience at what was called a show +rehearsal. It was then ascertained that Miss Patti had a fine voice, and +that she knew how to sing. The artists and amateurs were in raptures. +This was a certificate to the public, who do not nowadays put their +faith in managers' announcements, unless they are endorsed. With an +off-night and an opera worn to bits, the public interest in Miss Patti's +<i>début</i> was so great as to bring together a very large audience, rather +more popular than usual, but still numbering the best-known <i>habitués</i> +and most critical amateurs. The <i>débutante</i> was received politely but +cordially—an indication that there was not a strong<a name="page_092" id="page_092"></a> claque, which was +a relief. Her appearance was that of a very young lady, <i>petite</i> and +interesting, with just a tinge of schoolroom in her manner. She was +apparently self-possessed, but not self-assured.</p> + +<p>"After the first few bars of recitative, she launched boldly into the +cavatina—one of the most difficult pieces of the opera. This she sang +perfectly, displaying a thorough Italian method and a high soprano +voice, fresh and full and even throughout. In the succeeding cabaletta, +which was brilliantly executed, Miss Patti took the high note E flat, +above the line, with the greatest ease. In this cabaletta we noticed a +tendency to show off vocal gifts which may be just a little out of +place. The introduction of variations not written by the composer is +only pardonable in an artist who has already assured her position. In +the duet with the tenor (Brignoli) and with the baritone (Ferri), and +the mad scene, Miss Patti sang with sympathetic tenderness—a rare gift +in one so young—and increased the enthusiasm of the audience to a +positive <i>furore</i>, which was demonstrated in the usual way—recalls, +bouquets, wreaths, etc., etc. The horticultural business was more +extensive than usual.</p> + +<p>"Of course we speak to-day only of Miss Patti's qualifications as a +singer. Acting she has yet to learn; but artists, like poets, are born, +not made. The mere <i>convenances</i> of the stage will come of themselves. +She is already pretty well acquainted with them. So far as her voice, +skill, method, and<a name="page_093" id="page_093"></a> execution are concerned, we are simply recording the +unanimous opinion of the public when we pronounce the <i>début</i> of Miss +Patti a grand success.</p> + +<p>"Everyone predicts a career for this young artist, and who knows but the +managers may find in her their long-looked-for sensation?"</p> + +<p>On repeating the character two days afterwards, said the same paper, +"the prima donna was twice called before the curtain, and the stage was +literally covered with the flowers thrown before her. The success of +this artist, educated and reared amongst us, with all the vocal gifts of +an Italian, and all the cleverness of a Yankee girl, is made. Everybody +talked of her, wondering who and what she is, where she has been, and so +on.</p> + +<p>"She was brought out at the Academy to save the season. The manager had +a good Company, plenty of fine artists, everything required for fine +performances, but the great outside public, always thirsting for +something new, wanted a sensation.</p> + +<p>"They have it in 'Little Patti,' who not only pleases the connoisseurs +and is the special favourite of the fair, but who has all the material +for a great popular pet."</p> + +<p>The jubilee performance was a brilliant success. At the close of the +opera, after the usual number of recalls, accompanied by bouquets, etc., +the curtain rose, and at the rear of the stage was an immense American +eagle about to soar, beneath which was the word "Patti," and over it +"1859-1884." The<a name="page_094" id="page_094"></a> band of the 7th Regiment approached the footlights, +and the musicians played a march that Cappa, the bandmaster, had +composed in honour of Mdme. Patti twenty-five years before. Patti walked +up to him, and said, with a choking voice: "I thank you for your +kindness from the bottom of my heart."</p> + +<p>She was afterwards recalled innumerable times, and on reappearing she +brought on with her Mdme. Scalchi. At the close of the opera a carriage +with four milk-white steeds which I had arranged for was standing to +convey its precious burthen to her hotel. Following this we had 100 +torch-bearers, for the most part admirers and supporters of the opera. +Mounted police were on each side of Patti's carriage. At the end of the +procession was a waggon full of people letting off Roman candles and +large basins of powder, which, when ignited, made the streets and sky +look most brilliant. The route was up Broadway to Twenty-third Street, +and thence up Madison Avenue to Patti's hotel.</p> + +<p>I on this occasion was to have taken the command of the troops as +brigadier. My horse, however, never reached me. It was found impossible +to get it through the crowd. This did not prevent the illustrated papers +from representing me on horseback, and in a highly military attitude.</p> + +<p>Later on two other bands arrived, and took their stations under Patti's +windows. This terminated the festivities in honour of the twenty-fifth +anniversary<a name="page_095" id="page_095"></a> of her first appearance on the American operatic stage.</p> + +<p>I may here mention that, as a matter of fact, Adelina Patti did not make +her first appearance on the American stage in 1859. I find, too, that +she sang at Niblo's Saloon in 1855, and subjoin the programme of one of +her concerts given in that year:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="c">GRAND VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL CONCERT,<br /> +<small>IN AID OF THE</small><br /> +<i>Hebrew Benevolent Societies</i>,<br /> +AT NIBLO'S SALOON,<br /> +On Tuesday Evening, Feb. 27th, 1855.</p> + +<hr style="width: 5%;" /> + +<p>The management announces that M<small>RS.</small> S<small>TUART</small>, in consequence of the severe +indisposition of her mother, will not be able to fulfil her engagement +this evening; also, that M<small>ME.</small> C<small>OMETANT</small> cannot appear in consequence of +her severe indisposition. The management have much pleasure in +announcing that the services</p> + +<p class="c">of<br /> +<br /> +SIGNORINA ADELINA PATTI<br /> +<br /> +Have been secured, in connection with whom the following<br /> +artistes have volunteered:—</p> + +<p class="r"> +S<small>IGNOR</small> B<small>ERNARDI</small>,<br /> +<span style="margin-right: 80%;">S<small>IGNOR</small> R<small>APETTI</small>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-right: 70%;">H<small>ERR</small> C<small>HARLES</small> <small>WELS</small>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-right: 60%;">T. F<small>RANKLIN</small> B<small>ASSFORD</small>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-right: 50%;"><small>MR. SANDERSON</small>.</span></p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">————</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">PROGRAMME:</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">P<small>ART</small> F<small>IRST.</small></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">1</td><td align="left">Grand Duet, on "William Tell," Piano and Violin—;Mr. Rapetti and Mr. Wels</td><td align="right"><i>Osborne</i> and <i>De Beriot</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">2</td><td align="left">Grand Cavatina, of Norma, Casta Diva—;Signa. Adelina Patti</td><td align="right"><i>Bellini</i><a name="page_096" id="page_096"></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">3</td><td align="left">"La Chasse du jeune Henri," Overture for Piano—;Mr. Bassford</td><td align="right"><i>Gottschalk</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">4</td><td align="left">Aria, from "Don Sebastian"—;Sig. Bernardi</td><td align="right"><i>Donizetti</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">5</td><td align="left">Ballad, "Home, Sweet Home"—;Signa. Adelina Patti</td><td align="right"><i>Bishop</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">6</td><td align="left">Grand Duo concertando on airs of "Norma," for Two Pianos—;Messrs. Wels and Bassford</td><td align="right"><i>Wels</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">————</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">P<small>ART</small> S<small>ECOND.</small></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">1</td><td align="left">"Coronation March," from the Prophet, arranged and performed by Mr. Sanderson, his First Appearance in public</td><td align="right"><i>Meyerbeer</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">2</td><td align="left">Aria, from the Opera <i>Le Châlet</i>—;Sig. Bernardi</td><td align="right"><i>Adam</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">3</td><td align="left">{a. The Eolian Harp}<br />{b. Triumphal March} Composed and performed by</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><i>C. Wels</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">4</td><td align="left">Jenny Lind's Echo Song—;Signa. Adelina Patti</td><td align="right"><i>Eckert</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">5</td><td align="left">Violin Solo, from <i>La Sonnambula</i></td><td align="right"><i>Sig. Rapetti</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">6</td><td align="left">Grand Fantasia, for Two Pianos, performed by Messrs. Bassford and Wels, composed by</td><td align="right"><i>T. Franklin Bassford</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">————</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td><td> Conductor</td> <td>Mr. Charles Wels.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">————</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>The Two Grand Prize Pianos, used on this occasion, are from +the Music Stores of Messrs. Bassford and Brower, and are for sale +at 603, Broadway.</p> + +<p class="c">Doors open at 7 o'clock. To commence at 8 o'clock.</p> + +<p class="c">T<small>ICKETS</small> O<small>NE</small> D<small>OLLAR</small></p> + +<p>To be had at the Music Store of Messrs. Hall and Son, Bassford +and Brower, 603, Broadway, and Scharfenberg and Louis, and at +the door.</p></div> + +<p>Going still further back, I may add that Adelina Patti made her very +first appearance on the operatic stage in 1850, at Tripler's Hall, New +York; where she sang and acted both. She was seven years old at the +time.</p> + +<p>The season continued until the latter part of December.<a name="page_097" id="page_097"></a></p> + +<p>On my applying to the Academy Directors for an instalment of the £6,000 +which had been promised me in accordance with the assessment made, I was +informed by the Secretary that the assessment would only be allowed to +me on Patti nights. This reduced my £6,000 by three-fourths, I having +based my calculations on the amount that had been cabled to me. I in no +way blame the stockholders, who had been most heavily assessed, and had +paid up without a murmur. Some three-fourths of their contributions had +been used for other purposes, including the decoration of the theatre.</p> + +<p>Finding the President of the Academy Directors obdurate, I at once +announced the farewell performances of Mdme. Adelina Patti, and shortly +afterwards made arrangements for her appearance, together with that of +the whole Company, at Boston, where I opened towards the close of +December, glad, indeed, to get away from the Academy.</p> + +<p>Our success in Boston was very great. Amongst the productions was +Gounod's <i>Mirella</i>, in which Nevada, Scalchi, De Anna, and other artists +appeared. Afterwards, of course, came <i>Semiramide</i>, with Patti and +Scalchi; one of our surest cards.</p> + +<p>We remained at Boston two weeks, concluding, what was then supposed to +be Patti's positive farewell to the Bostonians, with a magnificent +performance of <i>Linda di Chamouni</i>.</p> + +<p>At the conclusion of a representation of <i>Mirella</i> given the following +morning we started for Philadelphia,<a name="page_098" id="page_098"></a> where we had a very remunerative +season, the house being crowded nightly to the ceiling.</p> + +<p>The American theatres are much better kept than ours. They are dusted +and cleaned every day, so that a lady in America can go to the play or +to the opera without the least danger of getting her dress spoiled; +which in England, if the dress be of delicate material, she scarcely can +do. The American theatres, moreover, are beautifully warmed during the +winter months; so that the risk of bronchitis and inflammation of the +lungs to which the enterprising theatre-goers of our own country are +exposed has in the United States no existence.</p> + +<p>Apart from the risk of getting her dress injured by dirt or dust, a lady +has no inducement to wear a handsome <i>toilette</i> at a London Opera-house, +where the high-fronted boxes with their ridiculous curtains prevent the +dresses from being seen. At the American Opera-houses the boxes are not +constructed in the Italian, but in the French style. They are open in +front, that is to say, so that those who occupy them can not only see, +but be seen. As for the curtains, they are neither a French nor an +Italian, but exclusively an English peculiarity. What possible use can +they serve? They have absolutely no effect but to deaden the sound.</p> + +<p>An interesting feature in every American Opera-house is the young +ladies' box—a sort of omnibus box to which young ladies alone +subscribe. The gentlemen who are privileged to visit them in the course +of the evening are also allowed full liberty<a name="page_099" id="page_099"></a> to supply them with +bouquets, which are always of the most delicate and most expensive +kind—costing in winter from £4 to £5 a-piece. The front of the young +ladies' box is kept constantly furnished with the most beautiful flowers +that love can suggest or money buy; and if, as it frequently does, it +occurs to one or more of the young ladies to throw a few of the bouquets +to the singers on the stage, their friends and admirers are expected at +once to fill up the gaps.</p> + +<p>Whilst at Philadelphia the head-waiter of the hotel informed me that a +very grand concert was to take place, for which it was difficult to +obtain tickets, but that a prima donna would sing there whom he +considered worthy of my attention. In due course he got me a ticket, and +I attended the concert, which was held in one of the extreme quarters of +the city. On entering I was quite surprised to find an audience of some +1,500 or 2,000, who were all black, I being the only white man present. +I must say I was amply repaid for the trouble I had taken, as the music +was all of the first order.</p> + +<p>In the course of the concert the prima donna appeared, gorgeously +attired in a white satin dress, with feathers in her hair, and a +magnificent diamond necklace and earrings. She moreover wore white kid +gloves, which nearly went to the full extent of her arm, leaving but a +small space of some four inches between her sleeve and the top of her +glove. Her skin being black, formed, of course, an extraordinary +contrast with the white kid.<a name="page_100" id="page_100"></a></p> + +<p>She sang the Shadow Song from <i>Dinorah</i> delightfully, and in reply to a +general encore gave the valse from the <i>Romeo and Juliet</i> of Gounod. In +fact no better singing have I heard. The prima donna rejoiced in the +name of Mdlle. Selika. Shortly afterwards a young baritone appeared and +sang the "Bellringer," so as to remind me forcibly of Santley in his +best days. I immediately resolved upon offering him an engagement to +appear at the Opera-house in London as "Renato" in <i>Un Ballo in +Maschera</i>, whom Verdi, in one version of the opera, intended to be a +coloured man; afterwards to perform "Nelusko" in <i>L'Africaine</i>, and +"Amonasro" in <i>Aida</i>. Feeling certain of his success, I intended +painting him white for the other operas.</p> + +<p>After some negotiation I was unable to complete the arrangement. He +preferred to remain a star where he was.</p> + +<p>After the final performance of our Philadelphia engagement we started at +about 3 a.m. with the whole Company for New Orleans, our special train +being timed to reach that city by the following Sunday. On arriving at +Louisville the gauge was broken, and the track became narrow gauge, +which necessitated the slinging of every one of my grand carriages to +have new trollies put under them to fit the smaller gauge. This was so +skilfully managed whilst the artists were asleep that they were unaware +of the operation.<a name="page_101" id="page_101"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot3"><p class="hang">PANIC AT NEW ORLEANS—THERMOMETER FALLS 105 DEGREES—BANQUET AT +CHICAGO—THE COUNT DI LUNA AT MARKET—COFFEE JOHN—AN AMERICAN GEORGE +ROBINS—MY UNDERTAKER.</p></div> + +<p class="nind">O<small>N</small> getting down to New Orleans we found a great change in the +temperature, and although it was the month of January the thermometer +stood at about 75°. It had been raining exactly six weeks prior to our +arrival, and only ceased as our train went in, fine weather immediately +afterwards making its appearance.</p> + +<p>Our opening opera was <i>La Sonnambula</i> with Nevada, which was followed by +<i>La Traviata</i> with Mdme. Patti. Prior to the last act a panic was caused +in the theatre by the falling of some plaster from the front of the +dress circle. Someone near the exit to the stalls shouted "Fire," a cry +which was repeated by numbers of men in the lobby. Consternation was +seen in the faces of the audience, and a general rush was made for the +doors. The situation<a name="page_102" id="page_102"></a> was serious in the extreme; but the presence of +mind of some gentlemen present, aided by the equal coolness of several +ladies, had the effect of allaying the general fright.</p> + +<p>Many ladies, on the other hand, fainted from excitement, whilst numbers +of persons left the theatre, so that the last act was given with a very +bare house.</p> + +<p>"A great deal of excitement," wrote a local journal, "was manifested in +the street, and rumour magnified the incident. It took the shape of a +fearful accident in the minds of some people, and it was some time +before the public was assured that no damage had resulted to life or +limb. One young lady fainted as she was about to enter her carriage in +front of the theatre. She fell to the side walk, slightly cutting her +mouth, and was unconscious for a few minutes. With the assistance of Dr. +Joseph Scott, her friends succeeded in reviving her, and she was placed +in a carriage and driven home. Mr. David Bidwell was this morning waited +upon by the <i>Item</i> reporter, who informed him of the many rumours +regarding the safety of the St. Charles Theatre. Mr. Bidwell said: 'The +whole trouble comes from the fall of a small piece of plastering, three +feet long by one foot and a half wide, in the left part of the theatre, +back to the <i>parquette</i> seats. The plastering at that place had been +disturbed during the Kiralfy engagement by the moving out of some +scenery. I had<a name="page_103" id="page_103"></a> the spot repaired during the wet weather, and, from the +dampness, the plastering did not hold. As regards the solidity of the +theatre, you can state that it is the strongest building of its kind; +the walls are in places four feet thick. Everything inside is sound and +substantial, having been recently repaired and renovated. Mr. William +Freret, the architect, has just been in here, and made a thorough +inspection. He finds everything in first-class condition, and sound as +can be. The public should not give credence to silly rumours, but listen +to the voice of common sense and reason, and accept this satisfactory +explanation.'"</p> + +<p>The City Surveyor, with various architects, visited the theatre the +following day to report; but all certified that the building was solid, +and that probably the stamping of so many feet in applauding Patti had +caused the fall of the plaster. However it may have been, my receipts +being so considerably injured, I was compelled, after paying damages to +the manager for not completing the engagement, to remove the Company and +rent the Grand French Opera-house for the ensuing week. When my +announcement was made several ladies called upon me, and a meeting was +convened at one of their houses at which the <i>élite</i> of the city were +present. A number of gentlemen had been invited to tea, and before being +allowed to leave the room each of them was required to subscribe for at +least one box. In this manner<a name="page_104" id="page_104"></a> the whole of my boxes for the remainder +of the season were disposed of.</p> + +<p>I had a deal of trouble in getting the theatre into working order, it +having been closed for a considerable period. The corridors had to be +whitened and the dressing-rooms to be papered, and all the business had +to be conducted in French, as my stage carpenters and <i>employés</i> were +all of that nationality. The manager of the other theatre had refused to +allow any of his staff to assist.</p> + +<p>During this time the great New Orleans Exhibition had been opened, to +which thousands of people were attracted. My attention, however, was +drawn to the Woman's Work Department, in great need just then. I +therefore organized a grand benefit <i>matinée</i> on their behalf, which was +promptly responded to by many of the ladies of New Orleans. Many of my +principal artists took part in the concert, and I was assisted by a +splendid Mexican cavalry band. A large sum of money was realized, which +was afterwards handed over to the treasurer of the Woman's Department.</p> + +<p>After a performance of <i>Les Huguenots</i> we all left that night for St. +Louis. The temperature was now intolerable, the thermometer marking 75 +degrees. But on reaching St. Louis the following Monday afternoon we +were overtaken by a blizzard. It was literally raining ice. The streets +were impassable, it being difficult to stand upright or to move a step; +whilst the thermometer<a name="page_105" id="page_105"></a> stood 30 degrees below zero (62° below freezing +point)—being a fall of 105 degrees. I need scarcely say everyone caught +sore throat, even to the chorus. One or two of the ballet girls were +blown down and hurt on leaving the train, and it was with considerable +difficulty that I made a commencement that evening, two hours after our +arrival, with a performance of <i>La Sonnambula</i>. This was followed by +<i>Semiramide</i> with Patti and Scalchi, and by <i>Lucrezia</i> with Fursch-Madi. +All the artists not taking part in these works were ill in bed during +the week.</p> + +<p>Prior to our leaving St. Louis a magnificent banquet was tendered to me +by the Directors of the newly-organized Opera Festival Association of +Chicago. The day originally fixed was the Wednesday during that week; +but it had afterwards to be transferred to Thursday, all the trains to +Chicago being snowed up, whilst several thousands of freight cars +blocked the line for miles. I ventured after the performance on the only +train allowed out of the station for Chicago, where I arrived the +following day, and visited the huge glass building, formerly the +exhibition, where I marked out what I considered would be the dimensions +necessary for the construction of the New Grand Opera-house. In doing so +I must have rather miscalculated my measurements, as I was shortly +afterwards informed that if carried out the theatre would be a mammoth +one.</p> + +<p>In the evening I attended the banquet given in<a name="page_106" id="page_106"></a> my honour, which was +laid for fifty covers in the large room of the magnificent Calumet Club. +The banqueting hall was picturesquely decorated with flowers. The tables +were curved in the form of a huge lyre, bearing the coat of arms of the +Association.</p> + +<p>At the head of the table, which formed the base of the lyre, sat the +President, Ferd. W. Peck, and at his right hand I was placed as the +guest of the evening. Next to me was the Mayor, and next him the Hon. +Emery A. Stores, the Vice-President of the Association. At President +Peck's left hand sat the Hon. Eugene Carey and George Schneider, the +treasurer of the newly-formed Association. All the city notabilities, +more or less, were present on this occasion. At the conclusion of the +banquet the President rose, introducing me as "The Napoleon: the Emperor +of Opera," giving at the same time a brief outline of the work proposed +to be accomplished. My speech was a very short one. I said: "After +twenty-four years' experience in the rendition of opera I feel that my +greatest success is about to be achieved here in Chicago. Never before +have such opportunities been afforded me. I have this morning been over +the Exposition building with an architect, and have fixed upon a large, +comfortable auditorium. I also visited the hall where the extra chorus +was practising, and I must say I was surprised at its excellence in +every way. Never have I heard a better chorus, even in the Old World."<a name="page_107" id="page_107"></a></p> + +<p>The Mayor afterwards rose and paid me the highest compliments.</p> + +<p>In the small hours of the following morning, when we separated, I went +to the station and thence returned to St. Louis.</p> + +<p>At the close of the week we left St. Louis with the whole of the troupe, +some 180 strong, reaching Kansas City late that evening. Most of the +members of the Company went to the Coates House, Mdme. Patti, however, +remaining in her private car, where the following day I paid her a +visit. No sooner had I entered than we were shunted and sent some four +miles down the line, much to the surprise of Nicolini, who had been +speaking to me on the platform but a moment previously. We were detained +a considerable time, and Mdme. Patti experienced a great shock as +suddenly a goods truck, which had got uncoupled, came running down. This +caused a great concussion, which broke most of the glass, and sent +Nicolini's cigars, jams, the parrot, the piano, the table, and the +flowers all pell-mell on to the floor. Mdme. Patti, however, took it in +good part, and, assisted by her maids, commenced gathering up the broken +ornaments and smashed bottles. The floor ran with Château Lafite.</p> + +<p>Mdme. Patti visited the opera that evening, the Mayor of the town +conducting her down the passage way to her proscenium box amidst such a +storm of applause as is rarely heard in an Opera-house.<a name="page_108" id="page_108"></a> Ladies burst +their gloves in their enthusiasm, and men stood on their seats to get a +view of the <i>Diva</i>. On reaching the box the audience rose and cried: +"<i>Brava!</i>"</p> + +<p>After the performance that night the train moved on in the direction of +Topeka, where, through the politeness of the railway officials, I got +Patti's car attached to the San Francisco express, which conveyed her to +her destination in about three and a half days.</p> + +<p>The rest of the Company remained in Topeka to give a performance of <i>Il +Trovatore</i>, Mdme. Dotti being the "Leonora," Mdme. Scalchi "Azucena," De +Anna the "Count di Luna," and Giannini "Manrico." The success was +immense, the house being full, and the receipts reaching £700.</p> + +<p>In connection with Topeka, I must mention rather a curious incident. We +had exhausted our stock of wine in the train, and those artists taking +part in the performance, on entering the hotel near the theatre where it +was proposed to dine, were surprised and annoyed at having water placed +before them; the baritone vowing, with a knife in his hand, that unless +he could have a more stimulating beverage he would refuse to play the +"Count di Luna" that evening.</p> + +<p>Inquiry was made high and low, but there was not a drop of wine or +spirits of any kind officially known to be in the town. Going along the +street on my return to the hotel, I met a gentleman with whom I was +acquainted, and through his kindness<a name="page_109" id="page_109"></a> I was enabled to obtain from a +medical practitioner a prescription. The prescription was in the Latin +language, and the chemist evidently understood its meaning. There was no +question of making it up. He simply handed me three bottles of very good +hock.</p> + +<p>At the conclusion of the opera, it being a most delightful evening, the +various choristers and others made purchases of all kinds of +comestibles, and it was a most ridiculous thing to observe some going +down with chickens carried by the neck, others with cauliflowers and +asparagus. The "Count di Luna" with a huge ham under his arm, and +"Manrico" with a chain of sausages, took their provisions down to the +cars to be cooked for supper, during which the train started for St. +Joseph.</p> + +<p>We reached St. Joseph the following day, where Mdlle. Nevada appeared in +<i>La Sonnambula</i>, greatly pleasing the audience, which packed the theatre +full.</p> + +<p>We arrived the next afternoon at half-past four at Omaha, where we +remained one day, my advance agent having failed to conclude any +arrangements for our appearance there.</p> + +<p>Shortly afterwards we started for Cheyenne, arriving in the Magic City, +as it is called, in about a couple of days; when, to my great +astonishment, no announcement whatever had been made of our visit, my +advance agent again, for some unaccountable reason, having gone on the +road towards San Francisco without notifying even a word.<a name="page_110" id="page_110"></a></p> + +<p>Our coming there was quite an unexpected event. Arrangements were +immediately made to give a performance. This entailed a delay of a +couple of days, which delighted me, although it caused some loss, as it +enabled me to drive over the beautiful country and visit once more the +charming Club, where I had a right royal welcome from my numerous +friends of the previous year.</p> + +<p>At four o'clock the 3rd Cavalry band, in full uniform, came to serenade +me at my hotel.</p> + +<p>The opera selected was <i>Lucia di Lammermoor</i>, and the receipts came to +some £700.</p> + +<p>At the close of the performance we started for Salt Lake City, where we +arrived on the following Thursday. Here, to my great regret, I was +compelled to change the bill in consequence of Mdlle. Nevada's +indisposition, at which the inhabitants and the Press grumbled as if it +were my fault. Reports of course were circulated that she had not +received her salary.</p> + +<p>Whilst at Salt Lake City many of the artists and orchestral players +wandered about, visiting various places of interest; and some were +attracted to a restaurant kept by one "Coffee John," in whose window was +exposed a huge turtle, bearing this tragic inscription on its head: +"This afternoon I am to have my throat cut;" whilst on its back was a +ticket for a private box, with the statement that Coffee John had paid +40 dollars for it, and was going to visit the opera that evening.<a name="page_111" id="page_111"></a></p> + +<p>In order to patronize this enthusiastic amateur several of our principal +artists went in and ordered luncheon. Coffee John was very polite, +promising to applaud them on hearing them sing, and allowing many of +them to go into the kitchen to prepare their own macaroni. The price of +the luncheon was very moderate, so everyone decided to go and dine at +Coffee John's later on.</p> + +<p>When dinner was over they asked the waiter how much they had to pay.</p> + +<p>"Six dollars a head," said the waiter.</p> + +<p>"Corpo di Bacco!" exclaimed one of the artists; "dat is too dear. Where +is Coffee John, our friend, our friend?"</p> + +<p>"He has gone to dress for the opera," replied the head waiter, "and I +dare not disturb him."</p> + +<p>As there were twelve diners the bill came to 72 dollars, so that Coffee +John, who had paid 40 dollars for his box, occupied it for nothing that +evening, and profited, moreover, largely by the transaction. The waiter +told the astonished artists that his governor had paid 40 dollars to +hear them sing without kicking, and that he expected liberal treatment +in return; finally, he thought the best plan for them would be to pay +their six dollars each and clear out; which they eventually had to do.</p> + +<p>Mdlle. Nevada had taken cold at Cheyenne, and contracted what turned out +to be a severe illness; and I lost her services for no less than four +weeks afterwards.<a name="page_112" id="page_112"></a></p> + +<p>The night before we reached Salt Lake City Mdme. Scalchi's parrot died, +which caused the excellent contralto to go into hysterics and take to a +bed of sickness. I had announced <i>Il Trovatore</i>, in which the now +despondent vocalist was to have taken the part of the vindictive gipsy. +This I considered would amply compensate for the absence of Nevada. Only +half an hour before starting for the theatre I was notified by Mdme. +Scalchi's husband that she would be unable to appear that evening. I +insisted, however, upon her going at all events to the theatre, as I +considered the death of a parrot not sufficient reason for disappointing +a numerous public. I threatened at the same time to fine her very +heavily if she refused.</p> + +<p>About an hour afterwards the call-boy came down, up to his waist in +snow, to the door of my car—some little distance from the +station—stating that Mdme. Scalchi had again gone into hysterics, and +was lamenting loudly the loss of her beloved bird.</p> + +<p>On my arriving at the theatre with another "Azucena," taken suddenly +from the cars (this one was lamenting only that she had not dined), I +found that it wanted but five minutes to the commencement of the +overture. There was Mdme. Scalchi dressed as "Azucena," and it was +impossible even to obtain possession of her clothing, for she was almost +in a fainting condition. At last, however, she divested herself of her +gipsy garments; and she<a name="page_113" id="page_113"></a> was replaced by my new "Azucena," Mdlle. +Steinbach.</p> + +<p>After the opera was over we started for San Francisco.</p> + +<p>On reaching Ogden early in the morning I received a telegram from San +Francisco notifying Mdme. Patti's arrival there, but adding that she +would not come out in <i>Semiramide</i> in conjunction with Mdme. Scalchi, +though that was the opera announced for my opening night. <i>La Diva</i> +wanted a night entirely to herself.</p> + +<p>As every seat had been sold for the first performance, and places were +at a high premium, I did not see how it was possible to make any +alteration in the bill. I therefore declined. Towards the latter part of +the following day, at Winnemucca, I got another telegram saying that +Mdme. Patti would appear in <i>Il Barbiere</i>. This I declined, knowing that +opera to be, in America at least, most unattractive. Nearly at every +station did I receive telegrams, some of which I answered. At last I +effected a kind of compromise by substituting <i>Linda</i>. This change +caused me a loss of some £600 or £800.</p> + +<p>On the road I had received a telegram from my auctioneer, the famous Joe +Eldridge, desiring to know if he should reserve any seats or offer the +whole to the public. I replied that not a single seat was to be +reserved; he was to sell all. He took me at my word, and the following +day I received a telegram that not only had he sold the<a name="page_114" id="page_114"></a> whole of the +pit and dress circle and boxes, but also the whole of the gallery for +every night of the season, and that the premiums on the tickets alone +amounted to something like £15,000 for the two weeks' season; and, +although over 3,000 tickets of admission for every night of the whole +season had been sold, the demand, instead of abating, kept on +increasing. In many cases as much as 150 dollars per seat premium had +been paid. The sale altogether surpassed that of the previous year.</p> + +<p>I was afterwards informed by an eye-witness of the indefatigable +exertions Joe Eldridge had gone through on the day of the auction. On +entering the orchestra he first of all gave a graphic description of +each of the different prime donne who were to take part in the season's +performances, explaining also the enormous value the tickets would reach +as soon as the whole of the Company arrived. He then, feeling warm, took +off his hat. After a few lots had been sold he removed his cravat, +afterwards his coat, followed later by his waistcoat and his +shirt-collar, which he threw off into the stalls. Then, as the business +became more exciting, off went his braces. Afterwards he loosened his +shirt, tucking up both sleeves; and he was in a state of semi-nudity +before he got rid of the last lot.</p> + +<p>On leaving the theatre after the sale this highly esteemed gentleman, I +regret to say, was attacked by pneumonia, which carried him off in a few +hours. His death was a sad shock to all, for he was a general +favourite.<a name="page_115" id="page_115"></a></p> + +<p>The <i>San Francisco Daily Report</i> wrote on the subject:—</p> + +<p>"Joe Eldridge arrived in San Francisco in 1849, and after visiting +various parts of the State returned to San Francisco, in the house of +Newhall and Co. About this time he lost his right leg in a very +remarkable manner. He was in the habit of signalling each sale by a +hearty slap of his hand on his right thigh at the word 'gone.' The +constant concussion brought on a cancer, and the leg had to be +amputated. This misfortune, which would have depressed most men, more or +less, for the rest of their lives, had no effect on his energy or his +high spirits. He was a most charitable man, and beloved by all who knew +him, being one of the founders of Mill's Seminary, whilst he was a +pillar of strength at Dr. Stone's first Congregational Church."</p> + +<p>One word as to Joe Eldridge's method of doing business. No one could get +such prices as he obtained; and these he often secured by pretending to +have heard bids which had never been made.</p> + +<p>"Nine dollars," an intending purchaser would say.</p> + +<p>"Ten dollars," Joe would cry.</p> + +<p>"I said nine," the bidder would explain.</p> + +<p>"Eleven!" shouted Joe. "I know your income, and you ought to be ashamed +of yourself. Twelve!" he would then exclaim, supported and encouraged by +the laughter and applause of the public. "And if you say another word +I'll make it thirteen."</p> + +<p>A very different sort of man was the auctioneer<a name="page_116" id="page_116"></a> by whom poor Eldridge +was succeeded. He called me the spirited "impresio," and sang the +praises of Mdme. Bauermeister, whose name he pronounced "Boormister," +and Mdme. Lablache, whom he described as the famous "Labiche." Rinaldini +was another of my singers whose name, sadly as he mutilated it, had +evidently taken his fancy. Mdme. Bauermeister, Mdme. Lablache, and +Signor Rinaldini are excellent artists. But it was a mistake to insist +so much on their merits while passing over altogether those of Mdme. +Patti, Mdlle. Nevada, and Mdme Scalchi.</p> + +<p>In due course we arrived at San Francisco, where the usual crowd was +awaiting us. During the latter part of the journey one of my <i>corps de +ballet</i> became seriously indisposed, and died the following Tuesday in +St. Mary's Hospital. She was but sixteen years of age, and had been with +me eight years, being one of my Katti Lanner school children. She had +taken cold in the dressing-room at Cheyenne. During the journey, the +train being twenty-three hours late, she received the attention of Dr. +Wixom, Mdme. Nevada's father, also of Dr. Palmer, Mdme. Nevada's present +husband.</p> + +<p>On the day of the funeral some magnificent offerings were placed on the +coffin, consisting of pillows of violets with the initials of the +deceased, anchors of pansies, lilies, violets, roses, etc., likewise a +beautiful cross of violets and camellias. I attended the funeral +personally, accompanied by my stage<a name="page_117" id="page_117"></a> manager, Mr. Parry, and seven of +the ballet girls, including a sister of the dead girl, who all carried +flowers. The affair was strictly private, the experience of the previous +year suggesting this on account of the crowd on the former occasion. The +whole of the flowers were afterwards placed upon the grave; and a +celebrated photographer, I. W. Tabor, produced some beautiful pictures +which I sent to London to the family of the deceased, who received them +before the news of her death.</p> + +<p>At the conclusion of the funeral, which had been conducted by Mr. +Theodore Dierck, of 957, Mission Street, the spirited undertaker begged +to be appointed funeral furnisher to the Company, he having had charge +of the Lombardelli interment in the previous year, which, he said, "gave +such satisfaction;" and I was not astonished, though a little startled, +on my last visit to find over his shop this inscription:</p> + +<p>"Funeral furnisher by appointment to Colonel Mapleson."<a name="page_118" id="page_118"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot3"><p class="hang">PATTI AND SCALCHI—NEVADA'S DÉBUT—A CHINESE SWING—A VISIT FROM +ABOVE—RESCUED TREASURE—GREAT CHICAGO FESTIVAL—AMERICAN HOSPITALITY.</p></div> + +<p class="nind">F<small>OR</small> our opening night at San Francisco, as already explained, the opera +substituted at Mdme. Patti's request for <i>Semiramide</i> was <i>Linda di +Chamouni</i>. Of course the house was crowded, and the brilliancy of the +occupants of the auditorium baffled all description. An assembly was +there of which the city might well feel proud. The costumes worn by the +ladies were mostly white. The leaders of fashion were, of course, all +present; Mrs. Mark Hopkins, of Nobs' Hill, conspicuously so, as she was +attired in a costume of black velvet, with diamond ornaments, the value +of which was estimated at 200,000 dollars. The best order prevailed. The +majority entering the theatre on the opening of the doors were +accommodated in their various seats without any crushing. Patti was +greeted with even more demonstrativeness than she had hitherto<a name="page_119" id="page_119"></a> +received. Mdme. Scalchi on entering must have felt proud that she was +none the less welcome for appearing as "Pierotto" in lieu of "Arsace."</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding all this there was a coolness about the house in +consequence of Mdme. Patti's having insisted upon this change in the +opera. Consequently numbers of tickets for the first night instead of +being at a premium were sold at a discount. Mdme. Nevada was announced +for the second evening, but, unfortunately, she had not yet recovered +from her Cheyenne cold, which developed gradually almost to pneumonia. +She kept her bed in San Francisco for over three weeks, causing me the +greatest annoyance as well as loss, since I was obliged to engage Mdme. +Patti to sing a great many extra nights beyond her contract, all of +which, of course, I had to pay for. <i>Il Trovatore</i> was consequently +performed the second evening in lieu of <i>La Sonnambula</i>. The following +night I brought out <i>La Favorita</i> with Scalchi, De Anna, Giannini, and +Cherubini, which was a great success; followed by <i>Lucrezia Borgia</i>, in +which Fursch-Madi pleased the audience.</p> + +<p>These changes and disappointments tended to mar the whole engagement. +The following night, however, the opera boom really commenced, the work +being <i>Semiramide</i>, which fully justified the anticipations that had +been formed of it. The largest and most brilliant audience ever gathered +in a theatre were there to hear Patti and Scalchi<a name="page_120" id="page_120"></a> sing in two of the +most difficult <i>rôles</i> in the whole range of opera.</p> + +<p>Scalchi fairly divided the honours of the evening with Mdme. Patti; and +in the duets they electrified the audience, who, not content with +encoring each, insisted upon some half-dozen recalls. The stage was +literally strewn with flowers; and the ladies of the audience vied with +one another in the elegance of their toilettes. Not only were all the +seats occupied, but even all the standing room, and the Press +unanimously accorded me the next morning the credit of having presented +the best operatic entertainment in that distant city the world of art +could afford.</p> + +<p>A similar audience greeted Patti and Scalchi at the performance of +<i>Faust</i> the following week, whilst on the next Saturday Mdme. Patti +appeared as "Annetta" in <i>Crispino e la Comare</i>, which is, without +doubt, her best part.</p> + +<p>About this time the auction took place for the second season of two +weeks, which I determined to commence the following Monday. The +particulars of this I have already given.</p> + +<p>The proceeds were very handsome, but nothing like those of the previous +sale. I decided, therefore, that all unsold tickets should be disposed +of at the box-office of the theatre in order that the general public +might have an opportunity of attending the opera prior to our departure.</p> + +<p>During the following week, being the first of this extra season, Mdme. +Patti appeared in <i>Semiramide</i>,<a name="page_121" id="page_121"></a> <i>La Traviata</i>, and <i>Martha</i>. At each +performance there were nearly 3,000 persons assembled in the theatre. On +the following Monday, it being our last week, I induced Mdlle. Nevada to +make her first appearance, on which occasion the receipts reached the +same amount as Mdme. Patti's. Mdlle. Nevada, perhaps because she is a +Californian, drew probably the largest audience we had had.</p> + +<p>On her entering the stage some 3,000 or 4,000 persons shouted and +applauded a welcome as if they were all going mad. She was hardly +prepared for her reception. She had looked forward for many years to +appearing in her native city and singing a great <i>rôle</i> before the +people amongst whom she had spent her early life; and this was a +momentous occasion for her. The enthusiasm of any other public would +have spurred her on. But she was here so much affected that, although +she sustained herself splendidly, yet after the curtain fell she was +unable to speak.</p> + +<p>At the conclusion of the opera she was recalled several times, and large +set pieces of flowers, some six feet in height, were handed up, numbers +of the leading florists having been busy putting them in shape all the +fore part of the day. New dresses were ordered for that occasion, and an +invitation to get a seat in a box was looked upon as a prize.</p> + +<p>Long before half-past seven the vestibule of the theatre held a mass of +fashionably-dressed ladies and gentlemen, all waiting to be shown to +their<a name="page_122" id="page_122"></a> places in order to be present on the rising of the curtain.</p> + +<p>During all the first act the singer was critically and attentively +listened to, scarcely with any interruptions; but when the curtain fell +after the duet with "Elvino" the pent-up enthusiasm of the audience +broke loose. Nevada was called out, and with shouts, cries, and every +manner of wild demonstration. Flowers were carried down the aisles, +thrown from the boxes and dress-circle, until the stage looked like the +much-quoted Vallambrosa. Again and again the prima donna was called out, +until she was fairly exhausted. Amongst the set pieces handed up to the +stage was a large floral chair built of roses, violets, and carnations +on a wicker frame, and Nevada, as the most natural thing to do, sat +plumply down in it, whereat the house fairly howled with delight. On the +back of the chair were the words, "Welcome home!"</p> + +<p>The following night <i>Aida</i> was performed with the great cast of Patti, +Scalchi, De Anna, and Nicolini, when the largest receipt during the +whole engagement was taken. To describe that evening would be +impossible; it would exhaust all the vocabulary. The gratings along the +alley-way were wrenched off by the crowd, who slid down on their +stomachs into the cellars of the theatre to get a hearing of Patti and +Scalchi.</p> + +<p>On this day we discovered the "Chinese swing," of which so much was said +in the papers, and which<a name="page_123" id="page_123"></a> had, doubtless, been in operation throughout +the season. In the alley-way leading to the theatre is a lodging-house +facing a sort of opening into the building used for ventilation. An +ingenious fellow had rigged up a swing, and so adjusted it that he could +toss people from his house on to the roof of the theatre to the +ventilation hole. Once there, the intruder passed downstairs through the +building, got a pass-out check on leaving it, which he immediately sold +for two dollars, and then repeated the swing act again. We arrested one +man who had performed the trick four times. The police had to cut the +ropes and take the swing away.</p> + +<p>So many devices were resorted to for entering the theatre without +payment that I had to put it during this performance in a state of +siege, as it were, and to close the iron shutters, as people came in +from ladders through the windows of the dress-circle unobserved in many +instances.</p> + +<p>The following evening Mdlle. Nevada made her second appearance, +performing the character of "Lucia" in Donizetti's opera, when the +receipts were almost equal to those of the first night. Mdme. Patti +performed the next night <i>Il Trovatore</i> to similar receipts. The next +day I produced Gounod's <i>Mirella</i>, when the Grand Opera-house was again +crowded brimful, people considering themselves lucky when they could get +standing room without a view of the stage or a glimpse of the singers. +The following morning was devoted to a performance<a name="page_124" id="page_124"></a> of <i>Faust</i>, in which +Patti took her farewell as "Margherita."</p> + +<p>Just at this time a strange complaint was made against me by a body of +"scalpers," who accused me of having put forward Adelina Patti to sing +on a night for which Nevada had been originally announced. This I had, +of course, done simply from a feeling of liberality towards my +supporters. No one could reasonably accuse me of paying £1,000 a night +to Mdme. Patti with the view of injuring the scalpers. They had, +however, got more tickets into their hands than they were able to +dispose of at the increased rates demanded by them. They, therefore, +banded together, employed a lawyer to proceed against me for damages, +and as a preliminary procured an order laying an embargo on my receipts.</p> + +<p>The Sheriff's officers dropped into the gallery pay-box through a +skylight on to the very head of the money-taker, who was naturally much +surprised by this visitation from above; and they at once seized two +thousand dollars.</p> + +<p>It was very important for me not to let this money be taken, as it would +have been impounded; and being on the point of taking my departure for +Europe I should have been obliged to go away without it.</p> + +<p>The only thing to do was to find securities—"bondsmen," as the +Americans say. It was already nearly four o'clock (I was giving a +so-called<a name="page_125" id="page_125"></a> <i>matinée</i> that afternoon), and at four the Sheriff's office +closed. I insisted on the money being counted, and one of the Sheriff's +officers who was employed in counting it proposed in the most obliging +manner to do the work very slowly if I would give him 50 dollars. This +generous offer I declined, though it would have had the effect of giving +me more time to find bondsmen. I soon, however, discovered seated in the +theatre two friends who I knew would stand security for me. But it was +necessary to find a Judge who would in a formal manner accept the +signatures.</p> + +<p>The performance was at an end, and fortunately there was at this moment +a Judge on the stage in the act of making a presentation to Mdme. Patti, +doing so, of course, in a set speech.</p> + +<p>I did not interrupt the oration; but as soon as it was over, and whilst +Mdme. Patti was weeping out "Home, Sweet Home" as if her heart would +break, I presented to the Judge my two bondsmen. I at the same time took +from my waistcoat pocket and handed to him my ink pencil, and he at once +signed a paper accepting the bondsmen, together with another ordering +the release of the sequestrated funds.</p> + +<p>Armed with these documents, I drove post haste to the Sheriff's office, +and got there at two minutes to four, just as the last bag of silver was +going in. All the bags were now got out and heaped together in my +carriage. The story was already known all<a name="page_126" id="page_126"></a> over San Francisco. An +immense crowd had assembled in front of the Sheriff's office, and as I +drove off bearing away my rescued treasure I was saluted with +enthusiastic cheers.</p> + +<p>When a year later I returned to San Francisco I thought the case would +possibly be brought to trial; but the lawyer representing the "scalpers" +told me that he had been unable to get any money out of them, and that +if I would give him a season ticket he would let the thing drop. The +thing accordingly dropped.</p> + +<p>On reaching Burlington on the Thursday morning following I was desirous +of having a general rehearsal of <i>L'Africaine</i>, which was to be +performed on the second night of the Chicago Opera Festival, and which +had not been given by my Company during the previous twelve months. I +could not rehearse it at Chicago, lest the public should think the work +was not ready for representation. I resolved, therefore, to stop the +train at Burlington in order to rehearse it at a big hall which I knew +was there available. But lest news should get to the Chicago papers that +the Company had stayed at Burlington merely for the purpose of +rehearsing <i>L'Africaine</i>, I determined, if possible, to give a public +performance, and on seeing the manager of the theatre, arranged with him +for one performance of <i>Faust</i>. For five hours I rehearsed <i>L'Africaine</i> +in the hall, and in the evening we had a most successful representation +of <i>Faust</i> at<a name="page_127" id="page_127"></a> the theatre. Dotti was the "Margherita," Scalchi +"Siebel," Lablache "Martha," Del Puente "Valentine," Cherubini +"Mefistopheles," and Giannini "Faust." There was no time for putting +forward announcements by means of bills, and the fact that a performance +of <i>Faust</i> was to be given that evening was made known by chalk +inscriptions on the walls. The receipts amounted to £600. Patti honoured +the performance with her presence in a private box, and a somewhat +indiscreet gentleman, Dr. Nassau, paid her a visit to remind her that it +was over twenty-nine years since she had sung under his direction at the +old Mozart Hall, "Coming through the Rye," "The Last Rose of Summer," +Eckert's "Echo Song," and "Home, Sweet Home." He substantiated his +statements by one of the original programmes which he had brought +purposely to show her. She received him coldly.</p> + +<p>We left Burlington immediately after the night's performance, reaching +Chicago the following Sunday morning, when I immediately paid a visit to +the large Opera-house that had been constructed, and was astonished at +its surpassing grandeur.</p> + +<p>A vast deal had, indeed, been done, and still had to be done in the few +remaining hours to complete it for the reception of the public, the +building being one of the most stupendous, and the event one of the most +brilliant Chicago had ever known. It was impossible to realize the +magnitude of the task<a name="page_128" id="page_128"></a> which had been undertaken, or the splendid manner +in which it had been performed, the auditorium being probably one of the +finest ever constructed for such a purpose. An increased chorus had been +organized of 500 voices, whilst the orchestra had been augmented by a +hundred extra musicians. A new drop curtain had been painted. The +scaffolding was being removed from the ceiling, revealing decorations +both brilliant and tasteful. The opening of the proscenium measured no +less than 70 feet, with an elevation of 65 feet at the highest point of +the arch, and a projection of 20 feet in front of the curtain. There +were two tiers of proscenium boxes, and between the main balconies, +which rose to a height of 30 feet, extending over and above the dress +circle, there was a further space of 50 feet for standing accommodation +in case of overcrowding. To ensure proper warmth the great auditorium +was closed in, and all parts of the building supplied with steam pipes +for heating, upwards of four miles in length. Amongst the features of +the hall were two beautifully-arranged promenades or grand saloons, one +decorated in the Japanese and the other in the Chinese style. +Dressing-rooms for ladies and gentlemen had been constructed all over +the building. The acoustic properties were simply perfect; +sounding-boards, stage drop deflectors, and other scientific inventions +being brought to bear.</p> + +<p>The advance sale of seats on the first day of the opening reached over +$50,000. In consequence of<a name="page_129" id="page_129"></a> the vast size of the building new scenery +had to be painted, which I entrusted to Mr. Charles Fox, with a numerous +staff of assistants; this alone costing £6,000. Each scene was nearly +100 feet wide.</p> + +<p>The house after the opening of the doors presented a surprisingly +brilliant and attractive appearance, looking, in fact, like a permanent +Opera-house. The orchestra was in excellent form, and numbered 155 +musicians, under the direction of Arditi. The opera performed was +<i>Semiramide</i>. The stage band and chorus numbered some 450, and there +were 300 supernumeraries; so that when the curtain rose the effect was +most magnificent. The audience was worthy of the occasion. There must +have been over 5,000 people seated and some 4,000 or 5,000 standing. +There were 80 ushers to attend to the occupants of the stalls; and at +the commencement of the overture there was not one vacant seat. At the +close of each act many of the vast audience repaired to the promenade +and refreshment-rooms, to be recalled to their places by six cavalry +trumpeters who came on the stage to sound a fanfare prior to the +commencement of each act.</p> + +<p>A leading daily paper wrote, the following morning:—</p> + +<p>"The promises made by the Festival Association have been fulfilled to +the letter, and the great temple of Art stood ready for the thousands +for whom it was built. Not a single pledge made in<a name="page_130" id="page_130"></a> reference to this +building but what has been discharged, and the Manager is entitled to +the thanks, and, indeed, the gratitude of the refined and music-loving +classes of this community for the very thorough and self-sacrificing way +in which all essentials and minor details of comfort and convenience +have been achieved."</p> + +<p>On the second night <i>L'Africaine</i> was performed, when a similar +gathering attended. The audience was just as brilliant as on the +previous evening, everyone being in full evening dress. Mdme. +Fursch-Madi gave an effective interpretation of the title <i>rôle</i>, De +Anna as "Nelusko" created quite a sensation, and Cardinali was an +admirable Vasco di Gama.</p> + +<p>On the third evening Gounod's <i>Mirella</i>, an opera never before heard in +Chicago, was chosen for the first appearance of Mdlle. Nevada, and given +with immense success, the part of the gipsy being taken by Mdme. +Scalchi. This was followed on Thursday night by <i>Linda di Chamouni</i>, in +which Mdme. Patti and Mdme. Scalchi appeared together. The <i>Semiramide</i> +night had been thought a great one, but the audience on this occasion +consisted of probably 2,000 more. Where they went to or where they stood +it was impossible to say. Certain it is that 9,000 people paid for +seats, irrespective of those who remained standing.</p> + +<p>On the following evening Mdlle. Nevada appeared as "Lucia," and scored +another triumph; whilst<a name="page_131" id="page_131"></a> Patti and Scalchi drew 11,000 persons more for +the morning performance. This was really a day for memory. The +attendance consisted mostly of ladies, all tastefully, and often +elaborately, dressed in the very latest fashion. Weber's <i>Der +Freischütz</i> was performed in the evening, which terminated the first +week of the Festival.</p> + +<p>The second week we opened with <i>La Sonnambula</i> to an audience of some +8,000 persons, the next night being devoted to the presentation of +Verdi's <i>Aida</i>, with the following great cast:—</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left">"Aida"</td><td align="center">...</td><td align="center">...</td><td align="center">...</td><td align="left">Patti.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">"Amneris"</td><td align="center">...</td><td align="center">...</td><td align="center">...</td><td align="left">Scalchi.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">"Amonasro"</td><td align="center">...</td><td align="center">...</td><td align="center">...</td><td align="left">De Anna.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">"Rhadames"</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">...</td><td align="center">...</td><td align="left">Nicolini.</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>Some 12,000 people attended this performance. The disagreeable weather +did not seem to keep anyone away, and the streets were blocked with +carriages for many squares, as far as the eye could reach. I was assured +afterwards by an inspector that but for the aid of the rain, which came +down in sheets, it would have been impossible to cope with the vast +crowds who still poured in, attempting to enter the building.</p> + +<p>About this time a complaint came to me from behind the scenes that Mdme. +Patti and Mdme. Scalchi were unable to force their way from their +dressing-rooms on to the stage, the wings and flies being crowded with +some 2,000 persons, who during the first act had been joining in the +applause of the<a name="page_132" id="page_132"></a> singers with the audience in front. Together with these +were some 500 supernumeraries with blackened faces, in oriental garb, +chasing round to try to find their places, others with banners arranging +their dresses. At length, with the aid of the police, Mdme. Patti was +enabled to leave her dressing-room, but was surrounded immediately by +crowds of ladies with pens and ink and paper, requesting autographs just +as she was going on to sing her <i>scena</i>.</p> + +<p>The boxes of the house were filled to overflowing, some containing as +many as twelve persons. The flowers on the arm-rests in front were of +the most expensive kind.</p> + +<p>The march in the third act was really most impressive. There were 600 +State Militia on the stage, each Company marching past in twelves, the +rear rank beautifully dressed, the wheels perfect. The <i>finale</i> of the +act, with the military band and the 350 extra chorus, together with the +gorgeous scenery and dresses, was something long to be remembered. Well +might the audience cheer as it did on the fall of the curtain.</p> + +<p>The following night <i>Rigoletto</i> was given, then <i>Il Trovatore</i>, and the +night after that <i>Lohengrin</i>.</p> + +<p>At the close of the second act of <i>Lohengrin</i> there came a call from all +sides of the house, and I was compelled to appear before the curtain, +when I addressed the audience in the following words:—</p> + +<p>"Ladies and gentlemen,—I am rather unprepared<a name="page_133" id="page_133"></a> for the flattering +compliment which you pay me in thus calling for me. I assure you that I +join with you in my appreciation of the successful termination of this +opera season, and I can bestow nothing but the most cordial thanks for +the liberal support which the people of Chicago have given their Opera +Festival. It is an evidence of their taste, and I hope will prove the +forerunner of many more similar meetings. (Applause.) There are several +persons who deserve special mention and thanks, but I shall have to be +content simply with testifying to the earnestness of purpose with which +all have laboured who were in any wise connected with the Festival. I +therefore thank them all. It is no small thing to present thirteen +different operas in two weeks' time, yet the attendance and +manifestations of appreciation on the part of the audience will justify +me in claiming that success has crowned my efforts; and the knowledge +that we have given you all we promised and have satisfied you repays us +for all our work."</p> + +<p>President Peck likewise came forward and thanked the people of the city +for their generous attendance at the first Opera Festival. It had been a +success in every respect, and the management had done its best to +accommodate and please the public.</p> + +<p>A leading journal, in giving a review of the Opera Festival, said:—</p> + +<p>"The Great Operatic Festival is now over, and<a name="page_134" id="page_134"></a> only the memories of its +magnificence and importance are left. The last note has been sung at the +Chicago Operatic Festival, without doubt the greatest musical +undertaking that has ever been accomplished anywhere. In no great city +of Europe or America could 190,000 people have been able to attend the +opera in two weeks. In the first place, the accommodations of even the +largest Opera-houses are not such that 10,000 people could be present at +any one performance. The Operatic Festival Association have been +untiring in their earnest endeavours to present all the operas in the +best possible manner. Each performance has been given as announced, and +the casts have been uniformly good. Thirteen operas have been produced, +all of which were mounted in a manner never before equalled. Many of the +stage pictures, as in <i>Semiramide</i>, <i>Mirella</i>, <i>L'Africaine</i>, <i>Aida</i>, +and <i>Faust</i>, have been simply superb, and will be long remembered for +their beauty. The pictorial charm of the scene on the banks of the Nile +in <i>Aida</i> was also most poetic. The processions, and the way in which +they were controlled, indicated that the stage manager was a man of +taste and ability."</p> + +<p>Prior to my departure, 18th April, 1885, my attendance was requested by +the Mayor, Mr. Carter H. Harrison, at the City Hall, when I was amply +repaid for all the labour I had bestowed upon the Festival by the +magnificent presentation which was then made me, and which I value more +than<a name="page_135" id="page_135"></a> anything of the kind I have ever received. It was nothing less +than the freedom of the City of Chicago—a compliment I can say with +safety that has never been paid to any other Englishman, and what is +more, is never likely to be. Chicago, as everyone at all connected with +America must know, will within a very few years be the first city in the +United States, and probably in the world.</p> + +<p>The success of the Chicago Festival was due in a great measure to the +personal efforts of Ferdinand W. Peck, the President, from whom I +immediately afterwards received a notification to attend the final +committee meeting, when the following testimonial was presented to me, +magnificently engrossed on parchment:—</p> + +<p class="c">At a Meeting of the<br /> +C<small>HICAGO</small> O<small>PERA</small> F<small>ESTIVAL</small> A<small>SSOCIATION</small><br /> +held April 18th, 1885,<br /> +The following Resolution was unanimously adopted:<br /> + Resolved<br /> + That the Chicago Opera Festival Association<br /> + Recognizes the satisfactory manner in which<br /> +C<small>OLONEL</small> J<small>AMES</small> H<small>ENRY</small> M<small>APLESON</small><br /> +has fulfilled his obligations under his contract with<br /> + this Association,<br /> + And they desire to express their high appreciation<br /> +of his liberality in the presentation of all the operas<br /> + produced, without which the grand success of the<br /> + <small> FESTIVAL</small><a name="page_136" id="page_136"></a><br /> + could not have been achieved. In attestation of<br /> + the above the Officers and Board of Directors have<br /> + hereunto subscribed their names:</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left"><small>FERD. W. PECK</small>, <i>President</i>,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><small>WILLIAM PENN NIXON</small>, <i>Vice-President</i>,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><small>LOUIS WAHL</small>, <i>Second Vice-President</i>,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> <small>A. A. SPRAGUE</small></td> <td rowspan="7" valign="middle"><img src="images/brace.png" +width="10" +height="108" +alt="brace pointing to the right" /></td><td rowspan="3"> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> <small>GEORGE M. BOGUE</small></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> <small>EUGENE CAREY</small></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> <small>HENRY FIELD</small> </td><td valign="middle"> <i>directors</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> <small>R. T. CRANE</small></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> <small>JOHN R. WALSH</small></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> <small>GEORGE F. HARDING</small></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><small>GEORGE G. SCHNEIDER</small>, <i>Treasurer</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><small>S. G. PRATT</small>, <i>Secretary</i>.</td></tr> +</table> + +<p class="c">"A<small>DDRESS</small><br /> +"<i>Tendered to Col. J. H. Mapleson by the Musicians and Citizens of the +City of Chicago.</i></p> + +<p>"S<small>IR</small>,—Now since the last note has died away, and lingers only in the +ear of memory to warm and cheer the heart, and the great musical triumph +of our city, the Chicago Opera Festival, is over, we extend to you in +these words what we had expected to say to you amid music and song, had +not the manifold duties that engrossed your time rendered us unable to +do so.</p> + +<p>"It is, indeed, as musicians, lovers of music, and<a name="page_137" id="page_137"></a> citizens that we can +cordially thank you in the name of the mighty people of that great and +haughty city, the Queen of the North and the West. For this city, whose +history has been the wonder of the world, whose greatness and energy in +all things in which it engages are acknowledged by all, now yields this +tribute to you, sir, as the one by whose direction, management, +enterprise, and energy the greatest musical success ever given within +its walls was accomplished.</p> + +<p>"We might say more, but in our city's characteristic mode we express by +deeds far better than by words. For two weeks our citizens night after +night were turned away from the vast temple of music under your control, +for the halls were crowded by others. They brought with them a hope that +blossomed into unexpected realization, and the keen business men and +tired toilers of the city lived a new life and shook the very ground +with their applause.</p> + +<p>"Never had music received such homage here. Again, we thank you for what +you have done, and while we say farewell we also bid you welcome, for we +hope to see you year after year in some vast Opera-hall in which ten +thousand people can be seated, as proposed to be erected by some of our +citizens, where you may win new laurels to your fame in your +heaven-inspired mission of procuring and giving music for the people.<a name="page_138" id="page_138"></a></p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> + +<tr><td>"With congratulations we remain—</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td +style="border-right:solid 1px black;">F<small>REDK.</small> A<small>USTIN</small>, 1st Regt.<br /> + Military Band Leader,</td> + +<td rowspan="6" valign="middle"> Committee on<br /> +—Address and<br /> + Resolutions.</td></tr> + +<tr><td +style="border-right:solid 1px black;">A. R<small>OSENBECKER</small>, Drct. 1st Regt.<br /> + Grand Orchestra,</td></tr> + +<tr><td +style="border-right:solid 1px black;">A<small>LBERT</small> K<small>LEIST</small>, Pres. of C.<br /> + Musical Sy., </td></tr> + +<tr><td +style="border-right:solid 1px black;">E. B. K<small>NOX</small>, Col. 1st Rgt. Inf.<br /> + I.R.G.,</td></tr> + +<tr><td +style="border-right:solid 1px black;">GEO. W. L<small>YON</small>, P.,</td></tr> + +<tr><td +style="border-right:solid 1px black;">C<small>HAS.</small> N. P<small>OST</small>,</td> +</tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td>"Done at Chicago, April 21st, 1885."</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>This may be the place to mention, what I am reminded of whenever I have +to speak of America, the cordial, lavish hospitality with which English +visitors are received in that country. Apart from the favour shown to me +by railway and steamboat companies, who, so far as I was personally +concerned, carried me everywhere free, the committees of the leading +clubs offered me in all the principal cities the honours and advantages +of membership. Not only was I a member of all the best clubs, but I was, +moreover, treated in every club-house as a guest. This sometimes placed +me in an awkward position. More than once I have felt tempted, at some +magnificent club-house, to order such expensive luxuries as terrapin and +canvas-back duck; but unwilling to abuse the privileges conferred upon +me, I condemned myself to a much simpler fare. It<a name="page_139" id="page_139"></a> seemed more becoming +to reserve the ordering of such costly dishes for some future occasion, +when I might happen to be dining at a restaurant.</p> + +<p>It must be admitted that in many of the conveniences of life the +Americans are far ahead of us, and ahead are likely to remain; so averse +are we in England to all departures from settled habits, inconvenient, +and even injurious as these may be. Every opera-goer knows the delay, +the trouble, the irritation caused by the difficulty, when the +performance is at an end, of getting up carriages or cabs. This +difficulty has, in the United States, no existence.</p> + +<p>When the opera-goer reaches the theatre an official, known as the +"carriage superintendent," presents a large ticket in two divisions, +bearing duplicate numbers. One numbered half is handed by the "carriage +superintendent" to the driver. The other is retained by the opera-goer, +who on coming out at the end of the representation exhibits his number, +which is thereupon signalled or telegraphed to a man on the top of the +house, who at once displays it in a transparency lighted by electricity +or otherwise. The carriages are all drawn up with their hind wheels to +the kerbstone, so that the approach to the theatre is quite clear. The +illuminated number is at once seen, and the carriage indicated by it is +at the door by the time the intending occupant is downstairs in the +vestibule.</p> + +<p>It is astonishing how easily this system works.<a name="page_140" id="page_140"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot3"><p class="hang">"COUNT DI LUNA" INTRODUCED TO "LEONORA"—A PATTI CONTRACT—THE STING OF +THE ENGAGEMENT—A TENOR'S SUITE—A PRESENTATION OF JEWELLERY—"MY DON +GIOVANNI"—A PROFITABLE TOUR.</p></div> + +<p class="nind">T<small>HE</small> public are under the impression that the closest intimacies are +contracted between vocalists in consequence of their appearing +constantly together in the same works. Under the new system, by which +the prima donna stipulates that she shall not be called upon to appear +at any rehearsal, this possible source of excessive friendship ceases to +exist. It now frequently happens that the prima donna is not even +personally acquainted with the singers who are to take part with her in +the same opera; and on one occasion, when <i>Il Trovatore</i> was being +performed, I remember the baritone soliciting the honour of an +introduction to Mdme. Patti at the very moment when he was singing in +the trio of the first act. The "Manrico" of the evening was exceedingly +polite, and managed without scandalizing<a name="page_141" id="page_141"></a> the audience to effect the +introduction by singing it as if it were a portion of his <i>rôle</i>.</p> + +<p>To show that the stipulation I have just spoken of is made in the most +formal manner, and to give a general idea of the conditions a manager is +expected to accept from a leading prima donna, I here subjoin a copy of +the contract between Mdme. Patti and myself for my season at Covent +Garden in 1885:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot2"><p class="hang">"THE ENGAGEMENT contracted in London Sixth day of June 1885 BETWEEN +JAMES HENRY MAPLESON Operatic Manager, henceforward described as +Mr. Mapleson and ADELINA PATTI, Artiste Lyrique, henceforward +described as Madame Patti.</p> + +<p>"Article 1.—Mr. Mapleson engages Madame Patti to sing and Madame +Patti engages to sing at a series of Eight Operatic Representations +in Italian or high class Concerts to be given under his direction +from Sixteenth June and ending the Sixteenth July One thousand +eight hundred and eighty five in London in such manner that two of +such Representations or Concerts (as the case may be) may be given +in each week of such period and so that an interval of at least two +clear days may elapse between each Representation or Concert unless +the contracting parties otherwise agree.</p> + +<p>"Article 2.—Mr. Mapleson engages to pay to Madame Patti or her +representative for such series<a name="page_142" id="page_142"></a> the sum of Four thousand pounds and +for all additional Representations or Concerts the sum of Five +hundred pounds each; such payment to be made in advance in sums of +Five hundred pounds each before 2 o'Clock in the afternoon of the +day on which a Representation or Concert is to be given.</p> + +<p>"Article 3.—The repertoire to comprise the Operas of <i>Martha</i>, +<i>Traviata</i>, <i>Trovatore</i>, <i>Lucia di Lammermoor</i>, <i>Il Barbiere di +Seviglia</i>, <i>Crispino</i>, <i>Rigoletto</i>, <i>Linda</i>, <i>Carmen</i> and <i>Don +Giovanni</i>; and thereof 'Il Barbiere,' 'La Traviata,' 'Martha' and +'Zerlina' in <i>Don Giovanni</i> shall be assigned exclusively to Madame +Patti during the entire Operatic Season. The Airs to be sung at the +Concerts (if any) are to be selected by Madame Patti.</p> + +<p>"Article 4.—The selection from such Repertoire of the Opera to be +given at her re-entrée shall be selected and be fixed exclusively +by Madame Patti; but with that exception the choice therefrom of +the Operas to be given at the several representations shall be +Tuesdays and Saturdays, and the days of the week on which Concerts +(if any) shall be given shall be fixed by the mutual agreement of +the contracting parties; and Mr. Mapleson engages to adhere thereto +except in case of sudden, necessary change through the illness of +other principal Artistes in the cast of the chosen Opera.</p> + +<p>"Article 5.—Madame Patti shall be free to attend Rehearsals, but +shall not be required or bound to attend at any.<a name="page_143" id="page_143"></a></p> + +<p>"Article 6.—Madame Patti will at her own expense provide all +requisite costumes for the Operas selected.</p> + +<p>"Article 7.—Mr. Mapleson engages that Madame Patti shall be +announced daily during the series of Representations or Concerts in +a special leaded advertisement among the Theatrical Advertisements +over the Clock as well as in the Operatic Casts or Concert +Programmes in all Journals in which he may advertise his Operas or +Concerts and likewise that her name shall appear in a separate line +of large letters in all Announce Bills of Operas or Concerts in or +at which she is to appear and that such letters shall be at least +one third larger than those employed for the announcement of any +other Artiste in the same Cast or Programme.</p> + +<p>"Article 8.—Madame Patti is not to be at liberty to sing elsewhere +during this engagement except at State Concerts.</p> + +<p>"Article 9.—In the event of Madame Patti not appearing in Opera or +at Concert on the day for which she may have been announced to sing +owing to her indisposition such intended appearance shall be +treated as postponed if such indisposition be of a temporary +character, and for every such non-appearance a substituted +Representation or Concert shall be given before the Sixteenth July +One thousand eight hundred and eighty five, but if such +indisposition continues during a period longer than two succeeding +Operatic or Concert nights provided<a name="page_144" id="page_144"></a> by the first Article the +number of non-attendance nights shall be counted off the Eight +agreed for Representations or Concerts as if Madame Patti had +actually appeared thereat. In the case of such postponement the +payment of the Five hundred pounds shall be postponed until the +morning of the day on which the substituted Representation or +Concert shall be given; but in the case of counting off the day as +wholly gone no salary shall be payable by Mr. Mapleson therefor; +but beyond such postponement or deduction from payment, as the case +may be, he shall have no ground of complaint nor claim for +non-attendance or otherwise. And he engages to announce her +indisposition or withdraw her name from all advertisements and +other announcements of performance at the earliest time and with +all due diligence and publicity.</p> + +<p>"Article 10.—In the event of an Epidemic of Cholera, Small pox, +Fever or other contagious or deadly disease breaking out within the +range of the London Bills of Mortality Madame Patti shall be at +liberty to cancel this Engagement by notice in writing as provided +in the Twelfth Article, and thereupon she shall be no longer +required nor bound to continue the Representations or Concerts, and +thereupon the Two thousand pounds deposit in the Eleventh Article +mentioned, and no more, shall be repayable to him if he shall have +duly performed his several engagements herein.</p> + +<p>"Article 11.—Mr. Mapleson, as a preliminary<a name="page_145" id="page_145"></a> obligation +performable by him (and on performance of which Madame Patti's +obligations under her engagements herein depend) hereby engages to +deposit the sum of Two thousand pounds Cash with Messrs. +Rothschild, at their Counting-house in New Court, St. Swithin's +Lane, London, on or before the Tenth June One thousand eight +hundred and eighty five to the credit of Madame Patti, as part +guarantee for Mr. Mapleson's fulfilment of this engagement. Such +Two thousand pounds are to be applied by Madame Patti as payment +for the last four actual Representations or Concerts, or (as the +case may be) retained by her as her own property for and on account +of damages sustained by her through the nonperformance of this +engagement by Mr. Mapleson.</p> + +<p>"Article 12.—Should Mr. Mapleson fail to make such deposit in full +by the day named Madame Patti shall be at liberty at any time +afterwards, and notwithstanding any negotiation, withdrawal of +notice, waiver, extension of time for depositing, or acceptance of +part payment of such Two thousand pounds to put an end to this +Engagement by lodging with Mr. Mapleson's Solicitors, Messrs. J. +and R. Gole in London, a letter signed by her, announcing her +determination of this Engagement; and thenceforth this Engagement +shall be at an end except so far as regards the Agreement next +following, that is to say, That on such failure and determination +Mr. Mapleson shall, and he hereby<a name="page_146" id="page_146"></a> agrees to pay to Madame Patti on +demand the sum of Four thousand pounds as and for compensation to +her for expenses incident to this Engagement and for loss of time +in procuring other engagements of an equal character.</p> + +<p class="r">"A<small>DELINA</small> P<small>ATTI.</small>"</p></div> + +<p>About the sum payable per night to Mdme. Patti by the terms of the above +agreement I say nothing. Five hundred pounds a night was only half what +I had paid her in the United States; and soon afterwards at Her +Majesty's Theatre I myself offered to give the famous vocalist six +hundred and fifty per night. The sting of the contract lies for the +manager, pecuniarily speaking, in the clause which empowers the singer +to declare herself ill at the last moment, while guaranteeing her +against all the consequences sure to arise from her too tardy apology. +The manager has suddenly to change the performance, and, worse by far, +to incur the charge of having broken faith with the public; for however +precisely the certificate of indisposition may be made out, there are +sure to be some knowing ones among the disappointed crowd who will +whisper, as a great secret known to them alone, that the prima donna has +not been paid, and that the certificate is all a sham.</p> + +<p>What an unfair clause, too, is that by which, if the manager does not +pay in advance to the prima donna at the exact time prescribed the whole +of the<a name="page_147" id="page_147"></a> sum payable to her for all the performances she binds herself to +give, he will by such failure render himself liable for the entire sum +without the prima donna on her side being called upon to sing at all.</p> + +<p>The clause liberating the prima donna from attending rehearsals will be +condemned by all lovers of music. During the three or four years that +Mdme. Patti was with me in America she never once appeared at a +rehearsal. When I was producing <i>La Gazza Ladra</i>, an opera which +contains an unusually large number of parts, there were several members +of the cast who did not even know Mdme. Patti by sight. Under such +circumstances all idea of a perfect <i>ensemble</i> was, of course, out of +the question. It was only on the night of performance, and in presence +of the public, that the concerted pieces were tried for the first time +with the soprano voice. The unfortunate contralto, Mdlle. Vianelli, had +never in her life seen Mdme. Patti, with whom, on this occasion, she had +to sing duets full of concerted passages. At such rehearsal as she could +obtain Arditi did his best to replace the absent prima donna, whistling +the soprano part so as at least to give the much-tried contralto some +idea of the effect.</p> + +<p>In addition to the clauses in the prima donna's written engagement, +there is always an understanding by which she is to receive so many +stalls, so many boxes, so many places in the pit, and so many in the +gallery. How, it will be asked, can<a name="page_148" id="page_148"></a> such an illustrious lady have +friends whom she would like to send to the gallery? The answer is that +the distinguished vocalist wishes to be supported from all parts of the +house, and that she is far too practical—high as may be the opinion she +entertains of her own talents—to leave the applause even in the +smallest degree to chance.</p> + +<p>There are plenty of great singers—though Mdme. Patti is not one of +them—who carry with them on their foreign tours a <i>chef de claque</i> as a +member of their ordinary suite. Tenors are, at least, as particular on +this score as prime donne; and if one popular tenor travels with a staff +of eight, his rival, following him to the same country, will make a +point, merely that the fact may be recorded in the papers, of taking +with him a staff of nine.</p> + +<p>Signor Masini, the modest vocalist who wished Sir Michael Costa to come +round to his hotel and learn from him how the <i>tempi</i> should be taken in +the <i>Faust</i> music, went not long since to South America with a staff +consisting of the following paid officials: A secretary, an +under-secretary, a cook, a valet, a barber, a doctor, a lawyer, a +journalist, an agent, and a treasurer. The ten attendants, apart from +their special duties, form a useful <i>claque</i>, and are kept judiciously +distributed about the house according to their various social positions. +The valet and the journalist, the barber and the doctor are said to have +squabbles at times on the subject of precedence.<a name="page_149" id="page_149"></a></p> + +<p>The functions of the lawyer will not perhaps be apparent to everyone. +His appointed duties, however, are to draw up contracts and to recover +damages in case a clause in any existing contract should seem to have +been broken. The hire of all these attendants causes no perceptible hole +in the immense salary payable to the artist who employs them; and the +travelling expenses of a good number of them have to be defrayed by the +unfortunate manager.</p> + +<p>Only an oriental prince or a musical <i>parvenu</i> would dream of +maintaining such a suite; and soon, I believe, the following of a +vocalist with a world-wide reputation will not be considered complete +unless it includes, in addition to the other gentlemen who wait upon the +Masini's and the Tamagno's, an architect and surveyor.</p> + +<p>It will perhaps have been observed that by one of the clauses of Mdme. +Patti's engagement the letters of her name are in all printed +announcements to be one-third larger than the letters of anyone else's +name; and during the progress of the Chicago Festival, I saw Signor +Nicolini armed with what appeared to be a theodolite, and accompanied by +a gentleman who I fancy was a great geometrician, looking intently and +with a scientific air at some wall-posters on which the letters +composing Mdme. Patti's name seemed to him not quite one-third larger +than the letters composing the name of Mdlle. Nevada. At last, +abandoning all idea of scientific<a name="page_150" id="page_150"></a> measurement, he procured a ladder, +and, boldly mounting the steps, ascertained by means of a foot-rule that +the letters which he had previously been observing from afar were indeed +a trifle less tall than by contract they should have been.</p> + +<p>I can truly say, "with my hand on my conscience," as the French put it, +that I had not ordered the letters to be made a shade smaller than they +should have been with the slightest intention of wounding the feelings +or damaging the interests either of Mdme. Adelina Patti or of Signor +Nicolini. The printers had not followed my directions so precisely as +they ought to have done.</p> + +<p>In order to conciliate the offended prima donna and her irritated +spouse, I caused the printed name of that most charming vocalist, Mdlle. +Nevada, to be operated upon in this way: a thin slice was taken out of +it transversely, so that the middle stroke of the letter E disappeared +altogether. When I pointed out my revised version of the name to Signer +Nicolini in order to demonstrate to him that he was geometrically wrong, +he replied to me with a puzzled look as he pointed to the letters +composing the name of Nevada: "Yes; but there is something very strange +about that E."</p> + +<p>To return to my narrative. At the conclusion of the great Chicago +Festival, we left, in the middle of the night, for New York, and reached +it on Monday morning, where we opened with <i>Semiramide</i> to as large an +audience as the Academy had ever known.<a name="page_151" id="page_151"></a> On the Friday following, on the +occasion of my benefit, the receipts reached nearly £3,000, the house +being crowded from floor to ceiling.</p> + +<p>At the close of the opera I was called before the curtain, and on +quitting the stage, with Adelina Patti on my right and Scalchi on my +left, I was met by Chief Justice Shea, who approached me and said—</p> + +<p>"Colonel Mapleson, a number of our citizens who represent significant +phases of social life and important business interests in this +metropolis desire to testify in a public and notable manner that they +understand and laud the superb success which has followed your efforts +to establish Italian Opera in this city. It is seldom that public men +are understood. It is very seldom that they are offered an +acknowledgment beyond the few earnest friends that cluster around them. +Those citizens to whom I refer recognize that your career amongst us has +not been a mere chance success, but the result of patience, energy, and +the intelligent courage which comes of ripe experience. They think this +an apt occasion on which publicly to express the sincerity of that +opinion. Sir, allow me on their behalf to offer you this memorial."</p> + +<p>I was then handed a magnificent ebony case, fitted with a crystal glass, +containing the following:—A valuable repeater watch set in diamonds, a +gold chain with diamond and ruby slides, diamond and ruby charm in the +shape of a harp, a pair of<a name="page_152" id="page_152"></a> large solitaire diamond sleeve buttons, a +diamond collar stud, a horse-shoe scarf pin (nine large diamonds), three +diamond shirt studs, a gold pencil-case with a diamond top and a plain +gold pin with a single diamond; the whole being valued at £1,300.</p> + +<p>The ebony case and crystal glass I still possess. The contents, together +with everything else, went to keep the Company together during the +disastrous retreat from Frisco of the following year, as to which I will +later on give details.</p> + +<p>I thanked the Chief Justice briefly for the gift and the public for +their patronage, and with difficulty left the stage amidst ringing +cheers and waving of pocket-handkerchiefs: I say with difficulty, +because at that critical moment, as I was picking up a bouquet, the +buckle of my pantaloons gave way; and as my tailor had persuaded me, out +of compliment to him, to discard the use of braces, it was only with +great difficulty that I could manage to shuffle off the stage, +entrusting meanwhile some of the jewellery to Patti and some to Scalchi.</p> + +<p>At New York, as previously at Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Francisco, +lively complaints were made of the vanity and levity of my tenor, +Cardinali, who was an empty-headed, fatuous creature unable to write his +own name or even to read the love-letters which, in spite, or perhaps in +consequence of his empty-headedness, were frequently addressed to him by +affectionate and doubtless weak-minded young ladies. Cardinali possessed +a certain beauty<a name="page_153" id="page_153"></a> of countenance; he had also a sloping forehead, and a +high opinion of his powers of fascination.</p> + +<p>At San Francisco he got engaged to a young lady of good family, who was +one of the recognized beauties of the city. A date had been fixed for +the marriage, and the coming event was announced and commented upon in +all the papers. The marriage, however, was not to take place forthwith; +and when my handsome tenor got to Chicago he was much taken by one of +the local blondes, to whom he swore undying love.</p> + +<p>At Philadelphia he got engaged to another girl, who became furiously +jealous when she found that he was receiving letters from his Frisco +<i>fiancée</i>. Not being able to decipher the caligraphy of the former +beloved one, he entrusted her letters for reading purposes to the +chambermaids or waiters of the hotel where he put up.</p> + +<p>At New York Cardinali formed an attachment to yet another girl, who +fully responded to his ardour. He used to get tickets from me in order +that he might entertain his young women in an economical manner at +operatic representations; and one day, when he had taken the girl whom +he had met at New York to a morning performance, he asked permission to +leave her for a moment as he had to speak to a friend. This friend +turned out to be a lady with whom he had arranged to elope, and the +happy pair left for Europe by a steamer then on the point of starting. +He did not, as far as I know,<a name="page_154" id="page_154"></a> change his partner during the voyage, and +I afterwards lost sight of him.</p> + +<p>We remained at New York a week, giving six extra performances, and left +the following Sunday for Boston. There, too, we stayed a week, +terminating the season on the 2nd May, on which day Mdme. Patti sailed +for Europe, followed by the Company. These frequent voyages across the +Atlantic were my only rests. They greatly invigorated me, bracing me up, +as it were, to meet the fresh troubles and trials which were sure to +welcome me on my arrival.</p> + +<p>It was a most fortunate thing that the Directors of the Royal Italian +Opera Company, Covent Garden, Limited, had thought proper to dispense +with my services the previous year by reason of my having, in +conjunction with their own general manager, engaged Mdme. Patti. +Otherwise I should have been obliged to hand them £15,000, being half +the net profit of this last American tour, to which, by the terms of our +agreement, they would have been entitled.</p> + +<p>I ascertained on my return that for want of £2,000 the Company had +collapsed.<a name="page_155" id="page_155"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot3"><p class="hang">MY COVENT GARDEN SEASON—PATTI'S LONDON SILVER WEDDING—RETURN TO NEW +YORK—DIFFICULTIES BEGIN—RIVAL REHEARSALS—GRAND OPERA AND OPERETTA.</p></div> + +<p class="nind">O<small>N</small> my return to London I opened Covent Garden for a series of Italian +Opera performances, in which Mdme. Patti was the principal prima donna, +and but for Mdme. Patti's twice falling ill should certainly have made +some money.</p> + +<p>On the opening night I was notified as late as seven o'clock that Mdme. +Patti would be unable to appear in "La Traviata," having taken a severe +cold. This was a dreadful blow to me. On inquiry I found that madame's +indisposition arose from a morning drive she had taken on the previous +day over some Welsh mountains during the journey from her castle to the +station. Signor Nicolini, either from fear of the bill at the Midland +Hotel, where they were to put up, or from some uncontrollable desire to +catch an extra salmon, had<a name="page_156" id="page_156"></a> exposed <i>la Diva</i> to the early morning air; +an act of imprudence which cost me something like a thousand pounds.</p> + +<p>The season nevertheless promised to be unusually successful. But within +a few days I met with another misfortune, <i>la Diva</i> having taken a +second cold, of which I was not notified until seven p.m. There was +scarcely time to make the news public before the carriages were already +setting down their distinguished burdens before the Opera vestibule.</p> + +<p>I had no alternative but to introduce a young singer who, at a moment's +notice, undertook the difficult part of "Lucia di Lammermoor." I allude +to the Swedish vocalist, Mdlle. Fohström, who afterwards made a very +successful career under my management. Of course, on this occasion she +was heavily handicapped, as people had gone to the theatre only for the +purpose of hearing Mdme. Patti; whose two disappointments caused me +considerable loss.</p> + +<p>I ended my season about the third week of July, when Mdme. Patti +appeared as "Leonora" in <i>Il Trovatore</i>, renewing the success which +always attends her in that familiar impersonation.</p> + +<p>On this night, the final one of the season, Mdme. Patti concluded her +25th consecutive annual engagement at Covent Garden. Numbers of her +admirers formed themselves into a committee for the purpose of +celebrating the event by presenting her with a suitable memorial, which +consisted of a very valuable<a name="page_157" id="page_157"></a> diamond bracelet. At the termination of +the opera I presented myself to the public, saying—</p> + +<p>"Ladies and Gentlemen,—Whilst the necessary preparations are being made +behind the curtain for the performance of 'God Save the Queen,' I crave +your attention for a very few moments. My first reason for doing so is, +that I desire to tender my sincere thanks for the liberal support you +have accorded my humble efforts to preserve the existence of Italian +Opera in this country. When I state to you that I had barely ten days to +form my present Company, including the orchestra and chorus, I feel sure +you will readily overlook any shortcomings which may have occurred +during the past season. My second reason is to solicit your kind consent +to present to Mdme. Patti in the name of the Committee a testimonial to +commemorate her twenty-fifth consecutive season on the boards of this +theatre."</p> + +<p>The curtain then rose, and disclosed Mdme. Adelina Patti ready to sing +the National Anthem, supported by the band of the Grenadier Guards, in +addition to the band and orchestra of the Royal Italian Opera. This was +the moment chosen for the presentation of a superb diamond bracelet, +subscribed for by admirers of the heroine of the occasion. Its +presentation was preceded by my delivery of the following address from +the Committee of the Patti Testimonial Fund:—</p> + +<p>"Madame Adelina Patti,—You complete this<a name="page_158" id="page_158"></a> evening your 25th annual +engagement at the theatre which had the honour of introducing you, when +you were still a child, to the public of England, and indirectly, +therefore, to that of Europe and the whole civilized world. There has +been no example in the history of the lyric drama of such +long-continued, never interrupted, always triumphant success on the +boards of the same theatre; and a number of your most earnest admirers +have decided not to let the occasion pass without offering you their +heartfelt congratulations. Many of them have watched with the deepest +interest an artistic career which, beginning in the spring of 1861, +became year after year more brilliant, until during the season which +terminates to-night the last possible point of perfection seems to have +been reached. You have been connected with the Royal Italian Opera +uninterruptedly throughout your long and brilliant career. During the +winter months you have visited, and have been received with enthusiasm +at Paris, St. Petersburg, Berlin, Vienna, Madrid, and all the principal +cities of Italy and the United States. But you have allowed nothing to +prevent you from returning every summer to the scene of your earliest +triumphs; and now that you have completed your twenty-fifth season in +London, your friends feel that the interesting occasion must not be +suffered to pass without due commemoration. We beg you, therefore, to +accept from us, in the spirit in which it is<a name="page_159" id="page_159"></a> offered, the token of +esteem and admiration which we have now the honour of presenting to +you."</p> + +<p>The National Anthem, which followed, was received with loyal cheers, and +the season terminated brilliantly.</p> + +<p>After the performance an extraordinary scene took place outside the +theatre. A band and a number of torch-bearers had assembled at the +northern entrance in Hart Street, awaiting Mdme. Patti's departure. When +she stepped into her carriage it was headed by the bearers of the +lighted torches; and as the carriage left the band struck up. An +enormous crowd very soon gathered; and it gradually increased in numbers +as the procession moved on. The carriage was surrounded by police, and +the procession, headed by the band, consisted of about a dozen carriages +and cabs, the rear being brought up by a vehicle on which several men +were standing and holding limelights, which threw their coloured glare +upon the growing crowd, and made the whole as visible as in the daytime. +The noise of the band and of the shouting and occasional singing of the +very motley gathering, which was reinforced by all sorts and conditions +of persons as it went along, awakened the inhabitants throughout the +whole of the long route, which was as follows: Endell Street, Bloomsbury +Street, across New Oxford Street and Great Russell Street, down +Charlotte Street, through Bedford Square by Gower Street, along Keppel +Street, Russell Square,<a name="page_160" id="page_160"></a> Woburn Place, Tavistock Place, Marchmont +Street, Burton Crescent, Malleton Place to Euston road, halting at the +Midland Railway Hotel, where Mdme. Patti was staying. Along the whole of +this distance the scene was extraordinary. The noise, and the glare of +the coloured lights, and the cracking of fireworks which were let off +every now and then, aroused men, women, and children from their beds, +and scarcely a house but had a window or door open, whence peered forth, +to witness the spectacle, persons, many of whom, as was apparent from +their night-dresses, had been awakened from their sleep. Not only were +these disturbed, but a number of horses were greatly startled at the +unusual sound and noise. The procession, which left Hare Street just +before midnight, reached the Midland Hotel in about half an hour, almost +the whole distance having been traversed at a walking pace. When Mdme. +Patti reached the Hotel she was serenaded by the band for a time, and +more fireworks were let off. The great crowd which had assembled +remained in Euston Road outside the gates, which were closed immediately +after the carriages had passed through.</p> + +<p>My season having thus terminated, I at once started for the Continent in +order to secure new talent for the forthcoming American campaign.</p> + +<p>For my New York season of 1885-6, after some considerable trouble, I +succeeded in forming what I considered a far more efficient Company than +I had<a name="page_161" id="page_161"></a> had for the previous five years; except that the name of Adelina +Patti was not included, she having decided to remain at her castle to +take repose after her four years' hard work in America. I subjoin a copy +of the prospectus:—</p> + +<p class="c">"ACADEMY OF MUSIC, NEW YORK.<br /> +<i>Season</i> 1885-86.<br /> +<small>PRIME-DONNE—SOPRANI E CONTRALTI.</small> +</p> + +<p>Madame Minnie Hauk, Madame Felia Litvinoff, Mdlle. Dotti, Mdlle. Marie +Engle, Madame Lilian Nordica, Mdlle. de Vigne, Mdlle. Bauermeister, +Madame Lablache, and Mdlle. Alma Fohström.</p> + +<p class="c"><small>TENORI.</small><br /> +</p> + +<p>Signor Ravelli, Signor de Falco, Signor Bieletto, Signor Rinaldini, and +Signor Giannini.</p> + +<p class="c"><small>BARITONI.</small><br /> +</p> + +<p>Signor de Anna and Signor Del Puente.</p> + +<p class="c"><small>BASSI.</small><br /> +</p> + +<p>Signor Cherubini, Signor de Vaschetti, Signor Vetta, and Signor +Caracciolo.</p> + +<p class="c"><small>DIRECTOR OF THE MUSIC AND CONDUCTOR.</small><br /> +</p> + +<p>Signor Arditi.</p> + +<p class="c"><small>PREMIÈRE DANSEUSE.</small><br /> +</p> + +<p>Madame Malvina Cavalazzi.</p> + +<p>The following were the promised productions:—</p> + +<p>For the first time in New York Massenet's famous opera <small>MANON</small>: words by +MM. H. Meilhac and Ph. Gille. Mr. Mapleson has secured the sole right of +representation, for which M. Massenet has made<a name="page_162" id="page_162"></a> several important +alterations and additions. "The Chevalier des Grieux," Signor Giannini; +"Lescaut," Signor Del Puente; "Guillot Morfontaine," Signor Rinaldini; +"The Count Des Grieux," Signor Cherubini; "De Bretigny," Signor +Caracciolo; "An Innkeeper," Signor de Vaschetti; "Attendant at the +Seminary of St. Sulpice," Signor Bieletto; "Poussette," Mdlle. +Bauermeister; "Javotte," Mdme. Lablache; "Rosette," Mdlle. de Vigne; and +"Manon," Mdme. Minnie Hauk. Gamblers, croupiers, guards, travellers, +townsfolk, lords, ladies, gentlemen, &c., &c. The action passes in 1721. +The first act in Amiens; the second, third, and fourth in Paris. The +last scene, the road to Havre.</p> + +<p>Also Vincent Wallace's opera, <small>MARITANA</small>. For the first time on the +Italian stage, by special arrangement with the proprietors. The +recitatives by Signor Tito Mattei. "Don Cæsar de Bazan," Signor Ravelli; +"The King," Signor Del Puente; "Don Josè," Signor De Anna; "Il +Marchese," Signor Caracciolo; "La Marchesa," Mdme. Lablache; +"Lazarillo," Mdlle. De Vigne; and "Maritana," Mdlle. Alma Fohström. +Mdme. Malvina Cavalazzi will dance the Saraband.</p> + +<p>Likewise Auber's <small>FRA DIAVOLO</small>. "Fra Diavolo," Signor Ravelli; "Beppo," +Signor Del Puente; "Giacomo," Signor Cherubini; "Lord Allcash," Signor +Caracciolo; "Lorenzo," Signor De Falco; "Lady Allcash," Mdme. Lablache; +and "Zerlina," Mdme. Alma Fohström.<a name="page_163" id="page_163"></a></p> + +<p>Ambroise Thomas' opera, <small>MIGNON</small>, will be also presented. "Mignon," Mdme. +Minnie Hauk; "Wilhelm," Signor Del Falco; "Lothario," Signor Del Puente; +"Laertes," Signor Rinaldini; "Frederick," Mdlle. De Vigne; "Giarno," +Signor Cherubini; "Antonio," Signor De Vaschetti; and "Filina," Mdlle. +Alma Fohström."</p> + +<p>The list of singers, which I give above <i>in extenso</i>, would have done +honour to any theatre in Europe. But, alas! the magic name of Patti not +being included had at once the effect of damaging seriously the +subscription. In addition to this, a strong leaning showed itself on the +part of my New York supporters towards the German Opera at the +Metropolitan House; while a newly-formed craze had been developed for +Anglo-German Opera, or "American Opera," as it was denominated. The +prospectus of the latter setting it forth as a "national" affair, +everyone rushed in for it, and considerable sums of money were +subscribed. Its projectors rented the Academy of Music where I was +located. The upshot of it was that a considerable number of intrigues +were forthwith commenced for the purpose, if possible, of wiping me +entirely out. I will mention a few of them in order that the reader may +understand the position in which I was placed. Just prior to leaving +England, and after I had completed my Company, I was informed by the +Directors that I should be called upon to pay a heavy rental for the use +of the Academy, my<a name="page_164" id="page_164"></a> tenancy, moreover, being limited to three evenings a +week and one <i>matinée</i>.</p> + +<p>Having made all my engagements, I was, of course, at their mercy, and it +was with the greatest possible difficulty that I could even open my +season, as they began carpentering and hammering every time I attempted +a rehearsal. However, I succeeded in making a commencement on the 2nd of +November with a fine performance of <small>CARMEN</small>, cast as follows:—</p> + +<p>"Don José," Signor Ravelli; "Escamillo (Toreador)," Signor Del Puente; +"Zuniga," Signor De Vaschetti; "Il Dancairo," Signor Caracciolo; "Il +Remendado," Signor Rinaldini; "Morales," Signor Bieletto; "Michaela," +Mdlle. Dotti; "Paquita," Mdlle. Bauermeister; "Mercedes," Mdme. +Lablache; "Carmen" (a Gipsy), Mdme. Minnie Hauk.</p> + +<p>The incidental divertissement supported by Mdme. Malvina Cavalazzi and +the Corps de Ballet.</p> + +<p>This was followed by an excellent performance of <i>Trovatore</i>, in which +Mdlle. Litvinoff, a charming Russian soprano from the Paris Opera, made +a successful appearance, supported by Lablache, De Anna, the admirable +baritone, and Giannini, one of the favourite tenors of America, who +after the <i>Pira</i> was encored and recalled four times in front of the +curtain. I afterwards introduced Mdlle. Alma Fohström, who had made such +a great success during my London season at the Royal Italian Opera, +Covent Garden.<a name="page_165" id="page_165"></a></p> + +<p>On the occasion of my attempting a rehearsal two days afterwards of +<i>L'Africaine</i>, I found the stage built up with platforms to the height +of some 30 feet, which were occupied by full chorus and orchestra.</p> + +<p>Remonstrance was useless, the Secretary of the Academy being "out of the +way," whilst the conductor, Mr. Theodore Thomas, was closed in and +wielding the <i>bâton</i> with such vigour that no one could approach him. I +said nothing, therefore. In spite of formidable obstacles, the march and +the procession in the fourth act of the opera had to be rehearsed under +the platform, and, as good luck would have it, the opera went +magnificently.</p> + +<p>Rehearsals of <i>Manon</i> had now to be attempted; but whenever a call was +put up, so surely would I find another call affixed by the rival Company +for the same hour; and as they employed some 120 choristers, who had +about an equal number of hangers-on in attendance on them, the reader +can guess in what a state of confusion the stage was.</p> + +<p>The public has but little idea of the difficulties by which the career +of an opera manager is surrounded. An ordinary theatrical manager brings +out some trivial operetta which, thanks in a great measure to scenery, +upholstery, costumes, and a liberal display of the female form divine, +catches the taste of the public. The piece runs for hundreds of nights +without a change in the bill, the singers appearing night after night in +the same<a name="page_166" id="page_166"></a> parts. The <i>maladie de larynx</i>, the <i>extinction de voix</i> of +which leading opera-singers are sure now and then, with or without +reason, to complain, are unknown to these honest vocalists; and if by +chance one of them does fall ill there is always a substitute, known as +the "understudy," who is ready at any moment to supply the place of the +indisposed one.</p> + +<p>The public, when it has once found its way to a theatre where a +successful operetta or <i>opéra bouffe</i> is being played, goes there night +after night for months, and sometimes years, at a time. The manager +probably complains of being terribly over-worked; but all he has really +to do is to see that some hundreds of pounds every week are duly paid in +to his account at the bank. To manage a theatre under such conditions is +as simple as selling Pears' Soap or Holloway's Pills.</p> + +<p>The opera manager does not depend upon the ordinary public, but in a +great measure upon the public called fashionable. His prices are of +necessity exceptionally high; and his receipts are affected in a way +unknown to the ordinary theatrical manager. Court mourning, for +instance, will keep people away from the opera; whereas the +theatre-going public is scarcely affected by it. The bill, moreover, has +to be changed so frequently, so constantly, that it is impossible to +know from one day to another what the receipts are likely to be.</p> + +<p>What would one give for a prima donna who,<a name="page_167" id="page_167"></a> like Miss Ellen Terry or +Mrs. Kendal, would be ready to play every night? Or for a public who, +like the audiences at the St. James's Theatre and the Lyceum, would go +night after night for an indefinite time to see the same piece!</p> + +<p>Finally, at a London Musical Theatre the prima donna of an Operetta +Company, if she receives £30 or £40 a week, boasts of it to her friends. +In an Italian Operatic Company a seconda donna paid at such rates would +conceal it from her enemies.<a name="page_168" id="page_168"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot3"><p class="hang">HOUSE DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF—REV. H. HAWEIS ON WAGNER—H.R.H. AND +WOTAN—ELLE A DÉCHIRÉ MON GILET—ARDITI'S REMAINS—RETURN TO SAN +FRANCISCO.</p></div> + +<p class="nind">T<small>O</small> return to my difficulties at the New York Academy of Music, I was at +length compelled to rehearse where I could; one day at the Star Theatre, +another at Steinway Hall; a third at Tony Pastor's—a Variety Theatre +next door to the Academy.</p> + +<p>In the midst of these difficulties I caught a severe cold and found +myself one morning speechless. I was surprised that afternoon to find a +bottle of unpleasant sticky-looking mixture left with the hall-keeper, +accompanied by a letter strongly recommending it from an admirer, who +had heard, with sorrow, that I had taken cold. Not liking the smell of +it, I sent it to an apothecary's for analysis, when it was found to +contain poison. Fortunately I had not tasted it.<a name="page_169" id="page_169"></a></p> + +<p>Finding myself so heavily handicapped, I decided, pending the +preparation of <i>Manon</i>, to get ready Auber's <i>Fra Diavolo</i>, which had to +be rehearsed under the same difficulties. I, however, succeeded in +producing it on the 20th November, and an excellent performance we gave. +Fohström was charming as "Zerlina," and in the <i>rôles</i> of the two +brigands, Del Puente and Cherubini were simply excellent. I have seen +many performances of <i>Fra Diavolo</i> in London with Tagliafice and +Capponi, whom I considered admirable; but on this occasion they were +fairly surpassed in the brigands' parts by Del Puente and Cherubini. The +part of "Fra Diavolo" was undertaken by Ravelli, and the scenery and +dresses were entirely new; the former having been painted on the roof of +the theatre, either late at night or early in the morning, with the +finishing touches put in on the Sundays.</p> + +<p>The majority of my stockholders were careful to remain away, thus +leaving a very bare appearance in the proscenium boxes. They, too, were +siding with the enemy, or had not quite recovered from the three-dollar +assessment which they had been called upon to pay for Patti the previous +year. All these intrigues, however, marked in my mind the future +downfall of the Academy and its stockholders, the house being now +"divided against itself."</p> + +<p>I will quote from the <i>Evening Post</i>, a paper hostile to my enterprise, +a criticism on the <i>Fra Diavolo</i> performance:—<a name="page_170" id="page_170"></a></p> + +<p>"<i>Fra Diavolo</i>, as presented at the Academy last evening, was by far the +most enjoyable performance given by Mr. Mapleson's Company for a long +time. There was an element of brightness and buoyancy in the acting and +singing of all the principals that admirably reflected the spirit of +Auber's brilliant and tuneful score. Next Monday, when the season of +German Opera opens at the Metropolitan with <i>Lohengrin</i>, there will be +doubtless hundreds who will be unable to secure seats. All such we +earnestly advise to proceed straight to the Academy next Monday, where +<i>Fra Diavolo</i> will be repeated; not only because they cannot fail to +enjoy this performance, since it is an entertaining opera entertainingly +interpreted, but because Mr. Mapleson ought to be encouraged, when he +undertakes to vary his old repertory.... Ravelli sang admirably last +evening, and so did Fohström, who acted her part with much grace and +dainty <i>naïveté</i>. Lablache, Del Puente, and Cherubini were unusually +good and amusing. The Academy, we repeat, ought to be crowded on Monday +next."</p> + +<p>The production of <i>Fra Diavolo</i> gave great satisfaction. Meanwhile, I +made another attempt to continue my rehearsals of <i>Manon</i>. Not only was +I excluded from the stage by the hammering and knocking of this new +Anglo-German Opera Company, but they turned one of the corners of the +foyer into a kind of business office, where their<a name="page_171" id="page_171"></a> chatterings greatly +interrupted my rehearsals with pianoforte. These, at least, I thought, +might be managed within the theatre.</p> + +<p>On ordering an orchestral rehearsal at Steinway Hall the following +morning I was surprised to find that Mr. Thomas and his orchestra had +actually gone there before me; and I had to dismiss my principal +singers, chorus, and orchestra for a couple of hours, when with +difficulty I was enabled to make a short rehearsal.</p> + +<p>This went on day after day much to my annoyance. The Directors now began +troubling me to pay the rent; to which I replied that I would willingly +do so as soon as they performed their portion of the contract by +allowing me to rehearse.</p> + +<p>About this time I was challenged to meet the Rev. H. Haweis, author of +<i>Music and Morals</i>, in a discussion on Wagner to be held at the +Nineteenth Century Club, at which a great number of the fashionables of +New York were present. After a brief introductory address, Mr. +Courtlaudt Palmer, President of the Club, introduced the Rev. Mr. +Haweis. His paper was a running series of anecdotes about Wagner, many +of them keeping the audience in a continual laugh. He then made an +onslaught on Italian Opera, assuring the audience that its days were +numbered, that Wagner for the future was the one composer of dramatic +music, and that every support should be<a name="page_172" id="page_172"></a> given to his works now being +represented at the Metropolitan Opera-house.</p> + +<p>When he had concluded I rose and said, "You have told us much about +Wagner, but nothing about his music. I trust I am not unparliamentary +when I say that if he is to be judged by the effect of his works on the +public—works that have now been for years before the world—Wagner is +an operatic failure, and that what the Rev. Mr. Haweis has told us about +his operas is sheer nonsense. One question he puts to me is: 'Did I ever +lose money by Wagner?' I say emphatically, 'yes.' I once brought over +all the material for his trilogy, the <i>Ring des Nibelungen</i>, from Munich +to London, where it was to have been produced (according to one of the +conditions of the agreement) under the supervision of Wagner himself. +The master did not come; but his work was produced under a conductor of +his own choice, and when the series had been twice given about six +thousand pounds had been lost.</p> + +<p>"My time will come yet. I labour under many difficulties now; but when +New Yorkers are tired of backing German and American Opera, and will +only subsidize me with one per cent. of the millions they are going to +lose, I will return and give them Italian Opera."</p> + +<p>I remember an interesting and, I must admit, not altogether inexact +account of my production of the <i>Ring des Nibelungen</i> being given in the +<i>Musical Journal</i> of New York.<a name="page_173" id="page_173"></a></p> + +<p>"The series," wrote the American journalist, "was given under the +special patronage of the Prince of Wales, who loyally remained in his +box from the rising to the going down of the curtain, although he +confessed afterwards that it was the toughest work he had ever done in +his life. When Wotan came on the darkened stage and commenced his little +recitative to an accompaniment of discords the Prince took a doze, but +was awakened half-an-hour later by a double forte crash of the +orchestra, and, having fallen asleep again, was startled by another +climax fifteen minutes afterwards, when he found Wotan still at it, +singing against time. At the end of five weeks Mapleson's share of the +losses was 30,000 dollars; and the Prince told him confidentially that +if Wotan appeared in any more operas he should withdraw his patronage."</p> + +<p>By dint of perseverance, together with the aid of various managers, I +succeeded in producing Wallace's <i>Maritana</i>. I first performed it over +in Brooklyn, where it met with the most unqualified success, nearly +every piece of music being encored, while Ravelli roused the audience to +frantic enthusiasm by a finely-delivered high C from the chest at the +conclusion of "Let me like a soldier fall." On a third encore he sang it +in English. I then returned to the New York Academy with this opera, +thus fulfilling the second of my promises in the prospectus.</p> + +<p>It wanted now but nine days to the conclusion of my season, and as I had +given to the public, despite<a name="page_174" id="page_174"></a> the grumbling and cavilling, all the +singers announced in my prospectus, I strained every nerve to produce +the last of my promised operas, which caused more difficulty than all +the others put together. This was <i>Manon</i>, which I succeeded in placing +on the stage with entirely new scenery and dresses, and with a +magnificent cast.</p> + +<p>Glad indeed was I to shake the dust off my feet on leaving the Academy, +where during a course of some eight or nine years I had given the New +York public every available singer of eminence, including Adelina Patti, +Etelka Gerster, Albani, Fursch-Madi, Scalchi, Campanini, Aramburo, +Mierzwinski, Galassi, De Anna, Del Puente, Foli, and other celebrities. +I confess I was not chagrined when I gradually saw after a couple of +seasons had passed the downfall of the Anglo-German-American Opera +Company, which from the very beginning had failed to benefit musical art +in any way. Not a single work by an American composer was given, the +repertory being entirely made up of translations of German operas. I +also read without any deep regret of the total break-up of the Academy +with all its belongings. It is now the home of a "variety show."</p> + +<p>This New York season of 1885 was a most disastrous one financially, as +it necessitated my closing for nearly a fortnight in order that the +promised productions should all be given. It was with great difficulty +that I could start the tour, as every combination seemed to be against +me.<a name="page_175" id="page_175"></a></p> + +<p>However, I opened at Boston with <i>Carmen</i> early in January, 1886, to a +crowded house; the other performances of that week being <i>Fra Diavolo</i>, +<i>Manon</i>, <i>Maritana</i>, <i>Traviata</i>, and <i>Carmen</i> for a <i>matinée</i>, the +receipts of which exceeded even those of its performance on the previous +Monday.</p> + +<p>During the second week <i>Faust</i>, <i>Don Giovanni</i>, <i>Rigoletto</i>, <i>Martha</i>, +etc., were performed. We left the next day for Philadelphia, where we +remained until the middle of the following week. From there we went on +to Baltimore, Washington, Pittsburg, Chicago, opening in the last-named +city very successfully with a performance of <i>Carmen</i>; when a violent +scene occurred during the third act from which may be said to date the +disastrous consequences which followed throughout the whole of the +route; one paper copying from another, with occasional exaggerations, so +that in every town we visited the public expected a similar disturbance. +Hence a general falling off in the receipts.</p> + +<p>It was in the middle of the third act, when "Don José," the tenor +(Ravelli), was about to introduce an effective high note which generally +brought down the house, that "Carmen" rushed forward and embraced +him—why I could never understand. Being interrupted at the moment of +his effect, he was greatly enraged, and by his movements showed that he +had resolved to throw Madame Hauk into the orchestra. But she held +firmly on to his red waistcoat, he shouting all the time, "<i>Laissez<a name="page_176" id="page_176"></a> +moi, Laissez moi!</i>" until all the buttons came off one by one, when she +retired hastily to another part of the stage. Ravelli rushed forward and +exclaimed, "<i>Regardez, elle a déchiré mon gilet!</i>" and with such rage +that he brought down thunders of applause, the people believing this +genuine expression of anger to be part of the play.</p> + +<p>Shortly afterwards, on the descent of the curtain, a terrible scene +occurred, which led to my receiving this letter the following morning:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot2"> +<p class="r">"Palmer House, Chicago,<br /> +"February 9th, 1886.</p> + +<p>"D<small>EAR</small> C<small>OLONEL</small> M<small>APLESON</small>,<br /> +</p> + +<p class="ind4">"The vile language, the insults, and threats against the life of my wife +in presence of the entire Company, quite incapacitate her from singing +further, she being in constant fear of being stabbed or maltreated by +that artist, the unpleasant incident having quite upset her nervous +system. She is completely prostrate, and will be unable to appear again +in public before her health is entirely restored, which under present +aspects will take several weeks. I have requested two prominent +physicians of this city to examine her and send you their certificates. +Please, therefore, to withdraw her name from the announcements made for +the future.</p> + +<p>"As a matter of duty, I trust you will feel the necessity to give ample +satisfaction to Miss Hauk for the shameful and outrageous insults to +which<a name="page_177" id="page_177"></a> she was exposed last night, and Mr. Ravelli can congratulate +himself on my absence from the stage, when further scenes would have +occurred.</p> + +<p>"I fully recognize the unpleasant effect this incident may have on your +receipts, more especially so should I inflict upon him personally the +punishment he deserves.</p> + +<p class="r"><span style="margin-right: 2em;">"I am, dear Colonel Mapleson,</span><br /> +"Very truly yours,<br /> +"<span style="margin-right: 3em;">(Signed)</span> E. <small>DE</small> H<small>ESSE</small> W<small>ARTEGG</small>."<br /> +</p></div> + +<p>The following day I received this, other epistle:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot2"> +<p class="r">"February 10th.</p> + +<p>"D<small>EAR</small> S<small>IR</small>,</p> + +<p class="ind4">"My client, Baron Hesse Wartegg, has applied to me for advice concerning +the indignities which Signor Ravelli, of your troupe, has offered to +Mdme. Minnie Hauk on the stage. Signor Ravelli has uttered serious +threats against the lady, and has on several occasions in presence of +the public assaulted her and inflicted bodily injuries, notably on +Monday evening last, during the performance of <i>Carmen</i>. My client +wishes me to invoke the protection of the law against similar +occurrences, as Mdme. Hauk fears that her life is in imminent danger. +Under these circumstances I am compelled to apply to the magistrates for +a warrant against Signor Ravelli, in order that he may be bound over to +keep the peace. The law of this State affecting offences of this +character is very severe, and should<a name="page_178" id="page_178"></a> the matter be brought to the +cognizance of our courts, Miss Hauk will not only have ample protection, +but Mr. Ravelli will be punished. It is her desire, however, to avoid +unpleasant notoriety, which would doubtless reflect on your entire +troupe, and on your undertaking to execute a bond for 2,000 dollars to +guarantee the future good conduct of Ravelli I shall proceed no further. +I respectfully invite your immediate attention to this, and beg you will +favour me with an early reply. Should I fail to hear from you before +to-morrow evening I shall construe your silence as a refusal to secure +proper protection for Miss Hauk and proceed accordingly.</p> + +<p>"Miss Hauk and her husband are actuated by no other motives but those +which are prompted by the lady's own safety. Please favour me with an +early answer.</p> + +<p class="r"> +<span style="margin-right:5em;">"Very respectfully yours,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-right: 4em;">"(Signed)</span> W<small>ILLIAM</small> V<small>OCKE</small>,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"Attorney for Miss Minnie Hauk."</span></p> +</div> + +<p>I had no option but to give the bond.</p> + +<p>That evening Signor Arditi, on leaving the theatre, caught a severe +cold, which confined him to his bed, developing afterwards into an +attack of pneumonia. The assistant conductor, Signor Sapio, was attacked +by a similar malady; also Mdlle. Bauermeister, who was soon indeed in a +very dangerous condition.<a name="page_179" id="page_179"></a></p> + +<p>The following evening Mdlle. Fohström appeared as "Lucia di Lammermoor," +and met with very great success.</p> + +<p>With much persuasion I induced Miss Hauk to reappear as "Carmen", +replacing Ravelli by the other tenor, De Falco.</p> + +<p>During the ensuing week Arditi's condition became worse and worse. As we +were engaged to appear the following evening at Minneapolis we were +compelled to leave him behind as well as various other members of the +Company, who were also indisposed. Prior to my departure I saw the +doctor, who informed me that he considered Arditi's case hopeless; on +which I prepared a cable for his wife asking what was to be done with +his remains. This I left confidentially with the waiter.</p> + +<p>I managed to get with the remnants of my Company to Minneapolis, where a +severe attack of gout developed itself, which confined me to my bed; I +in turn being left behind whilst the Company went on to St. Paul.</p> + +<p>On the Company leaving St. Paul I managed to join the train on its road +to St. Louis, where we remained a week. On the last day of our stay +there I was pleased to see Arditi again able to join the Company, though +in a very delicate state. Mdme. Hauk arrived at St. Louis the last day +we were there. The following week we performed in Kansas City, where for +the opening we gave <i>Carmen</i> with Minnie Hauk, followed by <i>Faust</i> with +Mdme.<a name="page_180" id="page_180"></a> Nordica as "Margherita." The following night at Topeka we played +<i>Lucia di Lammermoor</i> with Fohström.</p> + +<p>During these lengthened journeys across the Continent to the Pacific +Coast the whole of the salaries ran on as if the artists were performing +regularly.</p> + +<p>As a rule we all travelled together; but occasionally, when the distance +between one engagement and the next was too great, and the time too +short, we separated. Sometimes one town in which we performed was four +or five hundred miles away from the next. In that case the train was +either divided into two or into three pieces, as the case might be. For +instance, when we left for Chicago the engineer saw that he was unable +to get to that city in time for our engagement the same evening. He +therefore telegraphed back to Pittsburg, and the railroad officials +there telegraphed on to Fort Wayne to have two extra locomotives ready +for us. Our train was then cut into three parts, and sent whizzing along +to Chicago at a lively rate, getting there in plenty of time for the +evening's performance. It was wonderful, and nothing but a great +corporation like the Pennsylvania Railroad Company could accomplish such +a feat. By leaving at two o'clock in the morning we arrived at four the +same afternoon at our next destination, in ample time to perform that +evening; my hundred and sixty people having travelled a distance of four +or five hundred miles with scenery, dresses, and properties.<a name="page_181" id="page_181"></a></p> + +<p>We afterwards visited St. Joseph and Denver, opening at the latter with +<i>Carmen</i> on a Saturday at the Academy of Music. Early the next morning +we decided to give a grand Sunday concert at the Tabor Opera-house; but +as no printing could be done, and no newspapers were published, the +announcements had to be chalked upon the walls. With some difficulty we +got a programme printed towards the latter part of the day, but +notwithstanding this short announcement, so popular was the Company that +the house was literally packed full. We played at Cheyenne the following +evening, afterwards visiting Salt Lake City, where we presented +<i>Carmen</i>. The irascible Mr. Ravelli again showed temper, and by doing so +caused great inconvenience. I replaced him by one of the other tenors of +the Company.</p> + +<p>Of course I was blamed for this. Ravelli, however, had declared himself +to be indisposed, and I at once published the certificate signed by Dr. +Fowler.</p> + +<p>The opera went exceedingly well.</p> + +<p>Immediately after the performance we started for San Francisco, where we +arrived the following Sunday afternoon, opening with <i>Carmen</i> on the +Monday night before a most distinguished audience. Signor Ravelli +performed "Don José," but in a very careless manner, omitting the best +part of the music. He made little or no effect, whilst Minnie Hauk, who +had not recovered from her previous fatigues, obtained but a <i>succès +d'estime</i>.<a name="page_182" id="page_182"></a></p> + +<p>Meantime a sale of seats by auction, which had been held, was an entire +<i>fiasco</i>.</p> + +<p>The second evening Mdlle. Fohström made a most brilliant success. The +third night was devoted to Massenet's <i>Manon</i>, in which Miss Hauk did +far better than on the opening night. The following evening we performed +<i>La Traviata</i>, in which Mdme. Nordica made her appearance, Signor +Giannini undertaking the <i>rôle</i> of "Alfredo." During this time great +preparations were being made for a production of <i>L'Africaine</i>. The +whole of the scenery and dresses, even to the ship, had been brought to +the Pacific coast, at a considerable outlay; no less than £900 being +paid for overweight of baggage through transporting this costly vessel +across the plains.</p> + +<p>The performance was a fine one, and the work was rendered admirably +throughout, the great ballets and the processions gaining immense +applause.</p> + +<p>In the meantime a great deal of unpleasantness was going on in the +Company, which greatly crippled my movements, besides diminishing my +nightly receipts.</p> + +<p>Although Ravelli, who was really the cause of all the trouble, had been +ill for nearly three weeks, he refused to sing any more unless his full +salary were paid him for the whole of the time. This, of course, I +refused, and law proceedings were the consequence.<a name="page_183" id="page_183"></a></p> + +<p>De Anna, the baritone, had an engagement for the whole six months of our +American tour; and there was a clause in his contract which provided +that during the interval of eight days, about the latter part of +December, whilst the Company was idle, the salary should be suspended. +But on our resuming the tour Mr. De Anna immediately notified me that +unless I paid him for those eight days he would stop singing. This was +the commencement of my trouble with him. Prior to our arrival his salary +was handed to him, half in cash, and half in a cheque payable at San +Francisco. He presented his cheque at the bank before the money had been +placed there, and notified me that in consequence of non-payment he +refused to sing that evening. Thereupon the treasurer went down to his +hotel with the money, which was only a small amount of some £50 or £60. +But he refused to accept it and surrender the cheque. The money was +again tendered to him, and again refused.</p> + +<p>De Anna, following suit with Ravelli, immediately inserted an +advertisement in the daily papers setting forth that the part of +"Nelusko" in <i>L'Africaine</i> was one of the most arduous <i>rôles</i> in the +<i>répertoire</i> of a baritone, and that he alone was capable of performing +it; while he at the same time respectfully informed the public that he +did not intend to do so.</p> + +<p>In the production of <i>L'Africaine</i>, however, Del Puente undertook the +<i>rôle</i> of "Nelusko," and met<a name="page_184" id="page_184"></a> with signal success, so that the +recalcitrant baritone was left out in the cold and not missed. This +tended still further to rouse his ire, and he resorted to a series of +daily statements of some kind or other with the view of discrediting the +Opera.</p> + +<p>It was, indeed, a trying matter to me. The baritone, De Anna, refused to +sing, and Ravelli was in bed with a bad cold; so, too, was Mdlle. +Fohström. News, moreover, arrived from Minneapolis that Mdme. Nordica's +mother, who had been left there, was at the point of death. Nordica +insisted on rushing off at a moment's notice to make the journey of five +days in the hope of reaching her while she was yet alive; and the rest +of the Company were in open rebellion.</p> + +<p>The season, however, despite these almost insurmountable difficulties, +was a complete artistic success; and the Company I presented to my +supporters in San Francisco was one that would have done honour to any +European Opera-house. But, again, the name of <i>la Diva</i> being missing, +the patronage accorded me was of a most scanty kind. The wealthy and +luxurious inhabitants of the suggestively named "Nobs' Hill" remained +carefully away.</p> + +<p>I managed, however, to give the twenty-four consecutive performances +promised, together with three Sunday concerts, the penultimate +performance being devoted to my benefit.<a name="page_185" id="page_185"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot3"><p class="hang">THE RETREAT FROM FRISCO—HOTEL DANGERS—A SCENE FROM "CARMEN"—OPERATIC +INVALIDS—MURDEROUS LOVERS—RAVELLI'S CLAIM—GENERAL BARNES'S +REPLY—CLAMOUR FOR HIGHER PRICES—MY ONWARD MARCH.</p></div> + +<p class="nind">S<small>AN</small> Francisco, or Frisco, as the inhabitants pleasantly call it, is at +the end of the American world; it is the toe of the stocking beyond +which there is no further advance. For this reason many persons who go +to Frisco with the intention of coming back do, as a matter of fact, +remain. It is comparatively easy to get there, but the return may be +difficult. It is obviously a simpler matter to scrape together enough +money for a single journey than to collect sufficient funds for a +journey to and fro; and the capital of California is full of +newly-settled residents, many of whom, having got so far, have found +themselves without the means of retracing their steps.</p> + +<p>At the period of the operatic campaign conducted<a name="page_186" id="page_186"></a> by me—which, +beginning most auspiciously, ended in trouble, disaster, and a retreat +that was again and again on the point of being cut off—contending +railway companies had so arranged matters that access to San Francisco +was easier than ever. The war of rates had been carried on with such +severity that the competing railway companies had at last, in their +determination of outstripping one another, reduced the charge for +carriage from Omaha to Frisco to a nominal sum per head. £20 (100 +dollars) was the amount levied for conveying a passenger to Frisco +direct; but on his arrival at the Frisco terminus £19 was returned to +him as "rebate" when he gave up his ticket.</p> + +<p>The rates from Frisco to New York had also been considerably reduced; +and it was not until, after a series of pecuniary failures, we were on +the point of starting that, to our confusion and my despair, they were +suddenly raised. I had a force of 160 under my command, with an unusual +proportion of baggage; and this hostile move on the part of the railway +companies had the immediate effect of arresting my egress from the city.</p> + +<p>Ravelli, possibly at the suggestion of his oracular dog (who always gave +him the most perfidious counsel), had laid an embargo on all the music, +thus delaying our departure, which would otherwise have been effected +while the railway companies were still at war. They seemed to have come +to an understanding for the very purpose of impeding<a name="page_187" id="page_187"></a> my retreat. +Ravelli suffered more than I did by his inconsiderate behaviour, for he +was entirely unable, with or without the aid of his canine adviser, to +look after his own interests.</p> + +<p>It must be understood that in America a creditor or any claimant for +money, <i>bonâ-fide</i> or not, can in the case of a foreigner commence +process by attaching the property of the alleged debtor. This may be +done on a simple affidavit, and the matter is not brought before the +Courts until afterwards.</p> + +<p>All the foreigner can do in return is to find "bondsmen" who will +guarantee his appearance at a future period, or, in default, payment of +the sum demanded; and it has happened to me when I have been on the +point of taking ship to be confronted by a number of claimants, each of +whom had procured an order empowering him either to arrest me or to +seize my effects. I used, therefore, on my way to the steamer, or it +might be the railway station, to march, attended by a couple of +"bondsmen" and a Judge. The "bondsmen" gave the necessary security, the +Judge signed his acceptance of the proffered guarantee, and I was then +at liberty to depart.</p> + +<p>Once, as I have already shown, I had to suffer attachment of my receipts +at the hands of a body of "scalpers," who, when I had liberated the +money through the aid of two friendly "bondsmen" and a courteous Judge, +abandoned their claim; though when next year I returned to Frisco they +could, of<a name="page_188" id="page_188"></a> course, had it not been absolutely groundless, have pressed +it before the proper tribunal.</p> + +<p>Among other extraordinary claims made upon me immediately after the +affair of the "scalpers" was one for 400 gallons of eau de Cologne. Some +such quantity had, it was alleged, been ordered for fountains that were +to play in front of the Opera-house; but the dealers, in lieu of eau de +Cologne, had furnished me chiefly with water of the country. They swore, +however, that I really owed them the money they demanded, and an +attachment was duly granted.</p> + +<p>It was through the treachery, then, of the dog-fearing Ravelli that our +misfortunes in Frisco were brought to something like a crisis. In +seizing the music in which the whole Company had an interest the +thoughtless tenor was, of course, injuring himself and preparing his own +discomfiture. The effect of his action was in any case to stop for a +time my departure. We had evacuated the city, and now found ourselves +blocked and isolated at the railway station. The railways would not have +us at any price but their own. The hotel keepers were by no means +anxious for our return, and some of the members of my Company had a +healthy horror of running up hotel bills they were unable to pay. This +may in part at least have been inspired by the following notice which, +or something to the same effect, may be found exhibited in most of the +Western hotels:—<a name="page_189" id="page_189"></a></p> + +<div class="blockquot2"> +<p class="c"><i>An Act to Protect Hotel and Boarding-house Keepers.</i><br /> +"Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the</p> + +<p class="ind4"> +State of Missouri as follows:—<br /> +</p> + +<p>"Section I.—Every person who shall obtain board or lodging in any hotel +or boarding-house by means of any statement or pretence, or shall fail +or refuse to pay therefor, shall be held to have obtained the same with +the intent to cheat and defraud such hotel or boarding-house keeper, and +shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanour, and upon conviction thereof +shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or by +imprisonment in the county gaol or city workhouse not exceeding six +months, or by both (such) fine and imprisonment.</p> + +<p>"Section II.—It shall be the duty of every hotel and boarding-house +keeper in this State to post a printed copy of this Act in a conspicuous +place in each room of his or her hotel or boarding-house, and no +conviction shall be had under the foregoing section until it shall be +made to appear to the satisfaction of the Court that the provisions of +this section have been substantially complied with by the hotel or +boarding-house keeper making the complaint.</p> + +<p>"Approved March 25th, 1885."</p> + +</div> + +<p>I had, counting principals, chorus, ballet, and orchestra, 160 persons +under my care, and by the terms of the hotel notice just reproduced the +penalties incurred by my Company, had they quartered<a name="page_190" id="page_190"></a> themselves upon +innkeepers without possessing the means of paying their bills, would +have amounted in the gross to £16,000 in fines and eighty years in +periods of imprisonment. It was evidently better to bivouac in the open +than to run the chance of so crushing a punishment.</p> + +<p>A deputation of the chorus waited upon me, saying that as their artistic +career seemed to be at an end, it would be as well for them to take to +the sale of bananas and ice creams in the streets; whilst others +proposed to start restaurants, or to blacken their faces and form +themselves into companies of Italian niggers.</p> + +<p>Some of the female choristers wished to take engagements as cooks, and +one ancient dame who in her early youth had sold flowers on the banks of +the Arno thought it would be pretty and profitable to resume in Frisco +the occupation which she had pursued some thirty or forty years +previously at Florence.</p> + +<p>All these chorus singers seemed to have a trade of some kind to depend +upon. In Italy they had been choristers only by night, and in the day +time had followed the various callings to which now in their difficult +position they desired to return. All I was asked for by my choristers +was permission to consider themselves free, and in a few cases a little +money with which to buy wheelbarrows. I adjured them, however, to remain +faithful to me, and soon persuaded them that if they stuck to the +colours all<a name="page_191" id="page_191"></a> would yet be right. For forty-eight hours they remained +encamped outside the theatre. Fortunately they were in a climate as +beautiful as that of their native land; and with a little macaroni, +which they cooked in the open air, a little Californian wine, which +costs next to nothing, and a little tobacco they managed to get on.</p> + +<p class="c"><i>From the "Morning Call."</i><br /> +</p> + +<p>"The scene outside the Grand Opera-house looked very much like Act 3 +from <i>Carmen</i>—about 100 antique and picturesque members of Mapleson's +chorus and ballet, male and female, were sitting or lying on their +baggage where they had passed the night. As these light-hearted and +light-pursed children of sunny Italy lay basking in the sun they helped +the hours to pass by card playing, cigarette smoking, and the exercise +of other international vices. One could notice that there was a sort of +expectant fear amongst them seldom seen in people of their class."</p> + +<p>What above all annoyed them was that they were not allowed to go to +their trunks, an embargo having been laid not only on my music, but on +the whole of the Company's baggage. One of them, Mdme. Isia, wished to +get something out of her box, but she was warned off by the Sheriff, who +at once drew his revolver.</p> + +<p>The Oakland steamer was ready to carry us across the bay to the railway +station as soon as we should be free to depart. But there were +formalities still<a name="page_192" id="page_192"></a> to go through and positive obstacles to overcome. At +last my anxious choristers, looking everywhere for some sign, saw me +driving towards them in a buggy with the Sheriff's officer. I bore in my +hand a significant bit of blue paper which I waved like a flag as I +approached them. They responded with a ringing cheer. They understood me +and knew that they were saved.</p> + +<p>How, it will be asked, did the Company lose its popularity with the +American public to such an extent as to be unable to perform with any +profitable result? In the first place several of the singers had fallen +ill, and though the various maladies by which they were affected could +not by any foresight on my part have been prevented, the public, while +recognizing that fact, ended at last by losing faith in a Company whose +leading members were invalids.</p> + +<p>One of the St. Louis papers had given at the time a detailed account of +the illnesses from which so many members of my Company were suffering.</p> + +<p>"An astonishing amount of sickness," said the writer, "has seriously +interfered with the success of the Italian Opera. Fohström and Dotti +sang during the engagement, but both complained of colds and +sore-throats, and claimed that their singing was not near as good as it +usually is. Minnie Hauk had a cold and stayed all the week in St. Paul. +Mdlle. Bauermeister could not sing on account of bronchitis. Signor +Belasco was compelled<a name="page_193" id="page_193"></a> to have several teeth pulled out, and complained +of swollen gums. Mdme. Nordica was sick, without going into particulars. +Signor Rigo was sick after the same fashion. Signor Sapio was attacked +by quinsy at Chicago, and returned to New York. Signor Arditi, the +musical conductor, was confined to his bed with pneumonia. Mdme. +Lablache had a bad cold and appeared with difficulty. Many of the +costumes failed to appear because Signor Belasco, the armourer, was +taken sick en route, and held the keys of the trunks."</p> + +<p>The illness from which so many of the members of my Company were +suffering might, in part at least, be accounted for by their reckless +gaiety at St. Paul. The winter festival was in full swing, and the +ice-palace and tobogganing had charms for my vocalists, which they were +unable to resist. They went sliding down the hill several times every +day. The ladies would come home with their clinging garments thoroughly +wet. They caught cold as a matter of course, and the sport they had had +sliding down hill took several thousand dollars out of my pocket.</p> + +<p>Minnie Hauk was nearly crazy on tobogganing; so was Nordica. Signori +Sapio and Rigo tried heroically to keep up with the ladies in this +sport, and were afterwards threatened with consumption as a reward for +their gallant efforts.</p> + +<p>But it was above all the conflict between Ravelli and Minnie Hauk in +<i>Carmen</i> that did us harm, for<a name="page_194" id="page_194"></a> the details of the affair soon got known +and were at once reproduced in all the papers. It has been seen that Mr. +von Wartegg found it necessary to bring Ravelli before the police +magistrate and get him bound over on a very heavy penalty to keep the +peace towards Mdme. von Wartegg, otherwise Mdme. Minnie Hauk; and the +case, as a matter of course, was fully reported.</p> + +<p>What could the public think of an Opera Company in which the tenor was +always threatening to murder the prima donna, while the prima donna's +husband found himself forced to take up a position at one of the wings +bearing a revolver with which he proposed to shoot the tenor the moment +he showed the slightest intention of approaching the personage for whom +he is supposed to entertain an ungovernable passion? "Don José" was, +according to the opera, madly in love with "Carmen." But it was an +understood thing between the singers impersonating these two characters +that they were to keep at a respectful distance one from the other. +Ravelli was afraid of Minnie Hauk's throttling him while engaged in the +emission of a high B flat; and Minnie Hauk, on her side, dreaded the +murderous knife with which Ravelli again and again had threatened her. +Love-making looks, under such conditions, a little unreal. "I adore you; +but I will not allow you under pretence of embracing me to pinch my +throat!"</p> + +<p>"If you don't keep at a respectful distance I will stab you!"<a name="page_195" id="page_195"></a></p> + +<p>Such contradictions between words and gestures, between the music of the +singers and their general demeanour towards one another, could not +satisfy even the least discriminating of audiences; and the American +public, if appreciative, is also critical.</p> + +<p>With some of my singers ill in bed, others quarrelling and fighting +among themselves on the public stage, my Company got the credit of being +entirely disorganized, and at every fresh city we visited our receipts +became smaller and smaller. The expenditure meanwhile in salaries, +travelling expenses, law costs, and hotel bills was something enormous. +The end of it all was that at San Francisco we found ourselves defeated +and compelled to seek safety in flight.</p> + +<p>We did our best at one final performance to get in a little money with +which to begin the retreat; and I must frankly admit that the +hotel-keepers on whom the various members of my Company were at this +time quartered did their very best to push the sale of tickets, for in +that alone lay their hope of getting their bills paid.</p> + +<p>It has been seen that at one time I was threatened with a complete +break-up: my forces seemed on the point of dispersing.</p> + +<p>I succeeded, however, in keeping the Company together with the exception +only of Ravelli, Cherubini, and Mdlle. Devigne, who afterwards started +to give representations on their own account, and soon found themselves +in a worse plight than even their former associates who had the loyalty +and the sense<a name="page_196" id="page_196"></a> to remain with me. After much aimless rambling they +turned their heads towards New York, which, in the course of two months, +they contrived by almost superhuman efforts to reach.</p> + +<p>Before leaving, Ravelli, as I have shown, dealt me a treacherous blow by +getting an embargo laid on my music as if to secure him payment of money +due, but which was proved not to be owing as soon as the matter was +brought before the Court. That there may be no mistake on this point I +will here give exact reproductions of Ravelli's claim as set forth in +due legal form, and of my reply thereto. Apart from the substance of the +case, it will interest the reader to see that an American brief bears +but little resemblance to the ponderous document known by that name in +England. An American lawyer sets forth in plain direct language what in +England would be concealed beneath a mass of puzzling and almost +unintelligible verbiage. I may add that law papers in America are not +pen-written but type-written, being thus made clear not only to the +mind, but also to the eye. In America a lawyer arrives in Court with a +few type-written papers in the breast-pocket of his coat. In England he +would be attended by an unhappy boy groaning beneath the weight of a +whole mass of scribbled paper divided into numerous parcels, each one +tied up with red tape.</p> + +<p>I will now give the documents in the case of Ravelli against Mapleson, +which, after being heard, was dismissed, but which, in spite of the +admirable<a name="page_197" id="page_197"></a> rapidity of American law proceedings, caused me several days' +delay, and, as a result, incalculable losses; for apart from the sudden +rise in the railway rates I missed engagements at several important +cities along my line of march.</p> + +<p class="c">"<i>Superior Court City and County of San Francisco</i>,<br /> +<i>State of California</i>.<br /> +"L<small>UIGI</small> R<small>AVELLI</small>, Plaintiff, v. J. H. M<small>APLESON</small>,<br /> +Defendant.<br /> +"<i>Complaint.</i></p> + +<p>"Plaintiff above named complains of defendant above named, and for cause +of action alleges:</p> + +<p>"That between the 4th day of February 1886, and the 4th day of April +1886 the Plaintiff rendered services to the defendant at said +defendant's special instance and request, in the capacity of an Opera +singer.</p> + +<p>"That for said services the said defendant promised to pay plaintiff a +salary at the rate of twenty-four hundred dollars per month.</p> + +<p>"That said defendant has not paid the said salary or any part thereof, +and no part of the same has been paid, and plaintiff has often demanded +payment thereof.</p> + +<p>"Wherefore plaintiff demands judgment against the defendant for the sum +of forty-eight hundred dollars and costs of suit and interest.</p> + +<p class="r">"F<small>RANK</small> & E<small>ISNER</small> & R<small>EGENSBURGER</small>,<br /> +"Attorneys for Plaintiff."<a name="page_198" id="page_198"></a></p> + +<p class="c"><i>"State of California, City and County of San +Francisco.</i></p> + +<p>"L<small>UIGI</small> R<small>AVELLI</small> being duly sworn says that he is the Plaintiff in the +above entitled action. That he has heard read the foregoing complaint +and knows the contents thereof. That the same is true of his own +knowledge except as to the matters therein stated on his information and +belief and as to those matters he believes the same to be true.</p> + +<p class="r"> +"L<small>UIGI</small> R<small>AVELLI</small><br /> +</p> + +<p>"Sworn to before me this 10th day of April 1886.</p> + +<p class="r"> +"S<small>AMUEL</small> H<small>ERINGHIE</small>,<br /> +"Dep. Co. Clerk."</p> + +<p>In reply to the above my attorney and friend, the invincible General W. +H. L. Barnes, put in the following "answer and cross complaint":—</p> + +<p class="c">"<i>In the Superior Court of the State of California in<br /> +and for the City and County of San Francisco.</i><br /> +"L<small>UIGI</small> R<small>AVELLI</small>, Plaintiff, v. J. H. M<small>APLESON</small>,<br /> +Defendant.</p> + +<p>"Now comes J. H. Mapleson defendant in the above entitled action by W. +H. L. Barnes his attorney and for answer to the complaint of Luigi +Ravelli the plaintiff in the above entitled action respectfully shows to +the Court and alleges as follows:</p> + +<p>"The defendant denies that between the 4th day<a name="page_199" id="page_199"></a> of February <small>A.D.</small> 1886 +and the 4th day of April 1886 or between any other dates plaintiff +rendered services to the defendant at defendant's special instance or +request or otherwise in the capacity of an opera singer or otherwise +except as hereinafter stated.</p> + +<p>"Defendant denies that for said alleged services or otherwise or at all +this defendant promised to pay plaintiff the salary of twenty-four +hundred dollars per month or any sum except as is hereinafter stated.</p> + +<p>"Defendant admits that he has not paid the said plaintiff for his +alleged services since the 4th day of February A.D. 1886; but he denies +that the same or any part thereof is due to plaintiff from the +defendant.</p> + +<p>"And further answering the defendant alleges and shows to the Court as +follows:</p> + +<p>"That heretofore to wit on or about the 22nd day of July <small>A.D.</small> 1885 at +the City of London, England, the plaintiff Luigi Ravelli and this +defendant made and entered into a contract in writing in and by which it +was agreed substantially as follows:—</p> + +<p>"1st: That said Ravelli engaged as primo tenore assoluto for +performances in Great Britain, Ireland, and the United States with the +defendant, said engagement to begin at the commencement of the season +about the 1st of November <small>A.D.</small> 1885 and to close at the end of the +American season, the salary of said plaintiff to be twenty-four hundred +dollars<a name="page_200" id="page_200"></a> per month payable monthly. The said Ravelli agreed to sing in +Concerts as well as in Operas, but not to sing either in public nor in +private houses in the Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland, or the United +States during 1885-6 without the written permission of the defendant. +The said plaintiff also agreed in and by said contract to conform +himself to the ordinary rules of the Theatre, and to appear for +rehearsals, representations, and concerts at the place and at the +precise time indicated by the official call, and in case the said +plaintiff should violate said undertaking, the defendant had the right +to deduct a week's salary from the compensation of the plaintiff, or at +his option to entirely cancel the said agreement as by said contract now +in the possession of the defendant, and ready to be produced as the +Court may direct, reference being thereunto had may fully and at large +appear.</p> + +<p>"And the defendant further says that after the making of said contract, +said plaintiff commenced to render services as an Opera singer under +said contract, and so continued down to about the 8th day of February +1886 at which time this defendant was in the City of Chicago, State of +Illinois, and was then and there with his Opera Company engaged in +giving representations of Operas, and the like at the Columbia Theatre +in said City. That on the night of said day, and while the Opera Company +of this defendant was engaged in giving a representation<a name="page_201" id="page_201"></a> of the Opera +known as <i>Carmen</i> in which Madame Minnie Hauk assumed the <i>rôle</i> of +'Carmen,' and the said Ravelli the <i>rôle</i> of 'Don José,' the said +Ravelli while on the stage, and in the presence of the audience +violently assaulted said Madame Minnie Hauk and threatened then and +there to take her life, and shouted at her the most violently insulting +epithets and language; that his conduct caused said Madame Minnie Hauk +to become violently ill, and she so continued, and from time to time was +unable to perform, thereby compelling this defendant to change the +operas he had proposed and advertised to give, causing great public +disappointment, and great pecuniary loss to this defendant.</p> + +<p>"And the defendant further says that from about the 8th day of February +1885 to and until the 20th of February 1885 plaintiff refused to perform +any of the parts set down for him to sing, or to attend rehearsals, or +to obey calls as they were sent to him, and generally conducted himself +in a brutal and insubordinate manner. That on the 20th of February at +said City of Chicago this defendant with great difficulty persuaded him +to act and sing in the part of 'Arturo' in the Opera of <i>I Puritani</i>, +but before said last named day, he had been regularly and formally +notified and called to the rehearsals of the Opera of <i>Mignon</i>, and to +rehearse, and sing the part of 'Guglielmo,' and he refused so to do, and +tore up the calls, or notices sent to him therefor, and threw them in +the face of defendant's messenger.<a name="page_202" id="page_202"></a> The said Ravelli was announced to +the public to sing the <i>rôle</i> of said 'Guglielmo' in said opera of +<i>Mignon</i> in all advertisements and notices for the 19th day of February +<small>A.D.</small> 1885, but wholly refused and neglected so to do, and also neglected +and refused to appear and sing in the <i>rôle</i> of 'Don José' in <i>Carmen</i>, +announced in bills and advertised for February 20th, 1885.</p> + +<p>"That after this defendant had as aforesaid persuaded said Luigi Ravelli +to sing in the part of <i>I Puritani</i>, he continued to sing until the 13th +March, at which time this defendant was with his Company at the City of +Denver, in the Territory of Colorado, at which time and place he again +without reason or excuse neglected and refused to sing in a public +concert advertised and given in said City by this defendant.</p> + +<p>"That thereafter and until the 6th of April 1885 said Ravelli was +insubordinate, disrespectful, and self-willed in all his relations with +this defendant, and falsely pretended to be unable to sing with the +exception of two occasions, and on each of such occasions, without +permission of this defendant, and without notice, he wilfully omitted +the various principal airs and songs in the presence of the public who +had paid to hear him sing the same, thereby causing this defendant great +annoyance and loss by reason of the disappointment of the public, and +the ill-will of the public towards this defendant caused thereby. That +during the past four weeks during which this defendant has been with his +said Company<a name="page_203" id="page_203"></a> in the City and County of San Francisco the said Ravelli +has repeatedly wilfully broken his contract, disappointed the public and +greatly injured this defendant in his enterprise in business. He has +sung only twice during all said period, and on his first appearance +wilfully and maliciously omitted to sing a principal part of the music +set down for him to sing, thereby disappointing the public, interrupting +and injuring the representation and inflicting great injury and loss on +this defendant.</p> + +<p>"That on the 10th of April last the said Luigi Ravelli was duly called +to rehearsal, and to sing certain music selected by himself, and which +he had requested this defendant to insert in the Concert programme for +April 11th, but refused to rehearse or sing at said concert although +this defendant had caused to be prepared said music and the band parts +thereof to be written out, and arranged to suit the pleasure and caprice +of said plaintiff.</p> + +<p>"That said Ravelli not only refused to sing, but then and there declared +he would sing no longer for this defendant, and falsely and maliciously +inserted advertisements and notices in certain of the public newspapers +of San Francisco, which notices and publications were greatly to the +injury of this defendant.</p> + +<p>"That all of which doings of said plaintiff were in breach of his +contract with this defendant, and greatly to this defendant's damage, +and to his damage in the sum of five thousand dollars.</p> + +<p>"And this defendant further says that he has repeatedly<a name="page_204" id="page_204"></a> condoned the +violations by said plaintiff of said contract with this defendant and +his violence and brutality towards persons of the Company other than +this defendant in the hope that he will ultimately come to his senses, +and behave himself as he should; but that all this defendant's +forbearance towards him has been of no effect, and has led only to +repeated and further violations of his contract.</p> + +<p>"Wherefore this defendant alleges that all and singular the said acts +and doings of said Ravelli have constituted, and are so many breaches of +his said contract with this defendant and that the same have been to the +damage of this defendant over and above the amount of salary to which +the said Ravelli would have been entitled had he properly conducted +himself in the respects aforesaid, the full sum of five thousand +dollars.</p> + +<p>"Wherefore the defendant demands that the said complaint be dismissed, +and that he may have and recover of the plaintiff as damages for the +breach of his said contract with this defendant the sum of five thousand +dollars, together with the costs of the action and disbursements +incurred in defending this action.</p> + +<p class="r">"W. H. L. B<small>ARNES</small>,<br /> +"Attorney for Defendant."</p> + +<p class="c">"<i>State of California, City and County of San Francisco</i>.</p> + +<p>"J. H. M<small>APLESON</small> being duly sworn deposes and says that he is the +defendant in the above<a name="page_205" id="page_205"></a> entitled action, that he has read the foregoing +answer and cross-complaint and knows the contents thereof; that the same +is true of his own knowledge except as to those matters which are +therein stated on his own information and belief and that as to those +matters that he believes it to be true.</p> + +<p class="r">"J. H. M<small>APLESON</small>.</p> + +<p>"Subscribed and sworn to before me this 16th day of April <small>A.D.</small> 1886.</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td><img src="images/seal.png" width="75" height="74" alt="SEAL." title="SEAL" /></td> +<td> </td> +<td>"G<small>EO.</small> F. K<small>NOX</small>, <br /> + "Notary Public."</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>The suit having been promptly terminated in my favour (General Barnes +wins all his cases, even when they are not quite as good as mine was) I +had to pay a few dollars for law expenses, and the embargo on the music +and baggage was raised. But we could not start on our long journey with +something like ten dollars among the whole one hundred and sixty of us, +and I had still many difficulties to contend with before I could make a +start. In London or Paris I should have begun by parting with my +valuable jewellery, but this I could not do in an American city without +everyone getting at once to know of it. That jewellery cannot pass from +hand to hand without some reasonable proof of ownership being given is +undoubtedly an excellent thing, though it did not suit my particular +case. In England we are such lovers of<a name="page_206" id="page_206"></a> liberty that a low-class +pawnbroker or a receiver of stolen goods is free to purchase or to +accept as a pledge whatever may be offered to him without asking +inconvenient questions, or troubling himself in any way as to how the +property came into the hands of the person anxious to dispose of it. In +America the vendor or pledger of any article of value must give his real +name and address, and at the same time brings as reference some +respectable person, whose name and address must also be given. This +reminds me (if for a few moments I may be allowed to depart from the +thread of my story) that in America spirits cannot legally be sold to +anyone under the age of fifteen, nor under any circumstances to women. +In England we are so wonderfully free that women and children may buy +penn'orths of gin at any public-house; and one enterprising publican is +said to have made a large fortune by establishing in his drink-den a +metal counter low enough to suit the convenience of small children.</p> + +<p>I was obliged to leave a fifty-pound ring at one hotel as security for +the payment of a singer's bill, and, oddly enough, when this ring was +afterwards forwarded me in a registered letter to New York it was seized +at the moment of my opening the packet by a creditor, or rather a +claimant, who, for a pretended debt, had procured an attachment against +my effects; so that it was not until after I had gone through several +formalities that I could get it finally into my possession.<a name="page_207" id="page_207"></a></p> + +<p>I remember a case in which an American manager, whose receipts had been +attached, made a point of putting the money, as it was paid at the +doors, into his pockets, which in a very short time were laden with +coin. To attach the money that a man carries in his pockets a special +order known as a "garnishee" is necessary; and the attachment of money +carried on the person cannot be obtained unless the bearer admits that +he has it about him, or can be proved on sworn evidence to have made +such an admission within the hearing of another person.</p> + +<p>When an attachment has once been obtained the order of attachment can be +sent on by telegraph to be enforced, wherever the person against whom it +has been granted possesses property. On the other hand, as a +counterbalancing advantage, a manager may pledge his receipts by +telegraph, and one man may at any time send money to another by the same +means at quite a nominal charge. Deposit the money at a telegraph +office, and the clerk telegraphs to the office of the place where your +correspondent is staying that a sum equal in amount to the one deposited +is to be forthwith paid. Our post-office orders are issued at usurious +rates, and within limited hours. One cannot, however, but foresee the +day when we shall be reasonable enough in this, as in so many other +matters of practical life, to imitate the Americans.</p> + +<p>It was absolutely necessary for me at the last moment to part with a +certain amount of jewellery,<a name="page_208" id="page_208"></a> and this I contrived to do without, I +hope, attracting too much attention. I was spared the annoyance of +seeing the details of each separate sale recorded in the newspapers.</p> + +<p>I calculated that the losses caused to me by Ravelli's preposterous +conduct amounted to at least 10,000 dollars. At some of the cities along +the great line of railway, where I had engaged to give performances, I +was unable, having lost the dates that had been fixed, to get others; +and at one city, where the manager gave me another date, he stopped the +whole of the receipts; which he said were due to him as damages for the +injury done to him by not performing on the evening originally +appointed.</p> + +<p>On the morning of our departure—our escape, I may say—from the city +where, a year before, we had been so prosperous, and whence I had borne +away not a small, but a very considerable fortune, I was awakened about +one o'clock in the morning by a Chinaman, a negro, and several Italian +choristers, all crying out for money. But I satisfied every claim before +I left; and I was more astonished than delighted to find myself +complimented on having done so by one of the San Francisco papers, in +which it was pointed out that I could easily have saved myself the +trouble and pain in which I had been involved by taking a ticket and +travelling eastward on my own account, leaving the Company to take care +of themselves in the Californian capital.<a name="page_209" id="page_209"></a></p> + +<p>I was not in a position to give gratuities to all who, in my opinion, +deserved them. But John O'Molloy, the gasman of the Opera-house, had +stood by me manfully in all my troubles; and I could not leave without +making him a small present. In doing so I rendered the poor fellow a +truly tragic service; inasmuch as, for the sake of the twenty-five +dollar note which I gave him, he was the same evening robbed and +murdered.</p> + +<p>On the whole, though in the midst of my difficulties I had been worried +a little by interviewers, the San Francisco papers gave me good words at +parting. One of them explained my pecuniary failure not by the scandal +which Ravelli's conduct had caused, but by my having played to popular +prices, instead of the exceptionally high ones which I had charged when +the year before Patti was singing for me, and receiving at the time +payment at the rate of £1,000 a night.</p> + +<p>"Opera," said the journal in question, "is regarded as a luxury, to +enjoy which its votaries are willing to pay liberally. High prices are +its illusion, and when put down to current rates the romance of the +thing is destroyed. Mapleson did not appear to understand this, and his +deficiency of the knowledge has caused him to leave us almost a bankrupt +by his San Francisco venture. It is admitted on all hands that he had a +splendid troupe, but the fact of his performing to what are known as +popular prices,<a name="page_210" id="page_210"></a> and complications arising with certain members of his +troupe, seem to deprive him of his usual success."</p> + +<p>"By the way," said a writer in the paper called <i>Truth</i>, "I notice that +Mapleson is said to be indebted to Ravelli for 6,000 dollars, though an +artist notoriously never permits an impresario to owe him more than a +few performances. [It was proved in Court that I owed him nothing.] At +home, as everybody knows, in their own country they receive in about a +year as much as they are paid in a month in America, the streets of +which the average Italian singer imagines to be paved with gold coins. +As to the success or failure of the venture of the impresario they are +supremely indifferent, but pertinaciously continue to demand the utmost +farthing, no matter how badly things may be going. Lyric artists are, as +a rule, the most grossly ignorant people on all subjects, except their +own special art, and money. They are intensely conceited and abominably +selfish, and regard an impresario as their natural prey. The sums that +Ravelli has received from Mapleson in the last few years are beyond +question sufficient to maintain the tenor in comfort and luxury for the +rest of his life. Yet the moment he fails to receive his <i>quid pro quo</i> +he refuses to render his services, denouncing his manager as a swindler, +and abandons him at a moment when by loyalty and a little patience he<a name="page_211" id="page_211"></a> +could have aided in relieving the ill-fortune which must inevitably be +anticipated in operatic affairs. Of course on general commercial +principles the labourer is worthy of his hire; but in operatic matters +the hire is, as a rule, so entirely out of proportion to the services +rendered, and the conditions of the enterprise so unlike any other +venture, that a little latitude certainly ought to be allowed."</p> + +<p>I found on my arrival at Chicago that one of the Chicago papers had, at +the beginning of my troubles, published the following telegram from its +correspondent at San Francisco:—</p> + +<p>"Mapleson is fighting his last week of opera at San Francisco in the +teeth of dissensions, his first tenor having published a card to the +purport that Mapleson had not fulfilled his obligations with him, and +that he would not sing unless he published an announcement over his own +name. The <i>San Francisco Chronicle</i>, the leading paper, therefore calls +on all music lovers to rally in force for Mapleson's benefit on the +16th. The absurd prices Mapleson pays his operatic cut-throats makes the +opera business a ruinous one. Covered with trophies and a due proportion +of scars from his many campaigns, Mapleson will march his forces into +Chicago to-morrow, Sunday, bivouacing for the night at the Chicago +Opera-house, where his principal members will be heard in a sacred +concert.</p> + +<p>"The different performances given, notwithstanding<a name="page_212" id="page_212"></a> all these operatic +troubles, have been of that high standard which Mapleson alone has ever +presented to us. Mapleson remains with us another week. Such +performances as he has given are in but few places to be found. No Opera +Company existing to-day has a better troupe of singers. There appears to +exist a general impression among certain of the newspapers that Colonel +Mapleson is operatically dead, and entirely out of the hunt. By his +advent here, he proves to the public that he is still on deck."</p> + +<p>My plan of retreat was well devised, and with a little good luck might +have been thoroughly successful. As it was, it at least enabled us, +without too much delay, to reach New York, and from New York to take +ship for Liverpool.</p> + +<p>Unable to command the railroad in a direct way from Frisco to New York, +I determined to undertake a series of engagements at certain selected +points all along the line. If the first of these proved successful I +should be in a better position for my second encounter. It was certain +in any case that at each fresh city I should be able to levy +contributions; and with the money thus raised I could lay in a new stock +of provisions and continue my advance by rail in the direction of New +York, ready to stop at the first city whose population and resources +might make it worth my while to do so.</p> + +<p>Going back a little I must here explain that before<a name="page_213" id="page_213"></a> leaving San +Francisco, in order that Mdme. Minnie Hauk might be fresh for the +proposed performance at Omaha, I had sent her on two days in advance—a +distance of not more than 1,867 miles; whilst Mdme. Nordica was placed +at another strategical point 2,500 miles away, at Minneapolis. She had +to attend her sick mother, but was prepared to rejoin us when called +upon to do so. Mdlle. Alma Fohström, not having sufficiently recovered +from her late indisposition, was left behind at San Francisco, 2,400 +miles from the scene of my next operations.</p> + +<p>From Louisville, Kentucky, I telegraphed Mdme. Minnie Hauk to come on at +once to play <i>Carmen</i> for the second night of our season; and she +arrived in good time. She sang the same evening.</p> + +<p>Mdme. Nordica received orders to join us at Indianapolis, where she was +to appear in <i>La Traviata</i>, which she duly did the following Friday; +whilst Mdlle. Alma Fohström, now recovered, was brought on from San +Francisco to Cincinnati, a distance of some 2,500 miles, to perform in +<i>Lucia di Lammermoor</i>. She also arrived punctually, and sang the same +night.</p> + +<p>I mention this small fact to show what can be accomplished with a little +discipline. The reason why Mdme. Minnie Hauk was sent on to Omaha +beforehand was in order that, by announcing her arrival in that city, I +might give confidence to the public, it having been reported that my +Company<a name="page_214" id="page_214"></a> was broken up. Hence there was no booking; though had we +arrived punctually for the opera on the promised date, my receipts, +which I had already pledged to the Railway Company to get out of San +Francisco, would certainly have been not less than £500 or £600. Mdme. +Minnie Hauk, moreover, would have been saved a détour of some 2,400 +miles.</p> + +<p>Altogether I lost about £2,000, as I missed Omaha on the Friday, +Burlington on the Saturday, Chicago on the Sunday, and my first +performance in Louisville on the Monday.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding my all but insurmountable difficulties the performances +never stopped, an announced opera was never altered, and the whole of +the promised representations actually took place in each city; the press +notices, which I still preserve, being unanimous as to the excellence of +the representations.</p> + +<p>I may mention that the travelling on these lines averages some 25 miles +an hour only, there being several very steep gradients on the road. In +some instances the train goes up over 3,000 feet in 57 miles, and down +again; whilst the height of several mountains traversed by the train +reaches from 7,000 to 8,000 feet.<a name="page_215" id="page_215"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot3"><p class="hang">DEL PUENTE IN THE KITCHEN—SCALDING COFFEE—CALIFORNIAN WINE—THE +SERGEANT TAKES A HEADER—THE RUSSIAN MOTHER—I BECOME A SHERIFF—A DUMB +CHORUS—DYNAMITE BOMBS.</p></div> + +<p class="nind">W<small>HEN</small> the Company started for the steamer which was to ferry us across to +the railway station, further trouble arose in consequence of the +increased sums demanded (now that the rates had been got up) for the +Pullman cars which I had ordered for the principal artists; amounting to +a considerable sum. But this difficulty was ultimately surmounted, and +we left early on Wednesday evening for Omaha, where we were due on the +Friday following.</p> + +<p>My private car, moreover, had been let, and I was forced to engage an +ordinary Pullman, with no facilities whatever for cooking or even +heating water. Hasty purchases had now to be made of wine, coffee, etc., +and a few tins of preserved meats; and a start was made for Omaha.</p> + +<p>I was obliged to make arrangements not only<a name="page_216" id="page_216"></a> for provisioning my +principal artists, but also for cooking their food. I bought, when we +were on the point of starting, a couple of hams and some cans of tinned +meat, wine, and several gallons of whisky; the latter being intended not +for internal consumption, but simply for cooking purposes. I found that +there was no kitchen in the train, and I was obliged to improvise one as +best I could. Del Puente, besides being an excellent singer, is a very +tolerable second-rate cook; and I appointed him to the duty of preparing +the macaroni (which I must admit he did in first-rate style), and of +acting generally as kitchenmaid and scullion. I myself officiated as +<i>chef</i>, and saw at the close of each day that the eminent baritone +washed up the plates and dishes and kept the kitchen utensils generally +in good order.</p> + +<p>Early every morning I prepared the coffee for breakfast; and I believe +no better, and certainly no hotter coffee was ever made than that which +one day just before the breakfast hour I upset, through a jolt of the +train, over my unhappy legs.</p> + +<p>The fresh invigorating air of the mountains and of the spacious plains +may have had something to do with it; but to judge from results, I may +fairly say that my cooking was appreciated. My eight principal artists +were, moreover, in charming temper. All professional jealousy and +rivalry had been forgotten, except perhaps on the part of Del Puente, +who did<a name="page_217" id="page_217"></a> not quite like the secondary position which I had assigned to +an artist who had previously refused all but leading parts.</p> + +<p>At most of the principal stations we were able to purchase eggs, +chickens, tomatoes, and salad. There was generally, moreover, a cow in +the neighbourhood; and wherever we had an opportunity of doing so we +laid in a supply of fresh milk.</p> + +<p>While on the subject of cows, I must say a word as to the cruel fate +which these unhappy beasts meet with at the hands of the railway people. +In front of every train there is a "cow-catcher," which, when a cow gets +on the line, shunts the wretched animal off and at the same time breaks +its legs. I begged the driver more than once to stop the train and put +the mutilated animal out of its misery with a revolver shot, but it was +not thought worth while.</p> + +<p>When a cow is destroyed by the "cow-catcher" the owner can claim from +the railway company half its value; and it is said that in bad times +when cattle are low in the market, or worse still, unsaleable, they are +driven on to the line with a view to destruction. I have often in a +day's journey perceived hundreds of the bleached skeletons of the +animals killed outright by the "cow-catcher," or maimed and left to die. +An inspector, appointed by the railway company, passes from time to time +along the line and, after settling up, marks in the left ear and at the +tip of the tail the dead beasts for<a name="page_218" id="page_218"></a> which the company has paid. The +former owner disposes of the carcasses and hides; the latter alone +possessing appreciable value. The former are left on the ground to +become food for the crows; though the Indians will sometimes cut away +portions of the meat when they come upon a beast which is still fresh.</p> + +<p>During our eight days' journey I acted not only as cook, but also as +butler; and our various wines, all of Californian growth, were +excellent. They cost from 8d to 10d a bottle, and I was not alone in +regarding them as of excellent quality. Singers are not great wine +drinkers, but they are accustomed to wines of the first quality; and I +may say in favour of the wines of California that they were appreciated +and bought for conveyance to Europe by artists of such indubitable taste +as Patti, Nilsson, and Gerster. The cost of carriage renders it +impossible to send the wines of California to Europe for sale. But +someday, when, for instance, the Panama Canal has been cut, there will +be a market for them both in England and on the Continent. They are, of +course, of different qualities. But the finest Californian vintages may +be pronounced incomparable. I remember once being entertained in company +with some of my leading artists by Surgeon-General Hammond, at his house +in Fifty-eighth Street, New York, when some Californian champagne was +served which we all thought admirable. Our facetious host<a name="page_219" id="page_219"></a> disguised it +under labels bearing the familiar names of "Heidsieck" and +"Pommery-Greno;" and we all thought we were drinking the finest vintages +of Epernay and of Rheims. Then under the guise of Californian champagne +he gave us genuine Pommery and genuine Heidsieck; the result being that +we were all deceived. The wine labelled as French, but which was in fact +Californian, was pronounced excellent, while the genuine French wines +described as of Californian origin seemed of inferior quality.</p> + +<p>On arriving at Cheyenne I found it would be impossible to reach Omaha in +time to perform <i>Carmen</i>, which was announced for the following evening; +or Burlington, where <i>Lucia</i> was billed for the Saturday; or Chicago for +our Sunday concert, for which every place had been taken. All had to be +abandoned. Our special train was consequently diverted off to the right +in the direction of Denver, where I telegraphed to know if they could +take us in for a concert the following Sunday. On receiving a negative +reply, I telegraphed to Kansas City, where my proposition was accepted. +I consequently wired the Kansas manager the names of the artists and the +programme containing the pieces each would sing. Through the +manipulation of the telegraph clerks scarcely one of the artists' names +was spelt right, whilst the pieces they proposed to sing, as I +afterwards found, were all muddled up together.</p> + +<p>In due course our party reached Denver, where we<a name="page_220" id="page_220"></a> took half an hour's +stop for watering the train and obtaining ice for the water tanks in the +different cars, after which we started on our road to Kansas City.</p> + +<p>Shortly after leaving Denver one of my sergeants belonging to the corps +of commissionaires—several of whom I had brought from London—was taken +ill and reported to be suffering from sunstroke received many years +previously in India.</p> + +<p>During our brief stoppage at Denver one of the other sergeants had +purchased him some medicine which he was in the habit of taking. About +two o'clock in the morning he became very violent, and it was found +necessary to cut the bell-cord running through the carriage in order to +tie him down. I then gave orders to the sergeant-major to place him in a +bed and have him watched by alternate reliefs of the other sergeants, +changing every two hours.</p> + +<p>About four in the morning, in the midst of a terrific thunderstorm, +accompanied by torrents of rain, I was alarmed by the sudden entry of +the sergeant-major, stating that the invalid under his charge had opened +the window and taken a header straight out.</p> + +<p>There was great difficulty in stopping the train in consequence of the +absence of the bell-cord; but we ultimately succeeded in doing so. +Numbers of us went out to look for the poor man's remains, the vivid +flashes of lightning assisting us in our search.<a name="page_221" id="page_221"></a> As the water on each +side of the railway was several feet deep, and as the sergeant was +nowhere to be found on the line, we concluded after three hours' search +that he must be drowned, and again started the train, leaving word at +the first station of the misfortune that had happened.</p> + +<p>In consequence of this delay we did not reach Kansas City until +half-past ten at night, when a portion of the public met us to express +in rather a marked manner their extreme disapprobation. It was +afterwards explained to me that nearly every seat in the house had been +sold, and that had we arrived in time we should have taken at least +£800, which, in my straitened circumstances, would have been of +considerable assistance.</p> + +<p>We prosecuted our journey straight through to Louisville, Kentucky. But +here, too, we failed to arrive at the proper time. The train being so +many hours late, we did not reach our destination till eleven o'clock at +night, when the audience, who had been waiting some considerable time, +had gone home very irate. Minnie Hauk having rejoined us the following +evening we played <i>Carmen</i> to but a moderate house, in consequence of +the public having lost all confidence in the undertaking. In settling up +with the manager he deducted the whole of my share of the receipts, +stating that they would partly compensate him for the losses incident to +our non-arrival the first night, as well as on the<a name="page_222" id="page_222"></a> previous night, and +for the general falling off in the receipts caused by these mishaps. We +afterwards went to the station to take the train for Indianapolis; but +on arriving there I found that the Sheriffs had seized and attached, not +only all the scenery, properties, dresses, and everybody's boxes, but +the whole of my railway carriages; and it was only with the greatest +possible difficulty, by giving an order on the next city, that I got the +train released. I had, of course, to pay the Sheriff's costs, which were +exceedingly heavy.</p> + +<p>On arriving at Indianapolis very meagre receipts awaited us, these being +absorbed entirely by the railway people on the order which I had given +from Louisville. There were likewise sundry claims from San Francisco. +During the whole of my stay in Indianapolis I was unable to obtain even +a single dollar from the management. I, however, arranged by +anticipating the coming week's receipts to clear up all my liabilities +and get under way for Cincinnati, where the results of our engagement +were something atrocious. The theatre was almost empty nightly, the +public, by reason of the threatened riots, being afraid to go out in the +streets.</p> + +<p>I was now forced, in order to meet the large demands for railway fares, +to drop at successive stations scenery, costumes, and properties. At one +place an immense box, containing nothing but niggers' wigs, mustachios, +and beards, made by<a name="page_223" id="page_223"></a> Clarkson, of London, passed from my hands into +those of the Sheriffs, who held an attachment against it. When I found +it necessary to part at one station with <i>L'Africaine</i>, at another to +separate myself from <i>William Tell</i>, and at a third to cast away the +whole of <i>Il Trovatore</i> and a bit of <i>Semiramide</i>, I felt like the +Russian mother who, to secure her own safety, threw her children one +after the other to the wolves.</p> + +<p>I cannot, however, say that the wolves of the law are worse in America +than in other countries. They bear the same honoured names that one is +accustomed to among the members of the profession in happy England. I +was interested, moreover, to learn that the Levys, the Isaacs, the +Aarons, and the Solomons of the United States are all related to the +Levys, Isaacs, Aarons, and Solomons of our own favoured land. I had so +much to do with them, from the beginning of the retreat from Frisco +until my arrival at New York, and the eve of my departure for Europe, +that they ended by treating me as their friend, and made me free of +their guild. They entertained me also at dinner, and gave me a badge; +and when my health was drunk I was assured that in future I should be +treated like a brother: for, said the speaker, referring to the fact +that I myself was now a Sheriff, "Dog doesn't eat dog."</p> + +<p>To return to my story, contracts having been given out for repairing the +roads and repaving the<a name="page_224" id="page_224"></a> city, in consequence of some league amongst the +various contractors all the streets had been left unpaved at the same +time; and as soon as every paving stone was up a general strike took +place. It was impossible for a carriage to pass along anywhere without +getting upset by the hillocks of stones. Suddenly we heard that the +anarchists were rising, and now the city was filled with State militia +accompanied by numerous Gatling guns for the purpose of clearing the +streets. These things in combination so injured the business of the +Opera that the theatre was empty every night. In many instances +choristers were afraid to go through the streets to fulfil their duties.</p> + +<p>We were now rejoined by Mdlle. Fohström, also by Mdme. Nordica; but all +looked very unpromising. Our previous mishaps had been so much written +about, telegraphed, and in every way exaggerated by the various papers, +that all confidence seemed to have been withdrawn from us, and it was +with the greatest possible difficulty we could carry through our +performances.</p> + +<p>As if in imitation of the paviours of Cincinnati, portions of my Company +now began to strike. First the band struck, then the chorus, then the +ballet.</p> + +<p>One night, when <i>Lucia di Lammermoor</i> was being played, a delegation of +choristers notified me that unless all arrears were paid up they would +decline to go on the stage. Argument was useless. The<a name="page_225" id="page_225"></a> notification was +in the form of an ultimatum. The choristers would not even wait until +the close of the performance for their money, but insisted upon having +it there and then.</p> + +<p>I therefore had to begin the opera with the entrance of "Enrico," +leaving out the small introductory chorus, which was not missed by the +public. We thus got through the first act; also the first scene of the +second act. The curtain was now lowered just before the marriage scene; +and negotiations were again attempted, but still without success. I felt +it necessary to improvise a chorus for the grand wedding scene, and it +consisted of the stage-manager, the scene-painter, several of the +programme-sellers, the male costumier, the armourer and his assistants, +together with several workmen, ballet girls, etc., who, elegantly +attired in some of my best dresses, had a very imposing effect. I gave +strict instructions that they were to remain perfectly silent, and to +act as little as possible; at the same time telling the principal +singers to do their very best in the grand sextet.</p> + +<p>The result was an encore and general enthusiasm. Everyone, too, was +called before the curtain at the close of the act, and one of the +leading critics declared that the <i>finale</i> was "nobly rendered."</p> + +<p>Finding how well I could do without them the chorus now came to terms.</p> + +<p>A concert was given on the following Sunday night which closed the +engagement. The whole of<a name="page_226" id="page_226"></a> the receipts had been absorbed by lawyers, +sheriffs, railway companies, and the keepers of the hotels at which the +principal members of the troupe put up. The hotel-keepers, moreover, had +seized all the boxes. The train was drawn up at the station; but after +waiting two hours the engine was detached and taken away into the sheds.</p> + +<p>In the meantime dark groups of choristers were congregated in different +parts of the city, and things did, indeed, look gloomy. During the night +I succeeded in paying the different hotel bills; and ultimately in the +small hours of the morning the train was got together and started for +Detroit, I remaining behind to make arrangements for paying off the +remaining attachments.</p> + +<p>On the Company's arriving at Detroit it was discovered that Minnie +Hauk's boxes containing her Carmen dresses had been left behind. As they +could not possibly reach her in time I had to arrange by telegraph to +have new dresses made for her during the afternoon. It took the whole of +my time to release the fifty or sixty attachments that had been issued +against the belongings of the various members of the Company, and I +arrived in Detroit early the following morning with the things which I +had at last triumphantly released. The whole of a Pullman car was filled +with the various articles I had set free, including the <i>Carmen</i> +dresses, sundry stacks of washing, various dressing bags, and piles of +ballet girls' petticoats, beautifully starched.<a name="page_227" id="page_227"></a></p> + +<p>Our artistic success in Detroit was great, and, after performing three +nights, we left after the last performance for Milwaukee.</p> + +<p>We passed from Detroit to Milwaukee, where but a few days beforehand the +mob had been fired upon, with some eighteen killed and several wounded. +The whole town was in a state of alarm; neither Fohström's "Lucia" and +"Sonnambula," nor Minnie Hauk's "Carmen," nor Nordica's "Margherita" in +<i>Faust</i> could attract more than enough cash to pay the board bills and +fares to Chicago, for which city we left early the following morning.</p> + +<p>The scenes that had taken place there must be fresh in the mind of +everyone.</p> + +<p>Bombshells had been thrown by the Anarchists; numbers of people had been +killed, and the public of Chicago was in the same frame of mind with +regard to the opera as so many of the previous cities. It preferred to +remain indoors.</p> + +<p>Our musical operations were seriously interfered with by the strike, +which was promptly responded to by a lock-out. The clothing +manufacturers closed their shops, throwing but of employment nearly +2,000 superintendents—"bosses," as the Americans call them—and 25,000 +hands. The hands had demanded ten hours' pay for eight hours' work, with +20 per cent. advance on trousers, and 25 per cent. on vests and coats. +The "bosses" demanded an advance of from 35 to 50 per cent. on all kinds +of work; and it was resolved by the<a name="page_228" id="page_228"></a> employers not to reopen until all +the firms had made a successful resistance to these claims on the part +of the workmen. The metal manufacturers and furniture makers had been +threatened in like manner by their men; and they also refused to yield +to the strikers. At the same time from 30,000 to 40,000 men were on +strike at Cincinnati, where the suburbs were occupied by a whole army of +troops. It now appeared that the disturbances at Chicago were closely +connected with those at Cincinnati. Some of the Socialists on strike +were armed, to the number of 600 or 700, with effective rifles, and they +controlled the manufacture of dynamite shells. The shells which the +rioters had been using at Chicago had been made at Cincinnati, and it +was said that the Chicago Socialists had on hand for immediate use a +supply of these infernal machines. At Milwaukee, some seventy or eighty +miles from Chicago, nineteen Anarchists and Socialists had just been +arraigned on a charge of riot and conspiracy "to kill and murder." In +the streets of Chicago placards were posted on the walls announcing that +groups of more than three persons would be dispersed by force; so that a +husband and wife proceeding in company with two of their children to +hear <i>Il Trovatore</i> or <i>Lucia di Lammermoor</i> ran the risk of being fired +into by Gatling guns.<a name="page_229" id="page_229"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot3"><p class="hang">SUBTERRANEAN MUSIC—THE STRIKER STRUCK—TUSCAN TAFFY—A HEALTHY +"LUCIA"—I RECOVER FROM THE UNITED STATES—A BEKNIGHTED MAYOR.</p></div> + +<p class="nind">W<small>E</small> opened our Chicago season with a grand concert prior to the +commencement of the regular performances in order to let the public know +that all the Company was present in the city after the conflicting +reports that had been circulated.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding all our recent reverses, my Company was intact, except +that the refractory tenor Ravelli had been replaced by Signor Baldanza, +and the basso Cherubini by Signor Bologna. Here, again, in Chicago, my +usual stronghold for Italian Opera, the reports of our troubles had been +exaggerated and enlarged upon, so that the general public had lost all +confidence, notwithstanding the fact that, through Mrs. Marshall Field's +influence, a party of the most distinguished citizens had secured the +whole of the boxes for the entire season.<a name="page_230" id="page_230"></a></p> + +<p>The Chicago engagement was expected to recoup us for our losses in the +West. But, unfortunately, this hope was not realized; and in consequence +of the wild reports that got into general circulation, and, of course, +into the newspapers, the Company began to clamour for their pay. I +referred them to Mr. Henderson, the Manager of the Chicago Opera-house; +and his office was crowded daily with prime donne, chorus people, +dancers, musicians, property men, bill-board men, and supernumeraries, +all demanding money. "Lucia" was begging for dollars and cents; +"Manrico" insisted on having at least three meals a day; while the +"Count di Luna," who shared his rival's apartments, protested that +unless he had a pint of good wine before he went on he could not get out +his F's with due effect in <i>Il Balen</i>.</p> + +<p>Mr. Henderson proclaimed his managerial life a burden, but made no other +response.</p> + +<p>Of the orchestral players the drum was the noisiest; though the hautboy +and the piccolo were every whit as emphatic. It was a united and +determined strike, the keynote of which was, "No pay no play."</p> + +<p>Only two weeks' pay was owing to them, and it was agreed that Mr. +Henderson, the Manager, should give them one week's salary on account. +But when the musicians assembled to receive it they suddenly, through +the persuasiveness of one of<a name="page_231" id="page_231"></a> their body, insisted upon having all +arrears paid up; otherwise they would not enter the orchestra.</p> + +<p>Finding they were obdurate and would not take the money that was offered +them, I was forced to seek musicians from among the various musical +societies of the city, and called a rehearsal as soon as I was ready. +After the new orchestra had been brought together, a hasty rehearsal was +ordered for 7.30 that evening; and not long after the opening of the +doors the public was regaled with the sounds of my new orchestra, who +were practising underneath the pit, from which they were separated only +by a very thin flooring.</p> + +<p>On Arditi's notifying Signor Bimboni, the accompanist and +under-conductor, that he would require him to assist on the piano in the +orchestra, Bimboni replied: "Bless you! I have struck too."</p> + +<p>Nothing discouraged, though somewhat wrath, Arditi succeeded in +unearthing an accompanist, who struggled bravely with the pianoforte +score.</p> + +<p>During the performance, Parry, our stage manager, met Bimboni near the +stage door, and reproached him sharply for deserting his post. This +altercation led to blows. Bimboni struck out wildly, and soon went down +with a black eye and a bruised face as a souvenir of the encounter.</p> + +<p>The chorus, finding that I had provided another orchestra, and had +threatened to find other choristers, gave in; and I must say we +succeeded<a name="page_232" id="page_232"></a> in giving a very excellent performance, despite all +difficulties.</p> + +<p>The next day all was again serene, and I was enabled to continue my +representations until the close, finishing up the season with success. +The Chicago engagement concluded with a benefit tendered to me by most +of the prominent citizens. They thus showed their appreciation of my +efforts as a pioneer; for I was the first manager who had introduced +into their city grand opera worthy of the name.</p> + +<p>Amongst the signatures to the document embodying this fact were the +following well-known names:—The Hon. Carter H. Harrison, Judge Eugene +Carey, Marshall Field, Ferd. W. Peck, J. Harding, Professor Swing, +George Boyne, Irving Pearce, A. A. Sprague, George Schneider, John R. +Walsh, J. McGregor Adams, George F. Harding, S. S. Shortball, J. Russell +Jones, Edson Keith, C. M. Henderson, Hon. J. Medill, Potter Palmer, John +B. Drake, N. K. Fairbank, T. B. Blackstone, A. S. Gage, &c.</p> + +<p>On being called before the curtain I thanked the public for the liberal +support they had given to my undertaking; also the press for the +encouraging notices which it had published daily, notwithstanding all my +troubles. These had been fully made known to everyone by means of the +daily papers, which really took more interest in my affairs than I did +myself.<a name="page_233" id="page_233"></a></p> + +<p>In regard to the strike of my orchestra, an account of which was +published in the <i>Inter-Ocean</i>, Mr. David Henderson, manager of the +Chicago Opera-house, said to an interviewer:—"The new orchestra played +this evening in a satisfactory manner. The Musical Union held a meeting +during the day, and decided, I am told, that the members of the +Colonel's orchestra did wrong in taking the stand in the matter of wages +that they did; that is, in demanding from me back salaries. After the +meeting several of them expressed a desire to come back; but I only took +those needed—five or six in all. The rest are out of employment. The +orchestra is now better than before, and everything is going along +smoothly. At the conclusion of the engagement of the Company, Sunday +night, a number of the principals and of the chorus and executive staff +will return with Colonel Mapleson direct to London. I ought to add that +since the beginning of the engagement he has not touched one cent of the +box-office receipts. I have distributed the money as equitably as I +could, giving to each artist, on present and past salaries, as much as +the receipts would permit. I have learned that the Colonel is not as +much in arrears to his Company as newspaper reports led the public to +believe. Some of the leading people have been, as near as I can +ascertain, only behindhand some three or four performances, before +coming to Chicago. The orchestra that left, I understand, have two<a name="page_234" id="page_234"></a> +weeks' salaries due to them, that were incurred during the past eight +weeks since the Colonel's bad business in California, and through the +lengthened voyage. The best proof of the belief on the part of his +company that the Colonel intends doing what is right by its members is +the willingness with which every one of them has consented to appear at +his benefit, Saturday evening, without compensation."</p> + +<p>"The Mapleson Opera Company," wrote the Tribune, "with the Colonel's +trials and tribulations, have pretty well filled the public eye the past +week. Outside of the Columbia Theatre, with the McCaull people there has +been nothing to talk about but the Colonel. There are times when +Mapleson, unconsciously, perhaps, appeals to sympathy. He is the only +living man to-day with nerve enough to go into the business at all, who +can govern and control the average opera singer. The latter is the most +trying beast on earth. Male or female, Italian or Greek, German or +'American,' they are all alike. A more obstreperous, cantankerous, and +altogether unreasonable being than an opera singer it is hard to find in +any other walk of life. The Italian contingent of the guild is the worst +to get along with. The Italian singer is rapacious, improvident, +ungrateful, and wholly inconsiderate of his manager. At the same time he +is a vain fool whom a word<a name="page_235" id="page_235"></a> of flattery will move. Mapleson speaks +Italian fluently, and hence when trouble arises he seeks the complainer, +gives him a lot of Tuscan taffy, and the idiot goes off and sings as if +nothing had happened. The Mapleson season at the Chicago Opera-house has +had its difficulties, yet it has scored successes. The leading people +have stood by the Colonel. He has had trouble with the orchestra, but +that was quickly remedied. Yesterday Giannini, whom Mapleson picked up, +as it were, out of the gutter in New York, where the Milan Company +dropped him, and to whom he has since paid thousands of dollars, whether +he earned it or not, made a strike just before the <i>matinée</i>. Giannini +wanted 600 dollars. Mapleson offered 400 dollars. Giannini refused it, +and would not sing. Then the Colonel began to talk Italian in his +charming way, and the result was that the tenor went back, dressed, and +sang, and that, too, without a 'cent,' and did it with meekness. <i>La +Sonnambula</i>, which gave Mdlle. Fohström her last chance to appear, drew +a good house at the <i>matinée</i>, and the Colonel's benefit in the evening +was a gratifying tribute. There were no more breaks, and the audience +showed a warm appreciation throughout. The programme was just what +Colonel Mapleson's admirers wanted. Last night's performance ended the +season. From here the company scatters. The principals seek their homes +in<a name="page_236" id="page_236"></a> Europe, and the Colonel travels post-haste to London, where he is to +superintend the Patti appearance in June. Mapleson is disgusted with his +present season's experience, but he is by no means disheartened. He +threatens to come back at an early period."</p> + +<p>At the end of some three weeks we learned that Sergeant Smith, the +commissionaire who jumped out of the window in his shirt, had been +discovered comfortably asleep and unhurt. Some difficulty was +experienced in marching him along in the costume in which he then was to +the hospital, whither it was thought prudent first to take him until +some clothing could be provided. Whilst he was detained there a lady who +had come to visit a sick gardener recognized the sergeant as having +crossed on the same boat with her some six months previously. He readily +accepted her offer of the vacant place, and forthwith began work; and it +was only after many inquiries as to how the missing body had been +disposed of that we discovered the man was still alive. On this being +made known several articles came out in various journals, some giving +the life of Sergeant Smith, and saying where and how he had won his +numerous medals, whilst others expatiated generally on the valour and +endurance of the British army.</p> + +<p>In due course the gallant sergeant joined the main body and donned his +uniform.</p> + +<p>While we were at Chicago another Opera Company,<a name="page_237" id="page_237"></a> calling itself the +Milan Grand Italian Opera Company, was giving performances, and an +amusing incident happened during a representation of <i>Lucia</i>. The +audience was waiting for the appearance of the heroine in the third act. +But they waited and watched in vain. The chorus stood in mute amazement, +while the musicians in the orchestra looked somewhat amused. The +audience stamped their feet and clapped their hands, while the gallery +hissed repeatedly. The curtain was rung down, and there was a wait of a +few minutes, when finally Signor Alberto Sarata, the manager of the +Company, appeared on the stage, and said that Miss Eva Cummings, who had +been singing the part of "Lucia," had suddenly become ill, and was quite +unable to continue her performance. The opera would, therefore, go on +without her. He had scarcely finished speaking when "Lucia" herself came +on to the stage, and declared that she was in perfect health, and that +she wanted her salary. This announcement was received with mingled +cheers and hisses.</p> + +<p>The prima donna bowed gracefully first to one side of the house, then to +the other, and was about to follow the manager, who had already left the +stage, when she found that the curtain was held fast by invisible +forces. From one exit she went to the other, but still was unable to +escape from the presence of the public.<a name="page_238" id="page_238"></a></p> + +<p>"I will get off this time, anyhow!" she exclaimed, and with a rush +pushed the curtain back. The invisible forces still resisted; but after +a time "Lucia" succeeded in making her way to the wings.</p> + +<p>Then the curtain went up, and "Edgardo" began to bewail the death of a +"Lucia" who had not died.</p> + +<p>Towards the close of our Chicago engagement attachments, writs, +summonses, etc., began to fall thick and fast, which had to be dealt +with speedily in order to ensure our departure.</p> + +<p>I therefore made arrangements for a farewell Sunday concert in order to +raise the wind for the purpose.</p> + +<p>I cannot allow this opportunity to pass without tendering my sincere +thanks to my esteemed and valued friend, President Peck, who very kindly +came to the rescue by affording me the monetary assistance I required to +enable us to get out of the city.</p> + +<p>As fast as one attachment was released another came on. The last one I +got rid of about 2 a.m., and left the theatre satisfied that all was +serene. On seating myself at the Pacific Hotel, with a view to supper, I +was called to the door, and notified that the waggons I had seen +properly started had all been arrested and were at the corner of +Dearborn Street. Placing down my knife and fork I hastened off; and by +the aid of my friend Henderson, who gave bonds,<a name="page_239" id="page_239"></a> the attachment was +released. Meanwhile the whole of the Company was on the qui vive for the +entraining order, the steam having been up some ten hours and the train +not yet started.</p> + +<p>At the station I came across the remnants of the Milan Opera Company +which had been stranded some fortnight previously, and whose members +were supplicating aid towards getting to New York. I thereupon had the +great pleasure of affording them all a free passage in my train; and +after sundry salutations from my numerous friends who came to see me off +we took our departure. The Company reached Jersey City very early the +following Tuesday morning, and went straight on board the boat which was +to sail late that afternoon. I meanwhile crossed over into New York, +where I attended at the Inman Steamship Office, and arranged for them to +give a passage to my Company and to take an embargo on my belongings for +their protection, as well as mine.</p> + +<p>I must here set forth that every year on entering the port of New York +the Customs authorities had charged me duty at the rate of some 50 per +cent. on all my theatrical costumes, scenery, and properties, although +the majority of them had originally been manufactured in the United +States. Explanation was useless. The tax was invariably levied, though I +always paid it under protest. I maintained that the things which +accompanied me were tools of<a name="page_240" id="page_240"></a> my profession, and were entitled under the +State law to enter free; but inasmuch as I did not wear the clothing +myself, it was contended that the property could not be so entered. To +be free of duty the costumes, it was argued, must be the personal +property of each performer. Mdme. Sarah Bernhardt on entering the United +States brought some thousands of pounds worth of beautiful dresses, +which were seized, she refusing to pay the amount of import duty +claimed. Her case was heard, and it was decided from Washington that her +dresses, since she wore them herself, were the tools of her profession +or trade, and must be allowed to enter free. My case was different. But +I instituted law proceedings against the United States, which, in +consequence of various delays, lasted some four or five years. A +decision was at last given in my favour. An order was, in fact, issued +to refund me the duty I had previously paid, together with 6 per cent. +interest.</p> + +<p>On leaving the Inman Company's office I met my attorney, who informed me +that the money that I was entitled to in the action I had won against +the United States was payable to me on demand. This was, indeed, good +news, and through my attorney's indefatigable exertions I was enabled to +obtain the final signature of the Customs House authorities to the +cheque which had been drawn to my order, and through his kindness to get +it cashed.<a name="page_241" id="page_241"></a></p> + +<p>I had, before leaving Chicago, received a letter from the ticket +speculator Rullmann, to whom I was indebted upon a libretto contract, +suggesting I should embark at Jersey City to avoid difficulties at New +York. Angelo also recommended this course, saying that at New York there +would be a plant put upon me, in order to delay my departure. As I was a +resident of New York, and stood well there, I decided to start from that +city; and it was a good thing I did so, as I afterwards learned that +preparations had been made at Jersey City to prevent my starting, the +"plant" having been prepared there. As I had a deal of business in New +York the day of my departure, I decided to sail from Castle Garden in +the health-officer's steamer, which was kindly placed at my disposal, +the Captain of the Inman steamer having agreed, on my hoisting the +health flag, to heave-to when outside in order to allow me to get on +board.</p> + +<p>Prior to leaving New York I arranged with the Mayor of Liverpool, +through the medium of the cable, to give a grand concert at the +Liverpool Exhibition building with the whole of my principal artists, +for which I was to receive two-thirds of the gross receipts; and as the +papers stated that the Exhibition was a very great success, I +anticipated sufficient results to enable me, after landing, to take the +Company on to London and send the choruses over to Italy.<a name="page_242" id="page_242"></a></p> + +<p>We arrived in Liverpool three days before the time fixed for the +proposed concert.</p> + +<p>On landing I at once looked at the morning papers, when to my +astonishment no announcement whatever of the concert had been made. On +presenting myself at the Mayor's office I was informed that his Worship, +who had just been knighted, had gone to the north to rest himself, +leaving no instructions whatever with regard to the concert. A few bills +had been ordered at the printers', but the proofs had not been +corrected.</p> + +<p>Feeling myself placed in a very trying position, I set personally about +the arrangements, every obstacle meanwhile being thrown in my way by the +executive, who contended that the Mayor had no right to enter into any +arrangement without their sanction. I at last got placed up in the +Exhibition two bills; which had vanished, however, by the next morning.</p> + +<p>The concert-room was in a most chaotic state, stray pieces of wood, +broken chairs, etc., lying about the floor. I had to arrange the room +myself, and even number the seats.</p> + +<p>The evening of the concert arrived; but the public as well as my own +artists were debarred from entering the doors unless they first paid for +admission to the Exhibition, the whole of the gate money having been +pledged to some banker in Liverpool.<a name="page_243" id="page_243"></a></p> + +<p>The concert gave great satisfaction, but the receipts only reached some +£70 or £80; of which to the present moment I have been unable to obtain +my share.</p> + +<p>As I had to pay Mdlle. Fohström £50, Del Puente £40, and all the others +in proportion, I found myself, counting the hotel bills, some £180 out +of pocket.</p> + +<p>The day after the concert we all reached London. As it was now the 18th +of June it was too late to think of giving a London season; and my +doings were limited to my benefit, which took place at Drury Lane under +the immediate patronage of Her Majesty the Queen and H.R.H. the Prince +of Wales. Mdme. Patti volunteered her services on this occasion, the +Theatre, kindly placed at my disposal by Mr. Augustus Harris, being +crowded.<a name="page_244" id="page_244"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot3"><p class="hang">BACK IN THE OLD COUNTRY—THE LONDON SEASON—SLUGGISH AUDIENCES—MY +OUTSIDE PUBLIC—THE PATTI DISAPPOINTMENTS—THE "SANDWICH'S" STORY.</p></div> + +<p class="nind">S<small>HORTLY</small> afterwards I organized a very strong opera party, determining, +during the coming September, to revisit the English provinces, which I +had rather neglected during the previous seven or eight years. I, +therefore, arranged to visit Dublin, Cork, Liverpool, Manchester, +Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, etc., etc., resolved on giving a series +of excellent performances. Engagements were concluded with Mdlle. Alma +Fohström, Mdme. Nordica, Mdlle. Dotti, Mdlle. Marie Engle, Mdme. +Hastreiter, Mdlle. Bianca Donadio, Mdlle. Jenny Broch, together with +Signor Frapolli, Signor Runcio, Signor Del Puente, Signor Padilla, +Signor Ciampi, Signor Vetta, a promising young basso, and Signer Foli; +my conductors being Signor Arditi and Signor Vianesi.<a name="page_245" id="page_245"></a></p> + +<p>My performances were admirably given; which was readily acknowledged by +the whole of the provincial Press. But during the seven or eight years I +had been away a younger generation had grown up and the elder ones had +gone elsewhere. Inferior English Opera seemed now to be preferred to my +grand Italian Opera; and it was only after I had been playing three or +four nights in a town that the public began to understand the +superiority of the latter.</p> + +<p>In Dublin we had to feel our way with the performances, which culminated +on the last night with a crowded house. I was anxiously expecting the +arrival of Mdlle. Fohström, who had been delayed in Russia through the +illness of a relative. She made her appearance at Dublin in the latter +part of September to one of the most crowded houses I have ever seen.</p> + +<p>We afterwards visited Cork, where I fear, as in Mdme. Gerster's case +some years previously, Mdlle. Fohström took the germs of typhoid fever, +which developed some ten days afterwards. Whilst singing at the grand +concert of the Liverpool Philharmonic the lady found herself scarcely +able to move, much to the astonishment of myself as well as the +Committee. She, however, got through her work, and came on to +Manchester, where she lay in bed for nearly three months, which was, of +course, a great drawback to our success.<a name="page_246" id="page_246"></a></p> + +<p>At Manchester, which is a great musical centre, our receipts the first +week were miserable. But with the commencement of our second and last +week they gradually increased, until there was not standing room. I +endeavoured in vain to buy off another Company in order to continue our +success.</p> + +<p>Again, in Glasgow, where our old triumphs had been evidently forgotten, +we played to most miserable receipts until the second week, when +gradually the business grew until we had to refuse money. In fact, I had +to re-take the theatre, and return there a fortnight afterwards, when on +my last performance of <i>Il Flauto Magico</i> people were paying 10s. for +standing room, while private boxes fetched London prices.</p> + +<p>We next moved on to Birmingham, where my sole consolation was the +admirable articles, making over a column in each of the daily papers, +which appeared the morning after each representation, according the most +unstinted praise to my really excellent performances. We afterwards left +for Brighton, where we closed up just before Christmas.</p> + +<p>Very early in the following month I started my Spring concert tour, +visiting some forty cities in as many days, and meeting with great +artistic success in every place we stopped at. My party consisted of +Mdme. Nordica, Mdme. Marie Engle, Mdme. Hélène Hastreiter, and Mdlle. +Louise Dotti; likewise<a name="page_247" id="page_247"></a> Signori Runcio, Del Puente, and Vetta, with M. +Jaquinot as solo violinist. No more excellent artistic party could have +been put together; but here, again, the provincial public, not knowing +my singers, attended with great caution; preferring old names to the +young voices I had with me.</p> + +<p>In Liverpool, as well as in Bradford, both said to be great musical +centres (?), the receipts were nil.</p> + +<p>We finished up in Dublin, where, as usual, the houses were crowded with +large and appreciative audiences. The Irish, thoroughly understanding +music, and judging for themselves, crammed the hall, and encored every +piece.</p> + +<p>In England, as a rule, singers take some years to acquire a reputation; +but having once got it, they can never get rid of it.</p> + +<p>I recollect hearing Mr. Braham sing when he was 82; and he was +applauded. We are a conservative nation, and value old friends as we do +old port wine.</p> + +<p>Both on the Continent and in America I have been frequently interrogated +as to why the London opera season is held at a time when it is next to +impossible for so many patrons and supporters of music to attend on +account of the numberless <i>fêtes</i>, flower shows, balls, garden parties, +races, &c., that are taking place; to say nothing of the Crystal Palace, +the Alexandra Palace, and (as regards the<a name="page_248" id="page_248"></a> present season of 1888) the +Irish, Danish, and Italian Exhibitions.</p> + +<p>I, of course, could make no reply, being fully aware that alike in +France, Spain, Austria, Germany, Italy, Russia, America, etc., the opera +season begins generally about the third week in October; at a time when +all outdoor attractions have ended. In the countries above mentioned +dances and balls are, it is true, given during the winter months, +whereas in London these social gatherings generally take place when the +weather is extremely hot; and, as a rule, the smaller the house the +greater the number of the guests invited.</p> + +<p>In former times the London season was set by the opera; and its +beginning usually coincided with the arrival of the singers from abroad, +who in those days had to cross in sailing vessels, and would only come +in fine weather.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Returning to London in the latter part of February, I decided on opening +the Royal Italian Opera early in March; for which purpose I formed an +admirable Company, consisting in the prima donna department of Mdlle. +Alma Fohström, Mdlle. Emma Nevada, Mdlle. Jenny Broch, Mdlle. Marie +Engle, Mdlle. Lilian Nordica, Mdlle. Louise Dotti, Mdlle. Hélène +Hastreiter, Mdlle. Borghi, Mdlle. Bauermeister, Mdme. Lablache, Mdlle. +Rosina Isidor, and Mdme. Minnie Hauk; my tenors being Signor Ravelli, M. +Caylus, and Signor Garulli; my<a name="page_249" id="page_249"></a> baritones Signor Padilla, Signor Del +Puente, and M. Lhérie; with Signor Miranda, Signor Vetta, Signor de +Vaschetti, and Signor Foli as basses, Signor Ciampi as buffo, and Signor +Logheder as musical conductor—in which capacity he proved most +efficient. I moreover introduced two danseuses of remarkable excellence, +Mdlle. Dell'Era and Mdlle. Hayten; both of whom must have left a +favourable impression.</p> + +<p>The novelties I produced were <i>Leila</i> (Bizet's <i>Pêcheurs de Perles</i>); +and Gounod's <i>Mirella</i>, for the first time since twenty-five years. Thus +<i>Mirella</i> was practically a new opera. Both works were newly mounted, +and both made their mark artistically.</p> + +<p>But the season being a short one, and having no spare capital, I could +not resort to my old <i>Faust</i> and <i>Carmen</i> plan and hammer the music of +<i>Leila</i> into people's heads. Consequently my production of the work did +not meet with the financial success it should have done. The day will, +however, come when it will form an attractive gem in the operatic crown. +<i>Leila</i> is readily accepted all over the Continent; and even in Italy +has been the mainstay of some twelve or fourteen opera-houses. Here, +unfortunately, at its first production, many of the Pressmen were +absent; and at its repetition no further notice was taken of it—though +numbers of the public rely entirely upon what the newspapers say for +their opinions and views.<a name="page_250" id="page_250"></a></p> + +<p>The same fate awaited Gounod's <i>Mirella</i>—another most charming opera, +in which Mdlle. Nevada sang to perfection.</p> + +<p>The season continued for upwards of eight weeks, and was a pronounced +success, both artistically and financially. It terminated about the +middle of May. As I knew that London would be full of strangers on +account of Her Majesty's Jubilee, I rented Her Majesty's Theatre, and on +taking possession of it discovered it to be in a most desolate state. +There was not a scene or a rope in working order, and the interior of +the theatre was in a most deplorable condition, entailing upon me +considerable expense for cleaning and restoring, painting, papering, +carpeting, etc. There was nearly a mile of corridors and staircases to +whiten, paper, paint, and carpet.</p> + +<p>I opened a fortnight afterwards, when I again brought forward a powerful +Company, including such valuable new-comers as Mdlle. Lilli Lehmann, +Mdme. Trebelli (after an absence of eight years), and Mdlle. Oselio.</p> + +<p>The season commenced most auspiciously on Saturday, June 4. But soon +there was a difficulty with the orchestra, for there were now two other +Italian Operas going on. It was impossible to induce the players I had +engaged to attend rehearsals. There were Philharmonic, Richter, and +other concerts in full swing; and although I paid them weekly salaries I +could never command the services of my musicians for rehearsal, even +though I<a name="page_251" id="page_251"></a> closed my theatre at night for the purpose. I therefore had to +suspend the representations for a week and form another orchestra, in +order that I might sufficiently rehearse Boito's <i>Mefistofele</i>, which I +had then in preparation. Ultimately I succeeded in bringing out that +work, when, as on its first performance, it met with considerable +success. This was followed by the <i>rentrée</i> of Mdlle. Lilli Lehmann in +Beethoven's <i>Fidelio</i>, which was probably the grandest and most perfect +performance given in London for many years. In the meantime I placed +Bizet's masterpiece, <i>Leila</i>, in rehearsal.</p> + +<p>About this time the Royal Jubilee excitement began, followed by +extremely hot weather; and notwithstanding the brilliant performances +given the house was empty nightly, the public preferring the free show +they got out of doors, in the shape of processions, illuminations, etc., +to performances at the theatre, where the temperature was now averaging +90°, notwithstanding all I did to keep it cool.</p> + +<p>In fact, the only receipts I got for the purpose of paying my way were +from the letting of the exterior of my theatre instead of the interior; +seats on the roof fetching £1 apiece, whilst windows were let for £40. +These receipts helped to provide the sinews of war for carrying on my +arduous enterprise.</p> + +<p>I now bestirred myself in order to obtain some attraction that would +replenish the depleted<a name="page_252" id="page_252"></a> operatic chest. My efforts seemed rewarded when +I secured the services of Mdme. Adelina Patti, at the small salary of +£650 per night. Mdme. Patti in due course made her first appearance at +Her Majesty's Theatre in her favourite rôle of "Violetta" in <i>La +Traviata</i>, when there was £1,000 in the house. My hopes, however, of +recouping my heavy losses were dashed almost instantly to the ground. +Mdme. Patti having accepted an invitation from a wealthy banker for a +trip up the river, to be followed by a dinner, she took a violent cold, +from having been placed in a draught with a light muslin dress on. The +next evening Mdlle. Lilli Lehmann again made the old theatre ring with +her magnificent impersonation of "Fidelio." The house, however, was +nearly empty, all attention being directed to the next night, which was +to be Patti's second appearance—in <i>Il Barbiere di Siviglia</i>.</p> + +<p>At five o'clock, however, on the evening of the performance, Signor +Nicolini came in to inform me that Patti was too ill to sing, but that I +might rely upon her services the following Saturday, when she would +appear as "Margherita" in Faust, transferring the <i>Barbiere</i> performance +to the following Tuesday. He himself added to the programme an +announcement to the effect that she would introduce in the lesson scene +the valse from <i>Romeo and Juliet</i>.<a name="page_253" id="page_253"></a></p> + +<p>It being too late to substitute another opera, I had no alternative but +to close the theatre that evening, leaving hundreds of carriage folks +who had sent their coachmen home to get away as best they could, +disappointed, and declaring (in many cases) that there was no reliance +to be placed on Mapleson!</p> + +<p>On the following Friday, finding that the booking for the second Patti +night was very light, the public having lost all confidence, as is +generally the case after a disappointment, I suggested to Mdme. Patti +and to Nicolini that a small allowance ought to be made towards the vast +expenses I had incurred (rent, salaries to artists, band, chorus, &c.) +while keeping the theatre closed, which her incautiousness of the +previous Sunday up the Thames had alone prevented me from opening.</p> + +<p>The following day Signor Nicolini offered to contribute a sum of £50. I +replied that that would be scarcely enough for the orchestra, and that +the entire representation would be jeopardized. He thereupon went home, +stating that Mdme. Patti would not sing that evening unless the +orchestra was duly secured.</p> + +<p>I immediately made arrangements with my orchestra, and notified the fact +to Mdme. Patti by half-past three o'clock through her agent at her +hotel, who, after seeing her, informed me that it was all right. She was +then lying down in view<a name="page_254" id="page_254"></a> of the evening performance, for which her +dresses had already been looked out by herself and her maid.</p> + +<p>Just as I was leaving the hotel Mr. Abbey came downstairs, and +accompanied me to the ticket-office, adjoining the theatre, the +proprietors of which were large speculators for the occasion. On +ascertaining that some four or five hundred of the best seats had not +been disposed of—the public naturally holding back until Mdme. Patti +should have made her reappearance after the disappointment they had +experienced—Mr. Abbey informed me that Mdme. Patti should not sing that +evening. I may here mention that the full £650, being the amount of her +honorarium, was already deposited to her credit at the bank, so that it +was not on the score of money matters that her services were refused.</p> + +<p>I waited until eight o'clock for the arrival of Mdme. Patti, her room +being prepared for her; but no message was sent, nor any notification +whatever, that she was not coming down. After the previous +disappointments the public had met with I could not find heart to close +the theatre. I, therefore, informed the numbers who were then getting +out of their carriages and gradually filling the grand vestibule that I +would perform the opera of <i>Carmen</i>, and that I invited all present to +attend as my guests; adding that their money would be returned to them +on presentation of their tickets. This, of course, it was.<a name="page_255" id="page_255"></a></p> + +<p>As to the gratuitous representation of <i>Carmen</i> (with Trebelli in the +principal part), it went off admirably. The audience was numerous and +enthusiastic; and among the distinguished persons who honoured me with +their presence, was, I remember, H.R.H. the Duchess of Edinburgh.</p> + +<p>I wrote to Mdme. Patti the following day, entreating her not further to +disappoint the public, and to stand by the announcement Signor Nicolini +had given me of her appearance the following Tuesday in <i>Il Barbiere</i>. +To this I had no reply; and I afterwards learned that Mdme. Patti had +gone off by a special morning train to Wales, to avoid meeting the +chorus and <i>employés</i> who, hearing of her probable flight, had assembled +in large bodies at Paddington to give her a manifestation of their +disapprobation.</p> + +<p>I was now placed in a most difficult position, and left to struggle on +as best I could, having some three weeks' rent still to pay for the use +of the theatre until the end of the month; together with the salaries of +singers, choristers, bill-posters, supernumeraries, orchestra, etc., +etc. These unfortunate people were actually following me in the street, +clamouring for money. There were, moreover, some sixty Italian +choristers, whose travelling expenses had to be provided for to send +them home to Italy. In fact the Opera Colonnade had become a regular +Babel, and it was only by dint of hard work amongst my numerous friends +that I was enabled to<a name="page_256" id="page_256"></a> collect funds and see the last of my chorus +singers depart.</p> + +<p>This affair threw me into contact with several supernumeraries as well +as bill-board men, and I was very much interested to hear their +different histories. One man, who had been a "Sandwich," gave me the +following account of his life:—</p> + +<p class="c">T<small>HE</small> "S<small>ANDWICH'S</small>" S<small>TORY.</small></p> + +<p>"I was formerly," he said, "a captain in the—— Regiment, and many +a time have I paid my six guineas for a box at your Opera, both in +Edinburgh and in London. Subsequently I began to take a great +interest in the turf, and soon met with heavy losses, which +compelled me to give various promissory notes. This at last came to +the knowledge of my colonel, who recommended me to leave the +regiment without delay. Having nothing to live upon, and being a +fair performer on the cornet à piston, I joined a travelling +circus, and ultimately came across your Opera Company in +Philadelphia, where I was one of your stage band. Later on I joined +a party who were bound for the diamond fields in South Africa, +where I was most unsuccessful; and I had to work my passage home in +a sailing ship, till I got to London, where I became a +supernumerary under your management at Drury Lane.</p> + +<p>"During your third season an aunt of mine died, and I found myself +the possessor of £10,000. My cousin, who was largely interested in +building operations,<a name="page_257" id="page_257"></a> which he assured me paid him at least 60 per +cent., induced me to place half my fortune in his speculations. His +houses were in the west part of London, which had been considerably +overbuilt; and being mortgaged they would have been lost but for my +paying away the remainder of my fortune with the view of saving +them. In spite of this the mortgagee foreclosed, and I again became +a supernumerary, when, in the mimic fight in the second act of +<i>Trovatore</i>, one of my companions by mere accident with a point of +a spear put my eye out.</p> + +<p>"I was now no longer qualified for engagement even as a +supernumerary, and I became a 'sandwich' man. My duties during the +last four and a half years have been to parade Bond Street and +Regent Street, receiving as payment ninepence a day."</p> + +<p>On my handing the poor man his salary and settling up he at first +declined to take the money, saying that I had done him so many +kindnesses at different periods of his life that now, when I was in +trouble myself, he could not think of taking his week's pay. I, however, +not only insisted upon his accepting it, but gave him a sovereign for +himself. The unfortunate gentleman, as he showed himself to the last, +went away blessing me.<a name="page_258" id="page_258"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot3"><p class="hang">MASTER AND MAN—"DON GIOVANNI" CENTENARY—MOZART AND +PARNELL—BURSTING OF "GILDA"—COLONEL STRACEY AND THE DEMONS—THE +HAWK'S MOUNTAIN FLIGHT—AMBITIOUS STUDENTS AND INDIGENT +PROFESSORS—A SCHOOL FOR OPERA—ANGLICIZED FOREIGNERS—ITALIANIZED +ENGLISHMEN.</p></div> + +<p class="nind">A<small>LTHOUGH</small> an operatic impresario cannot reasonably count on making his +own fortune, it is often a source of satisfaction to him to reflect that +he in his lavish expenditure makes the fortune of singers, officials, +and various people in his service. At the time when I was in my greatest +trouble through the disappointments I had to put up with from some of my +leading singers, I heard that an enterprising Italian who had been +employed by me for many years had taken the New York Academy of Music +for a brief season, and that he was actually performing the duties of +manager.</p> + +<p>Angelo was, or rather is, a very remarkable man. I engaged him many +years ago as my servant at 10s.<a name="page_259" id="page_259"></a> a week, and he is now said to be in +possession of some thousands or even tens of thousands of pounds, which +he gained while in my service by turning his opportunities and his +talents to ingenious account. Angelo is well known in the United States, +chiefly by the unwashed condition of his linen. Reversing the custom by +which, in England and America, gentlemen who cannot trust their memory +to keep appointments write with a black pencil the time and place on one +of their wrist-bands, Angelo used to write on his wrist-band, as nearly +as possible black, with a piece of white chalk which, primarily with a +view to billiards, he used to carry in his pocket. I mention this as an +example of his proneness to imitation, and also of his economical +habits.</p> + +<p>How, it will be asked, did he amass a fortune in my service when I was +paying him only at the rate of 10s. a week?</p> + +<p>He began by starting a <i>claque</i> of which he constituted himself chief, +and which was at the service of any of my singers who chose to pay for +it. He was always ready, moreover, to act as interpreter. There was no +language which he did not speak in courier fashion more or less well; +and as in a modern operatic Company artists from such outlandish +countries as Spain and Russia as well as from Italy, France, and Germany +are to be found, Angelo's talents were often called into requisition by +singers who did not understand one another and who were altogether +ignorant of English.<a name="page_260" id="page_260"></a></p> + +<p>Angelo knew where to buy cheap cigars, and he used to make the members +of my Company buy them as dear ones. He speculated, moreover, largely +and advantageously in vermuth, which he sold in the United States for at +least a dollar a bottle more than he had paid for it in Italy. Campanini +acted as his friend and accomplice in these <i>vermuth</i> sales. Entering a +bar, in no matter what American city, the great tenor would call for a +glass of <i>vermuth</i>. "Pah!" he would exclaim when he had tasted what the +bar-keeper had offered him. Then, after making many wry faces, he spat +out the liquor which had so grievously offended him.</p> + +<p>"Where did you get this horrible stuff?" he would then inquire. +"<i>Vermuth?</i> It is not <i>vermuth</i> at all. What did the rascal who sold it +to you charge for it?"</p> + +<p>"Three dollars a bottle."</p> + +<p>"And here is a gentleman," pointing to Angelo, "who has genuine +<i>vermuth</i> of the finest quality and will sell you as much as you like +for two dollars a bottle."</p> + +<p>The bar-keeper thought, with reason, that an eminent Italian tenor like +Campanini must know good <i>vermuth</i> from bad, and at once bought from +Angelo a case or two of the true <i>vermuth di Torino</i>.</p> + +<p>Angelo, in addition to his other talents, is a first-rate cook, and in +the preparation of certain Italian dishes, dear to those born in the +"land of song,"<a name="page_261" id="page_261"></a> has scarcely an equal. He was too important a personage +to act as cook to any one singer; but on the Atlantic passage he would +take a pound a-head from some thirty different vocalists in order to see +that each of them was provided with Italian cookery during the voyage.</p> + +<p>Angelo made most of his money, however, by speculating in opera tickets +during my Patti seasons. He had, of course, peculiar facilities for +getting (unknown to me) almost as many tickets as he wanted at +box-office prices; and he could count as a matter of certainty on +selling them at enormous premiums—often as much as two or three pounds +a-piece.</p> + +<p>During the retreat from Frisco, seeing that there would be a scarcity of +food along the line, he laid in a stock of provisions, which he retailed +at enormous profits.</p> + +<p>Angelo had made himself a prominent figure in connection with my +Company, and was frequently spoken of in the newspapers. On our arrival +at New York he waited upon the Secretary of the Academy, as I found out +some time afterwards, and actually took the building from him for a +season of opera, which was to begin in the following October. He +accompanied us, however, to London as though nothing had happened. He +returned at the appointed time to America, taking with him a company +which included Mdme. Valda, Giannini, and others. When his prospectus +came out I noticed two announcements<a name="page_262" id="page_262"></a> which struck me as strange in +connection with his costumes and music. The former, said the prospectus, +had been "lent" by Zamperoni, the latter by Ricordi and Mdme. Lucca. +They would not, then, be liable to seizure. He had taken the precaution +to secure what he considered a proper reception at New York. Thus he had +hired a steam tug with a brass band on board. This excited the mirth of +all the New York journals.</p> + +<p>When the season began Angelo on the opening night occupied my box, +wearing for the first time in his life a white shirt; and it was noticed +that when he made memoranda on his cuffs he now did so with a black lead +pencil.</p> + +<p>After the first week, the salaries having become due, the theatre +closed, and the would-be impresario found himself surrounded in his +hotel by infuriated choristers, who, with drawn stilettos presented, +formed a veritable <i>chevaux de frise</i> in front of him. Angelo appeared +himself at the second floor window in order to hold parley with his +aggressors at a safe distance, and for some days he remained confined to +his hotel.</p> + +<p>A public subscription was got up for the choristers to enable them to +return to Europe, and Angelo himself now accepted an appointment as +interpreter in Castle Garden, where he had to receive the emigrants, +make known their wants, and give them instructions in whatever happened +to be their<a name="page_263" id="page_263"></a> native tongue; but he would do nothing for them unless they +began by buying a certain number of his detestable but high-priced +cigars. Even Dr. Gardini, the husband of the distinguished prima donna, +Mdme. Gerster, was actually afraid in Angelo's presence to smoke any +cigars but his. I remember on one occasion giving Dr. Gardini an Havanna +of the finest brand. He knew that Angelo, who was acting at the time as +<i>chef de claque</i> to Mdme. Gerster, would, if he came in, recognize at +once its superior flavour; and when the door-keeper suddenly entered to +tell me that Angelo wished to speak to me for a moment, the doctor +thought it politic to throw aside the cigar I had given him and replace +it by one of Angelo's vile weeds.</p> + +<p>As to Angelo's exact pecuniary position at this moment it is difficult +to speak with certainty. Some say that he is without a shilling, and my +baritone, Signor de Anna, declares that he accommodated him with that +sum a few weeks ago when he was passing through New York. According to +other accounts he is a millionaire, with his millions safely invested in +Italian securities.</p> + +<p>To return to my own managerial business. I now fitted out an expedition +for the following October, when I proposed to make an operatic tour +throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Some few days before my departure +I was much astonished at an embargo being laid on all my costumes and +music<a name="page_264" id="page_264"></a> under a bill of sale, voluntarily given by me to two friends, in +order to secure a sum which they had advanced as subscribers for the +previous season; which, but for Mdme. Patti's refusal to sing, would +have been completed. I thought that, under the circumstances, my friends +might have waited until after the tour had started. This incident +prevented me from getting away at the appointed time, and I was delayed +in London for nearly a week with the whole of my artists and chorus on +my hands. I, however, got over this difficulty, and left for Ireland +with a most attractive Company.</p> + +<p>We opened in Dublin about the middle of October with an excellent +performance of <i>Carmen</i>; Minnie Hauk not having appeared there since ten +years previously on our way to America for our first visit, when Bizet's +opera was totally unknown. On this occasion we were rewarded with a very +crowded audience. Mdme. Rolla made her <i>début</i> as "Michaela," in which +she met with great success; Del Puente, of course, being the "Toreador."</p> + +<p>On the following night Mdlle. Dotti appeared as "Leonora" in +<i>Trovatore</i>, when the house was again crowded. The third night was +devoted to the <i>Barbiere</i>, for which I expected Mdlle. Arnoldson, who +did not turn up. The part was, therefore, undertaken by Mdme. Rolla, who +met with great success. Some eight months previously it had been agreed +with Ravelli, prior to his departure for South<a name="page_265" id="page_265"></a> America, that he should +return to me in Ireland for this engagement, and I must give him credit +this time for having kept his word. He had been travelling continuously +for over seven weeks, and, landing at Bordeaux, had to work his way on +to Dublin, where he joined the Company. There was now no murderous +feeling between him and Minnie Hauk; they seemed to be the best of +friends. I felt sure, however, that this reconciliation would be only +temporary. I remained in Dublin a fortnight, during which time I +produced <i>Le Nozze di Figaro</i>, and <i>Ernani</i>, with Mdme. Rolla's +excellent impersonation of "Elvira" and Signor De Anna's superb +rendering of "Carlo V." This was followed by <i>Don Giovanni</i>, <i>Faust</i>, +<i>Rigoletto</i>, <i>Il Flauto Magico</i>, in which the whole Company took part, +the exceptionally difficult <i>rôle</i> of the "Queen of Night" being +undertaken with great effect by Mdlle. Marie Decca. I afterwards left +for Cork, where the Company met with great artistic success, the Press +notices being more favourable than they had ever been on previous +visits.</p> + +<p>On the 29th October, being the centenary of Mozart's <i>Don Giovanni</i>, I +was determined to celebrate the event with due circumstance; and the +great opera was given with the following very efficient cast:—"Donna +Anna," Mdlle. Louise Dotti; "Donna Elvira," Mdme. Rolla; "Zerlina," +Mdme. Minnie Hauk; "Don Ottavio," Signor<a name="page_266" id="page_266"></a> Ravelli; "Leporello," Signor +Caracciolo; "Il Commendatore," M. Abramoff; "Masetto," Signor Rinaldini; +and "Don Giovanni," Signor Padilla; conductor, Signor Arditi.</p> + +<p>I had arranged at the close of the first act to place a bust of Mozart +on the stage, executing at the same time the grand chorus of the <i>Magic +Flute</i> while the High Sheriff of the County crowned the immortal +composer. Alas! there was no bust of Mozart to be obtained. But the +property-man reported that he had one of Parnell, which, by the removal +of the beard and some other manipulation, could be made to resemble +Mozart. The High Sheriff having declined to perform the ceremony in +connection with the bust of Parnell, the Mayor of Cork immediately +volunteered to replace him. The public soon got wind of what was going +on; and, fearing a popular commotion—as this very day the city had been +proclaimed in consequence of the Land League meetings—I had to content +myself with performing the opera as Mozart originally intended.</p> + +<p>The part of the dissolute "Don" was superbly rendered by Signor Padilla, +the eminent Spanish baritone, whose appearance reminded me forcibly of +Mario. He had just returned from Prague, where Mozart's centenary had +been duly celebrated, the whole of the arrangements having been left in +his hands. He told me many interesting stories concerning his researches +in the museums<a name="page_267" id="page_267"></a> and libraries that had been placed by the Government at +his disposal during his stay there, which extended over some five or six +weeks. He succeeded in ascertaining the correct date of the original +production of <i>Don Giovanni</i> at Prague. The authorities in Paris +insisted that it had been first performed on the 27th October, 1787, and +they even went so far as to regulate their centenary performance by that +day. Signor Padilla, however, obtained the original play-bill from the +National Library, in which it was clearly set forth that <i>Il Don +Giovanni</i>, <i>Ossia</i>, <i>Il Dissoluto Punito</i> was first produced on the 29th +day of October, 1787.</p> + +<p>In my representation the absurd scene of "Don Giovanni" surrounded by a +lot of stage demons flashing their torches of resin all over him was, of +course, omitted. He simply went below in the hands of the Uomo di +Pietra.</p> + +<p>This reminds me of an amateur operatic performance we once had at +Woolwich, in which I took part for the benefit of some regimental +charities.</p> + +<p>I was dining at my Club with some friends when the performance was first +suggested. It was decided to give <i>Rigoletto</i>, in which I was asked to +undertake the part of the Duke; this to be followed by the last act of +<i>Don Giovanni</i>.</p> + +<p>I, of course, said "Yes," as I usually do to everything; and before the +dinner was over so many bets had been made on the question whether or +not I<a name="page_268" id="page_268"></a> would appear as the "Duke of Mantua" that, on making up my book, +I found I must either play the arduous part or pay some £300 or £400. I +determined on the former course.</p> + +<p>I, of course, kept the matter a profound secret from all connected with +my theatre. On the night of the performance, on the rising of the +curtain, I was horrified in the midst of my first aria at seeing Mdme. +Titiens, Mdme. Trebelli, Sir Michael Costa, and Adelina Patti amongst +the audience; and it required some nerve to pull myself together and +continue the part. I succeeded, however, in obtaining the customary +encore for the "La donna è mobile" and for the quartett; and on the +whole I believe I acquitted myself well. So, at least, said the notices +which, to my astonishment, appeared next morning in the daily papers.</p> + +<p>A catastrophe occurred at the close of the last scene, where the late +Colonel Goodenough, in the character of "Rigoletto," had to mourn over +the corpse of the murdered "Gilda." At the rehearsal a man had been +placed in the sack, but he was too heavy to be dragged out; and, as +Colonel Goodenough was very nervous, the property-man made the sack +lighter by placing inside some straw and two large bladders full of air. +Just as the curtain was descending Goodenough, who was a very heavy man, +threw himself for the final lament on to the corpse of his daughter, +when a loud explosion took place, one of the bladders having burst.<a name="page_269" id="page_269"></a></p> + +<p>The performance concluded with the last act of <i>Don Giovanni</i>, in which +Colonel Stracey undertook the part of the dissolute "Don." The demons +were gunners from the Royal Artillery. It was most ludicrous, every time +the Colonel gave the slightest stage direction as to where these men +were to go and when they were to take hold of him and carry him down, to +see the eight demons all give the military salute at the same time. +Stracey told them not to salute him, on which they said "No, Colonel!" +and gave another salute.</p> + +<p>On leaving Cork we had to return to Dublin, where, in consequence of +enormous success, we were called upon to give an extra week. We finished +up on the following Saturday evening with a performance of Wallace's +<i>Maritana</i>, in the Italian language, to a house literally packed to the +very roof. Ravelli sang the part of "Don Cæsar;" and being encored in +"Let me like a soldier fall," gave it the second time in English.</p> + +<p>We afterwards went to Liverpool, when suddenly Mdme. Minnie Hauk, +without a moment's warning, left the Company. Two days afterwards I +received a medical certificate from Dr. Weber, to the effect that the +lady was in a precarious state of health, and utterly voiceless, so that +it was necessary for her to go to a certain mountain in Switzerland to +recover her health. It was the month of December.<a name="page_270" id="page_270"></a></p> + +<p>I afterwards ascertained that <i>en route</i> she had sung at three concerts +for her own benefit.</p> + +<p>We next visited Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Brighton, +etc., concluding at the last-named town just before Christmas with a +memorable performance of <i>Maritana</i>, when the curtain had to be raised +no less than five times.</p> + +<p>On the termination of the season we returned to London, where the +Company disbanded for the holidays, my Italian chorus being now sent +back to Italy.</p> + +<p>It costs £8 to get an Italian chorus singer from his native land to +England; and this seems money wasted when one reflects that just as good +voices are to be found in this country as in Italy. If such a thing as a +permanent Opera could be established in London arrangements might be +made by which it would look for its chorus to one or more of our +numerous musical academies, which at present seem to exist and to be +multiplied solely to deluge the country with music teachers, whose keen +competition lessens daily the value of their services. When the Royal +Academy of Music was established the Earl of Westmorland, who presided +at the first meeting of the promoters, said, in reference to the +expected advantages of such an institution, that he hoped to see the day +when music lessons would be given in England at the rate of 6d. an hour.</p> + +<p>A nice time music teachers will have when ten<a name="page_271" id="page_271"></a> hours' work a day will +give them an income of 30s. a week! But what, if not music teachers, are +the pupils of our four leading musical academies to become? The Royal +Academy of Music, the Royal College of Music, the Guildhall School of +Music, and Dr. Wylde's London Academy of Music must send out annually +some thousand or two well-taught musicians who have nothing to turn to +but teaching.</p> + +<p>Except among the richer classes almost everyone who studies music ends +by teaching music to someone else. Such is his fate whatever may have +been his ambition. What, except a music teacher, or an orchestral +player, or, by rare good luck, a concert singer, is he or she to become? +In other countries there is an established musical theatre with which +the recognized Academy of Music is in connection, and which in some +measure depends upon it as upon a feeder. The students of the Paris +Conservatoire sing in the chorus of the Grand Opera; and those students +who gain prizes, or otherwise distinguish themselves, obtain an +appearance, as a matter of course, at the great Lyrical Theatre, for +which they may be said to have been specially trained. In England, +however, we occupy ourselves exclusively with the teaching of music, +never in any manner dealing with the question what the students are to +do when their period of study is at an end. In other countries there is +together<a name="page_272" id="page_272"></a> with one musical academy one Opera-house. Here we have four +musical academies and not one permanent operatic establishment.</p> + +<p>Such is the national mania for establishing schools of music that a few +years ago some £200,000 was collected for establishing a new musical +academy with, for the most part, the same professors as those already +employed at existing academies; and an attempt, moreover, was made to +shelve Sir Arthur Sullivan (who may yet, it is to be hoped, compose an +opera), by placing him at the head of this quite superfluous +establishment. More recently Sir Arthur refused to allow himself to be +shackled in the manner contemplated; and not many years afterwards +another composer, Mr. A. C. Mackenzie, who has already proved himself +capable of writing fine dramatic music, was put on the retired list in +similar fashion. Mozart, Rossini, Auber, Bellini, Verdi studied at no +academy; and my friend Verdi was rejected from the Conservatorio of +Milan as incapable of passing the entrance examination. We, however, +hope everything from music schools though we have nothing to offer our +composers or our singers when, in a theoretical sort of way, they have +once been formed. The money wasted in establishing the Royal College of +Music might have been usefully spent in founding a permanent lyrical +theatre for which our young composers might have worked,<a name="page_273" id="page_273"></a> on whose +boards our young vocalists might have sung. Thus only, by practice in +presence of the public, can composers and singers perfect themselves in +their difficult art. It should be remembered too that for operatic music +the best school is an operatic establishment where fine performances can +be heard.</p> + +<p>The unhappy students, meanwhile, receive but small benefit from their +tuition, seeing that they are simply turned out to swell the ranks of +indigent teachers. No capital in Europe has anything like so many music +schools as London, and no capital in Europe is so entirely without the +means of offering suitable work to students who have once qualified +themselves for performing it. We have some twenty or thirty theatres in +London without one school of acting; which is possibly a mistake. But it +is not such a bad mistake as to have four large music schools without +one lyrical theatre. Nothing can be more preposterous. Yet there is at +this moment more chance of a fifth music school being established than +of an Opera-house being founded at which the shoals of composers and +vocalists shot out every year would have an opportunity of pursuing +their profession.</p> + +<p>Sixty years ago, since which time we are supposed to have made progress +in musical as in other matters, the Royal Academy of Music, which has +produced so many excellent singers, instrumentalists,<a name="page_274" id="page_274"></a> and composers, +was intimately connected with the King's Theatre. Its students sang in +the Opera chorus, and every fortnight gave performances of their own, at +which leading vocalists, choristers, and orchestra were exclusively from +the Academy. These performances took place in the King's Concert Room, a +sort of <i>annexe</i> to the theatre in which the performances of Italian +Opera were given.</p> + +<p>Nor in those days were singers who happened to be English ashamed to +call themselves by their own names. The present custom of Italianizing +English names as the only process by which they can be made fit for +presentation to the public is much more modern than is generally known. +Even in our own time two admirable vocalists, Mr. Sims Reeves and Mr. +Santley, have had the manliness to reject all suggestions for +Italianizing their names. The foreign musicians, often of the highest +eminence, who have settled amongst us, seem, on the other hand, to have +taken a pride in passing themselves off as Englishmen. Handel is always +called in the bills of the period Mr. Handel; Costa (until he was +knighted) was always Mr. Costa; Hallé (until he also was knighted) Mr. +Hallé; Benedict (until the moment when he was empowered to adopt the +"Sir"), Mr. Benedict; Herren Karl Rosa, August Manns, Alberto Randegger, +Wilhelm Ganz, and Wilhelm Kuhe (whose knighthood has not yet<a name="page_275" id="page_275"></a> reached +them), are Mr. Carl Rosa, Mr. Manns, Mr. Randegger, Mr. Ganz, and Mr. +Kuhe. It cannot be a disgrace even for a musician to be an Englishman, +or so many foreign musicians of eminence would not so readily have +called themselves "Mr."</p> + +<p>An English vocalist, on the other hand, will not hesitate to pass +himself off, so far as a name can assist him in his enterprise, as some +sort of foreigner. My old pal, Jack Foley, becomes Signor Foli, and the +Signor sticks to him through life. We have a Signor Sinclair, a name +which seems to me as droll as that of Count Smith at the San Francisco +Hotel. Provincial managers have often entreated me to use my influence +with Mr. Santley in order to make him change his name to Signor +Santalini, which they assured me would look better in the programme, and +bring more money into the house. A Mr. Walker being engaged to appear at +Her Majesty's Theatre, called himself on doing so Signor Valchieri +(Signor Perambulatore would certainly have been better); and a +well-known American singer, Mr. John Clarke, of Brooklyn, transformed +himself on joining my Company into Signor Giovanni Chiari di Broccolini. +The English and American young ladies who now sing in such numbers on +the Italian stage take the prefix not of Signora or Signorina, but of +Madame or Mademoiselle. This, also, is confusing.<a name="page_276" id="page_276"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot3"><p class="hang">FIGHT WITH MR. AND MRS. RAVELLI—AN IMPROVISED PUBLIC—RAVELLI'S +DANGEROUS ILLNESS—MR. RUSSELL GOLE—REAPPEARANCE OF MR. REGISTRAR +HAZLITT—OFFENBACH IN ITALIAN—WHO IS THAT YOUNG MAN?—FANCELLI'S +AUTOGRAPH—RISTORI'S ARISTOCRATIC HOUSEHOLD.</p></div> + +<p class="nind">I<small>N</small> the early part of January, 1888, I gave forty-two grand concerts in +forty-two different cities, commencing in Dublin, where I was placed in +a position of the greatest difficulty by the non-arrival of Padilla, the +baritone, Ravelli, the tenor, and my principal soloist, Van Biene, who +was laid up with rheumatism; so that it was only with the greatest +difficulty that I could even make a beginning. In due course Ravelli +arrived, but with such a cold that he was unable to speak. I, therefore, +had to proceed to the south of Ireland minus a tenor and a baritone. I +succeeded, however, in replacing the instrumentalist by M. Rudersdorf, +the eminent violoncellist, who resides in Dublin.</p> + +<p>Prior to going to Belfast, towards the latter part<a name="page_277" id="page_277"></a> of the week, Signor +Padilla joined us, and for the next evening in Dublin all was arranged +for the appearance of Ravelli, who had been living the whole week with +his wife in the hotel at my expense. On notifying him to go to the +concert, he replied that he must be paid a week's salary for the time +during which he had been sick or he would not open his mouth. He +conducted himself in so disrespectful a manner that he deserved, I told +him, to be taken to the concert-room by force. I had scarcely made a +movement of my hand as in explanation when he thought I was going to +strike him, and made a rush at me in a most violent way, kicking up in +the French style in all directions, while his wife assisted him by +coming behind me with a chair.</p> + +<p>I knew that if I injured him in the slightest degree there would be no +concert that night. Meanwhile he was going full tilt at me to strike me +in any way he possibly could, and it taxed my ingenuity to stop all +action on his part without injuring him. It was fortunate I did so, as, +after he had calmed down, seeing me in earnest, he dressed himself and +went on to the concert. All this occurred only half an hour before its +commencement. Afterwards Ravelli sang with comparative regularity.</p> + +<p>Business, however, was not what it ought to have been, in consequence of +the absence of favourite names from the programme. The musical +excellence<a name="page_278" id="page_278"></a> of my Company was beyond question, but the public must have +old names of some kind or other, whether with voices or not, to ensure +an audience.</p> + +<p>We reached Leicester some four days afterwards. On the Company arriving +in a body at the hotel, the hostess looked at us with amazement, and +asked me if I had not come to the wrong town, since no announcement +whatever had appeared as to any concert taking place. I thereupon made +inquiries and found the landlady's statement to be perfectly true. All +the printed matter—bills and programmes—previously sent on was +discovered hidden away; and the person who had undertaken the +arrangement of the concert, being in difficulties, had been unable even +to announce our coming in the newspapers.</p> + +<p>I, of course, insisted upon giving the concert, and as evening +approached some half-dozen people who were accidentally passing +purchased tickets. The performance proceeded in due form, and Ravelli, +much to his disgust, obtained an encore from his audience of six.</p> + +<p>In a hall adjoining I heard excellent singing, as if from a large +chorus. I at once saw a way of giving encouragement to my artists, who +were going on with the concert. On entering I found that the local +Philharmonic Society was practising. It included many of the leading +ladies and gentlemen<a name="page_279" id="page_279"></a> of Leicester, and numbered altogether some two or +three hundred singers.</p> + +<p>I told the conductor that a capital concert was going on in the +adjoining hall, to which I invited all present. If he would suspend the +rehearsal they could go and help themselves to the best seats. Great +astonishment was evinced amongst the six members of our public when they +suddenly found the room filling with a well-dressed and distinguished +audience, who were so delighted with the excellence of the performance +that they encored every piece. Prior to the close of the concert I +thought it was better to address a few words to my visitors, in which I +stated that the concert, having been given secretly, without the +knowledge of the town, I should look upon it as a private rehearsal +only; and that it was my intention to return to Leicester some two or +three weeks afterwards, when the public performance would take place. On +leaving the hall my new audience booked some £20 or £30 worth of seats +to make sure of obtaining places at my next visit.</p> + +<p>When I returned shortly afterwards the Concert Hall was packed from +floor to ceiling, and I was even requested to come back and give a third +entertainment. The Press declared that no better concert had ever been +given in Leicester.</p> + +<p>We afterwards visited Cheltenham, Bristol, Exeter, and some twenty other +cities, in each of<a name="page_280" id="page_280"></a> which we were considerably handicapped by amateurs +giving concerts for the entertainment of other amateurs; neither +performers nor listeners seeming to have any high idea of art.</p> + +<p>On reaching Cardiff Ravelli, without any reason, in the middle of the +concert, said that he was indisposed, and walked home. As there was no +other tenor present, and as it was impossible to continue the +performance without one, I volunteered my services. I had previously +notified the public; and after I had sung in the <i>Trovatore</i> duet I was +recalled twice, and on taking an encore was again twice recalled. This +helped us for the moment. But I have no intention of again appearing as +a vocalist.</p> + +<p>Ravelli, after going home to bed, had requested me to send for a doctor, +as he was in a desperate state. The next morning, prior to leaving the +town, I gave instructions to the landlady that proper care should be +taken of him, adding that I would return in three or four days to see +how he was progressing. I requested her, moreover, to paste up the +windows to prevent any draught blowing into the room.</p> + +<p>I then started with the Company to Exeter. On reaching that city I +received a telegram from the landlady, stating that after my departure +Mr. Ravelli had gone to Paris by the next train with his wife.<a name="page_281" id="page_281"></a></p> + +<p>From Exeter we passed on to Plymouth and Torquay, where we gave a +morning concert, remaining in that delightful watering-place till the +following Monday morning, when we left for Salisbury; after which we +visited Southampton, Southsea, Cambridge, Leicester, and Nottingham. The +concert tour being now at an end, I returned to London.</p> + +<p>Although both Mdme. Minnie Hauk and Signor Ravelli had left me on the +plea of sickness without being seriously indisposed, I took no steps +against either of them. For a time, I must admit, I thought of having +recourse to the good services of my friend and solicitor—strange +conjunction!—Mr. Russell Gole; who during my career as impresario has +brought and defended for me actions innumerable, and invariably, I +believe, with the best results that under the circumstances could have +been obtained. The reader has already heard of Mr. Gole's ingenious +suggestion at a time when for six minutes I was in the position of a +bankrupt. During those memorable six minutes Mr. Registrar Hazlitt had +occupied the position of an impresario, and it would be difficult to say +whether at that momentous crisis he or I was most out of place. When Mr. +Gole reminded him that he was now <i>ex-officio</i> the manager of Her +Majesty's Theatre, and that advice was expected from him as to the +cutting of <i>Lohengrin</i>, the making up of the ballet girls' petticoats, +and the pacification<a name="page_282" id="page_282"></a> of an insubordinate tenor, he sent for the Book of +Practice, and after consulting it rescinded the order, observing that he +did so "in the interest of the public."</p> + +<p>Once more, only a few weeks ago, I stood in the presence of Mr. +Registrar Hazlitt, and, as in the days of Sir Michael Costa's disputed +cheque, had Mr. Russell Gole by my side. Once more, too, when an order +of bankruptcy was impending over me it was withdrawn partly through the +instrumentality of my solicitor, but mainly, of course, through the +goodwill of my creditors, who subscribed among themselves sufficient +money to pay into Court a sum which was at once accepted in liquidation +of all claims.</p> + +<p>I am generally regarded and have got into the habit of looking upon +myself as a manager of Italian Opera. But, accepting that character, I +do not think I can be fairly accused of exclusiveness as towards the +works of German or even of English composers. Nor can I well be charged +with having neglected the masterpieces of the lyric drama by whomsoever +composed. For a great many years past no manager but myself has given +performances of Cherubini's <i>Medea</i>. <i>Fidelio</i> is a work which, from the +early days of Mdlle. Titiens until my last year at Her Majesty's +Theatre, with Mdlle. Lilli Lehmann in the principal part, I have always +been ready to present. I was the first manager to<a name="page_283" id="page_283"></a> translate Wagner's +<i>Tannhäuser</i> and <i>Lohengrin</i> into Italian, and the only one out of +Germany who has been enterprising enough to produce the entire series of +the <i>Ring des Nibelungen</i>.</p> + +<p>As regards English Opera, Macfarren's <i>Robin Hood</i> and Wallace's <i>Amber +Witch</i> owe their very existence to me. It was I who, at Her Majesty's +Theatre in 1860-61, brought out both those works, which had been +specially composed for the theatre. I myself adapted Balfe's <i>Bohemian +Girl</i> to the Italian stage, and in the course of my last provincial tour +I gave for the first time in Italian, and with remarkable success, the +<i>Maritana</i> of Wallace.</p> + +<p>Casting back my recollection over a long series of years I find that the +only composer of undisputed influence and popularity whose propositions +I could at no time accept were those of Jacques Offenbach; whom, +however, in his own particular line I am far from undervaluing. The +composer of <i>La grande Duchesse de Gérolstein</i>, <i>La Belle Hélène</i>, and a +whole series of masterpieces in the burlesque style, tried to persuade +me that his works were not so comic as people insisted on believing. +They had, according to him, their serious side; and he sought to +convince me that <i>La Belle Hélène</i>, produced at Her Majesty's Theatre +with an increased orchestra, and with a hundred or more additional +voices in the chorus, would prove a genuine artistic success. I must +admit that I<a name="page_284" id="page_284"></a> gave a moment's thought to the matter; but the project of +the amiable <i>maestro</i> was not one that I could seriously entertain. I +may here remind the reader that Offenbach began life as a composer of +serious music. He was known in his youth as an admirable violoncellist, +playing with wonderful expression all the best music written for the +instrument he had adopted. He was musical conductor, moreover, at the +Théâtre Français in the days when the "House of Molière" maintained an +orchestra, and, indeed, a very good one. When Offenbach composed the +choruses and incidental music for the <i>Ulysse</i> of M. Ponsard he did so +in the spirit of Meyerbeer, who had undertaken to supply the music of +the piece; and he then showed his aptitude for imitating the composer of +<i>Les Huguenots</i> in a direct manner, as he afterwards did in burlesquing +him.</p> + +<p>Offenbach was destined not to be appreciated as a serious composer, +though in one of his works, the little-known <i>Contes d'Hoffmann</i>, there +is much music which, if not learned or profound, is at least artistic.</p> + +<p>Had I agreed to Offenbach's offer, I was also to accept his services as +conductor; which would have been more, I think, than Sir Michael Costa, +who would have had to direct on alternate nights, would have been able +to stand. Sir Michael was not only peculiarly sensitive, but also +remarkably vindictive;<a name="page_285" id="page_285"></a> and the engagement of Offenbach at a theatre +where he was officiating would certainly have caused him no little +resentment. He forgave no slight, nor even the appearance of one in +cases where no real slight could possibly have been intended. When he +left the Royal Italian Opera he was of opinion that the late Mr. +Augustus Harris, who was Mr. Gye's stage manager at the time, should +also have quitted the establishment; and carrying his hostile feelings +in true vendetta fashion from father to son, he afterwards objected to +the presence of the Augustus Harris of our own time, at any theatre +where he, Sir Michael, might be engaged.</p> + +<p>"Who is that young man?" he said to me one day when the future +"Druriolanus" was acting as my stage manager. "He seems to know his +business, but I think I heard you call him 'Harris.' Can he be the son +of my enemy?"</p> + +<p>I tried to explain to Sir Michael that the gentleman against whom he +seemed to nourish some feeling of animosity could not be in any way his +foe. But the great conductor would not see this. The father, he said, +had shown himself his enemy, and he was himself the enemy of the son.</p> + +<p>The hatred sometimes conceived by one singer for another of the same +class of voice and playing the same parts, is, if not more reasonable, +at least more intelligible. I shall never forget the rage<a name="page_286" id="page_286"></a> which the +tenor Fancelli once displayed on seeing the name of the tenor Campanini +inscribed on a large box at a railway station with these proud words +appended to it: "Primo Tenore Assoluto, Her Majesty's Opera Company." It +was the epithet "assoluto" which, above all, raised Fancelli's ire. He +rushed at the box, attacked the offending words with his walking-stick, +and with the end of it tried to rub off the white letters composing the +too ambitious adjective, "assoluto."</p> + +<p>"Assoluto" was an epithet which Fancelli reserved for his own private +use, and to which he alone among tenors considered himself justly +entitled. Unfortunately, he could not write the word, reading and +writing being accomplishments which had been denied to him from his +youth upwards. He could just manage to scribble his own name in large +schoolboy characters. But his letter-writing and his "autographs" for +admiring ladies were done for him by a chorister, who was remunerated +for his secretarial work at the rate of something like a penny Pickwick +per month. The chorister, however, in agreeing to work on these moderate +terms, knew that he had the illustrious tenor in his hands; and in +moments of difficulty he would exact his own price and, refusing cheap +cigars, accept nothing less than ready money.</p> + +<p>Occasionally when the chorister was not at hand, or when he was called +upon, to give his autograph<a name="page_287" id="page_287"></a> in presence of other persons, Fancelli +found himself in a sad plight; and I have a painful recollection of his +efforts to sign his name in the album of the Liverpool Philharmonic +Society, which contains the signatures of a large number of celebrated +singers and musicians. In this musical Book of Gold Fancelli made an +earnest endeavour to inscribe his name, which with the exception only of +the "c" and one of the "l's" he succeeded in writing without the +omission of any of the necessary letters. He had learned, moreover, to +write the glorious words "Primo tenore," and in a moment of aspiration +tried to add to them his favourite epithet of "assoluto." He had written +a capital "A," followed by three "s's," when either from awkwardness or +in order to get himself out of the scrape in which he already felt +himself lost, he upset the inkstand over the page. Then he took up the +spilt ink on his forefinger and transferred it to his hair; until at +last, when he had obliterated the third "s," his signature stood in the +book and stands now—</p> + +<p class="c">"FANELI PRIMO TENORE ASS—"</p> + +<p>Some rude critics having declared of Signor Fancelli's singing that it +would have been better if he had made a regular study of the vocal art, +he spoke to me seriously about taking lessons. But he declared that he +had no time, and that as he was<a name="page_288" id="page_288"></a> making money by singing in the style to +which he was accustomed it would be better to defer studying until he +had finished his career, when he would have plenty of leisure.</p> + +<p>About this time the strange idea occurred to him of endeavouring to +master the meaning of the parts entrusted to him in the various operas.</p> + +<p>"In <i>Medea</i>," he innocently remarked, "during the last two years I have +played the part of a man named 'Jason'; but what he has to do with +'Medea,' I have never been able to make out. Am I her father, her +brother, her lover, or what?"</p> + +<p>Fancelli had begun life as a <i>facchino</i> or baggage porter at Leghorn, so +that his ignorance, if lamentable, was at least excusable. On retiring +from the stage he really applied himself to study; with what success I +am unable to say. At his death he left a large sum of money.</p> + +<p>It has often astonished me that singers without any education, musical +or other, should be able to remember the words and music of their parts. +Some of them resort to strange devices in order to supply the want of +natural gifts; and one vocalist previously mentioned, Signor Broccolini, +would write his "words" on whatever staff or stick he might happen to be +carrying, or in default of any such "property," on the fingers and palm +of his hand. In representing the statue of the Commander, in <i>Don +Giovanni</i>, he inscribed beforehand the words<a name="page_289" id="page_289"></a> he had to sing on the +<i>bâton</i> carried by the Man of Stone; but to be able to read them it was +necessary to know on which side in the scene of the cemetery the rays of +the moon would fall. On one occasion he had majestically taken up his +position on horseback, with the <i>bâton</i> grasped in his right hand, and +reposing on his right hip, and was expecting a rush of moonlight from +the left, when the position of the orb of night was suddenly changed, +and he was unable to read one syllable of the words on which he +depended. Having to choose between two difficulties, he at once selected +the least, and, to the astonishment of the audience, transferred the +Commander's <i>bâton</i> from the right hand to the left.</p> + +<p>The vanity of an opera singer is generally in proportion to the lowness +of his origin. This rule, however, does not seem to apply to dramatic +artists, for I remember that when I once called upon Mdme. Ristori at +Naples I found her principal actors and actresses, who had apparently +begun life as domestic servants, continuing the occupations of their +youth while at the same time impersonating on the stage the most exalted +characters. "Sir Francis Drake" waited at table, the "Earl of Essex" +opened the street door, "Leicester" acted as butler; and I have reason +to believe that "Dirce" dressed "Medea's" hair.</p> + +<p>Two more anecdotes as to the caprices and the exactions of vocalists. My +basso, Cherubini, on one<a name="page_290" id="page_290"></a> occasion refused to go on with his part in +<i>Lucia</i> because he had not been applauded on entering.</p> + +<p>An incident of quite an opposite character occurred at Naples during the +Titiens engagement. Armandi, a tenor of doubtful repute, who resided at +Milan, always awaited the result of the various <i>fiascos</i> of St. +Stephen's night (26th December) which marks the beginning of the +Carnival season, when some hundreds of musical theatres throw open their +doors. He had a large <i>répertoire</i>; and, after ascertaining by telegraph +where his services were most in need, and where they would be best +remunerated, he would accept an engagement as a kind of stop-gap until +another tenor could be found. Generally, at the close of the first +evening he was paid for his six performances and sent back to Milan.</p> + +<p>But on the occasion I am speaking of Armandi had stipulated in his +contract that he should be paid the six nights and sing the six nights +as well; for he was tired, he said, of being systematically shelved +after a single performance.</p> + +<p>The part in which he had to appear at Naples, where the leading tenor of +the establishment had hopelessly broken down, was that of "Pollio" in +Norma; but every time he attempted to sing the public accompanied him +with hisses, so that he soon became inaudible. At the close of the first +act he came before the curtain, and after obtaining a hearing begged the +audience to allow him to finish the<a name="page_291" id="page_291"></a> opera in peace, when he would leave +the city. If they continued hissing he warned them that he would sing +the remaining five nights of his engagement.</p> + +<p>The public took the candour of the man in such good part that they not +only applauded him throughout the evening, but allowed him to remain the +entire season.<a name="page_292" id="page_292"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="FINAL_CHAPTER" id="FINAL_CHAPTER"></a>FINAL CHAPTER.</h3> + +<p class="nind">F<small>IGURES</small> are dull and statistics fatiguing; or I might be tempted to give +the reader particulars as to the number of miles that I have travelled, +the sums of money I have received and spent during my career as manager; +with other details of a like character. I may mention, however, that for +many years during our operatic tours in the United Kingdom and in the +United States, our average annual travelling with a large company of +principal singers, choristers, dancers, and orchestral players amounted +to some 23,000 miles, or nearly the length of the earth's circumference. +This naturally necessitated a great deal of preparation and forethought. +The average annual takings were during this period over £200,000. All +this involved so much organization and such careful administration, that +a mere impresario might, without disgrace, have proved unequal to the +work. The financial department, in particular, of such an enterprise +ought, to be thoroughly well managed, to enjoy the supervision of a +Goschen.<a name="page_293" id="page_293"></a></p> + +<p>Difficulties, however, are only obstacles set in one's way in order to +be overcome, and mine have never caused me any serious trouble. I am +disposed by nature to take a cheerful view of things, and I can scarcely +think of any dilemma in which I have been placed, however serious, which +has not presented its bright, or at least when I came to think of it, +its amusing side. When, moreover, one has had, throughout a long career, +difficulties, often of a very formidable character, to contend with, the +little inconveniences of life are scarcely felt.</p> + +<p>I remember one day dining with a millionaire of my acquaintance who got +red in the face, stamped, swore, and almost went into convulsions +because the salmon had been rather too much boiled. He had led too easy +a life; or so trifling a mishap would have had no effect upon him.</p> + +<p>Often when affairs looked almost tragic, I have been able to bear them +by perceiving that they had also their comic aspect. The reader, indeed, +will have seen for himself that some of my liveliest anecdotes are +closely connected with very grave matters indeed. Of such anecdotes I +could tell many more. But I feel that I have already taken up too much +of the reader's time, and, having several important projects on hand +which will take up the whole of mine, I must now conclude.</p> + +<p><a name="page_294" id="page_294"></a></p> + +<p><a name="page_295" id="page_295"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="APPENDIX" id="APPENDIX"></a>APPENDIX.</h3> + +<p class="c">SINGERS AND OPERAS PRODUCED BY ME.</p> + +<p>The following is a list of the principal artists whom I first had the +honour of engaging for this country, and, with two exceptions (marked by +asterisks), of introducing for the first time to the British public:—</p> + +<p class="ind5"><i>European Prime Donne.</i></p> + +<p>*Adelina Patti,</p> + +<p>Christine Nilsson,</p> + +<p>Etelka Gerster,</p> + +<p>Marguerite Chapuy,</p> + +<p>Ilma di Murska,</p> + +<p>Marie Roze,</p> + +<p>Marie Marimon,<a name="page_296" id="page_296"></a></p> + +<p>Emelie Ambré,</p> + +<p>Caroline Salla,</p> + +<p>Lilli Lehmann,</p> + +<p>Eugénie Pappenheim,</p> + +<p>Harriers Wippern,</p> + +<p>Victoire Balfe,</p> + +<p>Jenny Broch,</p> + +<p>Elena Varese,</p> + +<p>Marianina Lodi,</p> + +<p>Alma Fohström,</p> + +<p>Caroline Reboux,</p> + +<p>Clarice Sinico,</p> + +<p>Louise Sarolta,</p> + +<p>Mathilde Sessi,</p> + +<p>Bianca Donadio,</p> + +<p>Matilda Bauermeister,</p> + +<p>Zelie Trebelli,</p> + +<p>Sofia Scalchi,</p> + +<p>Anna de Belocca,</p> + +<p>Borghi-Mamo,</p> + +<p>Carolina Guarducci,</p> + +<p>Caroline Bettelheim.<a name="page_297" id="page_297"></a></p> + +<p class="ind5"><i>American Prime Donne.</i></p> + +<p>*Emma Albani,</p> + +<p>Clara Louise Kellogg,</p> + +<p>Alwina Valleria,</p> + +<p>Marie Vanzandt,</p> + +<p>Emma Nevada,</p> + +<p>Emma Abbott,</p> + +<p>Marie Litta,</p> + +<p>Lilian Nordica,</p> + +<p>Louise Dotti,</p> + +<p>Hélène Hastreiter,</p> + +<p>Emma Juch,</p> + +<p>Annie Louise Cary,</p> + +<p>Kate Rolla,</p> + +<p>Laura Harris-Zagury,</p> + +<p>Lilian Lauri,</p> + +<p>Marie Engle,</p> + +<p>Genevieve Ward,</p> + +<p>Minnie Hauk,</p> + +<p>Nikita,</p> + +<p class="ind5"> +Etc., etc., etc.<a name="page_298" id="page_298"></a></p> + +<p class="ind5"><i>Tenors.</i><br /> +</p> + +<p>Pietro Mongini,</p> + +<p>Roberto Stagno,</p> + +<p>Italo Campanini,</p> + +<p>Luigi Ravelli,</p> + +<p>Dr. Gunz,</p> + +<p>Carlo Bulterini,</p> + +<p>Ernesto Nicolini,</p> + +<p>De Capellio-Tasca,</p> + +<p>Victor Capoul,</p> + +<p>Giovanni Vizzani,</p> + +<p>Tom Hohler,</p> + +<p>Allesandro Bettini,</p> + +<p>Antonio Aramburo,</p> + +<p>Giuseppe Fancelli.</p> + +<p class="ind5"><i>Baritones.</i></p> + +<p>Enrico Delle-Sedie,</p> + +<p>Mariano de Padilla,</p> + +<p>Charles Santley,</p> + +<p>Enrico Fagotti,</p> + +<p>Jean de Reszke,<a name="page_299" id="page_299"></a></p> + +<p>Antonio Galassi,</p> + +<p>Giuseppe Del Puente,</p> + +<p>Innocente de Anna,</p> + +<p>Pandolfini,</p> + +<p>Agnesi,</p> + +<p>Senatore Sparapani,</p> + +<p>Colonnese,</p> + +<p>Varese,</p> + +<p>Badiali,</p> + +<p>Paul Lhérie,</p> + +<p>Giovanni Rota.</p> + +<p class="ind5"><i>Basses.</i></p> + +<p>Rokitansky,</p> + +<p>Bagagiolo,</p> + +<p>Medini,</p> + +<p>Castelmary,</p> + +<p>Belval,</p> + +<p>Junca,</p> + +<p>Behrens,</p> + +<p>Novara,</p> + +<p>Cherubini,</p> + +<p>Foli.<a name="page_300" id="page_300"></a></p> + +<p class="ind5"><i>Buffos.</i></p> + +<p>Scalese,</p> + +<p>Ciampi.</p> + +<p>Bevignani,</p> + +<p>Vianesi,</p> + +<p>Logheder,</p> + +<p>Fred Cowen,</p> + +<p>Bisaccia,</p> + +<p>Pasdeloup,</p> + +<p class="ind5">Etc., etc., etc.</p> + +<p class="ind5"><i>Tragedian.</i><br /> +</p> + +<p>Tommaso Salvini.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<p>The following celebrities ended their operatic career with me, having +remained for many years previously under my management.:—</p> + +<p> </p> + +<p>Thérèse Titiens,</p> + +<p>Giulia Grisi,</p> + +<p>Marietta Alboni,</p> + +<p>Fanny Persiani,</p> + +<p>Pauline Viardot,</p> + +<p>Mario,<a name="page_301" id="page_301"></a></p> + +<p>Antonio Giuglini,</p> + +<p>Italo Gardoni,</p> + +<p>Ignazio Marini,</p> + +<p>Karl Formes,</p> + +<p>Sir Michael Costa.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> + +<tr><td><p>The following works were, in England, first produced under my +management:—</p></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"><i>Faust</i></td><td align="left">Gounod.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Damnation de Faust</i></td><td align="left">Berlioz.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Messe Solennelle</i></td><td align="left">Rossini.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Ballo in Maschera</i></td><td align="left">Verdi.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Forza del Destino</i></td><td align="left">Verdi.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>I Vespri Siciliani</i></td><td align="left">Verdi.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Carmen</i></td><td align="left">Bizet.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Leila</i> (<i>Pêcheurs de Perles</i>)</td><td align="left">Bizet.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Mirella</i></td><td align="left">Gounod.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Falstaff</i> (<i>Merry Wives of Windsor</i>)</td><td align="left">Nicolai.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Don Bucefalo</i></td><td align="left">Cagnoni.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Hamlet</i></td><td align="left">Thomas.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Rinnegato</i></td><td align="left">Orczy.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Nicolo de Lapi</i></td><td align="left">Schira.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Esmeralda</i></td><td align="left">Campana.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Mefistofele</i></td><td align="left">Boito.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Talismano</i></td><td align="left">Balfe.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Ruy Blas</i></td><td align="left">Marchetti.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Medea</i></td><td align="left">Cherubini.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Iphigénie</i></td><td align="left">Gluck.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Deux Journées</i></td><td align="left">Cherubini.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Seraglio</i></td><td align="left">Mozart.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Ring des Nibelungen</i></td><td align="left">Wagner.</td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><p>The following revivals, among others, were given by me with entirely new +scenery, dresses, and decorations:—</p></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Fidelio</i></td><td align="left">Beethoven.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Freischütz</i></td><td align="left">Weber.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Oberon</i></td><td align="left">Weber.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Aida</i></td><td align="left">Verdi.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Flauto Magico</i></td><td align="left">Mozart.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Anna Bolena</i></td><td align="left">Donizetti.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Lohengrin</i></td><td align="left">Wagner.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Dinorah</i></td><td align="left">Meyerbeer.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Semiramide</i></td><td align="left">Rossini.</td></tr> +</table> + +<p><a name="page_303" id="page_303"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="INDEX" id="INDEX"></a>INDEX TO VOLS. I. AND II.</h3> + +<p class="c"><b> +<a href="#A">A</a> +<a href="#B">B</a> +<a href="#C">C</a> +<a href="#D">D</a> +<a href="#E">E</a> +<a href="#F">F</a> +<a href="#G">G</a> +<a href="#H">H</a> +<a href="#I">I</a> +<a href="#J">J</a> +<a href="#K">K</a> +<a href="#L">L</a> +<a href="#M">M</a> +<a href="#N">N</a> +<a href="#O">O</a> +<a href="#P">P</a> +<a href="#Q">Q</a> +<a href="#R">R</a> +<a href="#S">S</a> +<a href="#T">T</a> +<a href="#V">V</a> +<a href="#W">W</a> +<a href="#Y">Y</a> +<a href="#Z">Z</a> +</b> +</p> + +<p class="nind"> +<span class="letra"><a name="A" id="A"></a>A.</span> +<br /> +Aaron, Sheriff, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_081">81</a>. +<br /> +Abbey, Mr., Vol. I., 265, 308, 318, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_002">2</a>, <a href="#page_003">3</a>, <a href="#page_004">4</a>, <a href="#page_006">6</a>, <a href="#page_008">8</a>, <a href="#page_022">22</a>, <a href="#page_027">27</a>, <a href="#page_031">31</a>, <a href="#page_032">32</a>, <a href="#page_037">37</a>, <a href="#page_038">38</a>, <a href="#page_039">39</a>, <a href="#page_079">79</a>, <a href="#page_254">254</a>. +<br /> +Abbot, Emma, Vol. I., 190; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_297">297</a>. +<br /> +Abramoff, M., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_266">266</a>. +<br /> +Adams, J. McGregor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_232">232</a>. +<br /> +Adini, Mdme., Vol. I., 232. +<br /> +Agnesi, Signor, Vol. I., 155; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_299">299</a>. +<br /> +Albani, Emma, Vol. I., 142, 143, 148, 251, 288, 304, 305, 306, 307, 309, 310, 312, 313, 314, 315, 317, 318, 319, 320; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_005">5</a>, <a href="#page_174">174</a>, <a href="#page_297">297</a>. +<br /> +Alboni, Vol. I., 9, 26, 27, 35, 36; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_300">300</a>. +<br /> +Aldighieri, Vol. I., 19, 26, 47. +<br /> +Ambré, Emelie, Vol. I., 220, 229; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_296">296</a>. +<br /> +Angelo, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_241">241</a>, <a href="#page_258">258</a>, <a href="#page_259">259</a>, <a href="#page_260">260</a>, <a href="#page_262">262</a>, <a href="#page_263">263</a>. +<br /> +Antrobus, Captain, Vol. I., 281. +<br /> +Aramburo, Vol. I., 232; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_174">174</a>, <a href="#page_298">298</a>. +<br /> +Arditi, Signor, Vol. I., 16, 17, 36, 37, 55, 68, 70, 77, 89, 104, 127, 129, 131, 199, 215, 216, 217, 243, 244, 250, 266, 288, 312; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_012">12</a>, <a href="#page_016">16</a>, <a href="#page_067">67</a>, <a href="#page_085">85</a>, <a href="#page_129">129</a>, <a href="#page_147">147</a>, <a href="#page_161">161</a>, <a href="#page_178">178</a>, <a href="#page_179">179</a>, <a href="#page_193">193</a>, <a href="#page_231">231</a>, <a href="#page_244">244</a>, <a href="#page_266">266</a>. +<br /> +Arditi, Mdme. and Signor, Vol. I., 104. +<br /> +Armandi, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_290">290</a>. +<br /> +Arnoldson, Mdlle., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_264">264</a>. +<br /> +Arnoux, Judge W. R., Vol. I., 326. +<br /> +Arthur, President, Vol. I., 313, 314, 315. +<br /> +Auber, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_169">169</a>, <a href="#page_272">272</a>. +<br /> +Austin, Mr., Vol. I., 193. +<br /> +Austin, Fredk., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_138">138</a>.<a name="page_304" id="page_304"></a> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="B" id="B"></a>B.</span> +<br /> +Babbitt, Councillor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_042">42</a>. +<br /> +Bacon, Arthur, Vol. I., 45. +<br /> +Badiali, Signor, Vol. I., 10, 11; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_299">299</a>. +<br /> +Bagagiolo, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_299">299</a>. +<br /> +Baldanza, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_229">229</a>. +<br /> +Balfe, M. W., Vol. I., 2, 161; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_283">283</a>. +<br /> +Balfe, Victoire, Vol. I., 16; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_296">296</a>. +<br /> +Ballantine, Serjeant, Vol. I., 14. +<br /> +Barnes, General W. H. L., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_057">57</a>, <a href="#page_063">63</a>, <a href="#page_198">198</a>, <a href="#page_204">204</a>, <a href="#page_205">205</a>. +<br /> +Bauermeister, Mdme., Vol. I., 198; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_116">116</a>, <a href="#page_161">161</a>, <a href="#page_162">162</a>, <a href="#page_164">164</a>, <a href="#page_178">178</a>, <a href="#page_192">192</a>, <a href="#page_248">248</a>, <a href="#page_296">296</a>. +<br /> +Baxter, Mr., Vol. I., 70. +<br /> +Bedford, Duke of, Vol. I., 175. +<br /> +Beecher, Rev. Henry Ward, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_089">89</a>. +<br /> +Beethoven, Vol. I., 82; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_251">251</a>. +<br /> +Behrens, Herr, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_299">299</a>. +<br /> +Belart, Signor, Vol. I., 27. +<br /> +Belval, M., Vol. I., 152; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_299">299</a>. +<br /> +Belasco, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_192">192</a>, <a href="#page_193">193</a>. +<br /> +Belletti, Signor, Vol. I., 2, 3. +<br /> +Bellini, Vol. I., 90; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_272">272</a>. +<br /> +Belocca, Mdlle. Anna de, Vol. I., 225, 227, 228, 261; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_296">296</a>. +<br /> +Belmont, August, Vol. I., 274. +<br /> +Belmont, Mrs. August, Vol. I., 316. +<br /> +Benedict, Sir Julius, Vol. I., 16, 17, 27, 172, 197; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_274">274</a>. +<br /> +Bentinck, Cavendish, Vol. I., 155. +<br /> +Berghi, Mdlle., Vol. I., 288; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_248">248</a>. +<br /> +Bernhardt, Sarah, Vol. I., 129, 265; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_240">240</a>. +<br /> +Bertini, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_013">13</a>, <a href="#page_014">14</a>. +<br /> +Bettelheim, Mdlle., Vol. I., 81; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_296">296</a>. +<br /> +Bettini, Signor, Vol. I., 6, 7, 73, 76, 77, 81, 120; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_298">298</a>. +<br /> +Bettini-Trebelli, Mdme., Vol. I., 7. +<br /> +Beviguani, Signor, Vol. I., 109; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_300">300</a>. +<br /> +Bidwell, David, Mr., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_102">102</a>. +<br /> +Bieletto, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_161">161</a>, <a href="#page_162">162</a>, <a href="#page_164">164</a>. +<br /> +Billing, Dr., Vol. I., 8. +<br /> +Bimboni, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_231">231</a>. +<br /> +Bisaccia, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_300">300</a>. +<br /> +Bizet, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_249">249</a>, <a href="#page_251">251</a>, <a href="#page_264">264</a>. +<br /> +Blackstone, T. B., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_232">232</a>. +<br /> +Blondin, Vol. I., 283, 284. +<br /> +Boito, Vol. I., 240, 241, 242, 249, 252, 253, 254; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_251">251</a>. +<br /> +Bologna, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_229">229</a>.<a name="page_305" id="page_305"></a> +<br /> +Bolton, George, Mr., Vol. I., 61, 298. +<br /> +Booker, British Consul General, Vol. I., 326. +<br /> +Borchardt, Mdme., Vol. I., 45, 46, 47, 52, 54. +<br /> +Borghi-Mamo, Vol. I., 26; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_296">296</a>. +<br /> +Bossi, Signor, Vol. I., 89. +<br /> +Bowdoin, Mrs., Vol. I., 317. +<br /> +Bowen, Detective, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_057">57</a>. +<br /> +Boyne, George, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_136">136</a>, <a href="#page_232">232</a>. +<br /> +Bradwell, Vol. I., 271. +<br /> +Brady, Judge J. R., Vol. I., 326. +<br /> +Braham, Marquis, Vol. I., 65. +<br /> +Braham, Charles, Vol. I., 10, 12; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_247">247</a>. +<br /> +Brichanteau, Count, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_068">68</a>. +<br /> +Brignoli, Signor, Vol. I., 220, 235, 236; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_092">92</a>. +<br /> +Broccolini, Signor Giovanni Chiari di, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_275">275</a>, <a href="#page_288">288</a>. +<br /> +Broch, Mdlle. Jenny, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_244">244</a>, <a href="#page_248">248</a>, <a href="#page_296">296</a>. +<br /> +Brodie, Dr., Vol. I., 310. +<br /> +Brooks, Captain, Vol. I., 201. +<br /> +Browne, Dr. Lennox, Vol. I., 182. +<br /> +Buck, Dr. J. D., Vol. I., 269. +<br /> +Burdett-Coutts, Baroness, Vol. I., 172. +<br /> +Burnett, C. J., Vol. I., 278. +<br /> +Burroughs, Colonel, Vol. I., 282. +<br /> +Bulterini, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_298">298</a>. +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="C" id="C"></a>C.</span> +<br /> +Cairns, Sir Hugh, Vol. I., 14. +<br /> +Calzolari, Signor, Vol. I., 3. +<br /> +Campanini, Signor, Vol. I., 153, 154, 155, 166, 197, 199, 202, 214, 215, 220, 232, 233, 235, 240, 243, 247, 261, 268, 271, 288; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_003">3</a>, <a href="#page_011">11</a>, <a href="#page_174">174</a>, <a href="#page_260">260</a>, <a href="#page_286">286</a>, <a href="#page_298">298</a>. +<br /> +Capoul, M., Vol. I., 152; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_298">298</a>. +<br /> +Capponi, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_169">169</a>. +<br /> +Caracciolo, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_161">161</a>, <a href="#page_162">162</a>, <a href="#page_164">164</a>, <a href="#page_266">266</a>. +<br /> +Carden, George, Vol. I., 278. +<br /> +Cardinali, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_130">130</a>, <a href="#page_152">152</a>, <a href="#page_153">153</a>. +<br /> +Carey, Hon. Eugene, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_106">106</a>, <a href="#page_136">136</a>, <a href="#page_232">232</a>. +<br /> +Carrion, Signor, Vol. I., 172. +<br /> +Cary, Annie Louise, Vol. I., 235, 243, 247; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_297">297</a>. +<br /> +Carvalho, Mdme. Miolan, Vol. I., 71, 72. +<br /> +Castelmary, M., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_299">299</a>. +<br /> +Castlereagh, Lord, Vol. I., 93. +<br /> +Catalani, Mdme., Vol. I., 42. +<br /> +Cavalazzi, Mdme. Malvina, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_161">161</a>, <a href="#page_162">162</a>, <a href="#page_164">164</a>.<br /> + +Caylus, M., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_248">248</a>. +<br /> +Cesnola, General, Vol. I., 326. +<br /> +Chappell, Mr. Thos., Vol. I., 28, 66, 67. +<br /> +Chappell, Mr. Frank, Vol. I., 66, 67. +<br /> +Chapuy, Mdlle. Marguerite, Vol. I., 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_295">295</a>. +<br /> +Charlier, Professor A., Vol. I., 326. +<br /> +Chatterton, F. B., Vol. I., 110, 111, 189, 190, 191, 199. +<br /> +Cherubini, Vol. I., 88, 89; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_032">32</a>, <a href="#page_119">119</a>, <a href="#page_127">127</a>, <a href="#page_161">161</a>, <a href="#page_162">162</a>, <a href="#page_163">163</a>, <a href="#page_169">169</a>, <a href="#page_170">170</a>, <a href="#page_195">195</a>, <a href="#page_229">229</a>, <a href="#page_282">282</a>, <a href="#page_289">289</a>, <a href="#page_299">299</a>. +<br /> +Choate, Mrs. W. G., Vol. I., 319. +<br /> +Choudens, M., Vol. I., 66, 67. +<br /> +Chorley, Mr., Vol. I., 28. +<br /> +Ciampi, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_244">244</a>, <a href="#page_249">249</a>, <a href="#page_299">299</a>. +<br /> +Cirilla, Duke and Duchess of, Vol. I., 19, 20, 21, 22. +<br /> +Clarke, Mr. John, of Brooklyn, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_275">275</a>. +<br /> +Clarkson, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_223">223</a>. +<br /> +Clementine, Mdlle., Vol. I., 31. +<br /> +Clewes, Mrs. Henry, Vol. I., 317. +<br /> +Clodio, Signor, Vol. I., 294, 326. +<br /> +Coffee, John, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_110">110</a>, <a href="#page_111">111</a>. +<br /> +Colman, Commissioner J. S., Vol. I., 326. +<br /> +Colonne, M., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_009">9</a>. +<br /> +Colonnese, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_299">299</a>. +<br /> +Colville, Lord, Vol. I., 110. +<br /> +Commander-in-Chief, H.R.H., Vol. I., 277. +<br /> +Cooke, H., Vol. I., 278. +<br /> +Cornell, Mrs. Alonzo B., Vol. I., 317. +<br /> +Corsini, Signor, Vol. I., 314. +<br /> +Corsi, Signor, Vol. I., 53, 54, 55, 56. +<br /> +Costa, Sir Michael, Vol. I., 2, 9, 33, 125, 126, 139, 140, 151, 157, 166, 167, 189, 190, 193, 197, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 237, 238, 239; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_148">148</a>, <a href="#page_268">268</a>, <a href="#page_274">274</a>, <a href="#page_282">282</a>, <a href="#page_284">284</a>, <a href="#page_285">285</a>, <a href="#page_301">301</a>. +<br /> +Cottrell, Mr., Vol. I., 14. +<br /> +Cowen, Mr. F., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_300">300</a>. +<br /> +Crane, R. T., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_136">136</a>. +<br /> +Crittenden, Governor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_068">68</a>, <a href="#page_069">69</a>. +<br /> +Crosmond, Hélène, Vol. I., 220. +<br /> +Crowley, Chief, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_055">55</a>. +<br /> +Cummings, Miss Eva, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_237">237</a>. +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="D" id="D"></a>D.</span> +<br /> +Daly, Chief Justice C. P., Vol. I., 326. +<br /> +Daniel, Vol. I., 14. +<br /> +Dater, Councillor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_042">42</a>.<br /> + +Davis, Chief Justice Noah, Vol. I., 326. +<br /> +De Anna, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_097">97</a>, <a href="#page_108">108</a>, <a href="#page_119">119</a>, <a href="#page_122">122</a>, <a href="#page_130">130</a>, <a href="#page_131">131</a>, <a href="#page_161">161</a>, <a href="#page_164">164</a>, <a href="#page_174">174</a>, <a href="#page_182">182</a>, <a href="#page_184">184</a>, <a href="#page_263">263</a>, <a href="#page_265">265</a>, <a href="#page_299">299</a>. +<br /> +Decca, Mdlle. Marie, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_265">265</a>. +<br /> +Dell'Era, Mdlle., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_249">249</a>. +<br /> +Delmonico, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_080">80</a>. +<br /> +Del Puente, Signor, Vol. I., 156, 197, 199, 203, 215, 233, 261, 268, 288; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_006">6</a>, <a href="#page_007">7</a>, <a href="#page_011">11</a>, <a href="#page_127">127</a>, <a href="#page_161">161</a>, <a href="#page_162">162</a>, <a href="#page_163">163</a>, <a href="#page_164">164</a>, <a href="#page_169">169</a>, <a href="#page_170">170</a>, <a href="#page_174">174</a>, <a href="#page_182">182</a>, <a href="#page_216">216</a>, <a href="#page_243">243</a>, <a href="#page_244">244</a>, <a href="#page_247">247</a>, <a href="#page_249">249</a>, <a href="#page_264">264</a>, <a href="#page_299">299</a>. +<br /> +Dierck, Theodore, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_117">117</a>. +<br /> +Didiée, Mdme. Nantier, Vol. I., 71, 82. +<br /> +Dix, Mrs. General, Vol. I., 316. +<br /> +Dogherty, Hon. Daniel, Vol. I., 289. +<br /> +Dolby, Miss, Vol. I., 7. +<br /> +Donadio, Mdlle. Bianca, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_244">244</a>, <a href="#page_296">296</a>. +<br /> +Donizetti, Vol. I., 90. +<br /> +Dotti, Mdlle., Vol. I., 265, 268, 288, 293, 306, 307, 314; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_108">108</a>, <a href="#page_127">127</a>, <a href="#page_161">161</a>, <a href="#page_164">164</a>, <a href="#page_192">192</a>, <a href="#page_244">244</a>, <a href="#page_246">246</a>, <a href="#page_248">248</a>, <a href="#page_264">264</a>, <a href="#page_265">265</a>, <a href="#page_297">297</a>. +<br /> +Douste, Louise and Jeanne, Vol. I., 201; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_016">16</a>. +<br /> +Drake, John B., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_232">232</a>. +<br /> +Drisler, Professor Henry, Vol. I., 326. +<br /> +Dudley, Lord, Vol. I., 23, 40, 70, 112, 136, 138, 139, 140, 141, 146, 147, 148, 152, 173, 190, 191. +<br /> +Durat, M., Vol. I., 288. +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="E" id="E"></a>E.</span><br /> +Edinburgh, H.R.H. the Duchess of, Vol. I., 185, 186, 187, 188, 189; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_255">255</a>. +<br /> +Edinburgh, H.R.H. the Duke of, Vol. I., 178, 179, 185. +<br /> +Edson, Mayor, Vol. I., 326. +<br /> +Edson, Mrs. Franklin, Vol. I., 316. +<br /> +Eldridge, Joe, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_113">113</a>, <a href="#page_114">114</a>, <a href="#page_115">115</a>, <a href="#page_116">116</a>. +<br /> +Engle, Mdlle. Marie, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_161">161</a>, <a href="#page_244">244</a>, <a href="#page_246">246</a>, <a href="#page_248">248</a>, <a href="#page_297">297</a>. +<br /> +Evans, Judge Oliver P., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_057">57</a>. +<br /> +Everardi, Signor, Vol. I., 26, 27. +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="F" id="F"></a>F.</span> +<br /> +Faccio, Signor, Vol. I., 253. +<br /> +Fagotti, Signor Enrico, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_298">298</a>. +<br /> +Fairbank, Mr. N. K., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_232">232</a>. +<br /> +Falco, Signor de, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_161">161</a>, <a href="#page_162">162</a>, <a href="#page_163">163</a>, <a href="#page_179">179</a>. +<br /> +Fancelli, Signor, Vol. I., 155, 220; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_286">286</a>, <a href="#page_287">287</a>, <a href="#page_288">288</a>, <a href="#page_298">298</a>.<br /> + +Faure, Mons., Vol. I., 71, 128, 129, 131, 172, 221. +<br /> +Fennessy, Mr., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_032">32</a>, <a href="#page_037">37</a>. +<br /> +Ferri, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_092">92</a>. +<br /> +Field, Henry, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_136">136</a>. +<br /> +Field, Mr. Marshall, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_232">232</a>. +<br /> +Field, Mrs. Marshall, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_229">229</a>. +<br /> +Fitzgerald, Thos., Vol. I., 22. +<br /> +Flattery, Father, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_017">17</a>, <a href="#page_018">18</a>, <a href="#page_019">19</a>. +<br /> +Fohström, Mdlle., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_156">156</a>, <a href="#page_161">161</a>, <a href="#page_162">162</a>, <a href="#page_163">163</a>, <a href="#page_164">164</a>, <a href="#page_169">169</a>, <a href="#page_179">179</a>, <a href="#page_180">180</a>, <a href="#page_182">182</a>, <a href="#page_184">184</a>, <a href="#page_192">192</a>, <a href="#page_213">213</a>, <a href="#page_224">224</a>, <a href="#page_227">227</a>, <a href="#page_235">235</a>, <a href="#page_243">243</a>, <a href="#page_244">244</a>, <a href="#page_245">245</a>, <a href="#page_248">248</a>, <a href="#page_296">296</a>. +<br /> +Foli, Signor, Vol. I., 87, 89, 129, 139, 155, 172, 199, 208, 215, 217; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_174">174</a>, <a href="#page_244">244</a>, <a href="#page_249">249</a>, <a href="#page_275">275</a>, <a href="#page_299">299</a>. +<br /> +Forchheimer, Dr. F., Vol. I., 269. +<br /> +Ford, Hon., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_042">42</a>. +<br /> +Formes, Carl, Vol. I., 7; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_301">301</a>. +<br /> +Fowler, Dr., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_181">181</a>. +<br /> +Fowler, Mr., Vol. I., 177, 178, 179. +<br /> +Fox, Mr. Charles, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_129">129</a>. +<br /> +Franchi, Signor, Vol. I., 290, 325; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_004">4</a>, <a href="#page_023">23</a>, <a href="#page_024">24</a>. +<br /> +Francis, George, Vol. I., 4, 5. +<br /> +Frank, Eisner and Regensburger, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_197">197</a>. +<br /> +Frapolli, Signor, Vol. I., 199, 215, 220, 314; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_244">244</a>. +<br /> +Fraschini, Signor, Vol. I., 117. +<br /> +French, Mrs. Barton, Vol. I., 317. +<br /> +Freret, William, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_103">103</a>. +<br /> +Fursch-Madi, Mdme., Vol. I., 288, 294, 306, 307, 312, 314; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_030">30</a>, <a href="#page_105">105</a>, <a href="#page_119">119</a>, <a href="#page_130">130</a>, <a href="#page_174">174</a>. +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="G" id="G"></a>G.</span> +<br /> +Gage, A. S., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_232">232</a>. +<br /> +Galassi, Mdme., Vol. I., 294. +<br /> +Galassi, Signor, Vol. I., 166, 199, 203, 208, 215, 235, 247, 255, 259, 261, 265, 271, 288, 307, 310, 312, 314, 318; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_032">32</a>, <a href="#page_056">56</a>, <a href="#page_067">67</a>, <a href="#page_085">85</a>, <a href="#page_174">174</a>, <a href="#page_299">299</a>. +<br /> +Ganz, Mr. Wilhelm, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_274">274</a>, <a href="#page_275">275</a>. +<br /> +Gardini, Dr., Vol. I., 245; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_263">263</a>. +<br /> +Gardoni, Signor, Vol. I., 2, 95, 146; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_301">301</a>. +<br /> +Garibaldi, Vol. I., 45, 81. +<br /> +Garulli, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_248">248</a>. +<br /> +Gassier, Mdme., Vol. I., 8. +<br /> +Gassier, Signor, Vol. I., 36, 68, 81. +<br /> +Gayarré, Signor, Vol. I., 149. +<br /> +Genese, Sam, Vol. I., 29, 30. +<br /> +Gerster, Etelka, Vol. I., 195, 197, 199, 200, 202, 203, 204, 205, +206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 228, 229, 233, 240, 242, 244, 245, 247, 249, 250, 251, 274; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_004">4</a>, <a href="#page_006">6</a>, <a href="#page_011">11</a>, <a href="#page_013">13</a>, <a href="#page_022">22</a>, <a href="#page_025">25</a>, <a href="#page_027">27</a>, <a href="#page_028">28</a>, <a href="#page_029">29</a>, <a href="#page_030">30</a>, <a href="#page_031">31</a>, <a href="#page_032">32</a>, <a href="#page_033">33</a>, <a href="#page_034">34</a>, <a href="#page_035">35</a>, <a href="#page_036">36</a>, <a href="#page_037">37</a>, <a href="#page_038">38</a>, <a href="#page_039">39</a>, <a href="#page_040">40</a>, <a href="#page_041">41</a>, <a href="#page_042">42</a>, <a href="#page_043">43</a>, <a href="#page_044">44</a>, <a href="#page_053">53</a>, <a href="#page_054">54</a>, <a href="#page_058">58</a>, <a href="#page_062">62</a>, <a href="#page_067">67</a>, <a href="#page_068">68</a>, <a href="#page_069">69</a>, <a href="#page_072">72</a>, <a href="#page_074">74</a>, <a href="#page_076">76</a>, <a href="#page_077">77</a>, <a href="#page_174">174</a>, <a href="#page_218">218</a>, <a href="#page_245">245</a>, <a href="#page_263">263</a>, <a href="#page_295">295</a>. +<br /> +Giannini, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_108">108</a>, <a href="#page_119">119</a>, <a href="#page_127">127</a>, <a href="#page_161">161</a>, <a href="#page_162">162</a>, <a href="#page_164">164</a>, <a href="#page_182">182</a>, <a href="#page_235">235</a>, <a href="#page_261">261</a>. +<br /> +Giffard, Mr., Vol. I., 14. +<br /> +Gille, M. Ph., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_161">161</a>. +<br /> +Giuglini, Vol. I., 9, 17, 23, 26, 35, 36, 37, 38, 43, 44, 45, 47, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 60, 68, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 89; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_300">300</a>. +<br /> +Gluck, Vol. I., 95. +<br /> +Goddard, Arabella, Vol. I., 7. +<br /> +Gole, Messrs. J. and R., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_145">145</a>. +<br /> +Gole, Mr. Russell, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_281">281</a>, <a href="#page_282">282</a>. +<br /> +Goodenough, Colonel, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_268">268</a>. +<br /> +Goschen, the Right Honourable G. J., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_292">292</a>. +<br /> +Gounod, Vol. I., 68, 70, 72, 250; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_123">123</a>, <a href="#page_130">130</a>, <a href="#page_249">249</a>. +<br /> +Graziani, Signor, Vol. I., 13, 14, 71. +<br /> +Grisi, Mdme., Vol. I., 9, 26, 33, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93; Vol II., 300. +<br /> +Guarducci, Mdlle., Vol. I., 17, 18, 19, 22; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_296">296</a>. +<br /> +Gunz, Dr., Vol. I., 95; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_298">298</a>. +<br /> +Gye, Mr. Ernest, Vol. I., 305, 310, 320, 321, 322, 325; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_001">1</a>, <a href="#page_003">3</a>, <a href="#page_004">4</a>, <a href="#page_005">5</a>, <a href="#page_081">81</a>, <a href="#page_082">82</a>, <a href="#page_084">84</a>, <a href="#page_085">85</a>. +<br /> +Gye, Commander, Vol. I., 288, 290, 303, 304. +<br /> +Gye, Messrs., Vol. I., 260, 287. +<br /> +Gye, Mr., Vol. I., 8, 9, 13, 14, 33, 36, 41, 42, 67, 70, 71, 72, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 118, 119, 124, 125, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 142, 143, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 153, 154, 160; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_285">285</a>. +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="H" id="H"></a>H.</span> +<br /> +Haines, Vol. I., 216. +<br /> +Hallé, Chas., Vol. I., 28, 172; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_009">9</a>, <a href="#page_274">274</a>, <a href="#page_282">282</a>. +<br /> +Hammond, Surgeon-General, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_218">218</a>. +<br /> +Hancock, General, Vol. I., 326. +<br /> +Hancock, Mrs. General, Vol. I., 317. +<br /> +Handel, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_274">274</a>. +<br /> +Harding, George F., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_136">136</a>, <a href="#page_232">232</a>. +<br /> +Harding, J., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_232">232</a>.<br /> + +Harrison, Mr. Carter H., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_134">134</a>, <a href="#page_232">232</a>. +<br /> +Harris, Augustus, the late, Vol. I., 42, 67, 145. +<br /> +Harris, Miss Laura, Vol. I., 187; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_297">297</a>. +<br /> +Harris, Augustus, Vol. I., 276; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_243">243</a>, <a href="#page_285">285</a>. +<br /> +Hastreiter, Mdme., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_244">244</a>, <a href="#page_246">246</a>, <a href="#page_248">248</a>, <a href="#page_297">297</a>. +<br /> +Hauk, Minnie, Vol. I., 61, 125, 197, 199, 200, 202, 203, 206, 207, 215, 220, 261, 268, 271, 288; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_161">161</a>, <a href="#page_162">162</a>, <a href="#page_163">163</a>, <a href="#page_164">164</a>, <a href="#page_175">175</a>, <a href="#page_176">176</a>, <a href="#page_177">177</a>, <a href="#page_178">178</a>, <a href="#page_179">179</a>, <a href="#page_181">181</a>, <a href="#page_182">182</a>, <a href="#page_192">192</a>, <a href="#page_193">193</a>, <a href="#page_194">194</a>, <a href="#page_201">201</a>, <a href="#page_213">213</a>, <a href="#page_214">214</a>, <a href="#page_221">221</a>, <a href="#page_226">226</a>, <a href="#page_227">227</a>, <a href="#page_248">248</a>, <a href="#page_264">264</a>, <a href="#page_265">265</a>, <a href="#page_269">269</a>, <a href="#page_281">281</a>, <a href="#page_297">297</a>. +<br /> +Haweis, Rev. H., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_171">171</a>, <a href="#page_172">172</a>. +<br /> +Hawkins, Vol. I., 14. +<br /> +Hayes, Miss Catherine, Vol. I., 8. +<br /> +Hayten, Mdlle., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_249">249</a>. +<br /> +Hazlitt, Mr. Registrar, Vol. I., 239, 240; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_281">281</a>. +<br /> +Heatly, Mr. Tod, Vol. I., 183. +<br /> +Henderson, Mr., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_230">230</a>, <a href="#page_233">233</a>, <a href="#page_238">238</a>. +<br /> +Henderson, C. M., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_232">232</a>. +<br /> +Heringhie, Samuel, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_198">198</a>. +<br /> +Hinds, J. Clowes, Vol. I., 279. +<br /> +Hingston, Vol. I., 108. +<br /> +Hoffman, Rev. Dr., Vol. I., 326. +<br /> +Hogg, Sir James McGarel, Vol. I., 179. +<br /> +Hohler, Tom, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_298">298</a>. +<br /> +Holliday, Councillor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_042">42</a>. +<br /> +Homer, Councillor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_042">42</a>. +<br /> +Hopkins, Mrs. Mark, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_118">118</a>. +<br /> +Humphreys, Sir John, Vol. I., 182. +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="I" id="I"></a>I.</span> +<br /> +Insom, Signor, Vol. I., 11. +<br /> +Irvine, Councillor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_042">42</a>. +<br /> +Irving, Henry, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_037">37</a>. +<br /> +Isia, Mdme., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_191">191</a>. +<br /> +Isidor, Mdlle. Rosina, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_248">248</a>. +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="J" id="J"></a>J.</span> +<br /> +Jacobi, Dr., Vol. I., 202. +<br /> +Jaquinot, M., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_247">247</a>. +<br /> +Jarrett, Mr., Vol. I., 110, 111, 129, 130, 132, 133, 160, 231. +<br /> +Jay, Mrs., Vol. I., 316. +<br /> +Jones, Hon., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_042">42</a>. +<br /> +Jones, J. Russell, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_232">232</a>. +<br /> +de Jong, Mike, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_075">75</a>. +<br /> +Joseffy, Herr Rafael, Vol. I., 320.<br /> + +Joyce, Mr., Vol. I., 5. +<br /> +Juch, Miss Emma, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_297">297</a>. +<br /> +Junca, Vol. I., 146; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_299">299</a>. +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="K" id="K"></a>K.</span> +<br /> +Kalakana I., H.M. King, Vol. I., 295, 296. +<br /> +Keith, Edson, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_232">232</a>. +<br /> +Kellogg, Clara Louise, Vol. I., 117, 153, 220; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_297">297</a>. +<br /> +Kendal, Mrs., Vol. I., 100; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_167">167</a>. +<br /> +Kernochan, Mrs. Frederick, Vol. I., 317. +<br /> +Kleist, Albert, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_138">138</a>. +<br /> +Knox, Colonel E. B., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_138">138</a>. +<br /> +Knox, George F., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_205">205</a>. +<br /> +Knox, Colonel Brownlow, Vol. I., 147. +<br /> +Kuhe, Herr Wilhelm. + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_274">274</a>, <a href="#page_275">275</a>. +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="L" id="L"></a>L.</span> +<br /> +Lablache, Signor, Vol. I., 3, 89. +<br /> +Lablache, Mdme., Vol. I., 233; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_006">6</a>, <a href="#page_007">7</a>, <a href="#page_116">116</a>, <a href="#page_127">127</a>, <a href="#page_161">161</a>, <a href="#page_162">162</a>, <a href="#page_164">164</a>, <a href="#page_170">170</a>, <a href="#page_248">248</a>. +<br /> +Lamoureux, M., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_009">9</a>. +<br /> +Lanner, Mdme. Katti, Vol. I., 196; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_116">116</a>. +<br /> +Lauri, Lilian, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_297">297</a>. +<br /> +Lavine, Mr. John, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_084">84</a>. +<br /> +Lawrence, Judge Abraham R., Vol. I., 326. +<br /> +Lee and Paine, Vol. I., 173. +<br /> +Lehmann, Mdlle. Lilli, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_250">250</a>, <a href="#page_251">251</a>, <a href="#page_252">252</a>, <a href="#page_282">282</a>, <a href="#page_296">296</a>. +<br /> +Leinster, Duke of, Vol. I., 146. +<br /> +Lennox, Lord Algernon, Vol. I., 208. +<br /> +Lewis, Vol. I., 276. +<br /> +Lhérie, M., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_249">249</a>, <a href="#page_299">299</a>. +<br /> +Lido, Mdlle. Marie de, Vol. I., 211. +<br /> +Lilly, General, Vol. I., 316, 318. +<br /> +Lincoln, Dr., Vol. I., 202. +<br /> +Lind, Jenny, Vol. I., 2, 172, 173, 205. +<br /> +Litvinoff, Mdlle. Felia, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_161">161</a>, <a href="#page_164">164</a>. +<br /> +Litta, Miss Marie, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_297">297</a>. +<br /> +Livingstone, Mrs., Vol. I., 316. +<br /> +Lodi, Mariannina, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_296">296</a>. +<br /> +Logheder, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_249">249</a>, <a href="#page_300">300</a>. +<br /> +Lombardelli, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_063">63</a>, <a href="#page_067">67</a>. +<br /> +Lorillard, Pierre, Vol. I., 273. +<br /> +Lorillard, Mrs. Pierre, Vol. I., 317. +<br /> +Lotti, Mdlle., Vol. I., 7.<br /> +<a name="page_312" id="page_312"></a> +Lucca, Pauline, Vol. I., 72, 134, 135, 229. +<br /> +Lucca, Mdme., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_262">262</a>. +<br /> +Lumley, Mr., Vol. I., 8, 9, 12, 23, 24, 25, 35, 41. +<br /> +Lyon, Geo. W., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_138">138</a>. +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="M" id="M"></a>M.</span> +<br /> +Macpherson, Captain Fitzroy, Vol. I., 280. +<br /> +Mackenzie, Sir Morell, Vol. I., 182. +<br /> +Mackenzie, Dr. A. C., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_272">272</a>. +<br /> +Macfarren, Sir G., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_283">283</a>. +<br /> +Macvitz, Mdlle., Vol. I., 156. +<br /> +Magnani, Vol. I., 241, 271. +<br /> +Manns, Mr. August, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_274">274</a>, <a href="#page_275">275</a>. +<br /> +Mapleson, Vol. I., 15, 16, 20, 21. +<br /> +Maple, Mr., Vol. I., 226, 227. +<br /> +Maple, Blundell, Vol. I., 192. +<br /> +Mario, Vol. I., 9, 33, 72, 89, 93, 94, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 128; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_025">25</a>, <a href="#page_266">266</a>, <a href="#page_300">300</a>. +<br /> +Marini, Vol. I., 10, 11; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_301">301</a>. +<br /> +Maretzek, Max, Vol. I., 7. +<br /> +Martindale, Mr., Vol. I., 14. +<br /> +Marchisio, Sisters, Vol. I., 43. +<br /> +Marimon, Mdlle., Vol. I., 140, 143, 155, 171, 229, 230, 231, 233, 234, 235, 236; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_295">295</a>. +<br /> +Marchesi, Signor, Vol. I., 144, 145. +<br /> +Massenet, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_161">161</a>. +<br /> +Masini, Signor, Vol. I., 220, 221, 222, 223; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_148">148</a>. +<br /> +Mathews, Charles, Vol. I., 173. +<br /> +Mattei, Signor Tito, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_162">162</a>. +<br /> +Mazzucato, Signor, Vol. I., 4, 6. +<br /> +McCaull, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_234">234</a>. +<br /> +McCray, Colonel, Vol. I., 141, 143. +<br /> +Means, Mayor, Vol. I., 308. +<br /> +Medill, Hon. J., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_232">232</a>. +<br /> +Medini, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_299">299</a>. +<br /> +Meilhac, M., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_161">161</a>. +<br /> +Melcy, M. de, Vol. I., 93. +<br /> +Mercadante, Vol. I., 18, 65. +<br /> +Meyerbeer, Vol. I., 3, 43, 266; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_284">284</a>. +<br /> +Middleton, Admiral Sir George Broke, Vol. I., 182. +<br /> +Mierzwinski, M., Vol. I., 288, 307, 312; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_174">174</a>. +<br /> +Miller, Hon., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_042">42</a>. +<br /> +Millais, Vol. I., 72. +<br /> +Miranda, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_249">249</a>. +<br /> +Mitchell, Vol. I., 40. +<br /> +Mongini, Signor, Vol. I., 16, 26, 27, 95, 96, 97, 98, 117, 128, 129, 131; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_298">298</a>.<br /> +<a name="page_313" id="page_313"></a> +Monti, Signor, Vol. I., 304, 307. +<br /> +Moriami, Signor, Vol. I., 152. +<br /> +Morris, Vol. I., 183. +<br /> +Mott, Dr., Vol. I., 295. +<br /> +Mozart, Vol. I., 11, 117, 270, 319; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_265">265</a>, <a href="#page_266">266</a>, <a href="#page_272">272</a>. +<br /> +Müller, Miss Marie, Vol. I., 201. +<br /> +Murska, Mdlle. Ilmade, Vol. I., 87, 95, 129, 131, 133, 143, 152, 155, 156, 163, 164, 165, 166, 190; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_295">295</a>. +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="N" id="N"></a>N.</span> +<br /> +Nannetti, Vol. I., 240, 252, 253. +<br /> +Naples, King of, Vol. I., 19. +<br /> +Nassau, Dr., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_127">127</a>. +<br /> +Nandin, Signor, Vol. I., 10, 11, 44. +<br /> +Nevada, Emma, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_086">86</a>, <a href="#page_089">89</a>, <a href="#page_090">90</a>, <a href="#page_097">97</a>, <a href="#page_109">109</a>, <a href="#page_110">110</a>, <a href="#page_111">111</a>, <a href="#page_116">116</a>, <a href="#page_119">119</a>, <a href="#page_121">121</a>, <a href="#page_122">122</a>, <a href="#page_123">123</a>, <a href="#page_124">124</a>, <a href="#page_130">130</a>, <a href="#page_149">149</a>, <a href="#page_150">150</a>, <a href="#page_248">248</a>, <a href="#page_250">250</a>, <a href="#page_297">297</a>. +<br /> +Niagara, Vol. I., 297. +<br /> +Nicolini, Signor, Vol. I., 152, 288, 310, 319, 320, 323, 324; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_032">32</a>, <a href="#page_035">35</a>, <a href="#page_044">44</a>, <a href="#page_047">47</a>, <a href="#page_048">48</a>, <a href="#page_049">49</a>, <a href="#page_065">65</a>, <a href="#page_078">78</a>, <a href="#page_088">88</a>, <a href="#page_107">107</a>, <a href="#page_122">122</a>, <a href="#page_131">131</a>, <a href="#page_149">149</a>, <a href="#page_150">150</a>, <a href="#page_155">155</a>, <a href="#page_252">252</a>, <a href="#page_253">253</a>, <a href="#page_255">255</a>, <a href="#page_298">298</a>. +<br /> +Nichols, Colonel George Ward, Vol. I., 247, 267. +<br /> +Nikita, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_297">297</a>. +<br /> +Nilsson, Christine, Vol. I., 104, 106, 117, 128, 129, 131, 133, 143, 148, 150, 152, 153, 155, 157, 158, 159, 160, 162, 163, 166, 172, 178, 190, 193, 194, 195, 220, 221, 224, 229, 237, 240, 241, 243, 253, 254, 303, 308, 321, 322; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_002">2</a>, <a href="#page_011">11</a>, <a href="#page_030">30</a>, <a href="#page_033">33</a>, <a href="#page_038">38</a>, <a href="#page_081">81</a>, <a href="#page_086">86</a>, <a href="#page_218">218</a>, <a href="#page_295">295</a>. +<br /> +Nixon, Mr. William Penn, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_136">136</a>. +<br /> +Nordica, Mdme. Lilian, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_161">161</a>, <a href="#page_180">180</a>, <a href="#page_182">182</a>, <a href="#page_184">184</a>, <a href="#page_193">193</a>, <a href="#page_213">213</a>, <a href="#page_224">224</a>, <a href="#page_227">227</a>, <a href="#page_244">244</a>, <a href="#page_246">246</a>, <a href="#page_248">248</a>, <a href="#page_297">297</a>. +<br /> +Novara, Vol. I., 243, 247, 261; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_011">11</a>, <a href="#page_299">299</a>. +<br /> +Novello, Clara, Vol. I., 7. +<br /> +Nugent, Mr., Vol. I., 68, 70. +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="O" id="O"></a>O.</span> +<br /> +O'Connell, Officer, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_064">64</a>. +<br /> +Offenbach, Jacques, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_283">283</a>, <a href="#page_284">284</a>, <a href="#page_285">285</a>. +<br /> +O'Gorman, Judge, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_007">7</a>. +<br /> +Ole Bull, Vol. I., 218. +<br /> +O'Molloy, John, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_209">209</a>. +<br /> +Orczy, Baron Bodog, Vol. I. 254, 255, 258, 260. +<br /> +Oselio, Mdlle., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_250">250</a>. +<br /> +Oxenford, John, Vol. I., 28.<br /> +<a name="page_314" id="page_314"></a> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="P" id="P"></a>P.</span> +<br /> +Padilla, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_244">244</a>, <a href="#page_249">249</a>, <a href="#page_266">266</a>, <a href="#page_267">267</a>, <a href="#page_276">276</a>, <a href="#page_277">277</a>, <a href="#page_298">298</a>. +<br /> +Paget, Lord Alfred, Vol. I., 177, 178, 183. +<br /> +Palmer, Potter, Mr., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_232">232</a>. +<br /> +Palmer, Mr. Courtlandt, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_171">171</a>. +<br /> +Palmer, Dr., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_116">116</a>. +<br /> +Palmer, Colonel H. W., Vol. I., 281. +<br /> +Pandolfini, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_299">299</a>. +<br /> +Pappenheim, Madame, Vol. I., 203; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_006">6</a>, <a href="#page_014">14</a>, <a href="#page_296">296</a>. +<br /> +Parepa, Madame, Vol. I., 29. +<br /> +Parnell, Mr., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_266">266</a>. +<br /> +Parmenter, Judge, Vol. I., 212. +<br /> +Parodi, Mdlle., Vol. I., 211. +<br /> +Parry, Mr., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_006">6</a>, <a href="#page_007">7</a>, <a href="#page_116">116</a>, <a href="#page_231">231</a>. +<br /> +Pasdeloup, M., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_300">300</a>. +<br /> +Patey, Madame, Vol. I., 28. +<br /> +Patti, Adelina, Vol. I., 33, 35, 36, 72, 82, 83, 145, 150, 153, 167, 224, 251, 264, 265, 267, 268, 269, 270, 272, 273, 274, 288, 290, 291, 295, 296, 300, 301, 302, 303, 305, 306, 307, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 315, 317, 318, 319, 320, 323, 324; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_001">1</a>, <a href="#page_002">2</a>, <a href="#page_003">3</a>, <a href="#page_004">4</a>, <a href="#page_005">5</a>, <a href="#page_012">12</a>, <a href="#page_014">14</a>, <a href="#page_015">15</a>, <a href="#page_022">22</a>, <a href="#page_023">23</a>, <a href="#page_024">24</a>, <a href="#page_025">25</a>, <a href="#page_026">26</a>, <a href="#page_028">28</a>, <a href="#page_030">30</a>, <a href="#page_032">32</a>, <a href="#page_033">33</a>, <a href="#page_034">34</a>, <a href="#page_035">35</a>, <a href="#page_036">36</a>, <a href="#page_037">37</a>, <a href="#page_038">38</a>, <a href="#page_039">39</a>, <a href="#page_040">40</a>, <a href="#page_041">41</a>, <a href="#page_042">42</a>, <a href="#page_043">43</a>, <a href="#page_044">44</a>, <a href="#page_046">46</a>, <a href="#page_047">47</a>, <a href="#page_048">48</a>, <a href="#page_049">49</a>, <a href="#page_051">51</a>, <a href="#page_052">52</a>, <a href="#page_054">54</a>, <a href="#page_058">58</a>, <a href="#page_059">59</a>, <a href="#page_065">65</a>, <a href="#page_067">67</a>, <a href="#page_068">68</a>, <a href="#page_069">69</a>, <a href="#page_072">72</a>, <a href="#page_074">74</a>, <a href="#page_075">75</a>, <a href="#page_076">76</a>, <a href="#page_077">77</a>, <a href="#page_078">78</a>, <a href="#page_079">79</a>, <a href="#page_080">80</a>, <a href="#page_085">85</a>, <a href="#page_086">86</a>, <a href="#page_087">87</a>, <a href="#page_088">88</a>, <a href="#page_090">90</a>, <a href="#page_091">91</a>, <a href="#page_092">92</a>, <a href="#page_093">93</a>, <a href="#page_094">94</a>, <a href="#page_095">95</a>, <a href="#page_096">96</a>, <a href="#page_097">97</a>, <a href="#page_101">101</a>, <a href="#page_103">103</a>, <a href="#page_105">105</a>, <a href="#page_107">107</a>, <a href="#page_113">113</a>, <a href="#page_116">116</a>, <a href="#page_118">118</a>, <a href="#page_119">119</a>, <a href="#page_120">120</a>, <a href="#page_121">121</a>, <a href="#page_122">122</a>, <a href="#page_123">123</a>, <a href="#page_124">124</a>, <a href="#page_125">125</a>, <a href="#page_127">127</a>, <a href="#page_130">130</a>, <a href="#page_131">131</a>, <a href="#page_132">132</a>, <a href="#page_140">140</a>, <a href="#page_141">141</a>, <a href="#page_142">142</a>, <a href="#page_143">143</a>, <a href="#page_144">144</a>, <a href="#page_145">145</a>, <a href="#page_146">146</a>, <a href="#page_147">147</a>, <a href="#page_148">148</a>, <a href="#page_149">149</a>, <a href="#page_150">150</a>, <a href="#page_151">151</a>, <a href="#page_154">154</a>, <a href="#page_155">155</a>, <a href="#page_156">156</a>, <a href="#page_157">157</a>, <a href="#page_159">159</a>, <a href="#page_160">160</a>, <a href="#page_161">161</a>, <a href="#page_163">163</a>, <a href="#page_169">169</a>, <a href="#page_174">174</a>, <a href="#page_209">209</a>, <a href="#page_218">218</a>, <a href="#page_236">236</a>, <a href="#page_243">243</a>, <a href="#page_252">252</a>, <a href="#page_253">253</a>, <a href="#page_254">254</a>, <a href="#page_255">255</a>, <a href="#page_261">261</a>, <a href="#page_268">268</a>, <a href="#page_295">295</a>. +<br /> +Peabody, George, Vol. I., 5, 6. +<br /> +Pearce, Mr. Irving, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_232">232</a>. +<br /> +Peck, President Ferd. W., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_106">106</a>, <a href="#page_133">133</a>, <a href="#page_135">135</a>, <a href="#page_136">136</a>, <a href="#page_232">232</a>, <a href="#page_238">238</a>. +<br /> +Persiani, Mdme., Vol. I., 10, 11; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_300">300</a>. +<br /> +Peyten, Father, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_017">17</a>. +<br /> +Phelps, Mr., Vol. I., 8. +<br /> +Phillips, Mr. R., Vol. I., 69. +<br /> +Phillips, Colonel L. E., Vol. I., 281. +<br /> +Piccolomini, Mdlle., Vol. I., 9, 19. +<br /> +Planché, J. R., Vol. I., 27, 43. +<br /> +Ponchielli, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_031">31</a>. +<br /> +Ponsard, M., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_284">284</a>. +<br /> +Pope, His Holiness the, Vol. I., 18. +<br /> +Post, Mr. Chas. N., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_138">138</a>. +<br /> +Potter, Cipriani, Vol. I., 1. +<br /> +Pratt, Mr. S. G., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_136">136</a>. +<br /> +Prévost, M., Vol. I., 262.<br /> +<a name="page_315" id="page_315"></a> +Prussia, Crown Prince of, Vol. I., 8. +<br /> +Pryor, Mrs., Vol. I., 317. +<br /> +Puzzi, Mdme., Vol. I., 49, 50, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57. +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="Q" id="Q"></a>Q.</span> +<br /> +Queen, Her Majesty the, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_243">243</a>. +<br /> +Quilter, Vol. I., 183. +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="R" id="R"></a>R.</span> +<br /> +Randegger, Mr. Alberto, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_274">274</a>, <a href="#page_275">275</a>. +<br /> +Rattray, Colonel J. C., Vol. I., 279. +<br /> +Ravelli, Signor, Vol. I., 242, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 288, 294, 297, 298, 299, 307, 313, 320, 326; + +Vol. + +Vol. II.199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 209, 210, 229, 248, 264, 266, 269, 276, 277, 280, 281, 298. +<br /> +Reboux, Caroline, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_296">296</a>. +<br /> +Reeves, Sims, Mr., Vol. I., 4, 7, 28, 74, 75, 78. +<br /> +Reeves, Sims, Mrs., Vol. I., 74, 75. +<br /> +Remenyi, M., Vol. I., 2. +<br /> +Reszke, M. Jean de, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_298">298</a>. +<br /> +Rhaden, Baron von, Vol. I., 134. +<br /> +Richter, Herr, Vol. I., 237, 239. +<br /> +Ricordi, Vol. I., 252; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_262">262</a>. +<br /> +Rigo, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_193">193</a>. +<br /> +Rinaldini, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_161">161</a>, <a href="#page_162">162</a>, <a href="#page_163">163</a>, <a href="#page_164">164</a>, <a href="#page_266">266</a>. +<br /> +Risley, Professor, Vol. I., 107. +<br /> +Ristori, Mdme., Vol. I., 156; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_289">289</a>. +<br /> +Rives, George L., Vol. I., 152; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_085">85</a>. +<br /> +Rives, Mrs. G. L., Vol. I., 316. +<br /> +Robertson, Madge, Vol. I., 100. +<br /> +Roger, M., Vol. I., 3. +<br /> +Rokitanski, Herr, Vol. I., 87, 95; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_299">299</a>. +<br /> +Rolla, Mdme., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_264">264</a>, <a href="#page_265">265</a>, <a href="#page_297">297</a>. +<br /> +Rolt, Mr., Vol. I., 14. +<br /> +Ronconi, Signor, Vol. I., 326. +<br /> +Rosa, Mr. Carl, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_274">274</a>, <a href="#page_275">275</a>. +<br /> +Rosenbecker, A., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_138">138</a>. +<br /> +Rossi, Signor, Vol. I., 189. +<br /> +Rossini, Vol. I., 90; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_272">272</a>. +<br /> +Rossini, G., Vol. I., 265, 313. +<br /> +Rossini, Mdlle. Paolina, Vol. I., 265, 266, 267, 288, 293. +<br /> +Rota, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_299">299</a>.<br /> +<a name="page_316" id="page_316"></a> +Rothschild, Messrs., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_145">145</a>. +<br /> +Rothschild, Vol. I., 230. +<br /> +Rouzand, M., Vol. I., 155, 159. +<br /> +Rovere, Vol. I., 10, 11. +<br /> +Roze, Marie, Vol. I., 155, 156, 163, 190, 206, 207, 214, 215, 220; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_295">295</a>. +<br /> +Rudersdorff, Mdme., Vol. I., 11. +<br /> +Rudersdorff, M., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_276">276</a>. +<br /> +Rullman, Mr. F., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_241">241</a>. +<br /> +Runcio, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_244">244</a>, <a href="#page_247">247</a>. +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="S" id="S"></a>S.</span> +<br /> +Salla, Mdlle., Vol. I., 193, 196, 220, 225; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_296">296</a>. +<br /> +Salvini, Vol. I., 166, 167, 185, 189, 190, 238; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_300">300</a>. +<br /> +Salvini-Donatelli, Vol. I., 10. +<br /> +Santa, Della, Signor, Vol. I., 7. +<br /> +Santley, Mr., Vol. I., 28, 68, 81, 87, 88, 89, 95, 117, 129, 131, 133, 139, 146; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_275">275</a>, <a href="#page_298">298</a>. +<br /> +Sapio, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_178">178</a>, <a href="#page_193">193</a>. +<br /> +Sarata, Signor Alberto, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_237">237</a>. +<br /> +Sarolta, Louise, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_296">296</a>. +<br /> +Savio, Mdlle., Vol. I., 288, 294. +<br /> +Saxe-Weimar, Prince Edward of, Vol. I., 281. +<br /> +Sayers and Heenan, Vol. I., 25, 26. +<br /> +Scalchi, Madame, Vol. I., 124, 155, 288, 292, 296, 301, 305, 306, 307, 309, 312, 313, 314, 317, 319, 320; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_002">2</a>, <a href="#page_005">5</a>, <a href="#page_011">11</a>, <a href="#page_031">31</a>, <a href="#page_079">79</a>, <a href="#page_085">85</a>, <a href="#page_090">90</a>, <a href="#page_094">94</a>, <a href="#page_097">97</a>, <a href="#page_105">105</a>, <a href="#page_108">108</a>, <a href="#page_112">112</a>, <a href="#page_113">113</a>, <a href="#page_116">116</a>, <a href="#page_119">119</a>, <a href="#page_120">120</a>, <a href="#page_122">122</a>, <a href="#page_124">124</a>, <a href="#page_127">127</a>, <a href="#page_130">130</a>, <a href="#page_131">131</a>, <a href="#page_151">151</a>, <a href="#page_152">152</a>, <a href="#page_174">174</a>, <a href="#page_296">296</a>. +<br /> +Scalese, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_299">299</a>. +<br /> +Schneider, Mr. George, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_106">106</a>, <a href="#page_136">136</a>, <a href="#page_232">232</a>. +<br /> +Scott, Dr. Joseph, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_102">102</a>. +<br /> +Seabury, Rev. Professor, Vol. I., 326. +<br /> +Sedie, Signor Delle, Vol. I., 36; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_298">298</a>. +<br /> +Selika, Mdlle., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_100">100</a>. +<br /> +Sembrich, Mdlle., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_002">2</a>, <a href="#page_030">30</a>. +<br /> +Sessi, Mdlle. Mathilde, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_296">296</a>. +<br /> +Shah of Persia, Vol. I., 156, 157, 158. +<br /> +Sharon, Mr., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_074">74</a>. +<br /> +Shea, Chief Justice, Vol. I., 326; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_151">151</a>. +<br /> +Sherman and Clay, Messrs., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_049">49</a>, <a href="#page_050">50</a>, <a href="#page_051">51</a>, <a href="#page_052">52</a>. +<br /> +Sherrington, Mdme. L., Vol. I., 28. +<br /> +Short, Captain, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_055">55</a>, <a href="#page_057">57</a>, <a href="#page_061">61</a>, <a href="#page_062">62</a>, <a href="#page_063">63</a>, <a href="#page_064">64</a>, <a href="#page_065">65</a>, <a href="#page_074">74</a>, <a href="#page_075">75</a>. +<br /> +Shortball, S. S., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_232">232</a>. +<br /> +Sinclair, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_275">275</a>.<br /> +<a name="page_317" id="page_317"></a> +Sinico, Mdme., Vol. I., 87, 215; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_296">296</a>. +<br /> +Sivori, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_032">32</a>. +<br /> +Smith, Count, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_275">275</a>. +<br /> +Smith, Health Officer, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_088">88</a>. +<br /> +Smith, Mr. E. T., Vol. I., 9, 11, 12, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 41, 283. +<br /> +Smith, Right Honble. W. H., M.P., Vol. I., 179, 285, 286. +<br /> +Smyth, Recorder, Vol. I., 326. +<br /> +Snowe, Vice-Consul, Vol. I., 22. +<br /> +Sontag, Mdme., Vol. I., 3. +<br /> +de Sortis, Bettina, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_056">56</a>. +<br /> +Sparapani, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_299">299</a>. +<br /> +Spencer, Lady, Vol. I., 227, 228. +<br /> +Spencer, Lord, Vol. I., 227. +<br /> +Sprague, Mr. A. A., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_136">136</a>, <a href="#page_232">232</a>. +<br /> +Springer, Reuben, Vol. I., 251, 308. +<br /> +Stanley, Dean, Vol. I., 155. +<br /> +Stagno, Signor, Vol. I., 89, 95; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_298">298</a>. +<br /> +Stanton, Mr., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_085">85</a>. +<br /> +Starin, John H., Vol. I., 326. +<br /> +Steinway and Sons, Vol. I., 214, 215; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_077">77</a>. +<br /> +Steinway, William, Vol. I., 326. +<br /> +Stone, Dr., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_115">115</a>. +<br /> +Stores, Hon. Emery A., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_106">106</a>. +<br /> +Stracey, Colonel, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_269">269</a>. +<br /> +Strauss, Oscar S., Vol. I., 326. +<br /> +Strakosch, Maurice, Vol. I., 33, 36. +<br /> +Sullivan, Sir Arthur, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_272">272</a>. +<br /> +Swanstone, Clement, Vol. I., 14. +<br /> +Swing, Professor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_232">232</a>. +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="T" id="T"></a>T.</span> +<br /> +Tabor, I. W., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_117">117</a>. +<br /> +Tagliafico, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_169">169</a>. +<br /> +Tamberlik, Signor, Vol. I., 71, 72, 82, 172. +<br /> +Tasca, Signor, Vol. I., 102, 103; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_298">298</a>. +<br /> +Taylor, The Prophet, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_044">44</a>, <a href="#page_045">45</a>, <a href="#page_076">76</a>. +<br /> +Telbin, Mr., Vol. I., 82, 94. +<br /> +Terry, Miss Ellen, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_167">167</a>. +<br /> +Thalberg, M., Vol. I., 3. +<br /> +Thomas, Ambroise, M., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_163">163</a>. +<br /> +Thomas, Theodore, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_009">9</a>, <a href="#page_010">10</a>, <a href="#page_165">165</a>, <a href="#page_171">171</a>. +<br /> +de Thomsen, Baroness, Vol. I., 317. +<br /> +Thornycroft, Vol. I., 182. +<br /> +Thurber, Mr. F. B., Vol. I., 326. +<br /> +Thurber, Mrs. F. B., Vol. I., 317, 319.<br /> + +Titiens, Thérèse, Vol. I., 9, 12, 18, 19, 23, 26, 27, 35, 36, 37, 38, 42, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 55, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 68, 72, 77, 78, 81, 82, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 95, 100, 101, 103, 104, 109, 112, 117, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 128, 139, 140, 143, 146, 152, 154, 155, 156, 157, 159, 161, 162, 166, 167, 177, 178, 190, 193, 194, 196; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_015">15</a>, <a href="#page_025">25</a>, <a href="#page_268">268</a>, <a href="#page_282">282</a>, <a href="#page_290">290</a>, <a href="#page_300">300</a>. +<br /> +Trebelli, Mdme., Vol I., 43, 58, 59, 60, 68, 72, 73, 77, 79, 89, 101, 104, 129, 131, 139, 140, 146, 154, 155, 156, 160, 190, 199, 220, 221, 240; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_003">3</a>, <a href="#page_030">30</a>, <a href="#page_250">250</a>, <a href="#page_255">255</a>, <a href="#page_268">268</a>, <a href="#page_296">296</a>. +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="V" id="V"></a>V.</span> +<br /> +Vachot, Mdlle., Vol. I., 261, 262, 263. +<br /> +Valda, Mdme, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_261">261</a>. +<br /> +Valchieri, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_275">275</a>. +<br /> +Valleria, Mdlle., Vol. I., 156, 190, 198, 199; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_297">297</a>. +<br /> +Van Biene, Auguste, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_276">276</a>. +<br /> +Vanderbilt, Mrs., Vol. I., 317. +<br /> +Vanderbilt, Mr. W. H., Vol. I., 324, 325. +<br /> +Vanderpoel, Aaron, Vol. I., 326. +<br /> +Van Zandt, Vol. I., 164, 220; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_297">297</a>. +<br /> +de Vaschetti, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_161">161</a>, <a href="#page_162">162</a>, <a href="#page_163">163</a>, <a href="#page_164">164</a>, <a href="#page_249">249</a>. +<br /> +Varese, Mdlle. Elena, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_296">296</a>. +<br /> +Varese, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_299">299</a>. +<br /> +Verdi, Vol. I., 43, 45, 271; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_272">272</a>. +<br /> +Vetta, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_161">161</a>, <a href="#page_244">244</a>, <a href="#page_247">247</a>, <a href="#page_249">249</a>. +<br /> +Vianelli, Mdlle., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_006">6</a>. +<br /> +Vianesi, Signor, Vol. I., 10, 127; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_244">244</a>, <a href="#page_300">300</a>. +<br /> +Viardot, Mdme., Vol. I., 3, 10, 11; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_300">300</a>. +<br /> +Victoria, Princess, Vol. I., 8. +<br /> +de Vigne, Mdlle., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_161">161</a>, <a href="#page_162">162</a>, <a href="#page_163">163</a>, <a href="#page_195">195</a>. +<br /> +Vivian, Colonel, Vol. I., 208. +<br /> +Vizzani, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_298">298</a>. +<br /> +Vocke, Mr. William, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_178">178</a>. +<br /> +Volpini, Mdme., Vol. I., 72, 78, 79. +<br /> +Volpini, Signor, Vol. I., 73, 74, 76, 79, 298. +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="W" id="W"></a>W.</span> +<br /> +Wagstaff, Mr., Vol. I., 113. +<br /> +Wagner, Vol. I., 263, 315; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_171">171</a>, <a href="#page_172">172</a>. +<br /> +Wahl, Mr. Louis, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_136">136</a>. +<br /> +Wales, Prince of, Vol. I., 111, 139, 157, 192; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_243">243</a>.<br /> + +Wales, Prince and Princess of, Vol. I., 91. +<br /> +Wallace, Vincent, Vol. I., 28. +<br /> +Wallhofen, Baron Von, Vol. I., 134, 135. +<br /> +Walker, Mr. J. W., Vol. I., 279, 280. +<br /> +Walker, Mr., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_275">275</a>. +<br /> +Wallace, Vincent, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_162">162</a>, <a href="#page_173">173</a>, <a href="#page_269">269</a>, <a href="#page_283">283</a>. +<br /> +Walsh, Mr. John R., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_136">136</a>, <a href="#page_232">232</a>. +<br /> +Ward, Miss Genéviève, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_297">297</a>. +<br /> +Wartegg, Baron E. de Hesse, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_177">177</a>, <a href="#page_194">194</a>. +<br /> +Warren, Councillor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_042">42</a>. +<br /> +Weber, Dr., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_269">269</a>. +<br /> +Weber, Vol. I., 27, 43; + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_131">131</a>. +<br /> +Weber, Vol. I., 216. +<br /> +Webster, Mr., Vol. I., 175, 176, 177, 179. +<br /> +Wellington, Duke of, Vol. I., 41. +<br /> +Wetterman, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_052">52</a>. +<br /> +White, Mayor, Vol. I., 300. +<br /> +Whitney, Mrs. W. C., Vol. I., 317. +<br /> +Willis, Mrs. Benjamin, Vol. I., 317. +<br /> +Wippern, Mdme. Harriers, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_296">296</a>. +<br /> +Wixom, Dr., + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_116">116</a>. +<br /> +Wood, Vice-Chancellor, Vol. I., 14. +<br /> +Wood, Mr. George, Vol. I., 129, 130, 131, 132, 133. +<br /> +Woodford, General Stewart L., Vol. I., 326. +<br /> +Wyndham, Mr., Vol. I., 52. +<br /> +Wyndham, Mrs., Vol. I., 57. +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="Y" id="Y"></a>Y.</span> +<br /> +Yorke, Miss Josephine, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_006">6</a>, <a href="#page_032">32</a>. +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="letra"><a name="Z" id="Z"></a>Z.</span> +<br /> +Zacharoff, Count, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_047">47</a>. +<br /> +Zagury, Mdlle., Vol. I., 288, 293. +<br /> +Zamperoni, Signor, + +Vol. II., <a href="#page_262">262</a>. +<br /> +Zimelli, Signor, Vol. I., 141.<br /> +</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="center">Typographical errors corrected:</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">made every preparation for going on to the stage=>make every preparation</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">for going on to the stage</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">conterfeits=>counterfeits</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">County of San Franscisco=>County of San Francisco</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Augsutus Harris=>Augustus Harris</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">lieu of La Sonnambulu=>lieu of La Sonnambula</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">(note of etext transcriber.)</td></tr> +</table> + +<hr class="full" /> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Mapleson Memoirs, vol II, by James H. 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Mapleson + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Mapleson Memoirs, vol II + 1848-1888 + +Author: James H. Mapleson + +Release Date: May 24, 2011 [EBook #36144] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MAPLESON MEMOIRS, VOL II *** + + + + +Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + + + + + + + + +THE MAPLESON MEMOIRS + +VOL. II. + +[Illustration: J H MAPLESON] + + + + +THE MAPLESON MEMOIRS + +1848-1888 + +IN TWO VOLUMES + +WITH PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR + +VOL II + +CHICAGO, NEW YORK, AND SAN FRANCISCO: +BELFORD, CLARKE & CO., +PUBLISHERS. +1888 + +[_All rights reserved_]. + +COPYRIGHT, 1888, BY +JAMES H. MAPLESON + +TROW'S +PRINTING AND BOOKBINDING COMPANY, +NEW YORK. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER I. + +My Connection Severed--Musical Protective Union--American +Orchestras--Rival Opera-Houses--Operatic Trial by Jury +--St. Cecilia's Day--The Feast of Father Flattery + pp. 1-21 + +CHAPTER II. + +Patti and her Shoes--Patti Seized for Debt--Flight of Gerster +--Conflict at Chicago--Bouquets out of Season--Cincinnati +Floods--Abbey's Collapse--Resolve to go West pp. 22-39 + +CHAPTER III. + +Gerster Refuses; Patti Volunteers--Arrival at Cheyenne +--Patti Dines the Prophet--Threats of an Interviewer--Arrival +at San Francisco pp. 40-49 + +CHAPTER IV. + +The Patti Epidemic--Gerster Furore--Tickets 400% Premium +--My Arrest--Capture of "Scalpers"--Death of my +First "Basso"--"That Patti Kiss" pp. 50-69 + +CHAPTER V. + +Luncheon on H.M.S. _Triumph_--Opera Auction--Concert at +Mormon Tabernacle--Return to New York--Return to +Europe--Sheriffs in the Academy--I Depart in Peace + pp. 70-83 + +CHAPTER VI. + +Royal Italian Opera Liquidates--Getting Patti off the Ship--Henry +Ward Beecher's Cider--Patti's Silver Wedding--A +Patti Programme of 1855--A Black Concert pp. 84-100 + +CHAPTER VII. + +Panic at New Orleans--Thermometer Falls 105 Degrees--Banquet at +Chicago--The "Count di Luna" at Market--Coffee John--An American George +Robins--My Under-taker pp. 101-117 + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Patti and Scalchi--Nevada's _Debut_--A Chinese Swing--A +Visit from Above--Rescued Treasure--Great Chicago +Festival--American Hospitality pp. 118-139 + +CHAPTER IX. + +"Count di Luna" Introduced to "Leonora"--A Patti Contract +--The Sting of the Engagement--A Tenor's Suite--A +Presentation of Jewellery--My "Don Giovanni"--A +Profitable Tour pp. 140-154 + +CHAPTER X. + +My Covent Garden Season--Patti's London Silver Wedding--Return +to New York--Difficulties Begin--Rival Rehearsals--Grand Opera +and Operetta pp. 155-167 + +CHAPTER XI. + +House Divided against Itself--Rev. H. Haweis on Wagner--H.R.H. +and Wotan--Elle a dechire mon gilet--Arditi's +Remains--Return to San Francisco pp. 168-184 + +CHAPTER XII. + +The Retreat from Frisco--Hotel Dangers--A Scene from +_Carmen_--Operatic Invalids--Murderous Lovers--Ravelli's +Claim--General Barnes's Reply--Clamour for Higher +Prices--My Onward March pp. 185-214 + +CHAPTER XIII. + +Del Puente in the Kitchen--Scalding Coffee--Californian +Wine--The Sergeant takes a Header--The Russian +Mother--I Become a Sheriff--A Dumb Chorus--Dynamite +Bombs pp. 215-228 + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Subterranean Music--The Striker Struck--Tuscan Taffy--A +Healthy "Lucia"--I Recover from the United States--A +Beknighted Mayor pp. 229-243 + +CHAPTER XV. + +Back in the Old Country--The London Season--Sluggish +Audiences--My Outside Public--The Patti Disappointments--The +"Sandwich's" Story pp. 244-257 + +CHAPTER XVI. + +Master and Man--_Don Giovanni_ Centenary--Mozart and +Parnell--Bursting of "Gilda"--Colonel Stracey and the +Demons--The Hawk's Mountain Flight--Ambitious Students and +Indigent Professors--A School for Opera--Anglicized +Foreigners--Italianized Englishmen pp. 258-275 + +CHAPTER XVII. + +Fight with Mr. and Mrs. Ravelli--An Improvised Public--Ravelli's +Dangerous Illness--Mr. Russell Gole--Reappearance of +Mr. Registrar Hazlitt--Offenbach in Italian--Who +is that Young Man?--Fancelli's Autograph--Ristori's +Aristocratic Household pp. 276-291 + +FINAL CHAPTER. + +Envoi 293 + +APPENDIX. + +Singers and Operas produced by me 295 + +Index to Volumes I. and II. 303 + + + + +CHAPTER I + +MY CONNECTION SEVERED--MUSICAL PROTECTION UNION--AMERICAN +ORCHESTRAS--RIVAL OPERA-HOUSES--OPERATIC TRIAL BY JURY--ST. CECILIA'S +DAY--THE FEAST OF FATHER FLATTERY. + + +Shortly after my return to London I had various meetings with the +Directors of the Royal Italian Opera Company, Limited, when, to my +astonishment, they informed me they would not ratify the contract I had +made with Mdme. Patti. In fact, they repudiated the engagement +altogether, although it had been concluded by me conjointly with Mr. +Ernest Gye, the General Manager of the Company. I was therefore left +with about L15,000 worth of authorized contracts which the Company had +made with other artists, in addition to Mdme. Patti's contract for +250,000 dollars (L50,000). + +I represented to the Directors that the only way to get out of the +difficulty was to release me entirely from all connection with the +Company, as I could then carry out the contracts I had made in the name +of myself and of their representative with Mdme. Patti and with several +other artists. + +The matter, however, ended by the Directors giving me my _conge_, +refusing at the same time to pay me any of the money that was then owing +to me. + +I had now seriously to consider my position, which was this: I had +parted with my lease of Her Majesty's Theatre to the Royal Italian Opera +Company, Ltd., a lease for which I had paid Lord Dudley L30,000. I had +parted with a large quantity of scenery and dresses, of which a full +inventory was attached to my agreement, and which were valued at many +thousands of pounds. In addition to this, during my absence in America, +Her Majesty's Theatre had been entirely dismantled and many thousand +pounds worth of property not in the inventory taken and removed to +Covent Garden. The amount of salary owing to me was absolutely refused. +My L10,000 worth of shares (being the consideration for the purchase) I +could not obtain; and the Company further gave me notice that I owed +them some L10,000 for losses incurred whilst in America. + +In fact, all I had left to me was my liability for the L50,000 payable +to Mdme. Patti, and for over L15,000 on the authorized contracts made +with other artists on behalf of the Company; whilst on the other side of +the ocean I should have to face Abbey's new Metropolitan Opera-house, +for which all the seats had been sold, and the following artists +engaged--all with but one or two exceptions taken from me:--Mdme. +Christine Nilsson, Mdlle. Valleria, Mdme. Sembrich, Mdme. Scalchi, +Mdme. Trebelli, Signor Campanini, etc., etc. My scene painter had been +tampered with and taken away, together with many of the leading +orchestral performers and the chorus--indeed, the whole Company, even to +the call-boy. + + [FROM THE _Times_ OF NEW YORK, JULY 4, 1883.] + "MR. MAPLESON'S PARTNERS. + "HIS TROUBLE WITH THE ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA COMPANY. + "THE ACADEMY STOCKHOLDERS PREPARING FOR HIM, HOWEVER, + AND CONFIDENT OF A BRILLIANT SEASON. + +"Every mail from England brings papers containing some discussion of the +trouble in the operatic camp; and it is evident that a serious +misunderstanding has arisen between the Royal Italian Opera Company +(Limited)--principally Mr. Gye--and Col. Mapleson. The substance of this +misunderstanding appears to be that Mr. Gye and his Company have decided +to repudiate certain contracts made by Col. Mapleson as their accredited +agent. The principal trouble is in regard to the contract by which the +Colonel agrees to pay Mdme. Patti 5,000 dollars per night. It will be +readily remembered by readers of the _Times_ that a great struggle took +place at the close of last season between Mr. Abbey and Col. Mapleson +for the possession of the great singer's services. For a long time it +was impossible to tell to which house she was going, and public +curiosity was aroused to such an extent that everyone felt like +addressing her in the language of Ancient Pistol: 'Under which King, +Bezonian? Speak, or die!' Mr. Abbey offered her more money than any +singer had ever before received, whereupon Mr. Mapleson, knowing that he +must have Patti to fight the strong attraction of a new Opera-house, saw +Mr. Abbey and went him a few hundreds better. Then Mr. Abbey threw down +his hand and Mr. Mapleson gathered in the prima donna. It will also be +remembered that subsequently the stockholders of the Academy met in +secret conclave and generously voted to support the manager who +established Italian Opera in this country as a permanent source of +amusement and art-cultivation by assessing themselves. They decided to +raise a subsidy of 40,000 dollars to guarantee the Patti contract and +secure the coming season at the Academy. Mdme. Patti subsequently +ratified the contract made by Signor Franchi, her agent, with Col. +Mapleson, and the Colonel wrote to the stockholders here thanking them +for their generous support, and saying that he would return their +kindness by bringing to America next Fall a Company of superior +strength. An early evidence of the earnestness of his purpose was the +engagement of Mdme. Gerster, an artist who is a firm favourite with this +public, and whose great merits are unquestionable. Mr. Gye was in this +city, it will also be remembered, during the latter part of last season, +and was fully aware of Mr. Mapleson's movement. Therefore the +stockholders of the Academy have learned with surprise, not to say +disgust, the action of the Royal Italian Opera Company (Limited). It has +transpired that the principal cause of dissatisfaction was a belief that +there could be little or no profit in an American Opera season with +Patti at 5,000 dollars per night. The _Times_, in an article published +just after the close of the last season, showed that Col. Mapleson had +been unfortunate. While the good people of the West, who are popularly +supposed to possess but a tithe of the culture that animates the East, +flocked to the Opera as if they really knew that they were not likely, +as the Boston Theatre stage carpenter expressed it, to hear any better +singing than that of Patti and Scalchi this side of heaven, the people +of New York and Philadelphia failed to regard the entertainment in the +same light. The result was serious for Col. Mapleson, and he left this +country financially embarrassed. The Royal Italian Opera Company +(Limited) knew this, and decided that it did not care to embark in +another American season, especially with increased salaries and an +opposition of respectable strength. The London _World_, in a long +article on the condition of these operatic affairs, has said that +another cause of dissatisfaction was Mr. Gye's earnest conviction that, +if Mdme. Patti's salary was to be increased, the salary of his wife, +Mdme. Albani, ought also to be raised. + +"However all these things may be, it is certain that the great question +now is whether Col. Mapleson will come over next season as a +representative, or rather a part, of the Royal Italian Opera Company +(Limited)." + +Despite obstacles of all kinds, I felt happy at being rid of the Royal +Italian Opera, Covent Garden, and I set vigorously to work to complete +the company with a view to the operatic battle which was to be fought +the following autumn in New York. + +During the month of June I was fortunate enough to conclude an +engagement with Mdme. Etelka Gerster, also with Mdme. Pappenheim, who +was a great favourite in America. For my contraltos I engaged Miss +Josephine Yorke, and also Mdlle. Vianelli. Galassi, my principal +baritone of the previous years, remained with me, despite the large +offers that had been made to him by Abbey. + +Prior to the commencement of my season, I found on perusing Mr. Abbey's +list the names of Signor Del Puente, of Mdme. Lablache, of my +stage-manager, Mr. Parry, and a good many of the choristers, all of whom +were under formal engagement to me. + +It is true I did not care much for the services of these people, but I +could not allow them to defy me by breaking their contracts. I +consequently applied for an injunction against each, which was duly +granted, restraining them from giving their services in any other place +than where by writing I directed. Arguments were heard the following +day before Judge O'Gorman, on my motion to confirm the injunction which +I had obtained against Signor Del Puente and Mdme. Lablache, who were +announced to sing the opening night at the new Metropolitan Opera House. +The injunction, as in the case of all operatic injunctions, was +ultimately dissolved by the Court, and I agreed to accept a payment from +Del Puente of 15,000 francs, Mr. Parry and the choristers being at the +same time handed over to me. + +Shortly after my arrival in New York I was honoured with a serenade in +which no less than five hundred musicians took part. The sight alone was +a remarkable one. I was at my hotel, on the point of going to bed, when +suddenly I heard beneath my window a loud burst of music. The immense +orchestra had taken possession of the street. The musicians were all in +evening dress; they had brought their music stands with them, also +electric or calcium lights; and, as I have before said, they occupied +the road in front of the hotel. + +I was extremely gratified, and when after the performance I went down +into the street to thank the conductor, I begged that he would allow me +to make a donation of L100 towards the funds of the Musical Protective +Union. But he would not hear of such a thing, and was so earnest on the +subject that I felt sorry at having in a moment of impulse ventured upon +such an offer. + +The Musical Protective Union is an association extending over the whole +of the United States, to which all the capable instrumental players of +the country belong. There may be, and probably are, a very few who stand +outside it; and I remember that Mr. Abbey, unwilling to be bound by its +rules, resolved to do without it altogether, and to import his musicians +from abroad. Soon, however, this determination placed him in a very +awkward predicament: his first oboe fell ill, and for some time it was +found impossible to replace him. + +I have nothing but good to say of the Musical Union. The very slight +disagreement which I once had with those of its members who played in my +orchestra was arranged as soon as we had an opportunity of talking the +matter over. If I have every reason to be satisfied with the Musical +Union, I can equally say that this Association showed itself well +content with me. + +While on the subject of American orchestras, I may add that their +excellence is scarcely suspected by English amateurs. In England we have +certainly an abundance of good orchestral players, but we have not so +many musical centres; and, above all, we have not in London what New +York has long possessed, a permanent orchestra of high merit under a +first-rate conductor. Our orchestras in London are nearly always +"scratch" affairs. The players are brought together anyhow, and not one +of our concert societies gives more than eight concerts in the course of +the year. Being paid so much a performance, our piece-work musicians +make a great fuss about attending rehearsals; and they are always ready, +if they can make a few shillings profit by it, to have themselves +replaced by substitutes. + +All really good orchestras must from the nature of the case be permanent +ones, composed of players in receipt of regular salaries. Attendance at +rehearsals is then taken as a matter of course, and no question of +replacement by substitutes can be raised. The only English orchestra in +which the conditions essential to a perfect _ensemble_ are to be found +is the Manchester orchestra conducted by Sir Charles Halle. + +A larger and better orchestra than the excellent one of Sir Charles +Halle is that of M. Lamoureux. + +Better even than the orchestra of M. Lamoureux is that of M. Colonne. +But I have no hesitation in saying that M. Colonne's orchestra is +surpassed in fineness and fulness of tone, as also in force and delicacy +of expression, by the American orchestra of 150 players conducted by Mr. +Theodore Thomas. The members of this orchestra are for the most part +Germans, and the eminent conductor is himself, by race at least, a +German. Putting aside, however, all question of nationality, I simply +say that the orchestra directed by Mr. Theodore Thomas is the best I am +acquainted with; and its high merit is due in a great measure to the +permanence of the body. Its members work together habitually and +constantly; they take rehearsals as part of their regular work; and they +look to their occupation as players in the Theodore Thomas orchestra as +their sole source of income. As for substitutes, Mr. Thomas would no +more accept one than a military commander would accept substitutes among +his officers. + +There has from time to time been some talk of Mr. Theodore Thomas's +unrivalled orchestra paying a visit to London, where its presence, apart +from all question of the musical delight it would afford, would show our +public what a good orchestra is, and our musical societies how a good +orchestra ought to be formed and maintained. + +Before taking leave of Mr. Theodore Thomas and of American orchestras +generally, let me mention one remarkable peculiarity in connection with +them. So penetrated are they with the spirit of equality that no one +player in an orchestra is allowed to receive more than another; the +first violin and the big drum are, in this respect, on precisely the +same footing. In England we give so much to a first clarinet and +something less to a second clarinet, and a leader will always receive +extra terms. In America one player is held to be, in a pecuniary point +of view, as good as another. + +My season at the Academy commenced on the 22nd October--the same night +as my rival's at the New Metropolitan Opera, to which subscriptions had +been extended on a most liberal scale. In fact the whole of New York +flocked there, as much to see the new building as to hear the +performance. + +On my opening night I presented _La Sonnambula_, when Mdme. Etelka +Gerster, after an absence of two years, renewed her triumphs in America. +The rival house presented Gounod's _Faust_, with Christine Nilsson as +"Margherita," Scalchi as "Siebel," Novara as "Mephistopheles," Del +Puente as "Valentine," and Campanini as "Faust;" a fine cast and +perfectly trained, since all these artists had played under my direction +and did not even require a rehearsal. After a few nights I began to +discover that the counter attraction of the new house was telling +considerably against me, and I informed the Academy Directors of my +inability to contend against my rival with any degree of success, unless +I could have a small amount of backing. + +After consultation, several stockholders signed a paper, each for a +different amount, which totalled up to something like L4,500, which I +had previously calculated would be about the amount required to defeat +the enemy. This was guaranteed by them to the Bank of the Metropolis on +the understanding that I should never draw more than L600 a week from +it, and then only in case of need. + +The Manager of the rival Opera-house had fired off all his guns the +first night; and after a few evenings, as soon as the public had seen +the interior of the new building, the receipts gradually began to +decline. In the meanwhile, I was anxiously expecting notice of Adelina +Patti's approaching arrival. I, therefore, arranged to charter sixteen +large tug boats, covered with bunting, to meet the _Diva_; eight of them +to steam up the bay on each side of the arriving steamer, and to toot +off their steam whistles all the way along, accompanied by military +bands. All was in readiness, and I was only waiting for a telegraphic +notification. Some of the pilots at Sandy Hook, moreover, had promised +to improvise a salute of twenty-one guns; and Arditi had written a +Cantata for the occasion, which the chorus were to sing immediately on +Patti's arrival. + +By some unfortunate mistake, either from fog or otherwise, the steamer +passed Fire Island and landed _la Diva_ unobserved at the dock, where +there was not even a carriage to meet her. She got hustled by the crowd, +and eventually reached her hotel with difficulty in a four-wheeler. The +military bands had passed the night awaiting the signal which I was to +give them to board the tugs. + +On learning of Mdme. Patti's arrival, I hurried up to the Windsor Hotel, +when I was at once received. + +"Is it not too bad?" she exclaimed, with a comical expression of +annoyance. "It is a wonder that I was not left till now on the steamer. +As it was, by the merest chance one of my friends happened to come down +to the dock and luckily espied me as I was wandering about trying to +keep my feet warm, and assisted me into a four-wheeler. However, here I +am. It is all over now, and I am quite comfortable and as happy as +though twenty boats had come down to meet me." + +She then agreed to make her _debut_ three days afterwards in _La Gazza +Ladra_. + +On the second night of the opera we had a brilliant audience for +_Rigoletto_, Mdme. Gerster undertaking the part of "Gilda," which she +sang with rare delicacy and brilliancy of vocalization, so that +"Brava's!" rang throughout the entire audience. + +My new tenor, Bertini, who likewise made his _debut_ on this occasion, +produced but little effect, either vocally or dramatically. In the "La +Donna e Mobile" he cracked on each of the high notes, whilst in the +"Bella Figlia" quartet his voice broke in a most distressing manner when +ascending to the B flat, causing loud laughter amongst the audience. + +I was therefore under the necessity of sending him the following letter +the next morning:-- + + "TO SIGNOR BERTINI. + +"In consequence of the lamentable failure you met with on Wednesday +evening last, the 24th inst., it is my painful duty to notify you that +by reason of your inability to perform your contract, I hereby put an +end to it. At the same time I request that you will return me the +balance of the money that I advanced to you, amounting to 1,000 dollars. + + "Yours, truly, + + "(Signed) J. H. MAPLESON." + +Of course he did not return my thousand dollars, but fell into the hands +of some attorneys, who at once issued process against me for 50,000 +dollars damages! + +While admitting that at the time I engaged him he was a good singer, I +maintained that latterly, from some cause or other, his voice had +utterly gone. I had engaged him to perform certain duties which he was +unable to fulfil. + +His lawyers insisted upon his having another opportunity. This I at once +agreed to; but not before the public, for whom I had too much respect to +inflict another dose of Bertini upon them. I therefore offered him the +empty house, full orchestra and chorus, and a jury half of his own +selection and half of mine, with the Judge of one of the Superior Courts +as umpire; but this he refused. The matter, therefore, went into the +usual groove of protracted law proceedings and consequent annoyances and +attachments. The very next day all my banking account was attached, and +it was two days before I could get bondsmen in order that it might be +released, so that I could continue to pay my salaries to the other +artists. + +On the following night we performed _Norma_ at Brooklyn, with Mdme. +Pappenheim as the Druid priestess; the night afterwards being reserved +for the _debut_ of Mdme. Patti at New York in _La Gazza Ladra_. The +occasion naturally drew together an immense audience, which displayed +much enthusiasm for the singer. The pleasure of hearing Mdme. Patti +again was increased by the fact that the work in which she was to appear +was not a hackneyed one. + +The opera, however, failed to make the effect I expected, being +generally pronounced by the Press and the public to be too antiquated. +The contralto who undertook the _role_ of "Pippo" was excessively +nervous, having had no rehearsals and never having met Patti before. + +One daily paper said that the lesser _roles_ were well taken, down to +the stuffed magpie, who flew down and seized the spoon, and sailed away +into the flies with prodigious success, adding: "_La Gazza Ladra_ will +soon be laid permanently on the shelf. It is many years since it was +done here before, and from a judgment of last evening, it will be many +years before the experiment will be repeated." + +Some time before this, a gentleman called on me. I was about to put him +off, saying I was too busy; but he seemed so earnest for a few moments' +conversation that I turned round, and on his raising his hat and +loosening his overcoat, discovered him to be a priest. On his mentioning +to me that Mdlle. Titiens had done service formerly for a church in +Ireland with which he was connected, I at once gave him every attention. +He explained that the small parish then under his charge was in great +want, whilst the church had a debt of some L700 or L800. All he +solicited was one of my singers, for whom he would pay the sum I might +demand. + +I at once told him that I would aid his charity to the best of my +ability, and further, that on the appointed day, which happened to be +St. Cecilia's Day, the 24th November, I would place some of my leading +singers at his disposal for the high mass, and would, moreover, hold the +plate myself at the church door to receive any offerings that might be +made. After meeting him once or twice, I promised to take still further +interest in relieving the Church of its difficulties by giving an +evening concert in addition at the Steinway Hall, placing my best +artists at his disposal, together with the whole of my chorus, and full +orchestra under Arditi's direction, likewise my wonderful child pianist, +Mdlle. Jeanne Douste. + +In due course the following announcement was made regarding the concerts +I had promised:-- + + "ST. CECILIA'S DAY. + +"The greatest musical treat ever offered the people of Harlem will be +given on Sunday (to-morrow) in the Church of St. Cecilia, Corner of +105th Street and 2nd Avenue. It will be the feast of the day of the +'Divine Cecilia'--patroness of music. Colonel Mapleson, of the Royal +Opera Company, London, takes a personal interest in the celebration of +the day, and has kindly consented to send a number of his best artists +to delight the people and do honour to the beautiful 'Queen of Melody.' +Our music-loving people will have at their own doors a genuine artistic +treat--such a one as has never been given in Harlem before--and we +doubt not they will appreciate it and fill St. Cecilia's Church to +overflowing. The gallant Colonel has promised to hold the plate at the +door and receive the offerings of the congregation--the only charge for +a rushing torrent of the most delicious music. No doubt his noble and +handsome presence will secure for his friend, Father Flattery, quite a +big collection--a very essential element in such uncommon events. + +"Our readers are referred to our advertising columns for the extensive +and varied programme of the great Cecilian Concert at Steinway Hall on +the same day. The famous Mapleson Opera Company will be at their best, +supported by a superb chorus and a full and powerful orchestra. This +will, indeed, be a Cecilian Concert in the best sense of the word." + +In due course the day of the Feast of St. Cecilia arrived, which was +most appropriately celebrated at St. Cecilia's Church, Harlem, some +considerable distance "up town." There was no charge for admission, but +I held the plate at the door, and everyone who entered gave something +according to his means or inclination, a most handsome sum being thus +collected. Father Flattery occasionally showed himself near my plate +exhorting the incoming congregation to give liberally. + +The service was conducted by Father Peyten, of St. Agnes' Church. Father +Flattery did not preach a regular sermon, but confined his remarks to +the life and character of St. Cecilia. "In venerating this saint," said +he, "we intensify our love of God. St. Cecilia stands conspicuous in the +noble choir as one of the typical saints. In studying her life we are +carried back to the dark days of the Caesars. More than St. Peter himself +this noble lady sacrificed when she left all and devoted herself to God. +Peter was but a poor fisherman, and left but his nets and boats; she was +a noble lady of conspicuous distinction. Hers was no common origin, hers +no ordinary name; but she relinquished all this social _prestige_ for +her religion. What wonder that she should be so popular among Christians +when she is everywhere recognized as the patroness of the loveliest of +arts, an art which lives beyond the bounds of time and can never die! +Like the immortal souls of men, there is nothing destructive about +music. It is music which illustrates the relation between art and +religion. How much the art of music adds to the profound mystery of +religion! How in the hour of exalted triumph it chants its paeans! The +Festival of St. Cecilia is a festival of music; and music becomes more +beautiful still when it is emblemized through such a life as that of +this saint. Enviable is that professional art which has such a saint for +its patron." At the close of his sermon Father Flattery expressed his +own and the sincere thanks of the congregation to the manager and his +artists who in their generosity had done so much for the cause of +religion; and he expressed the hope that "when Colonel Mapleson ends +his days St. Cecilia may come down to bear him up to Heaven." + +At the conclusion of the service a sumptuous breakfast was served at +Father Flattery's, to which some 200 guests were invited. Afterwards +some speeches were made and thanks tendered to me for what I had done. +The ladies present handed me, moreover, a set of studs and sleeve-links. + +We afterwards drove down to the Steinway Hall to attend the evening +concert (for the breakfast had lasted some time), which was crowded to +the very doors. The receipts taken in the morning at the Church, coupled +with those of the Steinway concert completely extinguished the debt +which had weighed so heavily on St. Cecilia's Church. + +About a year afterwards I was in New York, and having one afternoon +(strangely enough) a little leisure, I determined to pay a visit to my +excellent friend, Father Flattery. It was a Sunday afternoon, and when I +got to his house, at some little distance from the central quarters of +New York, I found him teaching a number of school children. As soon, +however, as he saw me he struck work and his young pupils were dismissed +to their homes. + +I told Father Flattery that I had come to pay him a short visit. + +"Nothing of the kind," he replied, in his frank, genial manner; "you +have come to dine with me, and you are just in the nick of time. Dinner +will be ready very soon; and I hope you have brought a good appetite +with you." + +My hospitable friend left me for a minute to give some orders; and while +he was away one of his servants whispered to me that dinner was just +over, and that there was nothing in the house. + +I was too discreet to take any notice of this communication, and when +the good priest returned I saw from his manner that he would take no +refusal, and that whether there was anything in the house or not, +whether he had already dined or not, I was to stay that afternoon to +dinner. + +After a certain delay, guests arrived, including some very charming +ladies; and in due time dinner was served. It was quite an Homeric +feast. Three roast turkeys were followed by two legs of mutton, and +these, again, by four roast ducks. The wines were of the finest quality, +and among those of French growth the vintages of _Heidsieck_ and of +_Pommery Greno_ were not forgotten. + +No one but Father Flattery could have improvised such a banquet at a +moment's notice; and I afterwards found that in order to be agreeable to +me, and to express his gratitude for a slight service which I had most +willingly rendered him, he had requisitioned viands, wines, and guests +from the houses of his neighbours. + +"I want that turkey, Pat; I should like to have that leg of mutton, +Mike; Murphy, send me round those ducks you have on the table." In this +summary fashion my amiable and generous host had furnished the feast; or +it may be that in summoning his guests he recommended them to bring +their dinner with them. I can only speak with absolute certainty as to +the result, and I must add that the banquet was thoroughly successful. +After the dinner was at an end we had whisky-toddy and Irish songs. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +PATTI AND HER SHOES--PATTI SEIZED FOR DEBT--FLIGHT OF GERSTER--CONFLICT +AT CHICAGO--BOUQUETS OUT OF SEASON--CINCINNATI FLOODS--ABBEY'S +COLLAPSE--RESOLVE TO GO WEST. + + +Notwithstanding the successful performances, which I continued to give, +the receipts never reached the amount of the expenditure--as is +invariably the case when two Opera-houses are contending in the same +city. + +So bent was Mr. Abbey on my total annihilation that in each town I +intended visiting during the tour at the close of the season I found his +company announced. I, therefore, resolved as far as possible to steal a +march upon him. I altered most of my arrangements, anticipating my +Philadelphia engagement by five weeks, and opening on the 18th December. +Mdme. Patti appeared in _Ernani_ to a 10,000-dollar house, Mdme. Gerster +performing "Linda" the following night to almost equally large receipts. +_Semiramide_ likewise brought a very large house. From Philadelphia we +went to Boston, where, unfortunately, the booking was not at all great, +it not being our usual time for visiting that city. Moreover, I had to +go to the Globe Theatre. On the second night of our engagement we +performed _La Traviata_. That afternoon, about two o'clock, Patti's +agent called upon me to receive the 5,000 dollars for her services that +evening. I was at low water just then, and inquiring at the +booking-office found that I was L200 short. All I could offer Signor +Franchi was the trifle of L800 as a payment on account. + +The agent declined the money, and formally announced to me that my +contract with Mdme. Patti was at an end. I accepted the inevitable, +consoling myself with the reflection that, besides other good artists in +my company, I had now L800 to go on with. + +Two hours afterwards Signor Franchi reappeared. + +"I cannot understand," he said, "how it is you get on so well with prime +donne, and especially with Mdme. Patti. You are a marvellous man, and a +fortunate one, too, I may add. Mdme. Patti does not wish to break her +engagement with you, as she certainly would have done with anyone else +under the circumstances. Give me the L800 and she will make every +preparation for going on to the stage. She empowers me to tell you that +she will be at the theatre in good time for the beginning of the opera, +and that she will be ready dressed in the costume of "Violetta," with +the exception only of the shoes. You can let her have the balance when +the doors open and the money comes in from the outside public; and +directly she receives it she will put her shoes on and at the proper +moment make her appearance on the stage." I thereupon handed him the +L800 I had already in hand as the result of subscriptions in advance. "I +congratulate you on your good luck," said Signor Franchi as he departed +with the money in his pocket. + +After the opening of the doors I had another visit from Signor Franchi. +By this time an extra sum of L160 had come in. I handed it to my +benevolent friend, and begged him to carry it without delay to the +obliging prima donna, who, having received L960, might, I thought, be +induced to complete her toilette pending the arrival of the L40 balance. + +Nor was I altogether wrong in my hopeful anticipations. With a beaming +face Signor Franchi came back and communicated to me the joyful +intelligence that Mdme. Patti had got one shoe on. "Send her the L40," +he added, "and she will put on the other." + +Ultimately the other shoe was got on; but not, of course, until the last +L40 had been paid. Then Mdme. Patti, her face radiant with benignant +smiles, went on to the stage; and the opera already begun was continued +brilliantly until the end. + +Mdme. Adelina Patti is beyond doubt the most successful singer who ever +lived. Vocalists as gifted, as accomplished as she might be named, but +no one ever approached her in the art of obtaining from a manager the +greatest possible sum he could by any possibility contrive to pay. +Mdlle. Titiens was comparatively careless on points of this kind; Signor +Mario equally so. + +I am certainly saying very little when I advance the proposition that +Mdme. Patti has frequently exacted what I will content myself with +describing as extreme terms. She has, indeed, gone beyond this, for I +find from my tables of expenditure for the New York season of 1883 that, +after paying Mdme. Patti her thousand pounds, and distributing a few +hundreds among the other members of the company, I had only from 22 to +23 dollars per night left on the average for myself. + +Mdme. Patti's fees--just twenty times what was thought ample by Signor +Mario and by Mdlle. Titiens, than whom no greater artists have lived in +our time--was payable to Mdme. Patti at two o'clock on the day of +representation. + +From Boston we went to Montreal, opening there on Christmas Eve, +operatically the worst day in the year; when Mdme. Gerster's receipts +for _La Sonnambula_ were very light. We afterwards performed _Elisir +d'Amore_, and on Friday, the 4th January, Mdme. Patti made her _debut_ +before as bad a house as Gerster's. + +Soon afterwards the most money-making of prime donne was, without being +aware of it at the time, seized for debt. It happened in this manner. +From Boston we had travelled to Montreal, where, by the way, through the +mistake of an agent, gallery seats were charged at the rate of five +dollars instead of one. On reaching the Montreal railway station we were +met by a demand on the part of the railway company for 300 dollars. The +train had been already paid for; but this was a special charge for +sending the Patti travelling car along the line. I, of course, resisted +the claim, and the more energetically inasmuch as I had not 300 dollars +in hand. I could only get the money by going up to the theatre and +taking it from the receipts. + +Meanwhile the sheriffs were upon me; and the Patti travelling car, with +Adelina asleep inside, was attached, seized, and ultimately shunted into +a stable, of which the iron gates were firmly closed. + +There was no room for argument or delay. All I had to do was to get the +money; and hurrying to the theatre I at once procured it. Unconscious of +her imprisoned condition, Mdme. Patti was still asleep when I took the +necessary steps for rescuing from bondage the car which held her. + +The public of Montreal, more gracious than the railway authorities, +received us with enthusiasm. An immense ice palace was erected just +opposite the hotel at which we were staying; and the architecture of the +building, and especially the manner in which the blocks of ice were +placed one above the other and then soldered together, interested me +much. The ice blocks were consolidated by the agency of heat. Hot water +was applied to the points of contact, and the ice thus liquefied left to +freeze. + +We afterwards returned to New York, performing there the first three +weeks of January, business still being very light indeed; and it was not +until my benefit night, on the 18th, that a fine house was secured, when +over 11,000 dollars were taken. After giving a Sunday concert we left +for Philadelphia, where I arranged for three special performances, it +being three days before Mr. Abbey's arrival there with his Opera troupe. +The three performances were extremely successful. We afterwards left for +Baltimore. + +On arriving there Mdme. Gerster accidentally saw a playbill in which +Mdme. Patti's name was larger than hers; further, that they were +charging only five dollars for her appearance, whilst they demanded +seven dollars for the Patti nights. Without one moment's warning, and +unbeknown even to her husband, the lady went to the station and entered +the train for New York. When dinner-time arrived Dr. Gardini was in a +great state, as his wife was nowhere to be found, and it was by mere +accident one of the chorus told me that he had seen her going in the +direction of the railway station. + +I thereupon telegraphed to Wilmington--the first station at which her +train would stop--requesting her to return, as all matters had been +arranged. There was no train by which she could get back. But through +the kindness of the manager of the road, who happened to be in +Baltimore, a telegraphic despatch was sent to Wilmington to detain the +express--in which unfortunately Patti happened to be seated--until the +arrival of Gerster's train, so that she could return immediately in time +for the performance. I afterwards learned that Mdme. Patti, on inquiring +the cause of the delay, was excessively angry at being detained for +upwards of three-quarters of an hour on account of Mdme. Gerster. +Nicolini was enraged for a different reason. He had ordered a sumptuous +dinner at our hotel, where there was a new _chef_; and he knew that, +having to wait for Mdme. Patti, his terrapin and his canvas-back duck +would be spoiled. + +All endeavours to induce Mdme. Gerster to enter a train in which the +state-room was occupied by Mdme. Patti were useless, and I afterwards +received a telegram that she had gone on to New York. + +I thereupon put up the following announcement at the opening of the +doors, not wishing to make a scandal:--"Owing to the non-arrival of +Mdme. Gerster from New York she will be unable to appear this evening. +The opera of _Ernani_ will be substituted. Money will be returned to +those desiring it." + +In a short time the entire Opera was closely packed with ladies in full +evening dress. All were in a high state of excitement, and seemed unable +to decide what to do, whether to go into the theatre or take their +carriages and return home. The ladies shrugged their shoulders, and the +gentlemen gesticulated indignantly, looking at me as if they would like +to say something forcible but impolite. "Outrage!" "disgrace!" +"shameful!" and other excited utterances born of polite anger were heard +on all sides. About one-third of the indignant ones left the theatre, +whilst the balance remained to hear _Ernani_, which was exceedingly well +played. Two minutes after the curtain rose on _Ernani_ I hurried down to +the railway station and entered the train for New York in quest of the +fugitive prima donna. As I had eaten nothing from early morn I was +placed in a very disagreeable position. I could not get even a glass of +water or a piece of bread until some six or seven o'clock the next +morning. + +On reaching New York I went in quest of Mdme. Gerster at all the likely +places, and at length discovered her at her brother's. It took the whole +of the day to get things into shape, and I succeeded towards night in +bringing back the truant, and inducing her to appear the following day, +at a _matinee_, in _L'Elisir d'Amore_, when she attracted an enormous +audience. + +I was placed in great difficulty with regard to the public and the +press, knowing that the reports would be greatly exaggerated, and injure +the business in all the other cities to which we were going. I +thereupon circulated the news that Mdme. Gerster's baby in New York had +taken a cold in its stomach, and that she had been hurriedly sent for. +This got repeated during the next four or five weeks in the papers at +all the cities we visited, and afterwards gradually died out. + +Before leaving Baltimore I had a bill presented to me for return of +money in consequence of the Gerster disappointment as follows:-- + + Two opera tickets at five dollars ... $10.00 + + Carriage ... ... ... ... 5.00 + + Gloves ... ... ... ... 2.50 + + Necktie ... ... ... ... 0.25 + + Overlooking and pressing a dress suit 3.00 + + Flowers for _her_ corsage ... ... 3.00 + + Two return tickets ... ... 14.00 + ------ + Total ... ... ... $37.75 + +Legal proceedings were resorted to, but I ultimately settled the matter +by giving a private box for our next visit. + +On arriving at Chicago we found ourselves not only in the same town with +our rivals, but also in the same hotel. + +Such a galaxy of talent had never before been congregated together under +one roof. The ladies consisted of Adelina Patti, Etelka Gerster, +Christine Nilsson, Fursch-Madi, Sembrich, Trebelli, and Scalchi, whose +rooms were all along the same corridor. + +It was here that our great battle began; and I have much satisfaction in +quoting the following account of the conflict from a leading journal:-- + +"The Mapleson season opened with a brilliant house on Monday evening. +The opera and cast were not very strong for an opening night, but +Patti's name proves a drawing card on all occasions, and she was given a +flattering reception as she once more presented herself to Chicago. +_Crispino_ is not a strong opera, the music being of the lightest order. +She was finely supported by the other artists. Mdme. Etelka Gerster as +'Adina' was very charming; she appeared the following evening in _Elisir +d'Amore_. At the rival house Ponchielli's _La Gioconda_ attracted a +large but not a crowded audience on the opening night. Both Opera +Companies continued vigorously throughout the week, giving a series of +the finest performances. The palm must readily be awarded to Mr. +Mapleson's able management, as Mr. Abbey closed probably the +worst-managed opera season Chicago had ever had. It opened amidst a +flourish of trumpets, which heralded great conquests, but the results +did not justify the reports." + +I must now mention that when I organized the first Cincinnati Festival I +stipulated with the Directors, in case of any repetitions, that the +terms should be the same, and that I should have the sole control. The +three preceding Festivals had been given under my direction, with +distinguished success, and with large profits. But I now found that +here, too, Mr. Abbey had stepped in and secured the great Festival for +himself. It was useless going to law with a body of directors. I, +therefore, trusted to injustice meeting with its own reward, as it +inevitably does. I could illustrate this by many hundreds of cases. + +I now hastened to conclude engagements for another Opera Festival at Mr. +Fennessy's elegant theatre--one of the most beautiful in Cincinnati--in +order that Mr. Abbey might not have the whole affair to himself. + +The sale of seats for my contemplated performances at Cincinnati the +following week opened grandly, no less than 235 seats being sold for the +whole series quite early in the day. The number had increased before the +close of the office to 653, the total sale realizing L6,000 (30,000 +dollars). Bills were duly posted announcing for the opening night +Meyerbeer's _Huguenots_, with Nicolini as "Raoul," Galassi as "St. +Bris," Sivori as "Nevers," Cherubini as "Marcel," Josephine Yorke as +"The Page," Etelka Gerster as "The Queen," and Patti as "Valentine." +This, it seemed to me, was presenting a bold front against anything Mr. +Abbey might produce. + +About this time grave rumours got into circulation with regard to Mr. +Abbey's losses. It oozed out that prior to the entry of his Company +into Cincinnati he had dropped on the road some 53,000 dollars. + +The Abbey Company opened their season at Chicago with _Gioconda_. But +the tenor was bad, and the principal female part quite unsuited to Mdme. +Christine Nilsson, so that little or no effect was made. I opened with +_Crispino_, Adelina Patti appearing in the principal _role_; which was +followed by _L'Elisir d'Amore_, with Gerster. On the third night _Les +Huguenots_ was performed, with Mdme. Patti as "Valentine," and Mdme. +Gerster as the "Queen," when the following scene occurred:-- + +Prior to the commencement of the opera numbers of very costly bouquets +and lofty set pieces had been sent into the vestibule according to +custom for Mdme. Patti, whilst only a small basket of flowers had been +received for presentation to Mdme. Gerster. Under ordinary circumstances +it is the duty of the prima donna's agent to notify to the +stall-keepers, or ushers, as they are called in America, the right +moment for handing up the bouquets on to the stage. That evening Mdme. +Patti's agent was absent, and at the close of the first act, during +which "Valentine" has scarcely a note to sing, whilst the "Queen" has +much brilliant music to execute, he was nowhere to be found. There was a +general call at the close of the act for the seven principal artists. At +that moment the stall-ushers, having no one to direct their movements, +rushed frantically down the leading aisles with their innumerable +bouquets and set pieces, passing them across to Arditi, who sometimes +could scarcely lift them. Reading the address on the card attached to +each offering, he continued passing the flowers to Mdme. Patti. This +lasted several minutes, the public meanwhile getting impatient. + +At length, when these elaborate presentations to Mdme. Patti had been +brought to an end, a humble little basket addressed to Mdme. Gerster was +passed up, upon which the whole house broke out into ringing cheers, +which continued some minutes. This _contretemps_ had the effect of +seriously annoying Mdme. Patti, who, at the termination of the opera, +made a vow that she would never again perform in the same work with +Mdme. Gerster. + +Mdme. Patti had braced herself up sufficiently to go through the +performance in very dramatic style. But after the fall of the curtain, +when she had time to think of the ludicrous position in which she had +been placed, she became hysterical. + +On returning to her hotel she threw herself on to the ground and kicked +and struggled in such a manner that it was only with the greatest +difficulty she could be got to bed. The stupidity of the "ushers" seemed +to her so outrageous that she could scarcely accept it as sufficient +explanation of the folly committed in sending up her bouquets, her +baskets, and her floral devices of various kinds at the wrong moment. At +one time when she was in a comedy vein, she would exclaim: "It is all +that Mapleson;" and she actually did me the honour to say that I had +arranged the scene in order to lower her value in the eyes of the +public, and secure her for future performances at reduced rates. + +Then she would take a serious, not to say tragic view of the matter, and +attribute the misadventure to the maleficent influence of Gerster. The +amiable Etelka possessed, according to her brilliant but superstitious +rival, the evil eye; and after the affair of the bouquets no misfortune +great or small happened, but it was attributed by Mdme. Patti to the +malignant spirit animating Mdme. Gerster. If anything went wrong, from a +false note in the orchestra to an earthquake, it was always, according +to the divine Adelina, caused by Gerster and her "evil eye." "Gerster!" +was her first exclamation when she found the earth shaking beneath her +at San Francisco. + +Far from endeavouring to cure her of her childish superstitions, +Nicolini encouraged her, and, in all probability, took part himself in +her quaint delusions. + +Whenever Gerster's name was mentioned, whenever her presence was in any +way suggested, Mdme. Patti made with her fingers the horn which is +supposed to counteract or avert the effect of the evil eye; and once, +when the two rivals were staying at the same hotel, Mdme. Patti, passing +in the dark the room occupied by Mdme. Gerster, extended her first and +fourth fingers in the direction of the supposed sorceress; when she +found herself nearly tapping upon the forehead of Mdme. Gerster's +husband, Dr. Gardini, who, at that moment, was putting his boots out +before going to bed. + +Two days before the close of the Chicago engagement grave rumours +reached me from Cincinnati, where we were due the following Monday. +Great floods had set in, and the water was still rising daily, and, +indeed, hourly. + +I received frequent telegraphic reports as to the sad effects of the +flood, and I at last found it necessary to postpone our departure until +the following day, hoping the water might then begin to recede. + +On learning the state of things Mdme. Patti refused absolutely to enter +the train now in readiness, and several of the other artists followed +her example. The water still kept rising, and it at last reached the +extraordinary height of 64 feet. + +Cincinnati, I learned, was placed in total darkness through the gas +works being submerged. The inhabitants were compelled to burn candles +and oil lamps in order to obtain light, whilst the city was isolated +from every other part of America. I was, moreover, informed by the +railway authorities there was great uncertainty as to the train ever +being able to reach the city at all. No Festival could possibly be given +where such utter desolation existed; where the public was so far removed +from everything festive. + +I therefore telegraphed Manager Fennessy to postpone my week's visit +until the 31st of the following month, and I now saw no alternative but +to stay at Chicago, though I had no engagements whatever, and had all +the people on my hands. On conversing with Mdme. Patti and Mdme. Gerster +I found that they both sympathized with the sufferers from this sad +calamity. I therefore decided that in lieu of attempting to get money +out of the ill-fated city, it was our duty to raise funds and transmit +them to the sufferers as speedily as possible. With that view I +organized a morning performance in all haste at Chicago, in which both +Mdme. Patti and Mdme. Gerster took part. The public accorded the most +generous support. Henry Irving, who was staying in our hotel, gave L20 +for a box with his usual characteristic liberality; and I had the +pleasure of remitting the very next day to the Mayor of Cincinnati +upwards of L1,200. + +In order to keep the band and chorus employed, I arranged to perform for +three nights at Minneapolis, which, although a considerable distance +off, I determined to try. I therefore ordered my special train to be in +readiness for our departure. + +We opened at Minneapolis during the latter part of the week, giving the +three performances to excellent business. Whilst there I heard fresh +reports as to Abbey's losses, both at the Metropolitan Opera-house, and +likewise on his tour. + +On taking up the newspapers I found it stated that Mr. Abbey had lost +nearly 239,000 dollars, and that he was, in fact, compelled to retire +from his management. + +Although Mr. Abbey had treated me anything but handsomely, I felt some +regret at hearing of the downfall of this not very clever showman. It +was a struggle between money and ability, his object being to put me out +of the way, so that his new enterprise might have no opposition to +encounter. My singers, musicians, and _employes_ had been hired away +from me at double, treble, and quadruple salaries. From Nilsson down to +the call-boy, all had been tempted, and many led away. When my people +came in to me and said: "What shall I do? he is offering me four times +my salary," I replied: "My dear people, go by all means; you are sure to +come back to me next season." + +I had myself run very close to the wind throughout all this business, +and but for great care and some judgment should have been ruined. + +After the morning performance which closed our engagement at +Minneapolis, our special train had to travel for 36 hours to reach St. +Louis, where we opened on the following Monday. + +There was great excitement at St. Louis about the performance of _Les +Huguenots_, announced for the Thursday following, in which Patti and +Gerster were to appear together in their respective parts. But in +consequence of Mdme. Patti's declaration that she would never sing with +Gerster again in any opera, I had to change the bill, much to the +annoyance of the public and to my own loss. + +I will now mention something that occurred during the latter part of my +visit to St. Louis. + +Finding business not so flourishing as it would have been but for this +irritating rivalry of Abbey's, also that Mdme. Patti's engagement +included only fifty guaranteed nights during the five months over which +the engagement extended, I concluded to give her a rest of some three or +four weeks, inasmuch as she had already sung nearly two-thirds of the +guaranteed number of times, and I had ample time to work out the +remainder. I also resolved to start the Company far away out of the +reach of Mr. Abbey to the wealthy San Francisco. Our exchequer was sadly +in need of replenishment. Mdme. Gerster consented to remain with me, but +only on condition that Mdme. Patti kept away. Finding this suited my +purpose, I agreed to it. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +GERSTER REFUSES--PATTI VOLUNTEERS--ARRIVAL AT CHEYENNE--PATTI DINES THE +PROPHET--THREATS OF AN INTERVIEWER--ARRIVAL AT SAN FRANCISCO. + + +At the conclusion of the farewell morning performance of _Martha_, in +which Gerster took part, at St. Louis, she went home to prepare for the +journey to San Francisco. I performed _La Favorita_ that evening, and +gave orders for the Company to start at 2 a.m. for the Far West. At +about a quarter to one my agent called me, stating that Mdme. Gerster +had gone to bed and refused to allow her boxes to leave the hotel. +Feeling now that she was free from Patti, she thought she could do as +she liked. All arguments were useless, and in lieu of packing the boxes +she gave calm directions to her maids to hang her dresses up. During +this time the special train was waiting in the station ready to take its +departure. In the midst of my trouble a little card was brought in +enclosed in an envelope, stating that Mdme. Patti would like to see me. +She, too, had been on the point of going to bed. But on learning the +strait in which I was placed she at once rang the bell, mustered her +maids, requested them to pack up all her worldly effects, and now +assured me that she would sing for me day and night rather than let me +be the victim of Gerster's caprices. + +Whilst I was thanking Mdme. Patti another little card was slipped in my +hand from the adjoining room requesting a word with me. On entering +Mdme. Gerster's apartments I found her dressed, and she now declared her +willingness to accompany me to the Far West. + +The long and short of it was that I found myself in the train with both +my prime donne. I thereupon telegraphed to my agent in advance to call +in at Denver and arrange for a performance of Mdme. Patti in _La +Traviata_ on the following Saturday morning on our way through. We duly +arrived in Denver, when on reaching the hotel Mdme. Gerster accidentally +saw that Patti had been announced for one of the performances. + +Without a moment's warning she left the hotel, presented herself at the +station, and ordered a special train to take her back to the East on her +way to Europe. It was, indeed, a sore trial to bring matters to an +amicable conclusion; but in this I eventually succeeded. I assured Mdme. +Gerster that Mdme. Patti would have nothing further to do for some +length of time. If Patti sang again Mdme. Gerster declared she would +leave the Company. + +At the conclusion of my Denver engagement we left for Cheyenne. The +opera train consisted of eleven elegant carriages; and prior to our +arrival at Cheyenne we were met on the road by two special cars, having +on board Councillors Holliday, Dater, Babbitt, Warren, Irvine, and +Homer, likewise the Hon. Jones, Ford, and Miller, and some forty other +representatives of the Upper and Lower Houses of the great territory of +the West. We were agreeably surprised when the train pulled up. To my +great astonishment both Houses had been adjourned in honour of our +visit. There was, in fact, a general holiday. One carriage contained dry +Pommery and Mumm champagne, intersected with blocks of ice, whilst +another compartment was full of cigars. Both trains pulled up on the +plains, when an interchange of civilities took place and several +speeches were made. + +Shortly afterwards we started the train again in the direction of +Cheyenne, where the band of the 9th Regiment, brought from a +considerable distance from one of the military stations, was waiting to +receive us. Mdme. Patti, who was in her own car, insisted upon having it +detached from the train in order not to interfere with the welcome she +considered due to Mdme. Gerster, who was to perform that evening in _La +Sonnambula_, which was the only opera to be given during our visit. At +the conclusion of the reception Gerster was accompanied to the hotel. +Two hours later there was to be a serenade to Mdme. Patti, who at a +given time was drawn into the station. The brass band, being placed in a +circle with the bandmaster in the centre, commenced performing music +which was rather mixed. Mdme. Patti requested me to ask the bandmaster +what they were playing; but on my attempting to enter the circle the +bandmaster rushed at me, telling me with expressive gestures that if I +touched one of his musicians the whole circle would fall down. They had +been on duty during the last thirty-six hours waiting our arrival, and +as they had taken "considerable refreshment," he had had great +difficulty in placing them on their feet. We dispensed with all +ceremony, and the night serenade was struck out of the programme, the +men being sent home. + +The opera of _Sonnambula_ was performed that evening, and although ten +dollars a seat were charged, the house was crowded. To my great +astonishment, although Cheyenne is but a little town, consisting of +about two streets, it possesses a most refined society, composed, it is +true, of cowboys; yet one might have imagined one's self at the London +Opera when the curtain rose--the ladies in brilliant toilettes and +covered with diamonds; the gentlemen all in evening dress. + +The entire little town was lighted by electricity. The club house is one +of the pleasantest I have ever visited; and the people are most +hospitable. + +When the performance was over we all returned to the train, and started +for Salt Lake City. + +On our arrival there Mdme. Gerster drove to the theatre. Mdme. Patti and +Nicolini amused themselves by visiting the great Tabernacle, I +accompanying them. On entering this superb building, excellent in an +acoustic point of view, and capable of seating 12,000 persons, the idea +immediately crossed my mind of giving, if possible, a concert there on +our return from San Francisco; but I was unsuccessful in my endeavours +to obtain the use of it. I thereupon resolved that Mdme. Patti should +invite the Mormon Prophet himself, together with as many of the twelve +apostles as we could obtain, to visit her private car, then outside the +station; and a splendid _dejeuner_ was prepared by the cooks. + +The next morning the Prophet Taylor came, accompanied by several of his +apostles. Mdme. Patti took great care to praise the magnificent building +she had visited the day previously, expressing a strong desire that she +might be allowed to try her voice there, which led on to my observing +that a regular concert would be more desirable. To this a strong +objection was made by several apostles, who stated that the building was +not intended for any such purpose, but was simply a place of worship. + +Mdme. Patti, however, launched into enthusiastic praise of the Mormon +doctrines, and, in fact, expressed a strong wish to join the Mormon +Church. After hearing her sing two or three of her dainty little songs +the Prophet was so impressed that he actually consented to a concert +being given in the Tabernacle the following month. On my suggesting +three dollars for the best seats an objection was instantly made by one +of the apostles, who, having five wives, thought it would be rather a +heavy call upon his purse. It was ultimately settled that the prices +should be only two dollars and one dollar. + +We performed the opera of _Lucia_ that evening in Salt Lake Theatre in +presence of all the prominent inhabitants of the lovely city, the +receipts reaching some L750. The Prophet attended. + +Starting for the West immediately after the opera, we about thirty hours +afterwards reached Reno, where we stopped to water the engine; and, +although still some 250 miles from San Francisco, the train was boarded +by a lot of reporters, who had been waiting a couple of days to meet the +party, determined if possible to secure an interview with the _Diva_. In +the meantime they busied themselves writing a description of the +magnificent train of boudoir state-rooms until we reached Truckee, where +a considerable portion of the line had been washed away. There had, +moreover, been a snow-slide from some of the great mountains, which +caused a stoppage of nearly twelve hours. + +Suddenly, as if by magic, some 1,500 Chinamen arrived and commenced +repairing the road. During this time the reporters had ample time to +interview everybody, as the railway carriages one by one had to be +conveyed over a temporary road which the Chinamen had built. + +The whole of Truckee's population came out to meet us, composed of +cowboys, miners, and Indians. Patti was much charmed with a little +papoose carried on one of the Indian women's backs. She placed herself +at the piano and commenced singing nursery rhymes. She likewise whistled +a polka very cleverly to her own accompaniment; which made the papoose +laugh. She thereupon expressed a strong wish to purchase it and adopt +it, having no children of her own. It was only in compliance with +Nicolini's persuasive powers that she ultimately desisted. + +On our leaving Truckee a wild shout went up from the Indians, resembling +a kind of war-whoop, in which the whole of the Truckee population +joined. + +Ultimately we reached Sacramento. Again all the inhabitants came out, +many crying, "God bless her Majesty!" "God bless Colonel Mapleson!" the +crowd, as usual, being largely composed of Indians and Chinese. An +attempt was made to surround Patti's car in order to make her get out +and sing. + +Prior to leaving Sacramento other reporters got in, insisting upon +interviewing Patti. I replied-- + +"Do you think I pay Patti L1,000 a night and spend all my profits buying +these magnificent cars for her and Nicolini to have her interviewed by +newspaper reporters? No, sir, you cannot interview Patti. We have a lot +of beautifully-written interviews already in type in my ante-room, and +you can go and select those you like best. You can see the car, +moreover, with Count Zacharoff. In the hind car you will find some +Apollinaris and rye whisky, and there is a box of cigars in the corner." + +"Look here, Colonel," replied one of the reporters, very firmly, placing +his right hand in his hip pocket, "I am no London reporter to be put off +in that kind of way. I have come several hundreds of miles to interview +Patti, and see her I must. Refuse me, and I shall simply telegraph two +lines to San Francisco that Patti has caught a severe cold in the +mountains, and that Gerster's old throat complaint is coming on again. +Do you understand?" + +I replied, "Cannot you interview me instead?" feeling appalled at his +threat. + +"No, sir," replied he; "Patti or perdition!" + +I now saw Nicolini, who ultimately consented to the reporter's seeing +the _Diva_. Summoning a swarthy valet, he ordered him to conduct the +journalist to Mdme. Patti's apartments, Nicolini following him. + +A few seconds later the reporter was face to face with Patti in her +gorgeous palace car. Nicolini performed the ceremony of introduction, +while the parrot muttered a few "cusses" in French. Patti smilingly +motioned the reporter to be seated, and the long-expected interview was +about to take place, when Nicolini suddenly returned and commenced +ringing the electric bells. In an instant all was confusion. Valets +rushed hither and thither, Nicolini declaring in the choicest Italian +that he had discovered a small draught coming through a ventilator; and +it was not until this had been closed and his adored madame had been +wrapped in shawls that the interview could proceed. + +Patti had evidently been interviewed before, for she took the lead in +the conversation from the start. Her first inquiry was about the weather +in California, of which she had heard. She asked whether it was warm and +sunny like her native Spain. She said she was tired of ice and snow, of +Colorado and Montana, and that she was very pleased at being able to +reach San Francisco. At the conclusion of the interview the reporter +left the room, went to the end of the train, and dropped a small parcel +overboard on passing one of the signal boxes. I afterwards learned that +it contained a page of matter which we found in print on our arrival at +San Francisco. He had given a detailed report of all that had occurred +in the train. + +In due course we reached San Francisco, where my agent informed me that +the engagement was going to be a great success, two-thirds of the +tickets having been sold for the entire season. + +On our arriving at Oakland, opposite San Francisco, the morning papers +were eagerly purchased, and the announcements scanned by Signor Nicolini +and Patti, both of whom expressed amazement at having been brought some +3,000 miles to do nothing. In fact, I myself felt rather for the moment +nonplussed. I nevertheless immediately took the matter up, whispering to +Nicolini to be quiet, and to tell Mdme. Patti to be quiet, as I had +prepared a scheme which I thought she would be pleased with. + +I then set to work to think what could be done. On reaching my hotel, it +being Sunday, of course no printing could be attempted. I, therefore, +inserted an advertisement in the paper for the following morning +notifying that, profiting by Mdme. Patti's and Signor Nicolini's +presence on a voyage of pleasure to the Far West, I had persuaded them +to give a performance. I had selected the ensuing Thursday--the only +blank night I had. At the same time, in justice to those who had +subscribed so liberally for the season, I notified that the original +subscribers should have the first choice of the Patti tickets in +priority to the general public, with a discount of 10 per cent. besides. +This contented them, and, in fact, augmented still further the +subscription for the whole season, many joining in simply for the chance +of being able to obtain a ticket for Patti. + +When this arrangement had been carried out I met Messrs. Sherman and +Clay, the well-known music sellers, and begged them kindly to dispose of +the few remaining tickets at their shop, on the following Tuesday, so as +not to have any confusion with my regular box-office lettings at the +theatre. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE PATTI EPIDEMIC--GERSTER FURORE--TICKETS 400% PREMIUM--MY +ARREST--CAPTURE OF "SCALPERS"--OPERA TICKET AUCTION--DEATH OF MY FIRST +"BASSO." + + +One of the most extraordinary spectacles ever witnessed in San Francisco +was that which presented itself on the evening of our arrival as soon as +it got buzzed about that some Patti tickets were to be sold the +following Tuesday at Sherman and Clay's. + +Shortly after ten o'clock that night the first young man took up his +position, and was soon joined by another and another. Then came ladies, +until shortly after midnight the line extended as far as the district +telegraph office. Some brought chairs, and seated themselves with a pipe +or a cigar, prepared for a prolonged siege. Others had solid as well as +liquid solace in their pockets to pass away the hours. Telegraph boys +were numerous. So were many other shrewd young men who were ready the +following morning to sell their places in line to the highest bidder; a +position in line costing as much as L2 when within thirty from the door +of the office in which the tickets were to be disposed of. + +The Adelina Patti epidemic gradually disseminated itself from the moment +of her arrival, and began to rage throughout the city from early the +following morning. + +Many ladies joined the line during the night, and had to take equal +chances with the men. Towards morning bargains for good positions in the +line reached as high as L4, a sum which was actually paid by one person +for permission to take another person's place. Numbers of those in the +van of the procession were there solely for the purpose of selling their +positions. + +The next morning I rose early and took a stroll to admire the city. I +observed a vast crowd down Montgomery Street. In fact, the passage +within hundreds of yards was impassable, vehicles, omnibuses, etc., all +being at a standstill. On inquiring the reason of this commotion I was +informed by a policeman that they were trying to buy Patti tickets, +which Messrs. Sherman and Clay had for disposal. + +On forcing my way gradually down the street and approaching Sherman and +Clay's establishment, I saw, to my great astonishment, that there was +not a single pane of glass in any of the windows, whilst the tops of the +best pianos and harmoniums were occupied by dozens of people standing +upon them in their nailed boots, all clamouring for Patti tickets. +Messrs. Sherman and Clay solicited me earnestly either to remove Patti +from the town, or, at least, not to entrust them with the sale of any +more tickets, the crowd having done over L600 of damage to their stock. + +I had no further difficulty at the moment with Gerster, who believed +Patti was going to sing but one night. Besides, the sale of tickets had +been very great on her account before Patti's presence in the city had +become known. + +About eight o'clock that evening a serenade was tendered to Patti by a +large orchestra under Professor Wetterman; the court-yard of the Palace +Hotel where she was staying being brilliantly illuminated. The six tiers +of magnificent galleries surrounding it were crowded with visitors and +illuminated _a giorno_. As soon as the first strains of the music were +heard Mdme. Patti came from her room with a circle of friends, and was +an attentive listener. After remaining some time she deputed Signor +Arditi to congratulate the orchestra on their brilliant performance, the +favourite conductor receiving quite an ovation as he delivered the +message. + +The preparations at the Grand Opera were most elaborate, and the +decorations particularly so. The theatre and passages had been +repapered, flags festooned, and in the centre facing the main door was a +huge crystal fountain, having ten smaller jets throwing streams of eau +de Cologne into glass basins hung with crystal pendants. All over the +vestibule were the rarest tree orchids, violets in blossom and roses in +full bloom; while the corner of the vestibule was draped with the flags +of every nation, among which England, America, Italy, and Hungary +predominated. + +On the opening night the Grand Opera-house presented a spectacle of +magnificence which I may say without exaggeration can never have been +surpassed in any city. The auditorium was quite dazzling with a +bewildering mass of laces, jewels, and fair faces. Every available place +was taken. Outside in the street there must have been thousands of +people all clamouring for tickets, whilst the broad steps of the church +opposite were occupied by persons anxious to catch a glimpse of the +toilettes of the ladies as they sprang out of their carriages into the +vestibule. + +The season opened with _Lucia di Lammermoor_, in which Mdme. Etelka +Gerster appeared as the ill-fated heroine. I will not go into details of +the performance, further than to say that the stage was loaded after +every act with the most gorgeous set pieces of flowers, several being so +cumbersome that they had to be left on the stage at the sides in sight +of the audience during the remainder of the opera. The next evening was +devoted to rest after the long and fatiguing journey that we had all +undergone, Mdme. Gerster remaining in her apartments to prepare for her +second appearance the following night. + +The next evening was devoted to a performance of _L'Elisir d'Amore_, +when Mdme. Gerster drew another 10,000 dollar house--the floral +picturesqueness of the auditorium of the previous Monday being repeated. + +Mdme. Patti was now to appear as "La Traviata." On the day of the +performance it took the whole of the police force to protect the theatre +from the overwhelming crowds pressing for tickets, although it had been +announced that no more were to be had. Long before daylight the would-be +purchasers of Patti tickets had collected and formed into line, reaching +the length of some three or four streets; and from this time until the +close of the engagement, some four weeks afterwards, that line was never +broken at any period of the day or night. A brisk trade was done in the +hiring of camp stools, for which the modest sum of 4s. was charged. A +similar amount was levied for a cup of coffee or a slice of bread and +butter. As the line got hungry dinners were served, also suppers. High +prices were paid to obtain a place in the line, as the head of it +approached the box-office; resulting only in disappointment to the +intending buyer, who was, of course, unable to procure a ticket. Large +squads of police were on duty the whole time, and they were busily +employed in keeping the line in its place, and in defeating outsiders in +their attempts to make a gap in it. Later on it was announced that a +limited number of gallery tickets would be sold, when a rush was made, +carrying away the whole of the windows, glass, statuary, plants, etc. + +Ticket speculators were now offering seats at from L4 to L10 each, +places in the fifth row of the dress circle fetching as much as L4, +being 400 per cent. above the box-office price. They found buyers at +rates which would have shamed Shylock. Later in the day fulminations +were launched upon my head, and I was accused of taking part in the +plunder. I therefore determined, as far as possible, to set this right. + +At length evening approached, and hundreds of tickets had been sold for +standing room only. + +Meanwhile Chief Crowley and Captain Short of the police, on seeing the +aisles leading to the orchestra stalls and dress-circle blocked by the +vast crowd, many of whom were seated on camp-stools which they had +secretly brought with them, procured a warrant for my arrest the +following morning. Several hot disputes occurred about this time in the +main vestibule in consequence of numbers of duplicate tickets having +been issued; and several seatholders were unable to reach their places. +One gentleman challenged another to come and fight it out on the side +walk with revolvers. + +To describe the appearance of the house would be impossible. The +toilettes of the ladies were charming. Many were in white, and nearly +all were sparkling with diamonds. In the top gallery people were +literally on the heads of one another, and on sending up to ascertain +the cause, as the numbers were still increasing, the inspector +ascertained that boards had been placed from the top of an adjoining +house on to the roof of the Opera-house, from which the slates had been +taken off; and numbers were dropping one by one through the ceiling on +to the heads of those who were seated in the gallery. + +Patti, of course, was smothered with bouquets, and the Italian residents +of the city sent a huge globe of violets, supported on two ladders, with +the Italian and American flags hanging over each side. At the end of +each act huge stands and forms of flowers were sent up over the +footlights and placed on the stage. To name the fashionable people in +the audience would be to go over the invitation lists of the balls given +in the very best houses in the city. It would be useless to describe a +performance of _la Diva_, with which everyone is already familiar. +Galassi, the baritone, made a great success; and in the gambling scene +an elegant ballet was introduced, led by little Mdlle. Bettina de +Sortis. Chief Crowley reported that it would require 200 extra police to +keep order the next day. On going through the tickets in the treasury, +we discovered upwards of 200 bogus ones taken at the door. These +counterfeits were so good, even to the shade of colour, that it was +almost impossible to detect the difference from the real ones; the +public having smashed into the opera as if shot from howitzers. Several +ladies declared that their feet had never even touched the ground from +the time they got out of their carriages; and it was with difficulty +that the tickets were snatched from them as they passed. Many who had +paid for standing room brought little camp stools concealed under their +clothes, and afterwards opened them out, placing them in the main +passage ways. Had any panic occurred, or any alarm of fire, many lives +must have been sacrificed. + +Of course the blame for all this was put upon me. The next day there +were low mutterings of discontent all over the city against my +management, whilst the newspapers were unanimous in attacking me, some +of their articles being headed "The Opera Swindle." + +The following day I was arrested at half-past two o'clock by Detective +Bowen, on a sworn warrant from Captain Short, for violating Section 49 +of the Fire Ordinance of the city and county, in allowing the passage +ways to be blocked up by the use of camp stools and overcrowding, the +penalty for such violation being a fine of not less than 500 dollars, +together with imprisonment for not less than six months. + +In obedience to the warrant issued, I entered the police court the next +day, accompanied by General W. H. L. Barnes, the eminent counsel who had +charge of the famous Sharon case, and Judge Oliver P. Evans. On Barnes +asking to see the order for arrest he found that I was described as +"John Doe Mapleson," the explanation being that my Christian name was +unknown. I was charged with a misdemeanour in violating the ordinance of +the fire department, which declares that it is unlawful to obstruct the +passage-ways or aisles of theatres during a performance. After some +consultation a bond was drawn up in due form of law, General Barnes and +Judge Evans being my bondsmen. + +A meeting was afterwards held in the court, when the licensing collector +suggested that for the protection of the public, ticket pedlars on the +pavement should be made to take out a licence at an extra charge of 100 +dollars each. + +Notwithstanding this enormous tax, more licences were issued that +afternoon at the increased rate. + +At the next _matinee_ Mdme. Gerster appeared in _La Sonnambula_, when +the house was again crowded. + +I now announced a second performance by Mdme. Patti, for the following +Tuesday, in _Il Trovatore_, stating that the box-office would open for +the sale of any surplus tickets on the following Monday at 10. Early on +the morning of the sale, the line, formed between four and five o'clock +in the morning, was gradually increased by new comers, all anxious to +secure tickets; and by 10 o'clock, without exaggeration, it had swelled +to thousands. + +I herewith quote the following spirited and characteristic description +of the scene from the _Morning Call_ of March 15th, 1884:-- + +"To one who has stood on Mission Street, opposite the Grand Opera-house, +yesterday forenoon, and 'viewed the battle from afar,' as it might be +said, it seemed that a large number of people had run completely mad +over the desire to hear Patti sing. Such an excited, turbulent, and, in +fact, desperate crowd never massed in front of a theatre for the purpose +of purchasing tickets. It absolutely fought for tickets, and it is +questionable whether, if it had been an actual riot by a fierce and +determined mob, the scene could have been more exciting or the wreck of +the entrance of the theatre more complete. After the throng had melted +away the approaches to the box-office looked as if they had been visited +by a first-class Kansas cyclone in one of its worst moods. The fact that +tickets were on sale for several performances had much to do with it. It +was a sort of clean-up for last evening and to-day's _matinee_, but +above all for the Patti night on Tuesday. A line began to form as early +as five o'clock in the morning, and it grew and multiplied until at ten +o'clock it had turned the corner on Third Street, while the main +entrance was packed solid with a writhing and twisting mass of humanity, +which pressed close to the glass doors which form the first barrier, and +which were guarded by a lone policeman. He did his best to reduce the +pressure upon himself and upon the doors, but as the time passed and the +box-office did not open the crowd became more noisy and unmanageable, +and finally an irresistible rush was made for the doors. They did not +resist an instant, and gave way as though they had been made of paper. +In the fierce tumult which followed the glass was all broken out of +them, a boy being hurled bodily through one of the panes, with a most +painful result to him, for he fell cut and bruised inside. There was not +an inch of available space between the street and the main entrance that +was not occupied by men, women, or children, indiscriminately huddled in +together. The potted plants were overturned and annihilated under the +feet of the throng; the glass in the large pictures which adorned the +walls was broken, and the pictures themselves dragged to the floor. The +box-office was besieged by a solidly-packed and howling mob, the regular +line entirely overwhelmed, and a grand struggle ensued to get as near +the box-office--which had not been opened--as possible. Then the crowd +itself essayed to get into some sort of order. + +"The more powerful forced themselves to the front and started a new line +without any regard for those who had been first in position before the +barriers were overthrown. It twisted itself about the lobby, forming +curves and angles that would have made the typical snake retire into +obscurity for very envy. This line was pressed upon from all sides by +unfortunates who had been left out of the original formation of it. The +air was thick and sultry, the crowd perspired and blasphemed, and the +storming of the box-office became imminent. Just at this juncture +Captain Short arrived with a large squad of police, and under the +influence of a copious display of suggestive-looking locusts [the +truncheons of the American police are made of locust wood] the crowd +sullenly fell back and formed a somewhat orderly line. A line of +season-ticket holders was also formed to purchase tickets for the next +Patti night, and these were admitted through the inner door and served +from the manager's office. In addition the crowd was notified that no +Patti tickets would be sold from the box-office, but that all must go +inside. This produced a yell of anger and turned bedlam loose again, as +it broke up the line. But the police made a grand charge and forced +hundreds outside, against the indignant protests of many who claimed +that they had been in the regular line all the forenoon, only to be +deprived of their rights by the police. The sale which followed seems to +have given more satisfaction than that for the first Patti night." + +Prior to the opening of the sale I discovered that some thirty +speculators had somehow got to the inside barrier close to the office +before the _bona fide_ public, who had been waiting outside so long. I +found that they had broken a window on the stage; afterwards clambering +up and passing through the lobby of the theatre to the inner barrier, +before the outer doors had been opened. I then saw that they intended to +secure the whole of the tickets offered for sale. I therefore, in +passing a second time, quietly nudged one of them, winked suggestively, +and pointed to the upper circle ticket office; leading the willing dupes +who followed me through a door in the main wall to an inner office. No +sooner had the last one gone through than I had the door locked. I thus +"corralled" between 25 and 30 of these speculative gentry, and kept them +for over two hours, during which time the tickets were disposed of. This +cleared my character with the general body of the public, who at once +saw that I was in no league whatever with the speculators, or they would +have turned King's evidence after my treatment of them. + +While I was performing this manoeuvre, the rush and jamb in the main +vestibule became so great that the police officers were obliged to draw +their clubs to maintain order. + +On that evening we performed the opera _Puritani_, in which Mdme. +Gerster again sang, to the delight of the numerous audience. About this +time I discovered that the head usher had been in the habit of secreting +a lot of stools and hiring them out to those who were standing at an +extra charge of 12s. apiece. I at once sent for Captain Short, the +esteemed Chief of Police, who said to the usher-- + +"Have the kindness to ask that lady to get up and take that stool away." + +"All right," said the usher. "Please hand me that stool, madam." + +The lady responded-- + +"But you made me pay 12s. for it; at all events, return me my money." + +The Captain said-- + +"Give the lady back her 12s." + +The answer was-- + +"We never return fees." + +The Captain then gave instructions for one of his officers to take the +usher off to the Southern Station and lock him up on a charge of +misdemeanour. + +The following morning I was again notified to attend the Police Court. +My counsel, General Barnes, pleaded for a postponement for one week, on +the ground that he was busily engaged in the Sharon case. To this the +prosecuting attorney objected, saying that the outraged public demanded +the speedy settlement of Mapleson, and the case was therefore set for +the following morning. + +When the case was called I was not present, being unavoidably detained +at the bedside of one of my bass singers, who had suddenly died of +pulmonary apoplexy. The deceased, Signor Lombardelli, was a great +favourite in the Company. + +General Barnes, however, appeared, demanding a postponement of the case, +and intimating that a trial by jury would be demanded. + +"If this should be conceded the case will go over until next May or +June," replied the Clerk of the Court, "by which time the accused will +be in Europe." + +He therefore protested against the postponement. The Judge said sternly +that it would not be granted, and the case was therefore set for the +morrow. + +On the following morning I came up to the Police Court, which was +crowded. Police Captain Short was first called for the prosecution, and +testified that the Opera-house was a place of amusement, but that it had +been turned into a place of danger every evening since I had been there. +Stools and standing spectators were in the main passages, and in case of +a panic the consequences would have been most disastrous. Officer +O'Connell testified that on the particular night in question there were +57 people standing in one little passage-way having about a dozen small +folding stools amongst them. I was then placed on the witness stand, +when I stated that I was the manager of the Opera Company, but not of +the theatre. I had simply control of the stage, whilst the manager was +responsible for the auditorium, and had provided me with the delinquent +ushers. The box book-keeper was afterwards placed on the stand, who +swore that I had ordered him to sell one-fifth less tickets than the +manager had stated the house would hold. The defence only desired to +make out the point that I was not the responsible manager. The Judge, +however, decided otherwise, and found me guilty. + +I was to appear the following morning to hear sentence. A heavy fine was +imposed. But it was ultimately reduced to 75 dollars, which the Judge, +evidently a lover of music, consented to take out in opera tickets. + +That evening Patti appeared as "Leonora" in _Il Trovatore_. Standing +room on the church steps opposite the main entrance to the theatre was +again at a great premium, and a force of policemen under Captain Short +was early on duty keeping the vestibule clear of loiterers, and allowing +none but those who intended to witness the opera to be present. + +I will not go into details of the performances either of Signor Nicolini +as "Manrico," or of Patti as "Leonora." The representation was one +unbroken triumph, and, as usual, the stage was piled up with set pieces +and flowers. + +About this time a report was brought to me as to the examination I had +caused to be made of the bogus tickets, which could only be recognized +after being soaked in water, when it appeared that the real ones +consisted of three plies of cardboard and the bogus ones only of two. + +But even after all this explanation, so disappointed and indignant were +those who held the bogus tickets that they insisted, not only upon their +money being returned, of which I had never received a penny, but also on +their travelling and hotel expenses being repaid them. Many had come +hundreds of miles in order to visit the opera. + +Having arranged to give a concert on the following Thursday at the +Pavilion, a large building capable of holding some 8,000 or 9,000 +people, and in order to prevent a recurrence of the scenes I had just +encountered and the daily trouble experienced throughout this +engagement, I resolved to put up the choice of seats to auction. + +The auction took place in the Grand Opera-house, and was attended by +over 500 people, who had first to procure tickets of admission to attend +the sale. A huge diagram was placed on the drop curtain, showing the +seats that were to be sold divided into blocks. The auctioneer, who +occupied the conductor's desk, explained that the whole of the seats +would be placed on sale to the public and that none would be withheld, +the bidders merely to name the premiums they wished to give for the +privilege of purchasing the tickets. The first bidder gave 12s. premium +per seat for the first choice of six seats for the concert, and other +sums varied from 10s. down to 2s. 6d., the premiums alone reaching some +L1,000, in addition to the sale of tickets. + +This plan gave great satisfaction to the public, as whatever advance +they then paid on the ticket went into the manager's pocket instead of +the speculators'. + +When the great concert took place the vast building was nearly full. +Nine thousand persons had paid from one to five dollars each. The rain +meanwhile was coming down in sheets, and several speculators who had +obtained large numbers of tickets were now left out in the cold--and in +the rain--with their purchases. Inside, at the back of the gallery, a +brisk business was done in telescopes, for such was here the distance +from Patti that, though her voice could be clearly heard, her features +could not be seen. + +A subscription was now started for the benefit of the widow of the late +basso, Signor Lombardelli. Patti had contributed 150 dollars, when +Gerster, to show that she was a greater artist, gave 1,000. I +contributed 600; Galassi, Arditi, and the others 100 dollars each. + +The following morning Lombardelli's funeral took place, which caused a +great stir in the city. There was a full choral service; the orchestra +and the whole Opera Company taking part in it, including the principal +artists. Not only was San Francisco in full _fete_ at this extraordinary +funeral, but numbers of the Chinese came down from their city (called +"Chinatown") in order to be present. + +That evening a great reception was given by the San Francisco Verein in +honour of Mdme. Gerster. The guests commenced to arrive early, and the +entertainment was carried on till midnight. It is to be noted that the +night for the compliment to Gerster was that of the Patti concert at the +Pavilion. + +On the following evening Gerster appeared as "Margherita" in _Faust_, +the house being again crowded from floor to ceiling. That same night +Patti's admirers gave a grand ball in her honour at the Margherita Club, +for which 500 invitations were issued. An immense floral bower had been +constructed for the occasion, the sides of the room being beds of choice +flowers and roses in full bloom, while four enormous horse-shoes, all of +flowers, adorned each corner of the room. Suspended from the roof was a +great star with the word "Patti" in electric incandescent burners. + +The Italian Consul, the Russian Consul, and several officers from the +Russian flagship then in San Francisco Bay were present. The Queen of +Song was escorted into the ballroom by Count Brichanteau, the band +playing the "Patti Valse," composed expressly for the occasion by +Arditi. A formal reception was afterwards held by the members of the +Club; and later on a gorgeous supper was served in the Pavilion, which +had been specially erected, decorated with large Italian and Union +flags. Dancing was kept up until an early hour the following morning. + +While the rivalry between Patti and Gerster was at its height it was +made known that General Crittenden, Governor of Missouri, had given +Patti a kiss. Thereupon Mdme. Patti was interviewed, when she spoke as +follows:-- + +"I had just finished singing 'Home, Sweet Home' last Thursday evening, +when a nice-looking old gentleman, who introduced himself as Governor +Crittenden, began congratulating me. All of a sudden he leaned down, put +his arms around me, drew me up to him, and kissed me. He said, 'Madame +Patti, I may never see you again, but I cannot help it;' and before I +knew it he was kissing me. When a gentleman, and such a nice old +gentleman, too, and a Governor of a great State, kisses one so quick +that one has not time to see and no time to object, what can one do?" + +The following dialogue on the subject between Mdme. Gerster and a +reporter who had interviewed her was afterwards published:-- + +"THAT PATTI KISS." + +MODEST REPORTER: "I suppose, Mdme. Gerster, you have heard about that +kissing affair between Governor Crittenden and Patti?" + +Mdme. GERSTER: "I have heard that Governor Crittenden kissed Patti +before she had time to resist; but I don't see anything in that to +create so much fuss." + +REPORTER (interrogatively): "You don't?" + +GERSTER: "Certainly not! There is nothing wrong in a man kissing a woman +old enough to be his mother." + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +LUNCHEON ON H.M.S. "TRIUMPH"--OPERA AUCTION--CONCERT AT MORMON +TABERNACLE--RETURN TO NEW YORK--RETURN TO EUROPE--SHERIFFS IN THE +ACADEMY--I DEPART IN PEACE. + + +I now received an invitation from the Admiral commanding Her Britannic +Majesty's Pacific Squadron, whose flag-ship, the _Triumph_, had entered +the bay. Several of my leading artists were also invited. The steam +pinnace was sent on shore to take us on board. After visiting the ship +and receiving all possible courtesies from the officers, we entered the +grand saloon, in which an elegant _dejeuner_ had been prepared, +comprising all the delicacies of the season. We had scarcely begun our +repast when an ominous whisper was passed by one of the officers to the +captain of the ship to the effect that most of the band had deserted to +go and play for Mapleson, who had offered them L12 a week each, and it +was therefore impossible that any music could be given during the +luncheon. Not even "God Save the Queen" could be played. The captain, in +lieu of communicating this to the admiral, informed me of it privately. +I thereupon expressed my surprise, as I had heard nothing about it, and +I further gave my word that I would never permit one of the musicians +who had deserted to take part in any performance at my theatre. + +With this the captain was satisfied. It was rather hard lines to see the +men on shore who had deserted the ship, and yet be unable to send a +boat's crew to bring them back, after the many months of labour that had +been spent in instructing them. + +As the opera business kept on increasing, I determined to give an extra +week in San Francisco, and to put up the privilege of purchasing seats +to auction. Considerable doubt was felt, however, as to the probable +result of this venture, and many declared that their purses and patience +had been so thoroughly exhausted by the enormous drain of the past two +weeks that I had but slender chance of continued patronage for so +high-priced an entertainment. + +I will, however, describe the sale. At twelve a.m. I opened the doors of +the theatre, admission tickets being required to admit the purchasers, +so as to keep out the rougher element, as well as the "scalpers." The +auctioneer notified that the choice of every single seat in the house +would be offered on sale. Upon the drop curtain were colossal diagrams +of the different portions of the house, and as fast as each seat was +sold it was erased by the auctioneer's assistant, who was in the +orchestra with a fishing rod and black paint, with which he crossed off +from the diagram each seat as it was sold. + +The bids made were for choice of seat and were in addition to the +regular price of the tickets. + +The arrangements were most satisfactory. I had no representative present +to guard my interests, but left all to the auctioneer and the public. +The proscenium boxes reached 240 dollars premium for the five nights, on +three of which I guaranteed that Gerster would sing, whilst Patti would +sing on the other two. + +Boxes were sold all round the house at an average of 120 dollars +premium, each purchaser calling out from the auditorium the seat he +would prefer, which was accordingly marked off, and a ticket handed to +him by which he could obtain the seat selected on payment at the box +office. Numbers of speculators somehow or another got mixed up with the +public, and thus obtained sundry tickets. The premiums for the five +nights reached L3,000. + +Nothing but standing room and the gallery was left for the paying +public. Notwithstanding this, the line I have already told the reader of +still existed, and was as long as ever. This I could not account for, +and on inquiry I found that numbers who had placed themselves in line +never intended purchasing tickets, but waited there only for the +purpose of selling their places. An order was thereupon issued by the +police calling upon those nearest the office to produce their money to +show that they were _bona-fide_ purchasers. Those who could not do so +were immediately removed. This difficulty, however, was met by some +enterprising Jews, who lent out money for the day, simply that it might +be shown to the police. + +Friday was selected for the benefit and farewell of Gerster in _L'Elisir +d'Amore_. Patti had chosen for her benefit _La Traviata_; which, +however, was changed at the request of some 500 people, who signed a +petition requesting me to substitute _Crispino_. + +Whilst occupied one morning in my room on the fourth story at the Palace +Hotel, counting with my treasurers several thousands of pounds, the +atmosphere suddenly became dark. A sort of wind was blowing round the +apartment, and my senses seemed to be leaving me. I could not make out +what it was. The Hotel rocked three inches one way and then three inches +another; the plates and knives and forks jumping off on to the floor, +whilst my money was rolling in all parts of the room. I made a rush for +the door, and then for the street, realizing now that there was an +earthquake. Although it lasted but ten seconds the time appeared at +least half an hour. On leaving the hotel I met the landlord. + +"Don't be frightened," he said. + +"Well, but I am." + +"Nonsense! My hotel is earthquake-proof as well as fire-proof," he said, +handing me a card, on which I found this inscribed: "_The Palace Hotel. +Fire-proof and earthquake-proof._" + +He afterwards explained to me that everything employed in the +construction of the building was either wood or iron, no plaster or +stone being used. Indeed, although this hotel is six stories high, with +open corridors looking into the main courtyard the length of the entire +building, it is wound round the exterior with no less than four miles of +malleable iron bands. The proprietor, Mr. Sharon, said it might move +into another street, but could not fall down. + +To such an extent had Patti's superstitious feeling with regard to +Gerster been developed that she at once ascribed the earthquake to +Gerster's evil influence. It was not merely a malicious idea of hers, +but a serious belief. + +Meanwhile money was no consideration to those amateurs who had it. +Tickets were gold. They were seized with avidity apart from any question +about price. Hundreds were content to wait throughout the night, with +money in their hands, to ensure the possession of even standing room, +whilst thousands who, in their impecuniosity, could not hope to cross +the threshold of the musical Valhalla, where Patti and Gerster were the +divinities presiding, thronged the side walks, and gazed longingly at +the dumb walls of the theatre, and the crowd of idolaters pouring in to +worship. + +At eight o'clock a.m. a second line of enthusiasts began to occupy the +centre of the road leading to the Grand Opera, although the doors were +not to be thrown open until six hours afterwards. A line was formed down +Mission and Third Street, extending almost to Market Street. Ticket +speculators passed up and down the line, and did a brisk business, +tickets in some instances reaching L20 apiece. + +Captain Short again arrived with 60 extra policemen, but he was pushed +out with all his men, the crowd quite overpowering them. The 17 nights' +performances produced L40,000. The receipts of the first Patti night did +not fall far short of L5,000. + +On the morning of our departure from San Francisco four young men were +arrested, charged with the wholesale forgery of opera tickets. They had +issued 60 bogus tickets for the opening night alone, and this caused all +the confusion and wrangling. They were proved to have made a purchase of +printer's ink, and to have bought one Patti ticket as a model, from +which they had copied the remainder. They were duly convicted. + +We left San Francisco late that evening, being accompanied by Mr. de +Young, the proprietor of the leading newspaper, and his charming wife, +and we arrived in due course at Salt Lake City on Tuesday evening, where +Mdme. Patti dressed in her own railway car, which afterwards conveyed +her to the concert. At the end of the concert she returned to the car, +where a magnificent supper had been prepared for her, and the train then +started for the East. + +Meanwhile, the Mormons had been enthusiastic at the idea of their +magnificent Tabernacle echoing with the tones of Adelina Patti. +President Taylor, the Prophet of the Mormon Church, assisted in the +preparations made to receive the great songstress. A special line of +railway had been laid down from the regular main line of Salt Lake City +to the Tabernacle, and on it the special train ran without a hitch up to +the very door of the building. Upwards of 14,000 people were present, +the event being considered one of extraordinary importance throughout +the whole of Utah territory; and the proceeds amounted to nearly L5,000. + +We left Salt Lake city after the concert about 1 a.m., and reached Omaha +on the following Friday, when Mdme. Gerster appeared as "Lucia di +Lammermoor." The train consisted as usual of four baggage cars, four +coaches for the principals, four coaches for the chorus and orchestra, +four sleeping cars, including the extra boudoir cars, _La Traviata_, _La +Sonnambula_, and _Semiramide_, also the _Lycoming_, my own private car, +followed by the car of Adelina Patti. The inhabitants were struck by the +elegant style and finish of our equipment, and as the train rolled into +the station curious crowds came to look at it, and also to catch a +glimpse of the two leading stars, Adelina Patti and Etelka Gerster. + +Several artists who had to perform that evening left for the town. Mdme. +Patti went for a drive with Nicolini. During her absence a limited +number of notabilities were allowed to inspect her car, which had cost +L12,000. It was without doubt the most superb and tasteful coach on +wheels anywhere in the world. The curtains were of heavy silk damask, +the walls and ceilings covered with gilded tapestry, the lamps of rolled +gold, the furniture throughout upholstered with silk damask of the most +beautiful material. The drawing-room was of white and gold, and the +ceiling displayed several figures painted by Parisian artists of +eminence. The woodwork was sandal wood, of which likewise was the casing +of a magnificent Steinway piano, which alone had cost 2,000 dollars. +There were several panel oil paintings in the drawing-room, the work of +Italian artists. The bath, which was fitted for hot and cold water, was +made of solid silver. The key of the outer door was of 18-carat gold. + +On Patti's being interviewed she spoke with unbounded enthusiasm of her +trip to California, and expressed at the same time a wish to sing in +Omaha the following year. One of the most constant companions of the +_Diva_ is the famous, world-renowned parrot, which has mastered several +words and sentences in French and English. On Patti whistling a +particular tune, the bird imitates her exactly. The reporter wished for +its biography, and asked whether it was true that whenever Mapleson +entered the car the bird cried out: "Cash, cash!" The parrot had really +acquired this disagreeable habit. + +That evening Mdme. Patti attended the opera, and received a perfect +ovation. At the close of the performance the whole Company started for +Chicago, which we reached the following Sunday, when I received +telegraphic news of the sad state Cincinnati was in. The riots had +assumed terrible proportions, the streets were full of barricades, the +gaol had been burned down by petroleum, and the prisoners released from +it; whilst absolute fighting was taking place in the streets, and +numbers had been killed or wounded. + +According to the pictures sent me in an illustrated paper, the militia +were firing upon the populace; the Court House had been destroyed by +fire, as well as the gaol; and the struggle had already been on for over +three days. I therefore telegraphed at once to Fennessy, at Cincinnati, +the impossibility of my coming there, the singers one and all objecting +to move. + +To my great regret I was obliged to cancel my Cincinnati engagement, and +we started our train in the direction of New York. On the succeeding +Monday we opened the season, during which we produced _Romeo and +Juliet_, with Patti and Nicolini, and gave performances of _Elisir +d'Amore_, followed by _Semiramide_, in which I was glad to be able to +reinstate Scalchi as "Arsace." She having been thrown out of her +engagement by the collapse of Mr. Abbey, I readily re-engaged her, not +only for that year, but also for the year following. + +Mdme. Patti afterwards sailed for Europe, leaving by the _Oregon_, which +was to start early on the Saturday morning. She decided to go on board +the day previously, but as it was Friday she drove about the city until +the clock struck twelve before she would embark. The following day I +shipped off the remainder of my Company. + +I myself was compelled to remain behind in consequence of a deal of +trouble which was then gathering, and which began by the attachment of +the whole of the Patti benefit receipts at the suit of the Bank of the +Metropolis. This bank had discounted a joint note of guarantee which the +stockholders of the Academy of Music had given me early in the season to +enable me to defeat the rival house, which I succeeded in doing. + +My losses during the New York season having exceeded L1,200 a week, I +was compelled to draw the maximum amount authorized. Nothing at the time +was said about my repaying any portion of the money, although I felt +morally bound, in case of success, to do so. The stockholders had really +acted for the preservation of their own property, my own means having +been already swamped in the undertaking. I worked as economically as I +possibly could to achieve the purpose for which their assistance had +been given; and, in fact, drew some L800 less than I was entitled to. +Judge, therefore, of my surprise when I learned of their harsh course of +proceedings, beginning with what appeared to be the repudiation of their +own signatures. + +The Secretary having requested my attendance before the Directors, it +had been hinted to me by friends that I was to be invited to a banquet +at Delmonico's in recognition of the energy and skill with which, +through unheard-of difficulties, I had at last conducted my season to a +successful issue. All, however, that the Secretary had to say to me was +that unless I immediately took up my guarantors' joint note seizure +would be made on the whole of my worldly belongings. + +Just at this time most advantageous offers were made to me from the +rival Opera-house, then without a manager. But as I still had an +agreement with the Academy, I did not enter into the negotiation, +explaining my inability to do so, and at the same time relying fully on +the justice and liberality of my own Directors and stockholders. + +I felt sadly injured at their sending the Sheriff in on the very night +of Patti's benefit to lay hands on all my receipts in order to squeeze +the guarantee money out of me. + +The next day Sheriff Aaron and his satellites took entire charge of the +Academy. They commenced by unhanging all my scenery, and it was only +with difficulty that I got permission to remove a small writing desk +containing a few sheets of paper and half-a-dozen postage stamps. In +vain did I remonstrate with the Directors, urging that if they were +dissatisfied with my management they could easily set me at liberty from +my next year's lease, which would be a great saving to them, inasmuch as +by its terms they had to find the theatre for me free, and pay all the +gas, service, and other expenses. All my approaches were met with +silence, and I was again obliged to decline the tempting offer from the +rival theatre, at which I should have had the use of the magnificent +house and a very heavy subsidy to boot. + +As the Metropolitan Opera Directors could wait no longer, they now +opened negotiations with Mr. Gye. + +In the meantime the myrmidons of the law, assisted by my regular +scene-shifters and carpenters, set to work removing everything into the +Nilsson Hall adjoining the Academy, of which I held the lease, whilst +other assistants made out an inventory. As there were hundreds of scenes +and thousands of dresses, the work continued for many days. + +I met shortly afterwards one of the most prominent men of the Academy +Board of Directors, who informed me that the Bank had not made +application to him, nor, in fact, to any of his friends who had +guaranteed the payment of the advance made on their joint bond; and he +urged me to insist upon the Bank's making direct application to the +signatories of the documents before proceeding to such extremities. + +At length I induced the Bank to make the application suggested, and I +must say that all the gentlemen punctually paid up. I afterwards +ascertained that the trouble had been caused by two individuals who were +unwilling to honour their own signatures. All this turmoil and fuss, +however, had given new encouragement to the rival directors, who on +learning of all the bother, and finding that I could not obtain my +release from the Academy, prosecuted their negotiations with Mr. Gye to +manage their Opera-house. + +It was not until the third week in May that I was able to take my +departure from New York. Some three or four hundred people met me at the +wharf on my leaving. On the table in the saloons of the steamer were the +most gorgeous flower devices sent by my friends of New York, +Philadelphia, and Boston. One piece was five feet in height; another +consisted of a large crown of roses supported on four rounded arms of +metal, covered with vines and blossoms holding an inscription in the +centre: "J. H. M., the Invincible," worked in forget-me-nots on a +background of red and white carnations. In fact, such magnificent +tributes had scarcely ever been offered even to my prime donne. + +A tug followed the steamer up the bay with a band of music on board; +and, to tell the truth, I was very glad to get out of the place in order +that I might have a little relaxation. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA LIQUIDATES--GETTING PATTI OFF THE SHIP--HENRY WARD +BEECHER'S CIDER--PATTI'S SILVER WEDDING--A PATTI PROGRAMME OF 1855--A +BLACK CONCERT. + + +After my departure the Directors of the Metropolitan Opera-house, +convinced that they could make no arrangement with me in consequence of +my engagement with the Directors of the Academy, which had still a year +to run, took further steps towards securing Mr. Gye as manager; and it +was proposed that he should open his season at the new theatre on +November 10th, to continue for thirteen weeks. The negotiations were +conducted on his behalf by his agent, Mr. Lavine. The stockholders of +the Metropolitan Opera reserving seventy of the best boxes for +themselves, Mr. Gye was to have the house rent free, together with a +guarantee against loss, and L200 for each performance. This sum was +ultimately raised to L300 for each performance. + +Seeing another opera looming in the distance, I at once set to work by +re-engaging Mdme. Adelina Patti on her own terms of L1,000 a night; +likewise Mdme. Scalchi, Galassi, and Arditi, thus forming a very strong +nucleus to start with. I afterwards learned that Gye had been making +overtures to Mdme. Patti, Galassi, and others; but fortunately they had +already signed contracts with me. + +The Metropolitan Directors next dispatched their able attorney, George +L. Rives, to Europe for the purpose of completing the arrangements with +Gye. + +Shortly after my return to London I learned that the Royal Italian +Opera, Limited, had gone into liquidation. This, of course, snuffed out +at once Gye's contract with the Metropolitan Opera Directors, who being +now left without an impresario contemplated diverting the grand building +to other purposes. They ultimately, however, resolved to try a German +Opera rather than have no Opera at all, and they dispatched their +energetic secretary, Mr. Stanton, to Europe for the purpose of engaging +artists, Dr. Damrosch being appointed orchestral conductor. + +During the summer months I visited various parts of the Continent for +the purpose of obtaining the best talent I could find for the coming +contest. Various meetings were held by my Academy stockholders in New +York when they at length began to realize the justice of my demands for +assistance, as it could not be expected that 200 of the best seats, for +which no payment whatever was to be made, should be occupied for +listening to Mdme. Patti, who was receiving L1,000 a night. After +various meetings, a resolution was passed by which they agreed to give +me a nightly assessment of four dollars a seat for the proscenium boxes, +three for the other boxes, and two for the seats elsewhere, which during +my season it was estimated by them would produce some L6,000; and a +cable was sent me to that effect in order to obviate the trouble we had +all fallen into in the previous year. At the same time the Directors +passed a resolution to keep the theatre closed in case I did not accept +their promised support. + +About this time a young singer named Emma Nevada was attracting +considerable attention in Europe, and after some difficulty I succeeded +in adding her name to my already powerful list, which, however, did not +include that of Madame Christine Nilsson, as I had contemplated; that +lady having cried off at the last moment without any valid reason, after +I had accepted all her conditions. + +In due course the New York prospectus was issued, and a very fine +subscription was the result, the demand for boxes being particularly +brisk. + +We sailed from Liverpool, and arrived in New York on the 1st November. I +had a few hours only to give preliminary instruction regarding the +commencement of my season when a telegram arrived to the effect that +the _Oregon_, with Mdme. Patti on board, had been sighted off Fire +Island. + +I at once ordered the military band to go down to the _Blackbird_; but +as no further telegram reached me from Sandy Hook they went on shore for +beer. It was late in the evening when the expected telegram arrived, and +the vessel had to start immediately. The only musicians I had now on +board wherewith to serenade Patti were a clarinet, a trombone, and a big +drum. + +Stretched from mast to mast was a huge tarpaulin with the word +"Welcome!" on both sides, in letters three feet long. In the lower bay +of quarantine I met the _Oregon_, and as my steamer came alongside a +small group appeared, and I at once recognized Patti. Handkerchiefs were +waved, and three cheers given by my friends on board the _Blackbird_. We +had a ladder with us which just reached from the top of our paddle-box +to about two feet below the sides of the vessel. I was on the point of +clambering up when the captain shrieked out-- + +"Patti cannot be taken out to-night without a permission from the +health-officer." + +I at once tendered a permit I had obtained from the barge office, +allowing Patti to go on shore. I passed it to the captain, who, on +reading it, said-- + +"That is all right, but the health-officer must give me a permit before +I will let her out of the ship." + +I, therefore, had to steam my vessel to quarantine, and it was nearly +two hours before I could find health-officer Smith, through whose kind +assistance I obtained a permit to take Patti off the ship. On my +returning the whole of the passengers gave three hearty cheers as Patti +was let over the side into my boat, followed by Nicolini, the maid, the +parrot, and the diamonds. + +Mdme. Patti, Nicolini, the maid, the parrot, and the diamonds duly +arrived at the Windsor Hotel that evening, and the chief of the party +was, of course, interviewed forthwith as to how she had passed the +previous summer. + +"Delightfully," was the _Diva's_ reply. "We had lots of Americans +stopping with us at my Castle, and the place grows dearer and dearer to +me every year." + +She was very much grieved to hear of poor Brignoli's death, which had +occurred the previous day, and she sent a magnificent wreath to be +placed on his coffin. I attended the funeral on behalf of my Company. + +When the arrival of Patti became known in New York great excitement +prevailed. The day afterwards the steamship _Lessing_ arrived from +Hamburg with an entire German Company for the Metropolitan Opera-house. +I now felt quite at my ease, having no anxiety whatever as to the result +of their season. + +I opened brilliantly on the Monday following the arrival of Patti, with +her inimitable performance of "Rosina" in _Il Barbiere_. + +On Sunday I was invited by Henry Ward Beecher to visit Plymouth Church, +at Brooklyn. On this occasion a number of railway guards and pointsmen +had been asked; and never shall I forget the sermon he preached to them. +It was magnificent, and in every way impressive. At the conclusion of +the service I was invited to Mr. Beecher's house to luncheon, where +there were some twenty of his relations and intimate friends present. + +As the water came round he may possibly have observed a distressed look +on my countenance. But certain it is that within a few minutes +afterwards he said he thought he had a bottle of cider which I might +prefer to the beverage then before us; and, although it was labelled +cider, I discovered that the bottle contained something resembling +excellent old "Pommery _sec_." + +Two nights afterwards I invited him to my box at the opera, scarcely +hoping that he would come; but shortly after the overture had commenced +I was surprised to find him sitting at my side. He remained there all +that evening, the eye of every one in the audience being fixed upon him. + +Shortly afterwards my new prima donna, Mdlle. Emma Nevada, arrived, and +in due course made her first appearance, in _La Sonnambula_, when a +remarkable scene occurred. At the close of the performance the audience, +instead of rushing to the doors as usual, remained, rose to their feet, +and called the prima donna three times before the curtain. + +This was followed by a production of Gounod's _Mirella_, in which Emma +Nevada again appeared with brilliant success; and afterwards by _La +Gazza Ladra_, with Patti and Scalchi in the leading _roles_. + +On the 24th November, it being the 25th anniversary of Patti's first +appearance at the New York Academy of Music, great preparations were +made for the purpose of celebrating her silver wedding with the New York +operatic stage. + +The opera selected for the occasion was _Lucia di Lammermoor_, being the +same work in which she had appeared exactly 25 years previously on the +Academy boards. Patti's first "Edgardo," Signor Brignoli, was to have +appeared with her. But his sudden death necessitated an alteration of +the original programme, and it was decided to give an opera which the +_Diva_ had never sung in America, namely, _Martha_. + +The following account of Patti's _debut_, which appeared in the New York +Herald, of November 25th, 1859, will be read with interest:-- + + "DEBUT OF MISS PATTI. + +"A young lady, not yet seventeen, almost an American by birth, having +arrived here when an infant, belonging to an Italian family which has +been fruitful of good artists, sang last night the favourite _role_ of +_debutantes_, 'Lucia di Lammermoor.' + +"Whether it is from the natural sympathy with the forlorn _fiancee_ of +the Master of Ravenswood which is infused into the female breast with +Donizetti's tender music, or from a clever inspiration that to be +unhappy and pretty is a sure passport to the affections of an audience, +we cannot say. Certain it is, however, that the aspirants for the +ovations, the triumphs, the glories, that await a successful prima donna +almost always select this opera for their preliminary dash at the +laurels. The music affords a fine opportunity to show the quality and +cultivation of the soprano voice, and it is so familiar as to provoke +comparison with first-rate artists, and provoke the severest criticisms +by the most rigid recognized tests. + +"All these were duly and thoroughly applied to Miss Adelina Patti a day +or two since by a very critical audience at what was called a show +rehearsal. It was then ascertained that Miss Patti had a fine voice, and +that she knew how to sing. The artists and amateurs were in raptures. +This was a certificate to the public, who do not nowadays put their +faith in managers' announcements, unless they are endorsed. With an +off-night and an opera worn to bits, the public interest in Miss Patti's +_debut_ was so great as to bring together a very large audience, rather +more popular than usual, but still numbering the best-known _habitues_ +and most critical amateurs. The _debutante_ was received politely but +cordially--an indication that there was not a strong claque, which was +a relief. Her appearance was that of a very young lady, _petite_ and +interesting, with just a tinge of schoolroom in her manner. She was +apparently self-possessed, but not self-assured. + +"After the first few bars of recitative, she launched boldly into the +cavatina--one of the most difficult pieces of the opera. This she sang +perfectly, displaying a thorough Italian method and a high soprano +voice, fresh and full and even throughout. In the succeeding cabaletta, +which was brilliantly executed, Miss Patti took the high note E flat, +above the line, with the greatest ease. In this cabaletta we noticed a +tendency to show off vocal gifts which may be just a little out of +place. The introduction of variations not written by the composer is +only pardonable in an artist who has already assured her position. In +the duet with the tenor (Brignoli) and with the baritone (Ferri), and +the mad scene, Miss Patti sang with sympathetic tenderness--a rare gift +in one so young--and increased the enthusiasm of the audience to a +positive _furore_, which was demonstrated in the usual way--recalls, +bouquets, wreaths, etc., etc. The horticultural business was more +extensive than usual. + +"Of course we speak to-day only of Miss Patti's qualifications as a +singer. Acting she has yet to learn; but artists, like poets, are born, +not made. The mere _convenances_ of the stage will come of themselves. +She is already pretty well acquainted with them. So far as her voice, +skill, method, and execution are concerned, we are simply recording the +unanimous opinion of the public when we pronounce the _debut_ of Miss +Patti a grand success. + +"Everyone predicts a career for this young artist, and who knows but the +managers may find in her their long-looked-for sensation?" + +On repeating the character two days afterwards, said the same paper, +"the prima donna was twice called before the curtain, and the stage was +literally covered with the flowers thrown before her. The success of +this artist, educated and reared amongst us, with all the vocal gifts of +an Italian, and all the cleverness of a Yankee girl, is made. Everybody +talked of her, wondering who and what she is, where she has been, and so +on. + +"She was brought out at the Academy to save the season. The manager had +a good Company, plenty of fine artists, everything required for fine +performances, but the great outside public, always thirsting for +something new, wanted a sensation. + +"They have it in 'Little Patti,' who not only pleases the connoisseurs +and is the special favourite of the fair, but who has all the material +for a great popular pet." + +The jubilee performance was a brilliant success. At the close of the +opera, after the usual number of recalls, accompanied by bouquets, etc., +the curtain rose, and at the rear of the stage was an immense American +eagle about to soar, beneath which was the word "Patti," and over it +"1859-1884." The band of the 7th Regiment approached the footlights, +and the musicians played a march that Cappa, the bandmaster, had +composed in honour of Mdme. Patti twenty-five years before. Patti walked +up to him, and said, with a choking voice: "I thank you for your +kindness from the bottom of my heart." + +She was afterwards recalled innumerable times, and on reappearing she +brought on with her Mdme. Scalchi. At the close of the opera a carriage +with four milk-white steeds which I had arranged for was standing to +convey its precious burthen to her hotel. Following this we had 100 +torch-bearers, for the most part admirers and supporters of the opera. +Mounted police were on each side of Patti's carriage. At the end of the +procession was a waggon full of people letting off Roman candles and +large basins of powder, which, when ignited, made the streets and sky +look most brilliant. The route was up Broadway to Twenty-third Street, +and thence up Madison Avenue to Patti's hotel. + +I on this occasion was to have taken the command of the troops as +brigadier. My horse, however, never reached me. It was found impossible +to get it through the crowd. This did not prevent the illustrated papers +from representing me on horseback, and in a highly military attitude. + +Later on two other bands arrived, and took their stations under Patti's +windows. This terminated the festivities in honour of the twenty-fifth +anniversary of her first appearance on the American operatic stage. + +I may here mention that, as a matter of fact, Adelina Patti did not make +her first appearance on the American stage in 1859. I find, too, that +she sang at Niblo's Saloon in 1855, and subjoin the programme of one of +her concerts given in that year:-- + + GRAND VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL CONCERT, + IN AID OF THE + _Hebrew Benevolent Societies_, + AT NIBLO'S SALOON, + On Tuesday Evening, Feb. 27th, 1855. + + * * * + +The management announces that MRS. STUART, in consequence of the severe +indisposition of her mother, will not be able to fulfil her engagement +this evening; also, that MME. COMETANT cannot appear in consequence of +her severe indisposition. The management have much pleasure in +announcing that the services + + of + SIGNORINA ADELINA PATTI + +Have been secured, in connection with whom the following + artistes have volunteered:-- + + SIGNOR BERNARDI, + SIGNOR RAPETTI, + HERR CHARLES WELS, + T. FRANKLIN BASSFORD, + MR. SANDERSON. + + * * * + + PROGRAMME: + + PART FIRST. + +1 Grand Duet, on "William Tell," Piano and Violin--Mr. Rapetti +and Mr. Wels _Osborne_ and _De Beriot_ + +2 Grand Cavatina, of Norma, Casta Diva--Signa. Adelina Patti _Bellini_ + +3 "La Chasse du jeune Henri," Overture for Piano--Mr. Bassford _Gottschalk_ + +4 Aria, from "Don Sebastian"--Sig. Bernardi _Donizetti_ + +5 Ballad, "Home, Sweet Home"--Signa. Adelina Patti _Bishop_ + +6 Grand Duo concertando on airs of "Norma," for Two Pianos--Messrs. +Wels and Bassford _Wels_ + + * * * + + PART SECOND. + +1 "Coronation March," from the Prophet, arranged and performed +by Mr. Sanderson, his First Appearance in public _Meyerbeer_ + +2 Aria, from the Opera _Le Chalet_--Sig. Bernardi _Adam_ + +3 {a. The Eolian Harp} Composed and performed by _C. Wels_ + {b. Triumphal March} + +4 Jenny Lind's Echo Song--Signa. Adelina Patti _Eckert_ + +5 Violin Solo, from _La Sonnambula_ _Sig. Rapetti_ + +6 Grand Fantasia, for Two Pianos, performed by Messrs. Bassford +and Wels, composed by _T. Franklin Bassford_ + + * * * + +Conductor Mr. Charles Wels. + + * * * + +The Two Grand Prize Pianos, used on this occasion, are from +the Music Stores of Messrs. Bassford and Brower, and are for sale +at 603, Broadway. + + Doors open at 7 o'clock. To commence at 8 o'clock. + + TICKETS ONE DOLLAR + +To be had at the Music Store of Messrs. Hall and Son, Bassford +and Brower, 603, Broadway, and Scharfenberg and Louis, and at +the door. + +Going still further back, I may add that Adelina Patti made her very +first appearance on the operatic stage in 1850, at Tripler's Hall, New +York; where she sang and acted both. She was seven years old at the +time. + +The season continued until the latter part of December. + +On my applying to the Academy Directors for an instalment of the L6,000 +which had been promised me in accordance with the assessment made, I was +informed by the Secretary that the assessment would only be allowed to +me on Patti nights. This reduced my L6,000 by three-fourths, I having +based my calculations on the amount that had been cabled to me. I in no +way blame the stockholders, who had been most heavily assessed, and had +paid up without a murmur. Some three-fourths of their contributions had +been used for other purposes, including the decoration of the theatre. + +Finding the President of the Academy Directors obdurate, I at once +announced the farewell performances of Mdme. Adelina Patti, and shortly +afterwards made arrangements for her appearance, together with that of +the whole Company, at Boston, where I opened towards the close of +December, glad, indeed, to get away from the Academy. + +Our success in Boston was very great. Amongst the productions was +Gounod's _Mirella_, in which Nevada, Scalchi, De Anna, and other artists +appeared. Afterwards, of course, came _Semiramide_, with Patti and +Scalchi; one of our surest cards. + +We remained at Boston two weeks, concluding, what was then supposed to +be Patti's positive farewell to the Bostonians, with a magnificent +performance of _Linda di Chamouni_. + +At the conclusion of a representation of _Mirella_ given the following +morning we started for Philadelphia, where we had a very remunerative +season, the house being crowded nightly to the ceiling. + +The American theatres are much better kept than ours. They are dusted +and cleaned every day, so that a lady in America can go to the play or +to the opera without the least danger of getting her dress spoiled; +which in England, if the dress be of delicate material, she scarcely can +do. The American theatres, moreover, are beautifully warmed during the +winter months; so that the risk of bronchitis and inflammation of the +lungs to which the enterprising theatre-goers of our own country are +exposed has in the United States no existence. + +Apart from the risk of getting her dress injured by dirt or dust, a lady +has no inducement to wear a handsome _toilette_ at a London Opera-house, +where the high-fronted boxes with their ridiculous curtains prevent the +dresses from being seen. At the American Opera-houses the boxes are not +constructed in the Italian, but in the French style. They are open in +front, that is to say, so that those who occupy them can not only see, +but be seen. As for the curtains, they are neither a French nor an +Italian, but exclusively an English peculiarity. What possible use can +they serve? They have absolutely no effect but to deaden the sound. + +An interesting feature in every American Opera-house is the young +ladies' box--a sort of omnibus box to which young ladies alone +subscribe. The gentlemen who are privileged to visit them in the course +of the evening are also allowed full liberty to supply them with +bouquets, which are always of the most delicate and most expensive +kind--costing in winter from L4 to L5 a-piece. The front of the young +ladies' box is kept constantly furnished with the most beautiful flowers +that love can suggest or money buy; and if, as it frequently does, it +occurs to one or more of the young ladies to throw a few of the bouquets +to the singers on the stage, their friends and admirers are expected at +once to fill up the gaps. + +Whilst at Philadelphia the head-waiter of the hotel informed me that a +very grand concert was to take place, for which it was difficult to +obtain tickets, but that a prima donna would sing there whom he +considered worthy of my attention. In due course he got me a ticket, and +I attended the concert, which was held in one of the extreme quarters of +the city. On entering I was quite surprised to find an audience of some +1,500 or 2,000, who were all black, I being the only white man present. +I must say I was amply repaid for the trouble I had taken, as the music +was all of the first order. + +In the course of the concert the prima donna appeared, gorgeously +attired in a white satin dress, with feathers in her hair, and a +magnificent diamond necklace and earrings. She moreover wore white kid +gloves, which nearly went to the full extent of her arm, leaving but a +small space of some four inches between her sleeve and the top of her +glove. Her skin being black, formed, of course, an extraordinary +contrast with the white kid. + +She sang the Shadow Song from _Dinorah_ delightfully, and in reply to a +general encore gave the valse from the _Romeo and Juliet_ of Gounod. In +fact no better singing have I heard. The prima donna rejoiced in the +name of Mdlle. Selika. Shortly afterwards a young baritone appeared and +sang the "Bellringer," so as to remind me forcibly of Santley in his +best days. I immediately resolved upon offering him an engagement to +appear at the Opera-house in London as "Renato" in _Un Ballo in +Maschera_, whom Verdi, in one version of the opera, intended to be a +coloured man; afterwards to perform "Nelusko" in _L'Africaine_, and +"Amonasro" in _Aida_. Feeling certain of his success, I intended +painting him white for the other operas. + +After some negotiation I was unable to complete the arrangement. He +preferred to remain a star where he was. + +After the final performance of our Philadelphia engagement we started at +about 3 a.m. with the whole Company for New Orleans, our special train +being timed to reach that city by the following Sunday. On arriving at +Louisville the gauge was broken, and the track became narrow gauge, +which necessitated the slinging of every one of my grand carriages to +have new trollies put under them to fit the smaller gauge. This was so +skilfully managed whilst the artists were asleep that they were unaware +of the operation. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +PANIC AT NEW ORLEANS--THERMOMETER FALLS 105 DEGREES--BANQUET AT +CHICAGO--THE COUNT DI LUNA AT MARKET--COFFEE JOHN--AN AMERICAN GEORGE +ROBINS--MY UNDERTAKER. + + +On getting down to New Orleans we found a great change in the +temperature, and although it was the month of January the thermometer +stood at about 75 deg.. It had been raining exactly six weeks prior to our +arrival, and only ceased as our train went in, fine weather immediately +afterwards making its appearance. + +Our opening opera was _La Sonnambula_ with Nevada, which was followed by +_La Traviata_ with Mdme. Patti. Prior to the last act a panic was caused +in the theatre by the falling of some plaster from the front of the +dress circle. Someone near the exit to the stalls shouted "Fire," a cry +which was repeated by numbers of men in the lobby. Consternation was +seen in the faces of the audience, and a general rush was made for the +doors. The situation was serious in the extreme; but the presence of +mind of some gentlemen present, aided by the equal coolness of several +ladies, had the effect of allaying the general fright. + +Many ladies, on the other hand, fainted from excitement, whilst numbers +of persons left the theatre, so that the last act was given with a very +bare house. + +"A great deal of excitement," wrote a local journal, "was manifested in +the street, and rumour magnified the incident. It took the shape of a +fearful accident in the minds of some people, and it was some time +before the public was assured that no damage had resulted to life or +limb. One young lady fainted as she was about to enter her carriage in +front of the theatre. She fell to the side walk, slightly cutting her +mouth, and was unconscious for a few minutes. With the assistance of Dr. +Joseph Scott, her friends succeeded in reviving her, and she was placed +in a carriage and driven home. Mr. David Bidwell was this morning waited +upon by the _Item_ reporter, who informed him of the many rumours +regarding the safety of the St. Charles Theatre. Mr. Bidwell said: 'The +whole trouble comes from the fall of a small piece of plastering, three +feet long by one foot and a half wide, in the left part of the theatre, +back to the _parquette_ seats. The plastering at that place had been +disturbed during the Kiralfy engagement by the moving out of some +scenery. I had the spot repaired during the wet weather, and, from the +dampness, the plastering did not hold. As regards the solidity of the +theatre, you can state that it is the strongest building of its kind; +the walls are in places four feet thick. Everything inside is sound and +substantial, having been recently repaired and renovated. Mr. William +Freret, the architect, has just been in here, and made a thorough +inspection. He finds everything in first-class condition, and sound as +can be. The public should not give credence to silly rumours, but listen +to the voice of common sense and reason, and accept this satisfactory +explanation.'" + +The City Surveyor, with various architects, visited the theatre the +following day to report; but all certified that the building was solid, +and that probably the stamping of so many feet in applauding Patti had +caused the fall of the plaster. However it may have been, my receipts +being so considerably injured, I was compelled, after paying damages to +the manager for not completing the engagement, to remove the Company and +rent the Grand French Opera-house for the ensuing week. When my +announcement was made several ladies called upon me, and a meeting was +convened at one of their houses at which the _elite_ of the city were +present. A number of gentlemen had been invited to tea, and before being +allowed to leave the room each of them was required to subscribe for at +least one box. In this manner the whole of my boxes for the remainder +of the season were disposed of. + +I had a deal of trouble in getting the theatre into working order, it +having been closed for a considerable period. The corridors had to be +whitened and the dressing-rooms to be papered, and all the business had +to be conducted in French, as my stage carpenters and _employes_ were +all of that nationality. The manager of the other theatre had refused to +allow any of his staff to assist. + +During this time the great New Orleans Exhibition had been opened, to +which thousands of people were attracted. My attention, however, was +drawn to the Woman's Work Department, in great need just then. I +therefore organized a grand benefit _matinee_ on their behalf, which was +promptly responded to by many of the ladies of New Orleans. Many of my +principal artists took part in the concert, and I was assisted by a +splendid Mexican cavalry band. A large sum of money was realized, which +was afterwards handed over to the treasurer of the Woman's Department. + +After a performance of _Les Huguenots_ we all left that night for St. +Louis. The temperature was now intolerable, the thermometer marking 75 +degrees. But on reaching St. Louis the following Monday afternoon we +were overtaken by a blizzard. It was literally raining ice. The streets +were impassable, it being difficult to stand upright or to move a step; +whilst the thermometer stood 30 degrees below zero (62 deg. below freezing +point)--being a fall of 105 degrees. I need scarcely say everyone caught +sore throat, even to the chorus. One or two of the ballet girls were +blown down and hurt on leaving the train, and it was with considerable +difficulty that I made a commencement that evening, two hours after our +arrival, with a performance of _La Sonnambula_. This was followed by +_Semiramide_ with Patti and Scalchi, and by _Lucrezia_ with Fursch-Madi. +All the artists not taking part in these works were ill in bed during +the week. + +Prior to our leaving St. Louis a magnificent banquet was tendered to me +by the Directors of the newly-organized Opera Festival Association of +Chicago. The day originally fixed was the Wednesday during that week; +but it had afterwards to be transferred to Thursday, all the trains to +Chicago being snowed up, whilst several thousands of freight cars +blocked the line for miles. I ventured after the performance on the only +train allowed out of the station for Chicago, where I arrived the +following day, and visited the huge glass building, formerly the +exhibition, where I marked out what I considered would be the dimensions +necessary for the construction of the New Grand Opera-house. In doing so +I must have rather miscalculated my measurements, as I was shortly +afterwards informed that if carried out the theatre would be a mammoth +one. + +In the evening I attended the banquet given in my honour, which was +laid for fifty covers in the large room of the magnificent Calumet Club. +The banqueting hall was picturesquely decorated with flowers. The tables +were curved in the form of a huge lyre, bearing the coat of arms of the +Association. + +At the head of the table, which formed the base of the lyre, sat the +President, Ferd. W. Peck, and at his right hand I was placed as the +guest of the evening. Next to me was the Mayor, and next him the Hon. +Emery A. Stores, the Vice-President of the Association. At President +Peck's left hand sat the Hon. Eugene Carey and George Schneider, the +treasurer of the newly-formed Association. All the city notabilities, +more or less, were present on this occasion. At the conclusion of the +banquet the President rose, introducing me as "The Napoleon: the Emperor +of Opera," giving at the same time a brief outline of the work proposed +to be accomplished. My speech was a very short one. I said: "After +twenty-four years' experience in the rendition of opera I feel that my +greatest success is about to be achieved here in Chicago. Never before +have such opportunities been afforded me. I have this morning been over +the Exposition building with an architect, and have fixed upon a large, +comfortable auditorium. I also visited the hall where the extra chorus +was practising, and I must say I was surprised at its excellence in +every way. Never have I heard a better chorus, even in the Old World." + +The Mayor afterwards rose and paid me the highest compliments. + +In the small hours of the following morning, when we separated, I went +to the station and thence returned to St. Louis. + +At the close of the week we left St. Louis with the whole of the troupe, +some 180 strong, reaching Kansas City late that evening. Most of the +members of the Company went to the Coates House, Mdme. Patti, however, +remaining in her private car, where the following day I paid her a +visit. No sooner had I entered than we were shunted and sent some four +miles down the line, much to the surprise of Nicolini, who had been +speaking to me on the platform but a moment previously. We were detained +a considerable time, and Mdme. Patti experienced a great shock as +suddenly a goods truck, which had got uncoupled, came running down. This +caused a great concussion, which broke most of the glass, and sent +Nicolini's cigars, jams, the parrot, the piano, the table, and the +flowers all pell-mell on to the floor. Mdme. Patti, however, took it in +good part, and, assisted by her maids, commenced gathering up the broken +ornaments and smashed bottles. The floor ran with Chateau Lafite. + +Mdme. Patti visited the opera that evening, the Mayor of the town +conducting her down the passage way to her proscenium box amidst such a +storm of applause as is rarely heard in an Opera-house. Ladies burst +their gloves in their enthusiasm, and men stood on their seats to get a +view of the _Diva_. On reaching the box the audience rose and cried: +"_Brava!_" + +After the performance that night the train moved on in the direction of +Topeka, where, through the politeness of the railway officials, I got +Patti's car attached to the San Francisco express, which conveyed her to +her destination in about three and a half days. + +The rest of the Company remained in Topeka to give a performance of _Il +Trovatore_, Mdme. Dotti being the "Leonora," Mdme. Scalchi "Azucena," De +Anna the "Count di Luna," and Giannini "Manrico." The success was +immense, the house being full, and the receipts reaching L700. + +In connection with Topeka, I must mention rather a curious incident. We +had exhausted our stock of wine in the train, and those artists taking +part in the performance, on entering the hotel near the theatre where it +was proposed to dine, were surprised and annoyed at having water placed +before them; the baritone vowing, with a knife in his hand, that unless +he could have a more stimulating beverage he would refuse to play the +"Count di Luna" that evening. + +Inquiry was made high and low, but there was not a drop of wine or +spirits of any kind officially known to be in the town. Going along the +street on my return to the hotel, I met a gentleman with whom I was +acquainted, and through his kindness I was enabled to obtain from a +medical practitioner a prescription. The prescription was in the Latin +language, and the chemist evidently understood its meaning. There was no +question of making it up. He simply handed me three bottles of very good +hock. + +At the conclusion of the opera, it being a most delightful evening, the +various choristers and others made purchases of all kinds of +comestibles, and it was a most ridiculous thing to observe some going +down with chickens carried by the neck, others with cauliflowers and +asparagus. The "Count di Luna" with a huge ham under his arm, and +"Manrico" with a chain of sausages, took their provisions down to the +cars to be cooked for supper, during which the train started for St. +Joseph. + +We reached St. Joseph the following day, where Mdlle. Nevada appeared in +_La Sonnambula_, greatly pleasing the audience, which packed the theatre +full. + +We arrived the next afternoon at half-past four at Omaha, where we +remained one day, my advance agent having failed to conclude any +arrangements for our appearance there. + +Shortly afterwards we started for Cheyenne, arriving in the Magic City, +as it is called, in about a couple of days; when, to my great +astonishment, no announcement whatever had been made of our visit, my +advance agent again, for some unaccountable reason, having gone on the +road towards San Francisco without notifying even a word. + +Our coming there was quite an unexpected event. Arrangements were +immediately made to give a performance. This entailed a delay of a +couple of days, which delighted me, although it caused some loss, as it +enabled me to drive over the beautiful country and visit once more the +charming Club, where I had a right royal welcome from my numerous +friends of the previous year. + +At four o'clock the 3rd Cavalry band, in full uniform, came to serenade +me at my hotel. + +The opera selected was _Lucia di Lammermoor_, and the receipts came to +some L700. + +At the close of the performance we started for Salt Lake City, where we +arrived on the following Thursday. Here, to my great regret, I was +compelled to change the bill in consequence of Mdlle. Nevada's +indisposition, at which the inhabitants and the Press grumbled as if it +were my fault. Reports of course were circulated that she had not +received her salary. + +Whilst at Salt Lake City many of the artists and orchestral players +wandered about, visiting various places of interest; and some were +attracted to a restaurant kept by one "Coffee John," in whose window was +exposed a huge turtle, bearing this tragic inscription on its head: +"This afternoon I am to have my throat cut;" whilst on its back was a +ticket for a private box, with the statement that Coffee John had paid +40 dollars for it, and was going to visit the opera that evening. + +In order to patronize this enthusiastic amateur several of our principal +artists went in and ordered luncheon. Coffee John was very polite, +promising to applaud them on hearing them sing, and allowing many of +them to go into the kitchen to prepare their own macaroni. The price of +the luncheon was very moderate, so everyone decided to go and dine at +Coffee John's later on. + +When dinner was over they asked the waiter how much they had to pay. + +"Six dollars a head," said the waiter. + +"Corpo di Bacco!" exclaimed one of the artists; "dat is too dear. Where +is Coffee John, our friend, our friend?" + +"He has gone to dress for the opera," replied the head waiter, "and I +dare not disturb him." + +As there were twelve diners the bill came to 72 dollars, so that Coffee +John, who had paid 40 dollars for his box, occupied it for nothing that +evening, and profited, moreover, largely by the transaction. The waiter +told the astonished artists that his governor had paid 40 dollars to +hear them sing without kicking, and that he expected liberal treatment +in return; finally, he thought the best plan for them would be to pay +their six dollars each and clear out; which they eventually had to do. + +Mdlle. Nevada had taken cold at Cheyenne, and contracted what turned out +to be a severe illness; and I lost her services for no less than four +weeks afterwards. + +The night before we reached Salt Lake City Mdme. Scalchi's parrot died, +which caused the excellent contralto to go into hysterics and take to a +bed of sickness. I had announced _Il Trovatore_, in which the now +despondent vocalist was to have taken the part of the vindictive gipsy. +This I considered would amply compensate for the absence of Nevada. Only +half an hour before starting for the theatre I was notified by Mdme. +Scalchi's husband that she would be unable to appear that evening. I +insisted, however, upon her going at all events to the theatre, as I +considered the death of a parrot not sufficient reason for disappointing +a numerous public. I threatened at the same time to fine her very +heavily if she refused. + +About an hour afterwards the call-boy came down, up to his waist in +snow, to the door of my car--some little distance from the +station--stating that Mdme. Scalchi had again gone into hysterics, and +was lamenting loudly the loss of her beloved bird. + +On my arriving at the theatre with another "Azucena," taken suddenly +from the cars (this one was lamenting only that she had not dined), I +found that it wanted but five minutes to the commencement of the +overture. There was Mdme. Scalchi dressed as "Azucena," and it was +impossible even to obtain possession of her clothing, for she was almost +in a fainting condition. At last, however, she divested herself of her +gipsy garments; and she was replaced by my new "Azucena," Mdlle. +Steinbach. + +After the opera was over we started for San Francisco. + +On reaching Ogden early in the morning I received a telegram from San +Francisco notifying Mdme. Patti's arrival there, but adding that she +would not come out in _Semiramide_ in conjunction with Mdme. Scalchi, +though that was the opera announced for my opening night. _La Diva_ +wanted a night entirely to herself. + +As every seat had been sold for the first performance, and places were +at a high premium, I did not see how it was possible to make any +alteration in the bill. I therefore declined. Towards the latter part of +the following day, at Winnemucca, I got another telegram saying that +Mdme. Patti would appear in _Il Barbiere_. This I declined, knowing that +opera to be, in America at least, most unattractive. Nearly at every +station did I receive telegrams, some of which I answered. At last I +effected a kind of compromise by substituting _Linda_. This change +caused me a loss of some L600 or L800. + +On the road I had received a telegram from my auctioneer, the famous Joe +Eldridge, desiring to know if he should reserve any seats or offer the +whole to the public. I replied that not a single seat was to be +reserved; he was to sell all. He took me at my word, and the following +day I received a telegram that not only had he sold the whole of the +pit and dress circle and boxes, but also the whole of the gallery for +every night of the season, and that the premiums on the tickets alone +amounted to something like L15,000 for the two weeks' season; and, +although over 3,000 tickets of admission for every night of the whole +season had been sold, the demand, instead of abating, kept on +increasing. In many cases as much as 150 dollars per seat premium had +been paid. The sale altogether surpassed that of the previous year. + +I was afterwards informed by an eye-witness of the indefatigable +exertions Joe Eldridge had gone through on the day of the auction. On +entering the orchestra he first of all gave a graphic description of +each of the different prime donne who were to take part in the season's +performances, explaining also the enormous value the tickets would reach +as soon as the whole of the Company arrived. He then, feeling warm, took +off his hat. After a few lots had been sold he removed his cravat, +afterwards his coat, followed later by his waistcoat and his +shirt-collar, which he threw off into the stalls. Then, as the business +became more exciting, off went his braces. Afterwards he loosened his +shirt, tucking up both sleeves; and he was in a state of semi-nudity +before he got rid of the last lot. + +On leaving the theatre after the sale this highly esteemed gentleman, I +regret to say, was attacked by pneumonia, which carried him off in a few +hours. His death was a sad shock to all, for he was a general +favourite. + +The _San Francisco Daily Report_ wrote on the subject:-- + +"Joe Eldridge arrived in San Francisco in 1849, and after visiting +various parts of the State returned to San Francisco, in the house of +Newhall and Co. About this time he lost his right leg in a very +remarkable manner. He was in the habit of signalling each sale by a +hearty slap of his hand on his right thigh at the word 'gone.' The +constant concussion brought on a cancer, and the leg had to be +amputated. This misfortune, which would have depressed most men, more or +less, for the rest of their lives, had no effect on his energy or his +high spirits. He was a most charitable man, and beloved by all who knew +him, being one of the founders of Mill's Seminary, whilst he was a +pillar of strength at Dr. Stone's first Congregational Church." + +One word as to Joe Eldridge's method of doing business. No one could get +such prices as he obtained; and these he often secured by pretending to +have heard bids which had never been made. + +"Nine dollars," an intending purchaser would say. + +"Ten dollars," Joe would cry. + +"I said nine," the bidder would explain. + +"Eleven!" shouted Joe. "I know your income, and you ought to be ashamed +of yourself. Twelve!" he would then exclaim, supported and encouraged by +the laughter and applause of the public. "And if you say another word +I'll make it thirteen." + +A very different sort of man was the auctioneer by whom poor Eldridge +was succeeded. He called me the spirited "impresio," and sang the +praises of Mdme. Bauermeister, whose name he pronounced "Boormister," +and Mdme. Lablache, whom he described as the famous "Labiche." Rinaldini +was another of my singers whose name, sadly as he mutilated it, had +evidently taken his fancy. Mdme. Bauermeister, Mdme. Lablache, and +Signor Rinaldini are excellent artists. But it was a mistake to insist +so much on their merits while passing over altogether those of Mdme. +Patti, Mdlle. Nevada, and Mdme Scalchi. + +In due course we arrived at San Francisco, where the usual crowd was +awaiting us. During the latter part of the journey one of my _corps de +ballet_ became seriously indisposed, and died the following Tuesday in +St. Mary's Hospital. She was but sixteen years of age, and had been with +me eight years, being one of my Katti Lanner school children. She had +taken cold in the dressing-room at Cheyenne. During the journey, the +train being twenty-three hours late, she received the attention of Dr. +Wixom, Mdme. Nevada's father, also of Dr. Palmer, Mdme. Nevada's present +husband. + +On the day of the funeral some magnificent offerings were placed on the +coffin, consisting of pillows of violets with the initials of the +deceased, anchors of pansies, lilies, violets, roses, etc., likewise a +beautiful cross of violets and camellias. I attended the funeral +personally, accompanied by my stage manager, Mr. Parry, and seven of +the ballet girls, including a sister of the dead girl, who all carried +flowers. The affair was strictly private, the experience of the previous +year suggesting this on account of the crowd on the former occasion. The +whole of the flowers were afterwards placed upon the grave; and a +celebrated photographer, I. W. Tabor, produced some beautiful pictures +which I sent to London to the family of the deceased, who received them +before the news of her death. + +At the conclusion of the funeral, which had been conducted by Mr. +Theodore Dierck, of 957, Mission Street, the spirited undertaker begged +to be appointed funeral furnisher to the Company, he having had charge +of the Lombardelli interment in the previous year, which, he said, "gave +such satisfaction;" and I was not astonished, though a little startled, +on my last visit to find over his shop this inscription: + +"Funeral furnisher by appointment to Colonel Mapleson." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +PATTI AND SCALCHI--NEVADA'S DEBUT--A CHINESE SWING--A VISIT FROM +ABOVE--RESCUED TREASURE--GREAT CHICAGO FESTIVAL--AMERICAN HOSPITALITY. + + +For our opening night at San Francisco, as already explained, the opera +substituted at Mdme. Patti's request for _Semiramide_ was _Linda di +Chamouni_. Of course the house was crowded, and the brilliancy of the +occupants of the auditorium baffled all description. An assembly was +there of which the city might well feel proud. The costumes worn by the +ladies were mostly white. The leaders of fashion were, of course, all +present; Mrs. Mark Hopkins, of Nobs' Hill, conspicuously so, as she was +attired in a costume of black velvet, with diamond ornaments, the value +of which was estimated at 200,000 dollars. The best order prevailed. The +majority entering the theatre on the opening of the doors were +accommodated in their various seats without any crushing. Patti was +greeted with even more demonstrativeness than she had hitherto +received. Mdme. Scalchi on entering must have felt proud that she was +none the less welcome for appearing as "Pierotto" in lieu of "Arsace." + +Notwithstanding all this there was a coolness about the house in +consequence of Mdme. Patti's having insisted upon this change in the +opera. Consequently numbers of tickets for the first night instead of +being at a premium were sold at a discount. Mdme. Nevada was announced +for the second evening, but, unfortunately, she had not yet recovered +from her Cheyenne cold, which developed gradually almost to pneumonia. +She kept her bed in San Francisco for over three weeks, causing me the +greatest annoyance as well as loss, since I was obliged to engage Mdme. +Patti to sing a great many extra nights beyond her contract, all of +which, of course, I had to pay for. _Il Trovatore_ was consequently +performed the second evening in lieu of _La Sonnambula_. The following +night I brought out _La Favorita_ with Scalchi, De Anna, Giannini, and +Cherubini, which was a great success; followed by _Lucrezia Borgia_, in +which Fursch-Madi pleased the audience. + +These changes and disappointments tended to mar the whole engagement. +The following night, however, the opera boom really commenced, the work +being _Semiramide_, which fully justified the anticipations that had +been formed of it. The largest and most brilliant audience ever gathered +in a theatre were there to hear Patti and Scalchi sing in two of the +most difficult _roles_ in the whole range of opera. + +Scalchi fairly divided the honours of the evening with Mdme. Patti; and +in the duets they electrified the audience, who, not content with +encoring each, insisted upon some half-dozen recalls. The stage was +literally strewn with flowers; and the ladies of the audience vied with +one another in the elegance of their toilettes. Not only were all the +seats occupied, but even all the standing room, and the Press +unanimously accorded me the next morning the credit of having presented +the best operatic entertainment in that distant city the world of art +could afford. + +A similar audience greeted Patti and Scalchi at the performance of +_Faust_ the following week, whilst on the next Saturday Mdme. Patti +appeared as "Annetta" in _Crispino e la Comare_, which is, without +doubt, her best part. + +About this time the auction took place for the second season of two +weeks, which I determined to commence the following Monday. The +particulars of this I have already given. + +The proceeds were very handsome, but nothing like those of the previous +sale. I decided, therefore, that all unsold tickets should be disposed +of at the box-office of the theatre in order that the general public +might have an opportunity of attending the opera prior to our departure. + +During the following week, being the first of this extra season, Mdme. +Patti appeared in _Semiramide_, _La Traviata_, and _Martha_. At each +performance there were nearly 3,000 persons assembled in the theatre. On +the following Monday, it being our last week, I induced Mdlle. Nevada to +make her first appearance, on which occasion the receipts reached the +same amount as Mdme. Patti's. Mdlle. Nevada, perhaps because she is a +Californian, drew probably the largest audience we had had. + +On her entering the stage some 3,000 or 4,000 persons shouted and +applauded a welcome as if they were all going mad. She was hardly +prepared for her reception. She had looked forward for many years to +appearing in her native city and singing a great _role_ before the +people amongst whom she had spent her early life; and this was a +momentous occasion for her. The enthusiasm of any other public would +have spurred her on. But she was here so much affected that, although +she sustained herself splendidly, yet after the curtain fell she was +unable to speak. + +At the conclusion of the opera she was recalled several times, and large +set pieces of flowers, some six feet in height, were handed up, numbers +of the leading florists having been busy putting them in shape all the +fore part of the day. New dresses were ordered for that occasion, and an +invitation to get a seat in a box was looked upon as a prize. + +Long before half-past seven the vestibule of the theatre held a mass of +fashionably-dressed ladies and gentlemen, all waiting to be shown to +their places in order to be present on the rising of the curtain. + +During all the first act the singer was critically and attentively +listened to, scarcely with any interruptions; but when the curtain fell +after the duet with "Elvino" the pent-up enthusiasm of the audience +broke loose. Nevada was called out, and with shouts, cries, and every +manner of wild demonstration. Flowers were carried down the aisles, +thrown from the boxes and dress-circle, until the stage looked like the +much-quoted Vallambrosa. Again and again the prima donna was called out, +until she was fairly exhausted. Amongst the set pieces handed up to the +stage was a large floral chair built of roses, violets, and carnations +on a wicker frame, and Nevada, as the most natural thing to do, sat +plumply down in it, whereat the house fairly howled with delight. On the +back of the chair were the words, "Welcome home!" + +The following night _Aida_ was performed with the great cast of Patti, +Scalchi, De Anna, and Nicolini, when the largest receipt during the +whole engagement was taken. To describe that evening would be +impossible; it would exhaust all the vocabulary. The gratings along the +alley-way were wrenched off by the crowd, who slid down on their +stomachs into the cellars of the theatre to get a hearing of Patti and +Scalchi. + +On this day we discovered the "Chinese swing," of which so much was said +in the papers, and which had, doubtless, been in operation throughout +the season. In the alley-way leading to the theatre is a lodging-house +facing a sort of opening into the building used for ventilation. An +ingenious fellow had rigged up a swing, and so adjusted it that he could +toss people from his house on to the roof of the theatre to the +ventilation hole. Once there, the intruder passed downstairs through the +building, got a pass-out check on leaving it, which he immediately sold +for two dollars, and then repeated the swing act again. We arrested one +man who had performed the trick four times. The police had to cut the +ropes and take the swing away. + +So many devices were resorted to for entering the theatre without +payment that I had to put it during this performance in a state of +siege, as it were, and to close the iron shutters, as people came in +from ladders through the windows of the dress-circle unobserved in many +instances. + +The following evening Mdlle. Nevada made her second appearance, +performing the character of "Lucia" in Donizetti's opera, when the +receipts were almost equal to those of the first night. Mdme. Patti +performed the next night _Il Trovatore_ to similar receipts. The next +day I produced Gounod's _Mirella_, when the Grand Opera-house was again +crowded brimful, people considering themselves lucky when they could get +standing room without a view of the stage or a glimpse of the singers. +The following morning was devoted to a performance of _Faust_, in which +Patti took her farewell as "Margherita." + +Just at this time a strange complaint was made against me by a body of +"scalpers," who accused me of having put forward Adelina Patti to sing +on a night for which Nevada had been originally announced. This I had, +of course, done simply from a feeling of liberality towards my +supporters. No one could reasonably accuse me of paying L1,000 a night +to Mdme. Patti with the view of injuring the scalpers. They had, +however, got more tickets into their hands than they were able to +dispose of at the increased rates demanded by them. They, therefore, +banded together, employed a lawyer to proceed against me for damages, +and as a preliminary procured an order laying an embargo on my receipts. + +The Sheriff's officers dropped into the gallery pay-box through a +skylight on to the very head of the money-taker, who was naturally much +surprised by this visitation from above; and they at once seized two +thousand dollars. + +It was very important for me not to let this money be taken, as it would +have been impounded; and being on the point of taking my departure for +Europe I should have been obliged to go away without it. + +The only thing to do was to find securities--"bondsmen," as the +Americans say. It was already nearly four o'clock (I was giving a +so-called _matinee_ that afternoon), and at four the Sheriff's office +closed. I insisted on the money being counted, and one of the Sheriff's +officers who was employed in counting it proposed in the most obliging +manner to do the work very slowly if I would give him 50 dollars. This +generous offer I declined, though it would have had the effect of giving +me more time to find bondsmen. I soon, however, discovered seated in the +theatre two friends who I knew would stand security for me. But it was +necessary to find a Judge who would in a formal manner accept the +signatures. + +The performance was at an end, and fortunately there was at this moment +a Judge on the stage in the act of making a presentation to Mdme. Patti, +doing so, of course, in a set speech. + +I did not interrupt the oration; but as soon as it was over, and whilst +Mdme. Patti was weeping out "Home, Sweet Home" as if her heart would +break, I presented to the Judge my two bondsmen. I at the same time took +from my waistcoat pocket and handed to him my ink pencil, and he at once +signed a paper accepting the bondsmen, together with another ordering +the release of the sequestrated funds. + +Armed with these documents, I drove post haste to the Sheriff's office, +and got there at two minutes to four, just as the last bag of silver was +going in. All the bags were now got out and heaped together in my +carriage. The story was already known all over San Francisco. An +immense crowd had assembled in front of the Sheriff's office, and as I +drove off bearing away my rescued treasure I was saluted with +enthusiastic cheers. + +When a year later I returned to San Francisco I thought the case would +possibly be brought to trial; but the lawyer representing the "scalpers" +told me that he had been unable to get any money out of them, and that +if I would give him a season ticket he would let the thing drop. The +thing accordingly dropped. + +On reaching Burlington on the Thursday morning following I was desirous +of having a general rehearsal of _L'Africaine_, which was to be +performed on the second night of the Chicago Opera Festival, and which +had not been given by my Company during the previous twelve months. I +could not rehearse it at Chicago, lest the public should think the work +was not ready for representation. I resolved, therefore, to stop the +train at Burlington in order to rehearse it at a big hall which I knew +was there available. But lest news should get to the Chicago papers that +the Company had stayed at Burlington merely for the purpose of +rehearsing _L'Africaine_, I determined, if possible, to give a public +performance, and on seeing the manager of the theatre, arranged with him +for one performance of _Faust_. For five hours I rehearsed _L'Africaine_ +in the hall, and in the evening we had a most successful representation +of _Faust_ at the theatre. Dotti was the "Margherita," Scalchi +"Siebel," Lablache "Martha," Del Puente "Valentine," Cherubini +"Mefistopheles," and Giannini "Faust." There was no time for putting +forward announcements by means of bills, and the fact that a performance +of _Faust_ was to be given that evening was made known by chalk +inscriptions on the walls. The receipts amounted to L600. Patti honoured +the performance with her presence in a private box, and a somewhat +indiscreet gentleman, Dr. Nassau, paid her a visit to remind her that it +was over twenty-nine years since she had sung under his direction at the +old Mozart Hall, "Coming through the Rye," "The Last Rose of Summer," +Eckert's "Echo Song," and "Home, Sweet Home." He substantiated his +statements by one of the original programmes which he had brought +purposely to show her. She received him coldly. + +We left Burlington immediately after the night's performance, reaching +Chicago the following Sunday morning, when I immediately paid a visit to +the large Opera-house that had been constructed, and was astonished at +its surpassing grandeur. + +A vast deal had, indeed, been done, and still had to be done in the few +remaining hours to complete it for the reception of the public, the +building being one of the most stupendous, and the event one of the most +brilliant Chicago had ever known. It was impossible to realize the +magnitude of the task which had been undertaken, or the splendid manner +in which it had been performed, the auditorium being probably one of the +finest ever constructed for such a purpose. An increased chorus had been +organized of 500 voices, whilst the orchestra had been augmented by a +hundred extra musicians. A new drop curtain had been painted. The +scaffolding was being removed from the ceiling, revealing decorations +both brilliant and tasteful. The opening of the proscenium measured no +less than 70 feet, with an elevation of 65 feet at the highest point of +the arch, and a projection of 20 feet in front of the curtain. There +were two tiers of proscenium boxes, and between the main balconies, +which rose to a height of 30 feet, extending over and above the dress +circle, there was a further space of 50 feet for standing accommodation +in case of overcrowding. To ensure proper warmth the great auditorium +was closed in, and all parts of the building supplied with steam pipes +for heating, upwards of four miles in length. Amongst the features of +the hall were two beautifully-arranged promenades or grand saloons, one +decorated in the Japanese and the other in the Chinese style. +Dressing-rooms for ladies and gentlemen had been constructed all over +the building. The acoustic properties were simply perfect; +sounding-boards, stage drop deflectors, and other scientific inventions +being brought to bear. + +The advance sale of seats on the first day of the opening reached over +$50,000. In consequence of the vast size of the building new scenery +had to be painted, which I entrusted to Mr. Charles Fox, with a numerous +staff of assistants; this alone costing L6,000. Each scene was nearly +100 feet wide. + +The house after the opening of the doors presented a surprisingly +brilliant and attractive appearance, looking, in fact, like a permanent +Opera-house. The orchestra was in excellent form, and numbered 155 +musicians, under the direction of Arditi. The opera performed was +_Semiramide_. The stage band and chorus numbered some 450, and there +were 300 supernumeraries; so that when the curtain rose the effect was +most magnificent. The audience was worthy of the occasion. There must +have been over 5,000 people seated and some 4,000 or 5,000 standing. +There were 80 ushers to attend to the occupants of the stalls; and at +the commencement of the overture there was not one vacant seat. At the +close of each act many of the vast audience repaired to the promenade +and refreshment-rooms, to be recalled to their places by six cavalry +trumpeters who came on the stage to sound a fanfare prior to the +commencement of each act. + +A leading daily paper wrote, the following morning:-- + +"The promises made by the Festival Association have been fulfilled to +the letter, and the great temple of Art stood ready for the thousands +for whom it was built. Not a single pledge made in reference to this +building but what has been discharged, and the Manager is entitled to +the thanks, and, indeed, the gratitude of the refined and music-loving +classes of this community for the very thorough and self-sacrificing way +in which all essentials and minor details of comfort and convenience +have been achieved." + +On the second night _L'Africaine_ was performed, when a similar +gathering attended. The audience was just as brilliant as on the +previous evening, everyone being in full evening dress. Mdme. +Fursch-Madi gave an effective interpretation of the title _role_, De +Anna as "Nelusko" created quite a sensation, and Cardinali was an +admirable Vasco di Gama. + +On the third evening Gounod's _Mirella_, an opera never before heard in +Chicago, was chosen for the first appearance of Mdlle. Nevada, and given +with immense success, the part of the gipsy being taken by Mdme. +Scalchi. This was followed on Thursday night by _Linda di Chamouni_, in +which Mdme. Patti and Mdme. Scalchi appeared together. The _Semiramide_ +night had been thought a great one, but the audience on this occasion +consisted of probably 2,000 more. Where they went to or where they stood +it was impossible to say. Certain it is that 9,000 people paid for +seats, irrespective of those who remained standing. + +On the following evening Mdlle. Nevada appeared as "Lucia," and scored +another triumph; whilst Patti and Scalchi drew 11,000 persons more for +the morning performance. This was really a day for memory. The +attendance consisted mostly of ladies, all tastefully, and often +elaborately, dressed in the very latest fashion. Weber's _Der +Freischuetz_ was performed in the evening, which terminated the first +week of the Festival. + +The second week we opened with _La Sonnambula_ to an audience of some +8,000 persons, the next night being devoted to the presentation of +Verdi's _Aida_, with the following great cast:-- + + "Aida" ... ... ... Patti. + "Amneris" ... ... ... Scalchi. + "Amonasro" ... ... ... De Anna. + "Rhadames" ... ... Nicolini. + +Some 12,000 people attended this performance. The disagreeable weather +did not seem to keep anyone away, and the streets were blocked with +carriages for many squares, as far as the eye could reach. I was assured +afterwards by an inspector that but for the aid of the rain, which came +down in sheets, it would have been impossible to cope with the vast +crowds who still poured in, attempting to enter the building. + +About this time a complaint came to me from behind the scenes that Mdme. +Patti and Mdme. Scalchi were unable to force their way from their +dressing-rooms on to the stage, the wings and flies being crowded with +some 2,000 persons, who during the first act had been joining in the +applause of the singers with the audience in front. Together with these +were some 500 supernumeraries with blackened faces, in oriental garb, +chasing round to try to find their places, others with banners arranging +their dresses. At length, with the aid of the police, Mdme. Patti was +enabled to leave her dressing-room, but was surrounded immediately by +crowds of ladies with pens and ink and paper, requesting autographs just +as she was going on to sing her _scena_. + +The boxes of the house were filled to overflowing, some containing as +many as twelve persons. The flowers on the arm-rests in front were of +the most expensive kind. + +The march in the third act was really most impressive. There were 600 +State Militia on the stage, each Company marching past in twelves, the +rear rank beautifully dressed, the wheels perfect. The _finale_ of the +act, with the military band and the 350 extra chorus, together with the +gorgeous scenery and dresses, was something long to be remembered. Well +might the audience cheer as it did on the fall of the curtain. + +The following night _Rigoletto_ was given, then _Il Trovatore_, and the +night after that _Lohengrin_. + +At the close of the second act of _Lohengrin_ there came a call from all +sides of the house, and I was compelled to appear before the curtain, +when I addressed the audience in the following words:-- + +"Ladies and gentlemen,--I am rather unprepared for the flattering +compliment which you pay me in thus calling for me. I assure you that I +join with you in my appreciation of the successful termination of this +opera season, and I can bestow nothing but the most cordial thanks for +the liberal support which the people of Chicago have given their Opera +Festival. It is an evidence of their taste, and I hope will prove the +forerunner of many more similar meetings. (Applause.) There are several +persons who deserve special mention and thanks, but I shall have to be +content simply with testifying to the earnestness of purpose with which +all have laboured who were in any wise connected with the Festival. I +therefore thank them all. It is no small thing to present thirteen +different operas in two weeks' time, yet the attendance and +manifestations of appreciation on the part of the audience will justify +me in claiming that success has crowned my efforts; and the knowledge +that we have given you all we promised and have satisfied you repays us +for all our work." + +President Peck likewise came forward and thanked the people of the city +for their generous attendance at the first Opera Festival. It had been a +success in every respect, and the management had done its best to +accommodate and please the public. + +A leading journal, in giving a review of the Opera Festival, said:-- + +"The Great Operatic Festival is now over, and only the memories of its +magnificence and importance are left. The last note has been sung at the +Chicago Operatic Festival, without doubt the greatest musical +undertaking that has ever been accomplished anywhere. In no great city +of Europe or America could 190,000 people have been able to attend the +opera in two weeks. In the first place, the accommodations of even the +largest Opera-houses are not such that 10,000 people could be present at +any one performance. The Operatic Festival Association have been +untiring in their earnest endeavours to present all the operas in the +best possible manner. Each performance has been given as announced, and +the casts have been uniformly good. Thirteen operas have been produced, +all of which were mounted in a manner never before equalled. Many of the +stage pictures, as in _Semiramide_, _Mirella_, _L'Africaine_, _Aida_, +and _Faust_, have been simply superb, and will be long remembered for +their beauty. The pictorial charm of the scene on the banks of the Nile +in _Aida_ was also most poetic. The processions, and the way in which +they were controlled, indicated that the stage manager was a man of +taste and ability." + +Prior to my departure, 18th April, 1885, my attendance was requested by +the Mayor, Mr. Carter H. Harrison, at the City Hall, when I was amply +repaid for all the labour I had bestowed upon the Festival by the +magnificent presentation which was then made me, and which I value more +than anything of the kind I have ever received. It was nothing less +than the freedom of the City of Chicago--a compliment I can say with +safety that has never been paid to any other Englishman, and what is +more, is never likely to be. Chicago, as everyone at all connected with +America must know, will within a very few years be the first city in the +United States, and probably in the world. + +The success of the Chicago Festival was due in a great measure to the +personal efforts of Ferdinand W. Peck, the President, from whom I +immediately afterwards received a notification to attend the final +committee meeting, when the following testimonial was presented to me, +magnificently engrossed on parchment:-- + + At a Meeting of the + CHICAGO OPERA FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION + held April 18th, 1885, + The following Resolution was unanimously adopted: + Resolved + That the Chicago Opera Festival Association + Recognizes the satisfactory manner in which + COLONEL JAMES HENRY MAPLESON + has fulfilled his obligations under his contract with + this Association, + And they desire to express their high appreciation + of his liberality in the presentation of all the operas + produced, without which the grand success of the + + FESTIVAL + + could not have been achieved. In attestation of + the above the Officers and Board of Directors have + hereunto subscribed their names: + + FERD. W. PECK, _President_, + WILLIAM PENN NIXON, _Vice-President_, + LOUIS WAHL, _Second Vice-President_, + A. A. SPRAGUE, } + GEORGE M. BOGUE, } + EUGENE CAREY, } + HENRY FIELD, } _directors_. + R. T. CRANE, } + JOHN R. WALSH, } + GEORGE F. HARDING, } + GEORGE G. SCHNEIDER, _Treasurer_. + S. G. PRATT, _Secretary_. + + "ADDRESS + + "_Tendered to Col. J. H. Mapleson by the Musicians + and Citizens of the City of Chicago._ + +"SIR,--Now since the last note has died away, and lingers only in the +ear of memory to warm and cheer the heart, and the great musical triumph +of our city, the Chicago Opera Festival, is over, we extend to you in +these words what we had expected to say to you amid music and song, had +not the manifold duties that engrossed your time rendered us unable to +do so. + +"It is, indeed, as musicians, lovers of music, and citizens that we can +cordially thank you in the name of the mighty people of that great and +haughty city, the Queen of the North and the West. For this city, whose +history has been the wonder of the world, whose greatness and energy in +all things in which it engages are acknowledged by all, now yields this +tribute to you, sir, as the one by whose direction, management, +enterprise, and energy the greatest musical success ever given within +its walls was accomplished. + +"We might say more, but in our city's characteristic mode we express by +deeds far better than by words. For two weeks our citizens night after +night were turned away from the vast temple of music under your control, +for the halls were crowded by others. They brought with them a hope that +blossomed into unexpected realization, and the keen business men and +tired toilers of the city lived a new life and shook the very ground +with their applause. + +"Never had music received such homage here. Again, we thank you for what +you have done, and while we say farewell we also bid you welcome, for we +hope to see you year after year in some vast Opera-hall in which ten +thousand people can be seated, as proposed to be erected by some of our +citizens, where you may win new laurels to your fame in your +heaven-inspired mission of procuring and giving music for the people. + +"With congratulations we remain-- + + FREDK. AUSTIN, 1st Regt. | + Military Band Leader, | + | + A. ROSENBECKER, Drct. | + 1st Regt. Grand Orchestra,| + | + ALBERT KLEIST, Pres. of | Committee on + C. Musical Sy., |=> Address and + | Resolutions. + E. B. KNOX, Col. 1st Rgt. | + Inf. I.R.G., | + | + GEO. W. LYON, P., | + | + CHAS. N. POST, | + + Done at Chicago, April 21st, 1885." + +This may be the place to mention, what I am reminded of whenever I have +to speak of America, the cordial, lavish hospitality with which English +visitors are received in that country. Apart from the favour shown to me +by railway and steamboat companies, who, so far as I was personally +concerned, carried me everywhere free, the committees of the leading +clubs offered me in all the principal cities the honours and advantages +of membership. Not only was I a member of all the best clubs, but I was, +moreover, treated in every club-house as a guest. This sometimes placed +me in an awkward position. More than once I have felt tempted, at some +magnificent club-house, to order such expensive luxuries as terrapin and +canvas-back duck; but unwilling to abuse the privileges conferred upon +me, I condemned myself to a much simpler fare. It seemed more becoming +to reserve the ordering of such costly dishes for some future occasion, +when I might happen to be dining at a restaurant. + +It must be admitted that in many of the conveniences of life the +Americans are far ahead of us, and ahead are likely to remain; so averse +are we in England to all departures from settled habits, inconvenient, +and even injurious as these may be. Every opera-goer knows the delay, +the trouble, the irritation caused by the difficulty, when the +performance is at an end, of getting up carriages or cabs. This +difficulty has, in the United States, no existence. + +When the opera-goer reaches the theatre an official, known as the +"carriage superintendent," presents a large ticket in two divisions, +bearing duplicate numbers. One numbered half is handed by the "carriage +superintendent" to the driver. The other is retained by the opera-goer, +who on coming out at the end of the representation exhibits his number, +which is thereupon signalled or telegraphed to a man on the top of the +house, who at once displays it in a transparency lighted by electricity +or otherwise. The carriages are all drawn up with their hind wheels to +the kerbstone, so that the approach to the theatre is quite clear. The +illuminated number is at once seen, and the carriage indicated by it is +at the door by the time the intending occupant is downstairs in the +vestibule. + +It is astonishing how easily this system works. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +"COUNT DI LUNA" INTRODUCED TO "LEONORA"--A PATTI CONTRACT--THE STING OF +THE ENGAGEMENT--A TENOR'S SUITE--A PRESENTATION OF JEWELLERY--"MY DON +GIOVANNI"--A PROFITABLE TOUR. + + +THE public are under the impression that the closest intimacies are +contracted between vocalists in consequence of their appearing +constantly together in the same works. Under the new system, by which +the prima donna stipulates that she shall not be called upon to appear +at any rehearsal, this possible source of excessive friendship ceases to +exist. It now frequently happens that the prima donna is not even +personally acquainted with the singers who are to take part with her in +the same opera; and on one occasion, when _Il Trovatore_ was being +performed, I remember the baritone soliciting the honour of an +introduction to Mdme. Patti at the very moment when he was singing in +the trio of the first act. The "Manrico" of the evening was exceedingly +polite, and managed without scandalizing the audience to effect the +introduction by singing it as if it were a portion of his _role_. + +To show that the stipulation I have just spoken of is made in the most +formal manner, and to give a general idea of the conditions a manager is +expected to accept from a leading prima donna, I here subjoin a copy of +the contract between Mdme. Patti and myself for my season at Covent +Garden in 1885:-- + + "THE ENGAGEMENT contracted in London Sixth day of June 1885 BETWEEN + JAMES HENRY MAPLESON Operatic Manager, henceforward described as + Mr. Mapleson and ADELINA PATTI, Artiste Lyrique, henceforward + described as Madame Patti. + + "Article 1.--Mr. Mapleson engages Madame Patti to sing and Madame + Patti engages to sing at a series of Eight Operatic Representations + in Italian or high class Concerts to be given under his direction + from Sixteenth June and ending the Sixteenth July One thousand + eight hundred and eighty five in London in such manner that two of + such Representations or Concerts (as the case may be) may be given + in each week of such period and so that an interval of at least two + clear days may elapse between each Representation or Concert unless + the contracting parties otherwise agree. + + "Article 2.--Mr. Mapleson engages to pay to Madame Patti or her + representative for such series the sum of Four thousand pounds and + for all additional Representations or Concerts the sum of Five + hundred pounds each; such payment to be made in advance in sums of + Five hundred pounds each before 2 o'Clock in the afternoon of the + day on which a Representation or Concert is to be given. + + "Article 3.--The repertoire to comprise the Operas of _Martha_, + _Traviata_, _Trovatore_, _Lucia di Lammermoor_, _Il Barbiere di + Seviglia_, _Crispino_, _Rigoletto_, _Linda_, _Carmen_ and _Don + Giovanni_; and thereof 'Il Barbiere,' 'La Traviata,' 'Martha' and + 'Zerlina' in _Don Giovanni_ shall be assigned exclusively to Madame + Patti during the entire Operatic Season. The Airs to be sung at the + Concerts (if any) are to be selected by Madame Patti. + + "Article 4.--The selection from such Repertoire of the Opera to be + given at her re-entree shall be selected and be fixed exclusively + by Madame Patti; but with that exception the choice therefrom of + the Operas to be given at the several representations shall be + Tuesdays and Saturdays, and the days of the week on which Concerts + (if any) shall be given shall be fixed by the mutual agreement of + the contracting parties; and Mr. Mapleson engages to adhere thereto + except in case of sudden, necessary change through the illness of + other principal Artistes in the cast of the chosen Opera. + + "Article 5.--Madame Patti shall be free to attend Rehearsals, but + shall not be required or bound to attend at any. + + "Article 6.--Madame Patti will at her own expense provide all + requisite costumes for the Operas selected. + + "Article 7.--Mr. Mapleson engages that Madame Patti shall be + announced daily during the series of Representations or Concerts in + a special leaded advertisement among the Theatrical Advertisements + over the Clock as well as in the Operatic Casts or Concert + Programmes in all Journals in which he may advertise his Operas or + Concerts and likewise that her name shall appear in a separate line + of large letters in all Announce Bills of Operas or Concerts in or + at which she is to appear and that such letters shall be at least + one third larger than those employed for the announcement of any + other Artiste in the same Cast or Programme. + + "Article 8.--Madame Patti is not to be at liberty to sing elsewhere + during this engagement except at State Concerts. + + "Article 9.--In the event of Madame Patti not appearing in Opera or + at Concert on the day for which she may have been announced to sing + owing to her indisposition such intended appearance shall be + treated as postponed if such indisposition be of a temporary + character, and for every such non-appearance a substituted + Representation or Concert shall be given before the Sixteenth July + One thousand eight hundred and eighty five, but if such + indisposition continues during a period longer than two succeeding + Operatic or Concert nights provided by the first Article the + number of non-attendance nights shall be counted off the Eight + agreed for Representations or Concerts as if Madame Patti had + actually appeared thereat. In the case of such postponement the + payment of the Five hundred pounds shall be postponed until the + morning of the day on which the substituted Representation or + Concert shall be given; but in the case of counting off the day as + wholly gone no salary shall be payable by Mr. Mapleson therefor; + but beyond such postponement or deduction from payment, as the case + may be, he shall have no ground of complaint nor claim for + non-attendance or otherwise. And he engages to announce her + indisposition or withdraw her name from all advertisements and + other announcements of performance at the earliest time and with + all due diligence and publicity. + + "Article 10.--In the event of an Epidemic of Cholera, Small pox, + Fever or other contagious or deadly disease breaking out within the + range of the London Bills of Mortality Madame Patti shall be at + liberty to cancel this Engagement by notice in writing as provided + in the Twelfth Article, and thereupon she shall be no longer + required nor bound to continue the Representations or Concerts, and + thereupon the Two thousand pounds deposit in the Eleventh Article + mentioned, and no more, shall be repayable to him if he shall have + duly performed his several engagements herein. + + "Article 11.--Mr. Mapleson, as a preliminary obligation + performable by him (and on performance of which Madame Patti's + obligations under her engagements herein depend) hereby engages to + deposit the sum of Two thousand pounds Cash with Messrs. + Rothschild, at their Counting-house in New Court, St. Swithin's + Lane, London, on or before the Tenth June One thousand eight + hundred and eighty five to the credit of Madame Patti, as part + guarantee for Mr. Mapleson's fulfilment of this engagement. Such + Two thousand pounds are to be applied by Madame Patti as payment + for the last four actual Representations or Concerts, or (as the + case may be) retained by her as her own property for and on account + of damages sustained by her through the nonperformance of this + engagement by Mr. Mapleson. + + "Article 12.--Should Mr. Mapleson fail to make such deposit in full + by the day named Madame Patti shall be at liberty at any time + afterwards, and notwithstanding any negotiation, withdrawal of + notice, waiver, extension of time for depositing, or acceptance of + part payment of such Two thousand pounds to put an end to this + Engagement by lodging with Mr. Mapleson's Solicitors, Messrs. J. + and R. Gole in London, a letter signed by her, announcing her + determination of this Engagement; and thenceforth this Engagement + shall be at an end except so far as regards the Agreement next + following, that is to say, That on such failure and determination + Mr. Mapleson shall, and he hereby agrees to pay to Madame Patti on + demand the sum of Four thousand pounds as and for compensation to + her for expenses incident to this Engagement and for loss of time + in procuring other engagements of an equal character. + + "ADELINA PATTI." + +About the sum payable per night to Mdme. Patti by the terms of the above +agreement I say nothing. Five hundred pounds a night was only half what +I had paid her in the United States; and soon afterwards at Her +Majesty's Theatre I myself offered to give the famous vocalist six +hundred and fifty per night. The sting of the contract lies for the +manager, pecuniarily speaking, in the clause which empowers the singer +to declare herself ill at the last moment, while guaranteeing her +against all the consequences sure to arise from her too tardy apology. +The manager has suddenly to change the performance, and, worse by far, +to incur the charge of having broken faith with the public; for however +precisely the certificate of indisposition may be made out, there are +sure to be some knowing ones among the disappointed crowd who will +whisper, as a great secret known to them alone, that the prima donna has +not been paid, and that the certificate is all a sham. + +What an unfair clause, too, is that by which, if the manager does not +pay in advance to the prima donna at the exact time prescribed the whole +of the sum payable to her for all the performances she binds herself to +give, he will by such failure render himself liable for the entire sum +without the prima donna on her side being called upon to sing at all. + +The clause liberating the prima donna from attending rehearsals will be +condemned by all lovers of music. During the three or four years that +Mdme. Patti was with me in America she never once appeared at a +rehearsal. When I was producing _La Gazza Ladra_, an opera which +contains an unusually large number of parts, there were several members +of the cast who did not even know Mdme. Patti by sight. Under such +circumstances all idea of a perfect _ensemble_ was, of course, out of +the question. It was only on the night of performance, and in presence +of the public, that the concerted pieces were tried for the first time +with the soprano voice. The unfortunate contralto, Mdlle. Vianelli, had +never in her life seen Mdme. Patti, with whom, on this occasion, she had +to sing duets full of concerted passages. At such rehearsal as she could +obtain Arditi did his best to replace the absent prima donna, whistling +the soprano part so as at least to give the much-tried contralto some +idea of the effect. + +In addition to the clauses in the prima donna's written engagement, +there is always an understanding by which she is to receive so many +stalls, so many boxes, so many places in the pit, and so many in the +gallery. How, it will be asked, can such an illustrious lady have +friends whom she would like to send to the gallery? The answer is that +the distinguished vocalist wishes to be supported from all parts of the +house, and that she is far too practical--high as may be the opinion she +entertains of her own talents--to leave the applause even in the +smallest degree to chance. + +There are plenty of great singers--though Mdme. Patti is not one of +them--who carry with them on their foreign tours a _chef de claque_ as a +member of their ordinary suite. Tenors are, at least, as particular on +this score as prime donne; and if one popular tenor travels with a staff +of eight, his rival, following him to the same country, will make a +point, merely that the fact may be recorded in the papers, of taking +with him a staff of nine. + +Signor Masini, the modest vocalist who wished Sir Michael Costa to come +round to his hotel and learn from him how the _tempi_ should be taken in +the _Faust_ music, went not long since to South America with a staff +consisting of the following paid officials: A secretary, an +under-secretary, a cook, a valet, a barber, a doctor, a lawyer, a +journalist, an agent, and a treasurer. The ten attendants, apart from +their special duties, form a useful _claque_, and are kept judiciously +distributed about the house according to their various social positions. +The valet and the journalist, the barber and the doctor are said to have +squabbles at times on the subject of precedence. + +The functions of the lawyer will not perhaps be apparent to everyone. +His appointed duties, however, are to draw up contracts and to recover +damages in case a clause in any existing contract should seem to have +been broken. The hire of all these attendants causes no perceptible hole +in the immense salary payable to the artist who employs them; and the +travelling expenses of a good number of them have to be defrayed by the +unfortunate manager. + +Only an oriental prince or a musical _parvenu_ would dream of +maintaining such a suite; and soon, I believe, the following of a +vocalist with a world-wide reputation will not be considered complete +unless it includes, in addition to the other gentlemen who wait upon the +Masini's and the Tamagno's, an architect and surveyor. + +It will perhaps have been observed that by one of the clauses of Mdme. +Patti's engagement the letters of her name are in all printed +announcements to be one-third larger than the letters of anyone else's +name; and during the progress of the Chicago Festival, I saw Signor +Nicolini armed with what appeared to be a theodolite, and accompanied by +a gentleman who I fancy was a great geometrician, looking intently and +with a scientific air at some wall-posters on which the letters +composing Mdme. Patti's name seemed to him not quite one-third larger +than the letters composing the name of Mdlle. Nevada. At last, +abandoning all idea of scientific measurement, he procured a ladder, +and, boldly mounting the steps, ascertained by means of a foot-rule that +the letters which he had previously been observing from afar were indeed +a trifle less tall than by contract they should have been. + +I can truly say, "with my hand on my conscience," as the French put it, +that I had not ordered the letters to be made a shade smaller than they +should have been with the slightest intention of wounding the feelings +or damaging the interests either of Mdme. Adelina Patti or of Signor +Nicolini. The printers had not followed my directions so precisely as +they ought to have done. + +In order to conciliate the offended prima donna and her irritated +spouse, I caused the printed name of that most charming vocalist, Mdlle. +Nevada, to be operated upon in this way: a thin slice was taken out of +it transversely, so that the middle stroke of the letter E disappeared +altogether. When I pointed out my revised version of the name to Signer +Nicolini in order to demonstrate to him that he was geometrically wrong, +he replied to me with a puzzled look as he pointed to the letters +composing the name of Nevada: "Yes; but there is something very strange +about that E." + +To return to my narrative. At the conclusion of the great Chicago +Festival, we left, in the middle of the night, for New York, and reached +it on Monday morning, where we opened with _Semiramide_ to as large an +audience as the Academy had ever known. On the Friday following, on the +occasion of my benefit, the receipts reached nearly L3,000, the house +being crowded from floor to ceiling. + +At the close of the opera I was called before the curtain, and on +quitting the stage, with Adelina Patti on my right and Scalchi on my +left, I was met by Chief Justice Shea, who approached me and said-- + +"Colonel Mapleson, a number of our citizens who represent significant +phases of social life and important business interests in this +metropolis desire to testify in a public and notable manner that they +understand and laud the superb success which has followed your efforts +to establish Italian Opera in this city. It is seldom that public men +are understood. It is very seldom that they are offered an +acknowledgment beyond the few earnest friends that cluster around them. +Those citizens to whom I refer recognize that your career amongst us has +not been a mere chance success, but the result of patience, energy, and +the intelligent courage which comes of ripe experience. They think this +an apt occasion on which publicly to express the sincerity of that +opinion. Sir, allow me on their behalf to offer you this memorial." + +I was then handed a magnificent ebony case, fitted with a crystal glass, +containing the following:--A valuable repeater watch set in diamonds, a +gold chain with diamond and ruby slides, diamond and ruby charm in the +shape of a harp, a pair of large solitaire diamond sleeve buttons, a +diamond collar stud, a horse-shoe scarf pin (nine large diamonds), three +diamond shirt studs, a gold pencil-case with a diamond top and a plain +gold pin with a single diamond; the whole being valued at L1,300. + +The ebony case and crystal glass I still possess. The contents, together +with everything else, went to keep the Company together during the +disastrous retreat from Frisco of the following year, as to which I will +later on give details. + +I thanked the Chief Justice briefly for the gift and the public for +their patronage, and with difficulty left the stage amidst ringing +cheers and waving of pocket-handkerchiefs: I say with difficulty, +because at that critical moment, as I was picking up a bouquet, the +buckle of my pantaloons gave way; and as my tailor had persuaded me, out +of compliment to him, to discard the use of braces, it was only with +great difficulty that I could manage to shuffle off the stage, +entrusting meanwhile some of the jewellery to Patti and some to Scalchi. + +At New York, as previously at Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Francisco, +lively complaints were made of the vanity and levity of my tenor, +Cardinali, who was an empty-headed, fatuous creature unable to write his +own name or even to read the love-letters which, in spite, or perhaps in +consequence of his empty-headedness, were frequently addressed to him by +affectionate and doubtless weak-minded young ladies. Cardinali possessed +a certain beauty of countenance; he had also a sloping forehead, and a +high opinion of his powers of fascination. + +At San Francisco he got engaged to a young lady of good family, who was +one of the recognized beauties of the city. A date had been fixed for +the marriage, and the coming event was announced and commented upon in +all the papers. The marriage, however, was not to take place forthwith; +and when my handsome tenor got to Chicago he was much taken by one of +the local blondes, to whom he swore undying love. + +At Philadelphia he got engaged to another girl, who became furiously +jealous when she found that he was receiving letters from his Frisco +_fiancee_. Not being able to decipher the caligraphy of the former +beloved one, he entrusted her letters for reading purposes to the +chambermaids or waiters of the hotel where he put up. + +At New York Cardinali formed an attachment to yet another girl, who +fully responded to his ardour. He used to get tickets from me in order +that he might entertain his young women in an economical manner at +operatic representations; and one day, when he had taken the girl whom +he had met at New York to a morning performance, he asked permission to +leave her for a moment as he had to speak to a friend. This friend +turned out to be a lady with whom he had arranged to elope, and the +happy pair left for Europe by a steamer then on the point of starting. +He did not, as far as I know, change his partner during the voyage, and +I afterwards lost sight of him. + +We remained at New York a week, giving six extra performances, and left +the following Sunday for Boston. There, too, we stayed a week, +terminating the season on the 2nd May, on which day Mdme. Patti sailed +for Europe, followed by the Company. These frequent voyages across the +Atlantic were my only rests. They greatly invigorated me, bracing me up, +as it were, to meet the fresh troubles and trials which were sure to +welcome me on my arrival. + +It was a most fortunate thing that the Directors of the Royal Italian +Opera Company, Covent Garden, Limited, had thought proper to dispense +with my services the previous year by reason of my having, in +conjunction with their own general manager, engaged Mdme. Patti. +Otherwise I should have been obliged to hand them L15,000, being half +the net profit of this last American tour, to which, by the terms of our +agreement, they would have been entitled. + +I ascertained on my return that for want of L2,000 the Company had +collapsed. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +MY COVENT GARDEN SEASON--PATTI'S LONDON SILVER WEDDING--RETURN TO NEW +YORK--DIFFICULTIES BEGIN--RIVAL REHEARSALS--GRAND OPERA AND OPERETTA. + + +On my return to London I opened Covent Garden for a series of Italian +Opera performances, in which Mdme. Patti was the principal prima donna, +and but for Mdme. Patti's twice falling ill should certainly have made +some money. + +On the opening night I was notified as late as seven o'clock that Mdme. +Patti would be unable to appear in "La Traviata," having taken a severe +cold. This was a dreadful blow to me. On inquiry I found that madame's +indisposition arose from a morning drive she had taken on the previous +day over some Welsh mountains during the journey from her castle to the +station. Signor Nicolini, either from fear of the bill at the Midland +Hotel, where they were to put up, or from some uncontrollable desire to +catch an extra salmon, had exposed _la Diva_ to the early morning air; +an act of imprudence which cost me something like a thousand pounds. + +The season nevertheless promised to be unusually successful. But within +a few days I met with another misfortune, _la Diva_ having taken a +second cold, of which I was not notified until seven p.m. There was +scarcely time to make the news public before the carriages were already +setting down their distinguished burdens before the Opera vestibule. + +I had no alternative but to introduce a young singer who, at a moment's +notice, undertook the difficult part of "Lucia di Lammermoor." I allude +to the Swedish vocalist, Mdlle. Fohstroem, who afterwards made a very +successful career under my management. Of course, on this occasion she +was heavily handicapped, as people had gone to the theatre only for the +purpose of hearing Mdme. Patti; whose two disappointments caused me +considerable loss. + +I ended my season about the third week of July, when Mdme. Patti +appeared as "Leonora" in _Il Trovatore_, renewing the success which +always attends her in that familiar impersonation. + +On this night, the final one of the season, Mdme. Patti concluded her +25th consecutive annual engagement at Covent Garden. Numbers of her +admirers formed themselves into a committee for the purpose of +celebrating the event by presenting her with a suitable memorial, which +consisted of a very valuable diamond bracelet. At the termination of +the opera I presented myself to the public, saying-- + +"Ladies and Gentlemen,--Whilst the necessary preparations are being made +behind the curtain for the performance of 'God Save the Queen,' I crave +your attention for a very few moments. My first reason for doing so is, +that I desire to tender my sincere thanks for the liberal support you +have accorded my humble efforts to preserve the existence of Italian +Opera in this country. When I state to you that I had barely ten days to +form my present Company, including the orchestra and chorus, I feel sure +you will readily overlook any shortcomings which may have occurred +during the past season. My second reason is to solicit your kind consent +to present to Mdme. Patti in the name of the Committee a testimonial to +commemorate her twenty-fifth consecutive season on the boards of this +theatre." + +The curtain then rose, and disclosed Mdme. Adelina Patti ready to sing +the National Anthem, supported by the band of the Grenadier Guards, in +addition to the band and orchestra of the Royal Italian Opera. This was +the moment chosen for the presentation of a superb diamond bracelet, +subscribed for by admirers of the heroine of the occasion. Its +presentation was preceded by my delivery of the following address from +the Committee of the Patti Testimonial Fund:-- + +"Madame Adelina Patti,--You complete this evening your 25th annual +engagement at the theatre which had the honour of introducing you, when +you were still a child, to the public of England, and indirectly, +therefore, to that of Europe and the whole civilized world. There has +been no example in the history of the lyric drama of such +long-continued, never interrupted, always triumphant success on the +boards of the same theatre; and a number of your most earnest admirers +have decided not to let the occasion pass without offering you their +heartfelt congratulations. Many of them have watched with the deepest +interest an artistic career which, beginning in the spring of 1861, +became year after year more brilliant, until during the season which +terminates to-night the last possible point of perfection seems to have +been reached. You have been connected with the Royal Italian Opera +uninterruptedly throughout your long and brilliant career. During the +winter months you have visited, and have been received with enthusiasm +at Paris, St. Petersburg, Berlin, Vienna, Madrid, and all the principal +cities of Italy and the United States. But you have allowed nothing to +prevent you from returning every summer to the scene of your earliest +triumphs; and now that you have completed your twenty-fifth season in +London, your friends feel that the interesting occasion must not be +suffered to pass without due commemoration. We beg you, therefore, to +accept from us, in the spirit in which it is offered, the token of +esteem and admiration which we have now the honour of presenting to +you." + +The National Anthem, which followed, was received with loyal cheers, and +the season terminated brilliantly. + +After the performance an extraordinary scene took place outside the +theatre. A band and a number of torch-bearers had assembled at the +northern entrance in Hart Street, awaiting Mdme. Patti's departure. When +she stepped into her carriage it was headed by the bearers of the +lighted torches; and as the carriage left the band struck up. An +enormous crowd very soon gathered; and it gradually increased in numbers +as the procession moved on. The carriage was surrounded by police, and +the procession, headed by the band, consisted of about a dozen carriages +and cabs, the rear being brought up by a vehicle on which several men +were standing and holding limelights, which threw their coloured glare +upon the growing crowd, and made the whole as visible as in the daytime. +The noise of the band and of the shouting and occasional singing of the +very motley gathering, which was reinforced by all sorts and conditions +of persons as it went along, awakened the inhabitants throughout the +whole of the long route, which was as follows: Endell Street, Bloomsbury +Street, across New Oxford Street and Great Russell Street, down +Charlotte Street, through Bedford Square by Gower Street, along Keppel +Street, Russell Square, Woburn Place, Tavistock Place, Marchmont +Street, Burton Crescent, Malleton Place to Euston road, halting at the +Midland Railway Hotel, where Mdme. Patti was staying. Along the whole of +this distance the scene was extraordinary. The noise, and the glare of +the coloured lights, and the cracking of fireworks which were let off +every now and then, aroused men, women, and children from their beds, +and scarcely a house but had a window or door open, whence peered forth, +to witness the spectacle, persons, many of whom, as was apparent from +their night-dresses, had been awakened from their sleep. Not only were +these disturbed, but a number of horses were greatly startled at the +unusual sound and noise. The procession, which left Hare Street just +before midnight, reached the Midland Hotel in about half an hour, almost +the whole distance having been traversed at a walking pace. When Mdme. +Patti reached the Hotel she was serenaded by the band for a time, and +more fireworks were let off. The great crowd which had assembled +remained in Euston Road outside the gates, which were closed immediately +after the carriages had passed through. + +My season having thus terminated, I at once started for the Continent in +order to secure new talent for the forthcoming American campaign. + +For my New York season of 1885-6, after some considerable trouble, I +succeeded in forming what I considered a far more efficient Company than +I had had for the previous five years; except that the name of Adelina +Patti was not included, she having decided to remain at her castle to +take repose after her four years' hard work in America. I subjoin a copy +of the prospectus:-- + + "ACADEMY OF MUSIC, NEW YORK. + _Season_ 1885-86. + PRIME-DONNE--SOPRANI E CONTRALTI. + +Madame Minnie Hauk, Madame Felia Litvinoff, Mdlle. Dotti, Mdlle. Marie +Engle, Madame Lilian Nordica, Mdlle. de Vigne, Mdlle. Bauermeister, +Madame Lablache, and Mdlle. Alma Fohstroem. + + TENORI. + +Signor Ravelli, Signor de Falco, Signor Bieletto, Signor Rinaldini, and +Signor Giannini. + + BARITONI. + +Signor de Anna and Signor Del Puente. + + BASSI. + +Signor Cherubini, Signor de Vaschetti, Signor Vetta, and Signor +Caracciolo. + + DIRECTOR OF THE MUSIC AND CONDUCTOR. + +Signor Arditi. + + PREMIERE DANSEUSE. + +Madame Malvina Cavalazzi. + +The following were the promised productions:-- + +For the first time in New York Massenet's famous opera MANON: words by +MM. H. Meilhac and Ph. Gille. Mr. Mapleson has secured the sole right of +representation, for which M. Massenet has made several important +alterations and additions. "The Chevalier des Grieux," Signor Giannini; +"Lescaut," Signor Del Puente; "Guillot Morfontaine," Signor Rinaldini; +"The Count Des Grieux," Signor Cherubini; "De Bretigny," Signor +Caracciolo; "An Innkeeper," Signor de Vaschetti; "Attendant at the +Seminary of St. Sulpice," Signor Bieletto; "Poussette," Mdlle. +Bauermeister; "Javotte," Mdme. Lablache; "Rosette," Mdlle. de Vigne; and +"Manon," Mdme. Minnie Hauk. Gamblers, croupiers, guards, travellers, +townsfolk, lords, ladies, gentlemen, &c., &c. The action passes in 1721. +The first act in Amiens; the second, third, and fourth in Paris. The +last scene, the road to Havre. + +Also Vincent Wallace's opera, MARITANA. For the first time on the +Italian stage, by special arrangement with the proprietors. The +recitatives by Signor Tito Mattei. "Don Caesar de Bazan," Signor Ravelli; +"The King," Signor Del Puente; "Don Jose," Signor De Anna; "Il +Marchese," Signor Caracciolo; "La Marchesa," Mdme. Lablache; +"Lazarillo," Mdlle. De Vigne; and "Maritana," Mdlle. Alma Fohstroem. +Mdme. Malvina Cavalazzi will dance the Saraband. + +Likewise Auber's FRA DIAVOLO. "Fra Diavolo," Signor Ravelli; "Beppo," +Signor Del Puente; "Giacomo," Signor Cherubini; "Lord Allcash," Signor +Caracciolo; "Lorenzo," Signor De Falco; "Lady Allcash," Mdme. Lablache; +and "Zerlina," Mdme. Alma Fohstroem. + +Ambroise Thomas' opera, MIGNON, will be also presented. "Mignon," Mdme. +Minnie Hauk; "Wilhelm," Signor Del Falco; "Lothario," Signor Del Puente; +"Laertes," Signor Rinaldini; "Frederick," Mdlle. De Vigne; "Giarno," +Signor Cherubini; "Antonio," Signor De Vaschetti; and "Filina," Mdlle. +Alma Fohstroem." + +The list of singers, which I give above _in extenso_, would have done +honour to any theatre in Europe. But, alas! the magic name of Patti not +being included had at once the effect of damaging seriously the +subscription. In addition to this, a strong leaning showed itself on the +part of my New York supporters towards the German Opera at the +Metropolitan House; while a newly-formed craze had been developed for +Anglo-German Opera, or "American Opera," as it was denominated. The +prospectus of the latter setting it forth as a "national" affair, +everyone rushed in for it, and considerable sums of money were +subscribed. Its projectors rented the Academy of Music where I was +located. The upshot of it was that a considerable number of intrigues +were forthwith commenced for the purpose, if possible, of wiping me +entirely out. I will mention a few of them in order that the reader may +understand the position in which I was placed. Just prior to leaving +England, and after I had completed my Company, I was informed by the +Directors that I should be called upon to pay a heavy rental for the use +of the Academy, my tenancy, moreover, being limited to three evenings a +week and one _matinee_. + +Having made all my engagements, I was, of course, at their mercy, and it +was with the greatest possible difficulty that I could even open my +season, as they began carpentering and hammering every time I attempted +a rehearsal. However, I succeeded in making a commencement on the 2nd of +November with a fine performance of CARMEN, cast as follows:-- + +"Don Jose," Signor Ravelli; "Escamillo (Toreador)," Signor Del Puente; +"Zuniga," Signor De Vaschetti; "Il Dancairo," Signor Caracciolo; "Il +Remendado," Signor Rinaldini; "Morales," Signor Bieletto; "Michaela," +Mdlle. Dotti; "Paquita," Mdlle. Bauermeister; "Mercedes," Mdme. +Lablache; "Carmen" (a Gipsy), Mdme. Minnie Hauk. + +The incidental divertissement supported by Mdme. Malvina Cavalazzi and +the Corps de Ballet. + +This was followed by an excellent performance of _Trovatore_, in which +Mdlle. Litvinoff, a charming Russian soprano from the Paris Opera, made +a successful appearance, supported by Lablache, De Anna, the admirable +baritone, and Giannini, one of the favourite tenors of America, who +after the _Pira_ was encored and recalled four times in front of the +curtain. I afterwards introduced Mdlle. Alma Fohstroem, who had made such +a great success during my London season at the Royal Italian Opera, +Covent Garden. + +On the occasion of my attempting a rehearsal two days afterwards of +_L'Africaine_, I found the stage built up with platforms to the height +of some 30 feet, which were occupied by full chorus and orchestra. + +Remonstrance was useless, the Secretary of the Academy being "out of the +way," whilst the conductor, Mr. Theodore Thomas, was closed in and +wielding the _baton_ with such vigour that no one could approach him. I +said nothing, therefore. In spite of formidable obstacles, the march and +the procession in the fourth act of the opera had to be rehearsed under +the platform, and, as good luck would have it, the opera went +magnificently. + +Rehearsals of _Manon_ had now to be attempted; but whenever a call was +put up, so surely would I find another call affixed by the rival Company +for the same hour; and as they employed some 120 choristers, who had +about an equal number of hangers-on in attendance on them, the reader +can guess in what a state of confusion the stage was. + +The public has but little idea of the difficulties by which the career +of an opera manager is surrounded. An ordinary theatrical manager brings +out some trivial operetta which, thanks in a great measure to scenery, +upholstery, costumes, and a liberal display of the female form divine, +catches the taste of the public. The piece runs for hundreds of nights +without a change in the bill, the singers appearing night after night in +the same parts. The _maladie de larynx_, the _extinction de voix_ of +which leading opera-singers are sure now and then, with or without +reason, to complain, are unknown to these honest vocalists; and if by +chance one of them does fall ill there is always a substitute, known as +the "understudy," who is ready at any moment to supply the place of the +indisposed one. + +The public, when it has once found its way to a theatre where a +successful operetta or _opera bouffe_ is being played, goes there night +after night for months, and sometimes years, at a time. The manager +probably complains of being terribly over-worked; but all he has really +to do is to see that some hundreds of pounds every week are duly paid in +to his account at the bank. To manage a theatre under such conditions is +as simple as selling Pears' Soap or Holloway's Pills. + +The opera manager does not depend upon the ordinary public, but in a +great measure upon the public called fashionable. His prices are of +necessity exceptionally high; and his receipts are affected in a way +unknown to the ordinary theatrical manager. Court mourning, for +instance, will keep people away from the opera; whereas the +theatre-going public is scarcely affected by it. The bill, moreover, has +to be changed so frequently, so constantly, that it is impossible to +know from one day to another what the receipts are likely to be. + +What would one give for a prima donna who, like Miss Ellen Terry or +Mrs. Kendal, would be ready to play every night? Or for a public who, +like the audiences at the St. James's Theatre and the Lyceum, would go +night after night for an indefinite time to see the same piece! + +Finally, at a London Musical Theatre the prima donna of an Operetta +Company, if she receives L30 or L40 a week, boasts of it to her friends. +In an Italian Operatic Company a seconda donna paid at such rates would +conceal it from her enemies. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +HOUSE DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF--REV. H. HAWEIS ON WAGNER--H.R.H. AND +WOTAN--ELLE A DECHIRE MON GILET--ARDITI'S REMAINS--RETURN TO SAN +FRANCISCO. + + +To return to my difficulties at the New York Academy of Music, I was at +length compelled to rehearse where I could; one day at the Star Theatre, +another at Steinway Hall; a third at Tony Pastor's--a Variety Theatre +next door to the Academy. + +In the midst of these difficulties I caught a severe cold and found +myself one morning speechless. I was surprised that afternoon to find a +bottle of unpleasant sticky-looking mixture left with the hall-keeper, +accompanied by a letter strongly recommending it from an admirer, who +had heard, with sorrow, that I had taken cold. Not liking the smell of +it, I sent it to an apothecary's for analysis, when it was found to +contain poison. Fortunately I had not tasted it. + +Finding myself so heavily handicapped, I decided, pending the +preparation of _Manon_, to get ready Auber's _Fra Diavolo_, which had to +be rehearsed under the same difficulties. I, however, succeeded in +producing it on the 20th November, and an excellent performance we gave. +Fohstroem was charming as "Zerlina," and in the _roles_ of the two +brigands, Del Puente and Cherubini were simply excellent. I have seen +many performances of _Fra Diavolo_ in London with Tagliafice and +Capponi, whom I considered admirable; but on this occasion they were +fairly surpassed in the brigands' parts by Del Puente and Cherubini. The +part of "Fra Diavolo" was undertaken by Ravelli, and the scenery and +dresses were entirely new; the former having been painted on the roof of +the theatre, either late at night or early in the morning, with the +finishing touches put in on the Sundays. + +The majority of my stockholders were careful to remain away, thus +leaving a very bare appearance in the proscenium boxes. They, too, were +siding with the enemy, or had not quite recovered from the three-dollar +assessment which they had been called upon to pay for Patti the previous +year. All these intrigues, however, marked in my mind the future +downfall of the Academy and its stockholders, the house being now +"divided against itself." + +I will quote from the _Evening Post_, a paper hostile to my enterprise, +a criticism on the _Fra Diavolo_ performance:-- + +"_Fra Diavolo_, as presented at the Academy last evening, was by far the +most enjoyable performance given by Mr. Mapleson's Company for a long +time. There was an element of brightness and buoyancy in the acting and +singing of all the principals that admirably reflected the spirit of +Auber's brilliant and tuneful score. Next Monday, when the season of +German Opera opens at the Metropolitan with _Lohengrin_, there will be +doubtless hundreds who will be unable to secure seats. All such we +earnestly advise to proceed straight to the Academy next Monday, where +_Fra Diavolo_ will be repeated; not only because they cannot fail to +enjoy this performance, since it is an entertaining opera entertainingly +interpreted, but because Mr. Mapleson ought to be encouraged, when he +undertakes to vary his old repertory.... Ravelli sang admirably last +evening, and so did Fohstroem, who acted her part with much grace and +dainty _naivete_. Lablache, Del Puente, and Cherubini were unusually +good and amusing. The Academy, we repeat, ought to be crowded on Monday +next." + +The production of _Fra Diavolo_ gave great satisfaction. Meanwhile, I +made another attempt to continue my rehearsals of _Manon_. Not only was +I excluded from the stage by the hammering and knocking of this new +Anglo-German Opera Company, but they turned one of the corners of the +foyer into a kind of business office, where their chatterings greatly +interrupted my rehearsals with pianoforte. These, at least, I thought, +might be managed within the theatre. + +On ordering an orchestral rehearsal at Steinway Hall the following +morning I was surprised to find that Mr. Thomas and his orchestra had +actually gone there before me; and I had to dismiss my principal +singers, chorus, and orchestra for a couple of hours, when with +difficulty I was enabled to make a short rehearsal. + +This went on day after day much to my annoyance. The Directors now began +troubling me to pay the rent; to which I replied that I would willingly +do so as soon as they performed their portion of the contract by +allowing me to rehearse. + +About this time I was challenged to meet the Rev. H. Haweis, author of +_Music and Morals_, in a discussion on Wagner to be held at the +Nineteenth Century Club, at which a great number of the fashionables of +New York were present. After a brief introductory address, Mr. +Courtlaudt Palmer, President of the Club, introduced the Rev. Mr. +Haweis. His paper was a running series of anecdotes about Wagner, many +of them keeping the audience in a continual laugh. He then made an +onslaught on Italian Opera, assuring the audience that its days were +numbered, that Wagner for the future was the one composer of dramatic +music, and that every support should be given to his works now being +represented at the Metropolitan Opera-house. + +When he had concluded I rose and said, "You have told us much about +Wagner, but nothing about his music. I trust I am not unparliamentary +when I say that if he is to be judged by the effect of his works on the +public--works that have now been for years before the world--Wagner is +an operatic failure, and that what the Rev. Mr. Haweis has told us about +his operas is sheer nonsense. One question he puts to me is: 'Did I ever +lose money by Wagner?' I say emphatically, 'yes.' I once brought over +all the material for his trilogy, the _Ring des Nibelungen_, from Munich +to London, where it was to have been produced (according to one of the +conditions of the agreement) under the supervision of Wagner himself. +The master did not come; but his work was produced under a conductor of +his own choice, and when the series had been twice given about six +thousand pounds had been lost. + +"My time will come yet. I labour under many difficulties now; but when +New Yorkers are tired of backing German and American Opera, and will +only subsidize me with one per cent. of the millions they are going to +lose, I will return and give them Italian Opera." + +I remember an interesting and, I must admit, not altogether inexact +account of my production of the _Ring des Nibelungen_ being given in the +_Musical Journal_ of New York. + +"The series," wrote the American journalist, "was given under the +special patronage of the Prince of Wales, who loyally remained in his +box from the rising to the going down of the curtain, although he +confessed afterwards that it was the toughest work he had ever done in +his life. When Wotan came on the darkened stage and commenced his little +recitative to an accompaniment of discords the Prince took a doze, but +was awakened half-an-hour later by a double forte crash of the +orchestra, and, having fallen asleep again, was startled by another +climax fifteen minutes afterwards, when he found Wotan still at it, +singing against time. At the end of five weeks Mapleson's share of the +losses was 30,000 dollars; and the Prince told him confidentially that +if Wotan appeared in any more operas he should withdraw his patronage." + +By dint of perseverance, together with the aid of various managers, I +succeeded in producing Wallace's _Maritana_. I first performed it over +in Brooklyn, where it met with the most unqualified success, nearly +every piece of music being encored, while Ravelli roused the audience to +frantic enthusiasm by a finely-delivered high C from the chest at the +conclusion of "Let me like a soldier fall." On a third encore he sang it +in English. I then returned to the New York Academy with this opera, +thus fulfilling the second of my promises in the prospectus. + +It wanted now but nine days to the conclusion of my season, and as I had +given to the public, despite the grumbling and cavilling, all the +singers announced in my prospectus, I strained every nerve to produce +the last of my promised operas, which caused more difficulty than all +the others put together. This was _Manon_, which I succeeded in placing +on the stage with entirely new scenery and dresses, and with a +magnificent cast. + +Glad indeed was I to shake the dust off my feet on leaving the Academy, +where during a course of some eight or nine years I had given the New +York public every available singer of eminence, including Adelina Patti, +Etelka Gerster, Albani, Fursch-Madi, Scalchi, Campanini, Aramburo, +Mierzwinski, Galassi, De Anna, Del Puente, Foli, and other celebrities. +I confess I was not chagrined when I gradually saw after a couple of +seasons had passed the downfall of the Anglo-German-American Opera +Company, which from the very beginning had failed to benefit musical art +in any way. Not a single work by an American composer was given, the +repertory being entirely made up of translations of German operas. I +also read without any deep regret of the total break-up of the Academy +with all its belongings. It is now the home of a "variety show." + +This New York season of 1885 was a most disastrous one financially, as +it necessitated my closing for nearly a fortnight in order that the +promised productions should all be given. It was with great difficulty +that I could start the tour, as every combination seemed to be against +me. + +However, I opened at Boston with _Carmen_ early in January, 1886, to a +crowded house; the other performances of that week being _Fra Diavolo_, +_Manon_, _Maritana_, _Traviata_, and _Carmen_ for a _matinee_, the +receipts of which exceeded even those of its performance on the previous +Monday. + +During the second week _Faust_, _Don Giovanni_, _Rigoletto_, _Martha_, +etc., were performed. We left the next day for Philadelphia, where we +remained until the middle of the following week. From there we went on +to Baltimore, Washington, Pittsburg, Chicago, opening in the last-named +city very successfully with a performance of _Carmen_; when a violent +scene occurred during the third act from which may be said to date the +disastrous consequences which followed throughout the whole of the +route; one paper copying from another, with occasional exaggerations, so +that in every town we visited the public expected a similar disturbance. +Hence a general falling off in the receipts. + +It was in the middle of the third act, when "Don Jose," the tenor +(Ravelli), was about to introduce an effective high note which generally +brought down the house, that "Carmen" rushed forward and embraced +him--why I could never understand. Being interrupted at the moment of +his effect, he was greatly enraged, and by his movements showed that he +had resolved to throw Madame Hauk into the orchestra. But she held +firmly on to his red waistcoat, he shouting all the time, "_Laissez +moi, Laissez moi!_" until all the buttons came off one by one, when she +retired hastily to another part of the stage. Ravelli rushed forward and +exclaimed, "_Regardez, elle a dechire mon gilet!_" and with such rage +that he brought down thunders of applause, the people believing this +genuine expression of anger to be part of the play. + +Shortly afterwards, on the descent of the curtain, a terrible scene +occurred, which led to my receiving this letter the following morning:-- + + "Palmer House, Chicago, + + "February 9th, 1886. + +"DEAR COLONEL MAPLESON, + +"The vile language, the insults, and threats against the life of my wife +in presence of the entire Company, quite incapacitate her from singing +further, she being in constant fear of being stabbed or maltreated by +that artist, the unpleasant incident having quite upset her nervous +system. She is completely prostrate, and will be unable to appear again +in public before her health is entirely restored, which under present +aspects will take several weeks. I have requested two prominent +physicians of this city to examine her and send you their certificates. +Please, therefore, to withdraw her name from the announcements made for +the future. + +"As a matter of duty, I trust you will feel the necessity to give ample +satisfaction to Miss Hauk for the shameful and outrageous insults to +which she was exposed last night, and Mr. Ravelli can congratulate +himself on my absence from the stage, when further scenes would have +occurred. + +"I fully recognize the unpleasant effect this incident may have on your +receipts, more especially so should I inflict upon him personally the +punishment he deserves. + +"I am, dear Colonel Mapleson, + +"Very truly yours, + +"(Signed) E. DE HESSE WARTEGG." + +The following day I received this, other epistle:-- + + "February 10th. + +"DEAR SIR, + +"My client, Baron Hesse Wartegg, has applied to me for advice concerning +the indignities which Signor Ravelli, of your troupe, has offered to +Mdme. Minnie Hauk on the stage. Signor Ravelli has uttered serious +threats against the lady, and has on several occasions in presence of +the public assaulted her and inflicted bodily injuries, notably on +Monday evening last, during the performance of _Carmen_. My client +wishes me to invoke the protection of the law against similar +occurrences, as Mdme. Hauk fears that her life is in imminent danger. +Under these circumstances I am compelled to apply to the magistrates for +a warrant against Signor Ravelli, in order that he may be bound over to +keep the peace. The law of this State affecting offences of this +character is very severe, and should the matter be brought to the +cognizance of our courts, Miss Hauk will not only have ample protection, +but Mr. Ravelli will be punished. It is her desire, however, to avoid +unpleasant notoriety, which would doubtless reflect on your entire +troupe, and on your undertaking to execute a bond for 2,000 dollars to +guarantee the future good conduct of Ravelli I shall proceed no further. +I respectfully invite your immediate attention to this, and beg you will +favour me with an early reply. Should I fail to hear from you before +to-morrow evening I shall construe your silence as a refusal to secure +proper protection for Miss Hauk and proceed accordingly. + +"Miss Hauk and her husband are actuated by no other motives but those +which are prompted by the lady's own safety. Please favour me with an +early answer. + +"Very respectfully yours, + + "(Signed) WILLIAM VOCKE, + + "Attorney for Miss Minnie Hauk." + +I had no option but to give the bond. + +That evening Signor Arditi, on leaving the theatre, caught a severe +cold, which confined him to his bed, developing afterwards into an +attack of pneumonia. The assistant conductor, Signor Sapio, was attacked +by a similar malady; also Mdlle. Bauermeister, who was soon indeed in a +very dangerous condition. + +The following evening Mdlle. Fohstroem appeared as "Lucia di Lammermoor," +and met with very great success. + +With much persuasion I induced Miss Hauk to reappear as "Carmen", +replacing Ravelli by the other tenor, De Falco. + +During the ensuing week Arditi's condition became worse and worse. As we +were engaged to appear the following evening at Minneapolis we were +compelled to leave him behind as well as various other members of the +Company, who were also indisposed. Prior to my departure I saw the +doctor, who informed me that he considered Arditi's case hopeless; on +which I prepared a cable for his wife asking what was to be done with +his remains. This I left confidentially with the waiter. + +I managed to get with the remnants of my Company to Minneapolis, where a +severe attack of gout developed itself, which confined me to my bed; I +in turn being left behind whilst the Company went on to St. Paul. + +On the Company leaving St. Paul I managed to join the train on its road +to St. Louis, where we remained a week. On the last day of our stay +there I was pleased to see Arditi again able to join the Company, though +in a very delicate state. Mdme. Hauk arrived at St. Louis the last day +we were there. The following week we performed in Kansas City, where for +the opening we gave _Carmen_ with Minnie Hauk, followed by _Faust_ with +Mdme. Nordica as "Margherita." The following night at Topeka we played +_Lucia di Lammermoor_ with Fohstroem. + +During these lengthened journeys across the Continent to the Pacific +Coast the whole of the salaries ran on as if the artists were performing +regularly. + +As a rule we all travelled together; but occasionally, when the distance +between one engagement and the next was too great, and the time too +short, we separated. Sometimes one town in which we performed was four +or five hundred miles away from the next. In that case the train was +either divided into two or into three pieces, as the case might be. For +instance, when we left for Chicago the engineer saw that he was unable +to get to that city in time for our engagement the same evening. He +therefore telegraphed back to Pittsburg, and the railroad officials +there telegraphed on to Fort Wayne to have two extra locomotives ready +for us. Our train was then cut into three parts, and sent whizzing along +to Chicago at a lively rate, getting there in plenty of time for the +evening's performance. It was wonderful, and nothing but a great +corporation like the Pennsylvania Railroad Company could accomplish such +a feat. By leaving at two o'clock in the morning we arrived at four the +same afternoon at our next destination, in ample time to perform that +evening; my hundred and sixty people having travelled a distance of four +or five hundred miles with scenery, dresses, and properties. + +We afterwards visited St. Joseph and Denver, opening at the latter with +_Carmen_ on a Saturday at the Academy of Music. Early the next morning +we decided to give a grand Sunday concert at the Tabor Opera-house; but +as no printing could be done, and no newspapers were published, the +announcements had to be chalked upon the walls. With some difficulty we +got a programme printed towards the latter part of the day, but +notwithstanding this short announcement, so popular was the Company that +the house was literally packed full. We played at Cheyenne the following +evening, afterwards visiting Salt Lake City, where we presented +_Carmen_. The irascible Mr. Ravelli again showed temper, and by doing so +caused great inconvenience. I replaced him by one of the other tenors of +the Company. + +Of course I was blamed for this. Ravelli, however, had declared himself +to be indisposed, and I at once published the certificate signed by Dr. +Fowler. + +The opera went exceedingly well. + +Immediately after the performance we started for San Francisco, where we +arrived the following Sunday afternoon, opening with _Carmen_ on the +Monday night before a most distinguished audience. Signor Ravelli +performed "Don Jose," but in a very careless manner, omitting the best +part of the music. He made little or no effect, whilst Minnie Hauk, who +had not recovered from her previous fatigues, obtained but a _succes +d'estime_. + +Meantime a sale of seats by auction, which had been held, was an entire +_fiasco_. + +The second evening Mdlle. Fohstroem made a most brilliant success. The +third night was devoted to Massenet's _Manon_, in which Miss Hauk did +far better than on the opening night. The following evening we performed +_La Traviata_, in which Mdme. Nordica made her appearance, Signor +Giannini undertaking the _role_ of "Alfredo." During this time great +preparations were being made for a production of _L'Africaine_. The +whole of the scenery and dresses, even to the ship, had been brought to +the Pacific coast, at a considerable outlay; no less than L900 being +paid for overweight of baggage through transporting this costly vessel +across the plains. + +The performance was a fine one, and the work was rendered admirably +throughout, the great ballets and the processions gaining immense +applause. + +In the meantime a great deal of unpleasantness was going on in the +Company, which greatly crippled my movements, besides diminishing my +nightly receipts. + +Although Ravelli, who was really the cause of all the trouble, had been +ill for nearly three weeks, he refused to sing any more unless his full +salary were paid him for the whole of the time. This, of course, I +refused, and law proceedings were the consequence. + +De Anna, the baritone, had an engagement for the whole six months of our +American tour; and there was a clause in his contract which provided +that during the interval of eight days, about the latter part of +December, whilst the Company was idle, the salary should be suspended. +But on our resuming the tour Mr. De Anna immediately notified me that +unless I paid him for those eight days he would stop singing. This was +the commencement of my trouble with him. Prior to our arrival his salary +was handed to him, half in cash, and half in a cheque payable at San +Francisco. He presented his cheque at the bank before the money had been +placed there, and notified me that in consequence of non-payment he +refused to sing that evening. Thereupon the treasurer went down to his +hotel with the money, which was only a small amount of some L50 or L60. +But he refused to accept it and surrender the cheque. The money was +again tendered to him, and again refused. + +De Anna, following suit with Ravelli, immediately inserted an +advertisement in the daily papers setting forth that the part of +"Nelusko" in _L'Africaine_ was one of the most arduous _roles_ in the +_repertoire_ of a baritone, and that he alone was capable of performing +it; while he at the same time respectfully informed the public that he +did not intend to do so. + +In the production of _L'Africaine_, however, Del Puente undertook the +_role_ of "Nelusko," and met with signal success, so that the +recalcitrant baritone was left out in the cold and not missed. This +tended still further to rouse his ire, and he resorted to a series of +daily statements of some kind or other with the view of discrediting the +Opera. + +It was, indeed, a trying matter to me. The baritone, De Anna, refused to +sing, and Ravelli was in bed with a bad cold; so, too, was Mdlle. +Fohstroem. News, moreover, arrived from Minneapolis that Mdme. Nordica's +mother, who had been left there, was at the point of death. Nordica +insisted on rushing off at a moment's notice to make the journey of five +days in the hope of reaching her while she was yet alive; and the rest +of the Company were in open rebellion. + +The season, however, despite these almost insurmountable difficulties, +was a complete artistic success; and the Company I presented to my +supporters in San Francisco was one that would have done honour to any +European Opera-house. But, again, the name of _la Diva_ being missing, +the patronage accorded me was of a most scanty kind. The wealthy and +luxurious inhabitants of the suggestively named "Nobs' Hill" remained +carefully away. + +I managed, however, to give the twenty-four consecutive performances +promised, together with three Sunday concerts, the penultimate +performance being devoted to my benefit. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE RETREAT FROM FRISCO--HOTEL DANGERS--A SCENE FROM "CARMEN"--OPERATIC +INVALIDS--MURDEROUS LOVERS--RAVELLI'S CLAIM--GENERAL BARNES'S +REPLY--CLAMOUR FOR HIGHER PRICES--MY ONWARD MARCH. + + +San Francisco, or Frisco, as the inhabitants pleasantly call it, is at +the end of the American world; it is the toe of the stocking beyond +which there is no further advance. For this reason many persons who go +to Frisco with the intention of coming back do, as a matter of fact, +remain. It is comparatively easy to get there, but the return may be +difficult. It is obviously a simpler matter to scrape together enough +money for a single journey than to collect sufficient funds for a +journey to and fro; and the capital of California is full of +newly-settled residents, many of whom, having got so far, have found +themselves without the means of retracing their steps. + +At the period of the operatic campaign conducted by me--which, +beginning most auspiciously, ended in trouble, disaster, and a retreat +that was again and again on the point of being cut off--contending +railway companies had so arranged matters that access to San Francisco +was easier than ever. The war of rates had been carried on with such +severity that the competing railway companies had at last, in their +determination of outstripping one another, reduced the charge for +carriage from Omaha to Frisco to a nominal sum per head. L20 (100 +dollars) was the amount levied for conveying a passenger to Frisco +direct; but on his arrival at the Frisco terminus L19 was returned to +him as "rebate" when he gave up his ticket. + +The rates from Frisco to New York had also been considerably reduced; +and it was not until, after a series of pecuniary failures, we were on +the point of starting that, to our confusion and my despair, they were +suddenly raised. I had a force of 160 under my command, with an unusual +proportion of baggage; and this hostile move on the part of the railway +companies had the immediate effect of arresting my egress from the city. + +Ravelli, possibly at the suggestion of his oracular dog (who always gave +him the most perfidious counsel), had laid an embargo on all the music, +thus delaying our departure, which would otherwise have been effected +while the railway companies were still at war. They seemed to have come +to an understanding for the very purpose of impeding my retreat. +Ravelli suffered more than I did by his inconsiderate behaviour, for he +was entirely unable, with or without the aid of his canine adviser, to +look after his own interests. + +It must be understood that in America a creditor or any claimant for +money, _bona-fide_ or not, can in the case of a foreigner commence +process by attaching the property of the alleged debtor. This may be +done on a simple affidavit, and the matter is not brought before the +Courts until afterwards. + +All the foreigner can do in return is to find "bondsmen" who will +guarantee his appearance at a future period, or, in default, payment of +the sum demanded; and it has happened to me when I have been on the +point of taking ship to be confronted by a number of claimants, each of +whom had procured an order empowering him either to arrest me or to +seize my effects. I used, therefore, on my way to the steamer, or it +might be the railway station, to march, attended by a couple of +"bondsmen" and a Judge. The "bondsmen" gave the necessary security, the +Judge signed his acceptance of the proffered guarantee, and I was then +at liberty to depart. + +Once, as I have already shown, I had to suffer attachment of my receipts +at the hands of a body of "scalpers," who, when I had liberated the +money through the aid of two friendly "bondsmen" and a courteous Judge, +abandoned their claim; though when next year I returned to Frisco they +could, of course, had it not been absolutely groundless, have pressed +it before the proper tribunal. + +Among other extraordinary claims made upon me immediately after the +affair of the "scalpers" was one for 400 gallons of eau de Cologne. Some +such quantity had, it was alleged, been ordered for fountains that were +to play in front of the Opera-house; but the dealers, in lieu of eau de +Cologne, had furnished me chiefly with water of the country. They swore, +however, that I really owed them the money they demanded, and an +attachment was duly granted. + +It was through the treachery, then, of the dog-fearing Ravelli that our +misfortunes in Frisco were brought to something like a crisis. In +seizing the music in which the whole Company had an interest the +thoughtless tenor was, of course, injuring himself and preparing his own +discomfiture. The effect of his action was in any case to stop for a +time my departure. We had evacuated the city, and now found ourselves +blocked and isolated at the railway station. The railways would not have +us at any price but their own. The hotel keepers were by no means +anxious for our return, and some of the members of my Company had a +healthy horror of running up hotel bills they were unable to pay. This +may in part at least have been inspired by the following notice which, +or something to the same effect, may be found exhibited in most of the +Western hotels:-- + + * * * * * + + _An Act to Protect Hotel and Boarding-house Keepers._ + +"Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the + State of Missouri as follows:-- + +"Section I.--Every person who shall obtain board or lodging in any hotel +or boarding-house by means of any statement or pretence, or shall fail +or refuse to pay therefor, shall be held to have obtained the same with +the intent to cheat and defraud such hotel or boarding-house keeper, and +shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanour, and upon conviction thereof +shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or by +imprisonment in the county gaol or city workhouse not exceeding six +months, or by both (such) fine and imprisonment. + +"Section II.--It shall be the duty of every hotel and boarding-house +keeper in this State to post a printed copy of this Act in a conspicuous +place in each room of his or her hotel or boarding-house, and no +conviction shall be had under the foregoing section until it shall be +made to appear to the satisfaction of the Court that the provisions of +this section have been substantially complied with by the hotel or +boarding-house keeper making the complaint. + +"Approved March 25th, 1885." + + * * * * * + +I had, counting principals, chorus, ballet, and orchestra, 160 persons +under my care, and by the terms of the hotel notice just reproduced the +penalties incurred by my Company, had they quartered themselves upon +innkeepers without possessing the means of paying their bills, would +have amounted in the gross to L16,000 in fines and eighty years in +periods of imprisonment. It was evidently better to bivouac in the open +than to run the chance of so crushing a punishment. + +A deputation of the chorus waited upon me, saying that as their artistic +career seemed to be at an end, it would be as well for them to take to +the sale of bananas and ice creams in the streets; whilst others +proposed to start restaurants, or to blacken their faces and form +themselves into companies of Italian niggers. + +Some of the female choristers wished to take engagements as cooks, and +one ancient dame who in her early youth had sold flowers on the banks of +the Arno thought it would be pretty and profitable to resume in Frisco +the occupation which she had pursued some thirty or forty years +previously at Florence. + +All these chorus singers seemed to have a trade of some kind to depend +upon. In Italy they had been choristers only by night, and in the day +time had followed the various callings to which now in their difficult +position they desired to return. All I was asked for by my choristers +was permission to consider themselves free, and in a few cases a little +money with which to buy wheelbarrows. I adjured them, however, to remain +faithful to me, and soon persuaded them that if they stuck to the +colours all would yet be right. For forty-eight hours they remained +encamped outside the theatre. Fortunately they were in a climate as +beautiful as that of their native land; and with a little macaroni, +which they cooked in the open air, a little Californian wine, which +costs next to nothing, and a little tobacco they managed to get on. + + _From the "Morning Call."_ + +"The scene outside the Grand Opera-house looked very much like Act 3 +from _Carmen_--about 100 antique and picturesque members of Mapleson's +chorus and ballet, male and female, were sitting or lying on their +baggage where they had passed the night. As these light-hearted and +light-pursed children of sunny Italy lay basking in the sun they helped +the hours to pass by card playing, cigarette smoking, and the exercise +of other international vices. One could notice that there was a sort of +expectant fear amongst them seldom seen in people of their class." + +What above all annoyed them was that they were not allowed to go to +their trunks, an embargo having been laid not only on my music, but on +the whole of the Company's baggage. One of them, Mdme. Isia, wished to +get something out of her box, but she was warned off by the Sheriff, who +at once drew his revolver. + +The Oakland steamer was ready to carry us across the bay to the railway +station as soon as we should be free to depart. But there were +formalities still to go through and positive obstacles to overcome. At +last my anxious choristers, looking everywhere for some sign, saw me +driving towards them in a buggy with the Sheriff's officer. I bore in my +hand a significant bit of blue paper which I waved like a flag as I +approached them. They responded with a ringing cheer. They understood me +and knew that they were saved. + +How, it will be asked, did the Company lose its popularity with the +American public to such an extent as to be unable to perform with any +profitable result? In the first place several of the singers had fallen +ill, and though the various maladies by which they were affected could +not by any foresight on my part have been prevented, the public, while +recognizing that fact, ended at last by losing faith in a Company whose +leading members were invalids. + +One of the St. Louis papers had given at the time a detailed account of +the illnesses from which so many members of my Company were suffering. + +"An astonishing amount of sickness," said the writer, "has seriously +interfered with the success of the Italian Opera. Fohstroem and Dotti +sang during the engagement, but both complained of colds and +sore-throats, and claimed that their singing was not near as good as it +usually is. Minnie Hauk had a cold and stayed all the week in St. Paul. +Mdlle. Bauermeister could not sing on account of bronchitis. Signor +Belasco was compelled to have several teeth pulled out, and complained +of swollen gums. Mdme. Nordica was sick, without going into particulars. +Signor Rigo was sick after the same fashion. Signor Sapio was attacked +by quinsy at Chicago, and returned to New York. Signor Arditi, the +musical conductor, was confined to his bed with pneumonia. Mdme. +Lablache had a bad cold and appeared with difficulty. Many of the +costumes failed to appear because Signor Belasco, the armourer, was +taken sick en route, and held the keys of the trunks." + +The illness from which so many of the members of my Company were +suffering might, in part at least, be accounted for by their reckless +gaiety at St. Paul. The winter festival was in full swing, and the +ice-palace and tobogganing had charms for my vocalists, which they were +unable to resist. They went sliding down the hill several times every +day. The ladies would come home with their clinging garments thoroughly +wet. They caught cold as a matter of course, and the sport they had had +sliding down hill took several thousand dollars out of my pocket. + +Minnie Hauk was nearly crazy on tobogganing; so was Nordica. Signori +Sapio and Rigo tried heroically to keep up with the ladies in this +sport, and were afterwards threatened with consumption as a reward for +their gallant efforts. + +But it was above all the conflict between Ravelli and Minnie Hauk in +_Carmen_ that did us harm, for the details of the affair soon got known +and were at once reproduced in all the papers. It has been seen that Mr. +von Wartegg found it necessary to bring Ravelli before the police +magistrate and get him bound over on a very heavy penalty to keep the +peace towards Mdme. von Wartegg, otherwise Mdme. Minnie Hauk; and the +case, as a matter of course, was fully reported. + +What could the public think of an Opera Company in which the tenor was +always threatening to murder the prima donna, while the prima donna's +husband found himself forced to take up a position at one of the wings +bearing a revolver with which he proposed to shoot the tenor the moment +he showed the slightest intention of approaching the personage for whom +he is supposed to entertain an ungovernable passion? "Don Jose" was, +according to the opera, madly in love with "Carmen." But it was an +understood thing between the singers impersonating these two characters +that they were to keep at a respectful distance one from the other. +Ravelli was afraid of Minnie Hauk's throttling him while engaged in the +emission of a high B flat; and Minnie Hauk, on her side, dreaded the +murderous knife with which Ravelli again and again had threatened her. +Love-making looks, under such conditions, a little unreal. "I adore you; +but I will not allow you under pretence of embracing me to pinch my +throat!" + +"If you don't keep at a respectful distance I will stab you!" + +Such contradictions between words and gestures, between the music of the +singers and their general demeanour towards one another, could not +satisfy even the least discriminating of audiences; and the American +public, if appreciative, is also critical. + +With some of my singers ill in bed, others quarrelling and fighting +among themselves on the public stage, my Company got the credit of being +entirely disorganized, and at every fresh city we visited our receipts +became smaller and smaller. The expenditure meanwhile in salaries, +travelling expenses, law costs, and hotel bills was something enormous. +The end of it all was that at San Francisco we found ourselves defeated +and compelled to seek safety in flight. + +We did our best at one final performance to get in a little money with +which to begin the retreat; and I must frankly admit that the +hotel-keepers on whom the various members of my Company were at this +time quartered did their very best to push the sale of tickets, for in +that alone lay their hope of getting their bills paid. + +It has been seen that at one time I was threatened with a complete +break-up: my forces seemed on the point of dispersing. + +I succeeded, however, in keeping the Company together with the exception +only of Ravelli, Cherubini, and Mdlle. Devigne, who afterwards started +to give representations on their own account, and soon found themselves +in a worse plight than even their former associates who had the loyalty +and the sense to remain with me. After much aimless rambling they +turned their heads towards New York, which, in the course of two months, +they contrived by almost superhuman efforts to reach. + +Before leaving, Ravelli, as I have shown, dealt me a treacherous blow by +getting an embargo laid on my music as if to secure him payment of money +due, but which was proved not to be owing as soon as the matter was +brought before the Court. That there may be no mistake on this point I +will here give exact reproductions of Ravelli's claim as set forth in +due legal form, and of my reply thereto. Apart from the substance of the +case, it will interest the reader to see that an American brief bears +but little resemblance to the ponderous document known by that name in +England. An American lawyer sets forth in plain direct language what in +England would be concealed beneath a mass of puzzling and almost +unintelligible verbiage. I may add that law papers in America are not +pen-written but type-written, being thus made clear not only to the +mind, but also to the eye. In America a lawyer arrives in Court with a +few type-written papers in the breast-pocket of his coat. In England he +would be attended by an unhappy boy groaning beneath the weight of a +whole mass of scribbled paper divided into numerous parcels, each one +tied up with red tape. + +I will now give the documents in the case of Ravelli against Mapleson, +which, after being heard, was dismissed, but which, in spite of the +admirable rapidity of American law proceedings, caused me several days' +delay, and, as a result, incalculable losses; for apart from the sudden +rise in the railway rates I missed engagements at several important +cities along my line of march. + + "_Superior Court City and County of San Francisco_, + _State of California_. + + "LUIGI RAVELLI, Plaintiff, v. J. H. MAPLESON, + Defendant. + + "_Complaint._ + +"Plaintiff above named complains of defendant above named, and for cause +of action alleges: + +"That between the 4th day of February 1886, and the 4th day of April +1886 the Plaintiff rendered services to the defendant at said +defendant's special instance and request, in the capacity of an Opera +singer. + +"That for said services the said defendant promised to pay plaintiff a +salary at the rate of twenty-four hundred dollars per month. + +"That said defendant has not paid the said salary or any part thereof, +and no part of the same has been paid, and plaintiff has often demanded +payment thereof. + +"Wherefore plaintiff demands judgment against the defendant for the sum +of forty-eight hundred dollars and costs of suit and interest. + + "FRANK & EISNER & REGENSBURGER, + "Attorneys for Plaintiff." + + _"State of California, City and County of San + Francisco._ + +"LUIGI RAVELLI being duly sworn says that he is the Plaintiff in the +above entitled action. That he has heard read the foregoing complaint +and knows the contents thereof. That the same is true of his own +knowledge except as to the matters therein stated on his information and +belief and as to those matters he believes the same to be true. + + "LUIGI RAVELLI + +"Sworn to before me this 10th day of April 1886. + + "SAMUEL HERINGHIE, + + "Dep. Co. Clerk." + +In reply to the above my attorney and friend, the invincible General W. +H. L. Barnes, put in the following "answer and cross complaint":-- + + "_In the Superior Court of the State of California in + and for the City and County of San Francisco._ + + "LUIGI RAVELLI, Plaintiff, v. J. H. MAPLESON, + Defendant. + +"Now comes J. H. Mapleson defendant in the above entitled action by W. +H. L. Barnes his attorney and for answer to the complaint of Luigi +Ravelli the plaintiff in the above entitled action respectfully shows to +the Court and alleges as follows: + +"The defendant denies that between the 4th day of February A.D. 1886 +and the 4th day of April 1886 or between any other dates plaintiff +rendered services to the defendant at defendant's special instance or +request or otherwise in the capacity of an opera singer or otherwise +except as hereinafter stated. + +"Defendant denies that for said alleged services or otherwise or at all +this defendant promised to pay plaintiff the salary of twenty-four +hundred dollars per month or any sum except as is hereinafter stated. + +"Defendant admits that he has not paid the said plaintiff for his +alleged services since the 4th day of February A.D. 1886; but he denies +that the same or any part thereof is due to plaintiff from the +defendant. + +"And further answering the defendant alleges and shows to the Court as +follows: + +"That heretofore to wit on or about the 22nd day of July A.D. 1885 at +the City of London, England, the plaintiff Luigi Ravelli and this +defendant made and entered into a contract in writing in and by which it +was agreed substantially as follows:-- + +"1st: That said Ravelli engaged as primo tenore assoluto for +performances in Great Britain, Ireland, and the United States with the +defendant, said engagement to begin at the commencement of the season +about the 1st of November A.D. 1885 and to close at the end of the +American season, the salary of said plaintiff to be twenty-four hundred +dollars per month payable monthly. The said Ravelli agreed to sing in +Concerts as well as in Operas, but not to sing either in public nor in +private houses in the Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland, or the United +States during 1885-6 without the written permission of the defendant. +The said plaintiff also agreed in and by said contract to conform +himself to the ordinary rules of the Theatre, and to appear for +rehearsals, representations, and concerts at the place and at the +precise time indicated by the official call, and in case the said +plaintiff should violate said undertaking, the defendant had the right +to deduct a week's salary from the compensation of the plaintiff, or at +his option to entirely cancel the said agreement as by said contract now +in the possession of the defendant, and ready to be produced as the +Court may direct, reference being thereunto had may fully and at large +appear. + +"And the defendant further says that after the making of said contract, +said plaintiff commenced to render services as an Opera singer under +said contract, and so continued down to about the 8th day of February +1886 at which time this defendant was in the City of Chicago, State of +Illinois, and was then and there with his Opera Company engaged in +giving representations of Operas, and the like at the Columbia Theatre +in said City. That on the night of said day, and while the Opera Company +of this defendant was engaged in giving a representation of the Opera +known as _Carmen_ in which Madame Minnie Hauk assumed the _role_ of +'Carmen,' and the said Ravelli the _role_ of 'Don Jose,' the said +Ravelli while on the stage, and in the presence of the audience +violently assaulted said Madame Minnie Hauk and threatened then and +there to take her life, and shouted at her the most violently insulting +epithets and language; that his conduct caused said Madame Minnie Hauk +to become violently ill, and she so continued, and from time to time was +unable to perform, thereby compelling this defendant to change the +operas he had proposed and advertised to give, causing great public +disappointment, and great pecuniary loss to this defendant. + +"And the defendant further says that from about the 8th day of February +1885 to and until the 20th of February 1885 plaintiff refused to perform +any of the parts set down for him to sing, or to attend rehearsals, or +to obey calls as they were sent to him, and generally conducted himself +in a brutal and insubordinate manner. That on the 20th of February at +said City of Chicago this defendant with great difficulty persuaded him +to act and sing in the part of 'Arturo' in the Opera of _I Puritani_, +but before said last named day, he had been regularly and formally +notified and called to the rehearsals of the Opera of _Mignon_, and to +rehearse, and sing the part of 'Guglielmo,' and he refused so to do, and +tore up the calls, or notices sent to him therefor, and threw them in +the face of defendant's messenger. The said Ravelli was announced to +the public to sing the _role_ of said 'Guglielmo' in said opera of +_Mignon_ in all advertisements and notices for the 19th day of February +A.D. 1885, but wholly refused and neglected so to do, and also neglected +and refused to appear and sing in the _role_ of 'Don Jose' in _Carmen_, +announced in bills and advertised for February 20th, 1885. + +"That after this defendant had as aforesaid persuaded said Luigi Ravelli +to sing in the part of _I Puritani_, he continued to sing until the 13th +March, at which time this defendant was with his Company at the City of +Denver, in the Territory of Colorado, at which time and place he again +without reason or excuse neglected and refused to sing in a public +concert advertised and given in said City by this defendant. + +"That thereafter and until the 6th of April 1885 said Ravelli was +insubordinate, disrespectful, and self-willed in all his relations with +this defendant, and falsely pretended to be unable to sing with the +exception of two occasions, and on each of such occasions, without +permission of this defendant, and without notice, he wilfully omitted +the various principal airs and songs in the presence of the public who +had paid to hear him sing the same, thereby causing this defendant great +annoyance and loss by reason of the disappointment of the public, and +the ill-will of the public towards this defendant caused thereby. That +during the past four weeks during which this defendant has been with his +said Company in the City and County of San Francisco the said Ravelli +has repeatedly wilfully broken his contract, disappointed the public and +greatly injured this defendant in his enterprise in business. He has +sung only twice during all said period, and on his first appearance +wilfully and maliciously omitted to sing a principal part of the music +set down for him to sing, thereby disappointing the public, interrupting +and injuring the representation and inflicting great injury and loss on +this defendant. + +"That on the 10th of April last the said Luigi Ravelli was duly called +to rehearsal, and to sing certain music selected by himself, and which +he had requested this defendant to insert in the Concert programme for +April 11th, but refused to rehearse or sing at said concert although +this defendant had caused to be prepared said music and the band parts +thereof to be written out, and arranged to suit the pleasure and caprice +of said plaintiff. + +"That said Ravelli not only refused to sing, but then and there declared +he would sing no longer for this defendant, and falsely and maliciously +inserted advertisements and notices in certain of the public newspapers +of San Francisco, which notices and publications were greatly to the +injury of this defendant. + +"That all of which doings of said plaintiff were in breach of his +contract with this defendant, and greatly to this defendant's damage, +and to his damage in the sum of five thousand dollars. + +"And this defendant further says that he has repeatedly condoned the +violations by said plaintiff of said contract with this defendant and +his violence and brutality towards persons of the Company other than +this defendant in the hope that he will ultimately come to his senses, +and behave himself as he should; but that all this defendant's +forbearance towards him has been of no effect, and has led only to +repeated and further violations of his contract. + +"Wherefore this defendant alleges that all and singular the said acts +and doings of said Ravelli have constituted, and are so many breaches of +his said contract with this defendant and that the same have been to the +damage of this defendant over and above the amount of salary to which +the said Ravelli would have been entitled had he properly conducted +himself in the respects aforesaid, the full sum of five thousand +dollars. + +"Wherefore the defendant demands that the said complaint be dismissed, +and that he may have and recover of the plaintiff as damages for the +breach of his said contract with this defendant the sum of five thousand +dollars, together with the costs of the action and disbursements +incurred in defending this action. + + "W. H. L. BARNES, + + "Attorney for Defendant." + + "_State of California, City and County of San Francisco_. + +"J. H. MAPLESON being duly sworn deposes and says that he is the +defendant in the above entitled action, that he has read the foregoing +answer and cross-complaint and knows the contents thereof; that the same +is true of his own knowledge except as to those matters which are +therein stated on his own information and belief and that as to those +matters that he believes it to be true. + + "J. H. MAPLESON. + +"Subscribed and sworn to before me this 16th day of April A.D. 1886. + +[Illustration: SEAL.] + + "GEO. F. KNOX, + "Notary Public." + +The suit having been promptly terminated in my favour (General Barnes +wins all his cases, even when they are not quite as good as mine was) I +had to pay a few dollars for law expenses, and the embargo on the music +and baggage was raised. But we could not start on our long journey with +something like ten dollars among the whole one hundred and sixty of us, +and I had still many difficulties to contend with before I could make a +start. In London or Paris I should have begun by parting with my +valuable jewellery, but this I could not do in an American city without +everyone getting at once to know of it. That jewellery cannot pass from +hand to hand without some reasonable proof of ownership being given is +undoubtedly an excellent thing, though it did not suit my particular +case. In England we are such lovers of liberty that a low-class +pawnbroker or a receiver of stolen goods is free to purchase or to +accept as a pledge whatever may be offered to him without asking +inconvenient questions, or troubling himself in any way as to how the +property came into the hands of the person anxious to dispose of it. In +America the vendor or pledger of any article of value must give his real +name and address, and at the same time brings as reference some +respectable person, whose name and address must also be given. This +reminds me (if for a few moments I may be allowed to depart from the +thread of my story) that in America spirits cannot legally be sold to +anyone under the age of fifteen, nor under any circumstances to women. +In England we are so wonderfully free that women and children may buy +penn'orths of gin at any public-house; and one enterprising publican is +said to have made a large fortune by establishing in his drink-den a +metal counter low enough to suit the convenience of small children. + +I was obliged to leave a fifty-pound ring at one hotel as security for +the payment of a singer's bill, and, oddly enough, when this ring was +afterwards forwarded me in a registered letter to New York it was seized +at the moment of my opening the packet by a creditor, or rather a +claimant, who, for a pretended debt, had procured an attachment against +my effects; so that it was not until after I had gone through several +formalities that I could get it finally into my possession. + +I remember a case in which an American manager, whose receipts had been +attached, made a point of putting the money, as it was paid at the +doors, into his pockets, which in a very short time were laden with +coin. To attach the money that a man carries in his pockets a special +order known as a "garnishee" is necessary; and the attachment of money +carried on the person cannot be obtained unless the bearer admits that +he has it about him, or can be proved on sworn evidence to have made +such an admission within the hearing of another person. + +When an attachment has once been obtained the order of attachment can be +sent on by telegraph to be enforced, wherever the person against whom it +has been granted possesses property. On the other hand, as a +counterbalancing advantage, a manager may pledge his receipts by +telegraph, and one man may at any time send money to another by the same +means at quite a nominal charge. Deposit the money at a telegraph +office, and the clerk telegraphs to the office of the place where your +correspondent is staying that a sum equal in amount to the one deposited +is to be forthwith paid. Our post-office orders are issued at usurious +rates, and within limited hours. One cannot, however, but foresee the +day when we shall be reasonable enough in this, as in so many other +matters of practical life, to imitate the Americans. + +It was absolutely necessary for me at the last moment to part with a +certain amount of jewellery, and this I contrived to do without, I +hope, attracting too much attention. I was spared the annoyance of +seeing the details of each separate sale recorded in the newspapers. + +I calculated that the losses caused to me by Ravelli's preposterous +conduct amounted to at least 10,000 dollars. At some of the cities along +the great line of railway, where I had engaged to give performances, I +was unable, having lost the dates that had been fixed, to get others; +and at one city, where the manager gave me another date, he stopped the +whole of the receipts; which he said were due to him as damages for the +injury done to him by not performing on the evening originally +appointed. + +On the morning of our departure--our escape, I may say--from the city +where, a year before, we had been so prosperous, and whence I had borne +away not a small, but a very considerable fortune, I was awakened about +one o'clock in the morning by a Chinaman, a negro, and several Italian +choristers, all crying out for money. But I satisfied every claim before +I left; and I was more astonished than delighted to find myself +complimented on having done so by one of the San Francisco papers, in +which it was pointed out that I could easily have saved myself the +trouble and pain in which I had been involved by taking a ticket and +travelling eastward on my own account, leaving the Company to take care +of themselves in the Californian capital. + +I was not in a position to give gratuities to all who, in my opinion, +deserved them. But John O'Molloy, the gasman of the Opera-house, had +stood by me manfully in all my troubles; and I could not leave without +making him a small present. In doing so I rendered the poor fellow a +truly tragic service; inasmuch as, for the sake of the twenty-five +dollar note which I gave him, he was the same evening robbed and +murdered. + +On the whole, though in the midst of my difficulties I had been worried +a little by interviewers, the San Francisco papers gave me good words at +parting. One of them explained my pecuniary failure not by the scandal +which Ravelli's conduct had caused, but by my having played to popular +prices, instead of the exceptionally high ones which I had charged when +the year before Patti was singing for me, and receiving at the time +payment at the rate of L1,000 a night. + +"Opera," said the journal in question, "is regarded as a luxury, to +enjoy which its votaries are willing to pay liberally. High prices are +its illusion, and when put down to current rates the romance of the +thing is destroyed. Mapleson did not appear to understand this, and his +deficiency of the knowledge has caused him to leave us almost a bankrupt +by his San Francisco venture. It is admitted on all hands that he had a +splendid troupe, but the fact of his performing to what are known as +popular prices, and complications arising with certain members of his +troupe, seem to deprive him of his usual success." + +"By the way," said a writer in the paper called _Truth_, "I notice that +Mapleson is said to be indebted to Ravelli for 6,000 dollars, though an +artist notoriously never permits an impresario to owe him more than a +few performances. [It was proved in Court that I owed him nothing.] At +home, as everybody knows, in their own country they receive in about a +year as much as they are paid in a month in America, the streets of +which the average Italian singer imagines to be paved with gold coins. +As to the success or failure of the venture of the impresario they are +supremely indifferent, but pertinaciously continue to demand the utmost +farthing, no matter how badly things may be going. Lyric artists are, as +a rule, the most grossly ignorant people on all subjects, except their +own special art, and money. They are intensely conceited and abominably +selfish, and regard an impresario as their natural prey. The sums that +Ravelli has received from Mapleson in the last few years are beyond +question sufficient to maintain the tenor in comfort and luxury for the +rest of his life. Yet the moment he fails to receive his _quid pro quo_ +he refuses to render his services, denouncing his manager as a swindler, +and abandons him at a moment when by loyalty and a little patience he +could have aided in relieving the ill-fortune which must inevitably be +anticipated in operatic affairs. Of course on general commercial +principles the labourer is worthy of his hire; but in operatic matters +the hire is, as a rule, so entirely out of proportion to the services +rendered, and the conditions of the enterprise so unlike any other +venture, that a little latitude certainly ought to be allowed." + +I found on my arrival at Chicago that one of the Chicago papers had, at +the beginning of my troubles, published the following telegram from its +correspondent at San Francisco:-- + +"Mapleson is fighting his last week of opera at San Francisco in the +teeth of dissensions, his first tenor having published a card to the +purport that Mapleson had not fulfilled his obligations with him, and +that he would not sing unless he published an announcement over his own +name. The _San Francisco Chronicle_, the leading paper, therefore calls +on all music lovers to rally in force for Mapleson's benefit on the +16th. The absurd prices Mapleson pays his operatic cut-throats makes the +opera business a ruinous one. Covered with trophies and a due proportion +of scars from his many campaigns, Mapleson will march his forces into +Chicago to-morrow, Sunday, bivouacing for the night at the Chicago +Opera-house, where his principal members will be heard in a sacred +concert. + +"The different performances given, notwithstanding all these operatic +troubles, have been of that high standard which Mapleson alone has ever +presented to us. Mapleson remains with us another week. Such +performances as he has given are in but few places to be found. No Opera +Company existing to-day has a better troupe of singers. There appears to +exist a general impression among certain of the newspapers that Colonel +Mapleson is operatically dead, and entirely out of the hunt. By his +advent here, he proves to the public that he is still on deck." + +My plan of retreat was well devised, and with a little good luck might +have been thoroughly successful. As it was, it at least enabled us, +without too much delay, to reach New York, and from New York to take +ship for Liverpool. + +Unable to command the railroad in a direct way from Frisco to New York, +I determined to undertake a series of engagements at certain selected +points all along the line. If the first of these proved successful I +should be in a better position for my second encounter. It was certain +in any case that at each fresh city I should be able to levy +contributions; and with the money thus raised I could lay in a new stock +of provisions and continue my advance by rail in the direction of New +York, ready to stop at the first city whose population and resources +might make it worth my while to do so. + +Going back a little I must here explain that before leaving San +Francisco, in order that Mdme. Minnie Hauk might be fresh for the +proposed performance at Omaha, I had sent her on two days in advance--a +distance of not more than 1,867 miles; whilst Mdme. Nordica was placed +at another strategical point 2,500 miles away, at Minneapolis. She had +to attend her sick mother, but was prepared to rejoin us when called +upon to do so. Mdlle. Alma Fohstroem, not having sufficiently recovered +from her late indisposition, was left behind at San Francisco, 2,400 +miles from the scene of my next operations. + +From Louisville, Kentucky, I telegraphed Mdme. Minnie Hauk to come on at +once to play _Carmen_ for the second night of our season; and she +arrived in good time. She sang the same evening. + +Mdme. Nordica received orders to join us at Indianapolis, where she was +to appear in _La Traviata_, which she duly did the following Friday; +whilst Mdlle. Alma Fohstroem, now recovered, was brought on from San +Francisco to Cincinnati, a distance of some 2,500 miles, to perform in +_Lucia di Lammermoor_. She also arrived punctually, and sang the same +night. + +I mention this small fact to show what can be accomplished with a little +discipline. The reason why Mdme. Minnie Hauk was sent on to Omaha +beforehand was in order that, by announcing her arrival in that city, I +might give confidence to the public, it having been reported that my +Company was broken up. Hence there was no booking; though had we +arrived punctually for the opera on the promised date, my receipts, +which I had already pledged to the Railway Company to get out of San +Francisco, would certainly have been not less than L500 or L600. Mdme. +Minnie Hauk, moreover, would have been saved a detour of some 2,400 +miles. + +Altogether I lost about L2,000, as I missed Omaha on the Friday, +Burlington on the Saturday, Chicago on the Sunday, and my first +performance in Louisville on the Monday. + +Notwithstanding my all but insurmountable difficulties the performances +never stopped, an announced opera was never altered, and the whole of +the promised representations actually took place in each city; the press +notices, which I still preserve, being unanimous as to the excellence of +the representations. + +I may mention that the travelling on these lines averages some 25 miles +an hour only, there being several very steep gradients on the road. In +some instances the train goes up over 3,000 feet in 57 miles, and down +again; whilst the height of several mountains traversed by the train +reaches from 7,000 to 8,000 feet. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +DEL PUENTE IN THE KITCHEN--SCALDING COFFEE--CALIFORNIAN WINE--THE +SERGEANT TAKES A HEADER--THE RUSSIAN MOTHER--I BECOME A SHERIFF--A DUMB +CHORUS--DYNAMITE BOMBS. + + +When the Company started for the steamer which was to ferry us across to +the railway station, further trouble arose in consequence of the +increased sums demanded (now that the rates had been got up) for the +Pullman cars which I had ordered for the principal artists; amounting to +a considerable sum. But this difficulty was ultimately surmounted, and +we left early on Wednesday evening for Omaha, where we were due on the +Friday following. + +My private car, moreover, had been let, and I was forced to engage an +ordinary Pullman, with no facilities whatever for cooking or even +heating water. Hasty purchases had now to be made of wine, coffee, etc., +and a few tins of preserved meats; and a start was made for Omaha. + +I was obliged to make arrangements not only for provisioning my +principal artists, but also for cooking their food. I bought, when we +were on the point of starting, a couple of hams and some cans of tinned +meat, wine, and several gallons of whisky; the latter being intended not +for internal consumption, but simply for cooking purposes. I found that +there was no kitchen in the train, and I was obliged to improvise one as +best I could. Del Puente, besides being an excellent singer, is a very +tolerable second-rate cook; and I appointed him to the duty of preparing +the macaroni (which I must admit he did in first-rate style), and of +acting generally as kitchenmaid and scullion. I myself officiated as +_chef_, and saw at the close of each day that the eminent baritone +washed up the plates and dishes and kept the kitchen utensils generally +in good order. + +Early every morning I prepared the coffee for breakfast; and I believe +no better, and certainly no hotter coffee was ever made than that which +one day just before the breakfast hour I upset, through a jolt of the +train, over my unhappy legs. + +The fresh invigorating air of the mountains and of the spacious plains +may have had something to do with it; but to judge from results, I may +fairly say that my cooking was appreciated. My eight principal artists +were, moreover, in charming temper. All professional jealousy and +rivalry had been forgotten, except perhaps on the part of Del Puente, +who did not quite like the secondary position which I had assigned to +an artist who had previously refused all but leading parts. + +At most of the principal stations we were able to purchase eggs, +chickens, tomatoes, and salad. There was generally, moreover, a cow in +the neighbourhood; and wherever we had an opportunity of doing so we +laid in a supply of fresh milk. + +While on the subject of cows, I must say a word as to the cruel fate +which these unhappy beasts meet with at the hands of the railway people. +In front of every train there is a "cow-catcher," which, when a cow gets +on the line, shunts the wretched animal off and at the same time breaks +its legs. I begged the driver more than once to stop the train and put +the mutilated animal out of its misery with a revolver shot, but it was +not thought worth while. + +When a cow is destroyed by the "cow-catcher" the owner can claim from +the railway company half its value; and it is said that in bad times +when cattle are low in the market, or worse still, unsaleable, they are +driven on to the line with a view to destruction. I have often in a +day's journey perceived hundreds of the bleached skeletons of the +animals killed outright by the "cow-catcher," or maimed and left to die. +An inspector, appointed by the railway company, passes from time to time +along the line and, after settling up, marks in the left ear and at the +tip of the tail the dead beasts for which the company has paid. The +former owner disposes of the carcasses and hides; the latter alone +possessing appreciable value. The former are left on the ground to +become food for the crows; though the Indians will sometimes cut away +portions of the meat when they come upon a beast which is still fresh. + +During our eight days' journey I acted not only as cook, but also as +butler; and our various wines, all of Californian growth, were +excellent. They cost from 8d to 10d a bottle, and I was not alone in +regarding them as of excellent quality. Singers are not great wine +drinkers, but they are accustomed to wines of the first quality; and I +may say in favour of the wines of California that they were appreciated +and bought for conveyance to Europe by artists of such indubitable taste +as Patti, Nilsson, and Gerster. The cost of carriage renders it +impossible to send the wines of California to Europe for sale. But +someday, when, for instance, the Panama Canal has been cut, there will +be a market for them both in England and on the Continent. They are, of +course, of different qualities. But the finest Californian vintages may +be pronounced incomparable. I remember once being entertained in company +with some of my leading artists by Surgeon-General Hammond, at his house +in Fifty-eighth Street, New York, when some Californian champagne was +served which we all thought admirable. Our facetious host disguised it +under labels bearing the familiar names of "Heidsieck" and +"Pommery-Greno;" and we all thought we were drinking the finest vintages +of Epernay and of Rheims. Then under the guise of Californian champagne +he gave us genuine Pommery and genuine Heidsieck; the result being that +we were all deceived. The wine labelled as French, but which was in fact +Californian, was pronounced excellent, while the genuine French wines +described as of Californian origin seemed of inferior quality. + +On arriving at Cheyenne I found it would be impossible to reach Omaha in +time to perform _Carmen_, which was announced for the following evening; +or Burlington, where _Lucia_ was billed for the Saturday; or Chicago for +our Sunday concert, for which every place had been taken. All had to be +abandoned. Our special train was consequently diverted off to the right +in the direction of Denver, where I telegraphed to know if they could +take us in for a concert the following Sunday. On receiving a negative +reply, I telegraphed to Kansas City, where my proposition was accepted. +I consequently wired the Kansas manager the names of the artists and the +programme containing the pieces each would sing. Through the +manipulation of the telegraph clerks scarcely one of the artists' names +was spelt right, whilst the pieces they proposed to sing, as I +afterwards found, were all muddled up together. + +In due course our party reached Denver, where we took half an hour's +stop for watering the train and obtaining ice for the water tanks in the +different cars, after which we started on our road to Kansas City. + +Shortly after leaving Denver one of my sergeants belonging to the corps +of commissionaires--several of whom I had brought from London--was taken +ill and reported to be suffering from sunstroke received many years +previously in India. + +During our brief stoppage at Denver one of the other sergeants had +purchased him some medicine which he was in the habit of taking. About +two o'clock in the morning he became very violent, and it was found +necessary to cut the bell-cord running through the carriage in order to +tie him down. I then gave orders to the sergeant-major to place him in a +bed and have him watched by alternate reliefs of the other sergeants, +changing every two hours. + +About four in the morning, in the midst of a terrific thunderstorm, +accompanied by torrents of rain, I was alarmed by the sudden entry of +the sergeant-major, stating that the invalid under his charge had opened +the window and taken a header straight out. + +There was great difficulty in stopping the train in consequence of the +absence of the bell-cord; but we ultimately succeeded in doing so. +Numbers of us went out to look for the poor man's remains, the vivid +flashes of lightning assisting us in our search. As the water on each +side of the railway was several feet deep, and as the sergeant was +nowhere to be found on the line, we concluded after three hours' search +that he must be drowned, and again started the train, leaving word at +the first station of the misfortune that had happened. + +In consequence of this delay we did not reach Kansas City until +half-past ten at night, when a portion of the public met us to express +in rather a marked manner their extreme disapprobation. It was +afterwards explained to me that nearly every seat in the house had been +sold, and that had we arrived in time we should have taken at least +L800, which, in my straitened circumstances, would have been of +considerable assistance. + +We prosecuted our journey straight through to Louisville, Kentucky. But +here, too, we failed to arrive at the proper time. The train being so +many hours late, we did not reach our destination till eleven o'clock at +night, when the audience, who had been waiting some considerable time, +had gone home very irate. Minnie Hauk having rejoined us the following +evening we played _Carmen_ to but a moderate house, in consequence of +the public having lost all confidence in the undertaking. In settling up +with the manager he deducted the whole of my share of the receipts, +stating that they would partly compensate him for the losses incident to +our non-arrival the first night, as well as on the previous night, and +for the general falling off in the receipts caused by these mishaps. We +afterwards went to the station to take the train for Indianapolis; but +on arriving there I found that the Sheriffs had seized and attached, not +only all the scenery, properties, dresses, and everybody's boxes, but +the whole of my railway carriages; and it was only with the greatest +possible difficulty, by giving an order on the next city, that I got the +train released. I had, of course, to pay the Sheriff's costs, which were +exceedingly heavy. + +On arriving at Indianapolis very meagre receipts awaited us, these being +absorbed entirely by the railway people on the order which I had given +from Louisville. There were likewise sundry claims from San Francisco. +During the whole of my stay in Indianapolis I was unable to obtain even +a single dollar from the management. I, however, arranged by +anticipating the coming week's receipts to clear up all my liabilities +and get under way for Cincinnati, where the results of our engagement +were something atrocious. The theatre was almost empty nightly, the +public, by reason of the threatened riots, being afraid to go out in the +streets. + +I was now forced, in order to meet the large demands for railway fares, +to drop at successive stations scenery, costumes, and properties. At one +place an immense box, containing nothing but niggers' wigs, mustachios, +and beards, made by Clarkson, of London, passed from my hands into +those of the Sheriffs, who held an attachment against it. When I found +it necessary to part at one station with _L'Africaine_, at another to +separate myself from _William Tell_, and at a third to cast away the +whole of _Il Trovatore_ and a bit of _Semiramide_, I felt like the +Russian mother who, to secure her own safety, threw her children one +after the other to the wolves. + +I cannot, however, say that the wolves of the law are worse in America +than in other countries. They bear the same honoured names that one is +accustomed to among the members of the profession in happy England. I +was interested, moreover, to learn that the Levys, the Isaacs, the +Aarons, and the Solomons of the United States are all related to the +Levys, Isaacs, Aarons, and Solomons of our own favoured land. I had so +much to do with them, from the beginning of the retreat from Frisco +until my arrival at New York, and the eve of my departure for Europe, +that they ended by treating me as their friend, and made me free of +their guild. They entertained me also at dinner, and gave me a badge; +and when my health was drunk I was assured that in future I should be +treated like a brother: for, said the speaker, referring to the fact +that I myself was now a Sheriff, "Dog doesn't eat dog." + +To return to my story, contracts having been given out for repairing the +roads and repaving the city, in consequence of some league amongst the +various contractors all the streets had been left unpaved at the same +time; and as soon as every paving stone was up a general strike took +place. It was impossible for a carriage to pass along anywhere without +getting upset by the hillocks of stones. Suddenly we heard that the +anarchists were rising, and now the city was filled with State militia +accompanied by numerous Gatling guns for the purpose of clearing the +streets. These things in combination so injured the business of the +Opera that the theatre was empty every night. In many instances +choristers were afraid to go through the streets to fulfil their duties. + +We were now rejoined by Mdlle. Fohstroem, also by Mdme. Nordica; but all +looked very unpromising. Our previous mishaps had been so much written +about, telegraphed, and in every way exaggerated by the various papers, +that all confidence seemed to have been withdrawn from us, and it was +with the greatest possible difficulty we could carry through our +performances. + +As if in imitation of the paviours of Cincinnati, portions of my Company +now began to strike. First the band struck, then the chorus, then the +ballet. + +One night, when _Lucia di Lammermoor_ was being played, a delegation of +choristers notified me that unless all arrears were paid up they would +decline to go on the stage. Argument was useless. The notification was +in the form of an ultimatum. The choristers would not even wait until +the close of the performance for their money, but insisted upon having +it there and then. + +I therefore had to begin the opera with the entrance of "Enrico," +leaving out the small introductory chorus, which was not missed by the +public. We thus got through the first act; also the first scene of the +second act. The curtain was now lowered just before the marriage scene; +and negotiations were again attempted, but still without success. I felt +it necessary to improvise a chorus for the grand wedding scene, and it +consisted of the stage-manager, the scene-painter, several of the +programme-sellers, the male costumier, the armourer and his assistants, +together with several workmen, ballet girls, etc., who, elegantly +attired in some of my best dresses, had a very imposing effect. I gave +strict instructions that they were to remain perfectly silent, and to +act as little as possible; at the same time telling the principal +singers to do their very best in the grand sextet. + +The result was an encore and general enthusiasm. Everyone, too, was +called before the curtain at the close of the act, and one of the +leading critics declared that the _finale_ was "nobly rendered." + +Finding how well I could do without them the chorus now came to terms. + +A concert was given on the following Sunday night which closed the +engagement. The whole of the receipts had been absorbed by lawyers, +sheriffs, railway companies, and the keepers of the hotels at which the +principal members of the troupe put up. The hotel-keepers, moreover, had +seized all the boxes. The train was drawn up at the station; but after +waiting two hours the engine was detached and taken away into the sheds. + +In the meantime dark groups of choristers were congregated in different +parts of the city, and things did, indeed, look gloomy. During the night +I succeeded in paying the different hotel bills; and ultimately in the +small hours of the morning the train was got together and started for +Detroit, I remaining behind to make arrangements for paying off the +remaining attachments. + +On the Company's arriving at Detroit it was discovered that Minnie +Hauk's boxes containing her Carmen dresses had been left behind. As they +could not possibly reach her in time I had to arrange by telegraph to +have new dresses made for her during the afternoon. It took the whole of +my time to release the fifty or sixty attachments that had been issued +against the belongings of the various members of the Company, and I +arrived in Detroit early the following morning with the things which I +had at last triumphantly released. The whole of a Pullman car was filled +with the various articles I had set free, including the _Carmen_ +dresses, sundry stacks of washing, various dressing bags, and piles of +ballet girls' petticoats, beautifully starched. + +Our artistic success in Detroit was great, and, after performing three +nights, we left after the last performance for Milwaukee. + +We passed from Detroit to Milwaukee, where but a few days beforehand the +mob had been fired upon, with some eighteen killed and several wounded. +The whole town was in a state of alarm; neither Fohstroem's "Lucia" and +"Sonnambula," nor Minnie Hauk's "Carmen," nor Nordica's "Margherita" in +_Faust_ could attract more than enough cash to pay the board bills and +fares to Chicago, for which city we left early the following morning. + +The scenes that had taken place there must be fresh in the mind of +everyone. + +Bombshells had been thrown by the Anarchists; numbers of people had been +killed, and the public of Chicago was in the same frame of mind with +regard to the opera as so many of the previous cities. It preferred to +remain indoors. + +Our musical operations were seriously interfered with by the strike, +which was promptly responded to by a lock-out. The clothing +manufacturers closed their shops, throwing but of employment nearly +2,000 superintendents--"bosses," as the Americans call them--and 25,000 +hands. The hands had demanded ten hours' pay for eight hours' work, with +20 per cent. advance on trousers, and 25 per cent. on vests and coats. +The "bosses" demanded an advance of from 35 to 50 per cent. on all kinds +of work; and it was resolved by the employers not to reopen until all +the firms had made a successful resistance to these claims on the part +of the workmen. The metal manufacturers and furniture makers had been +threatened in like manner by their men; and they also refused to yield +to the strikers. At the same time from 30,000 to 40,000 men were on +strike at Cincinnati, where the suburbs were occupied by a whole army of +troops. It now appeared that the disturbances at Chicago were closely +connected with those at Cincinnati. Some of the Socialists on strike +were armed, to the number of 600 or 700, with effective rifles, and they +controlled the manufacture of dynamite shells. The shells which the +rioters had been using at Chicago had been made at Cincinnati, and it +was said that the Chicago Socialists had on hand for immediate use a +supply of these infernal machines. At Milwaukee, some seventy or eighty +miles from Chicago, nineteen Anarchists and Socialists had just been +arraigned on a charge of riot and conspiracy "to kill and murder." In +the streets of Chicago placards were posted on the walls announcing that +groups of more than three persons would be dispersed by force; so that a +husband and wife proceeding in company with two of their children to +hear _Il Trovatore_ or _Lucia di Lammermoor_ ran the risk of being fired +into by Gatling guns. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +SUBTERRANEAN MUSIC--THE STRIKER STRUCK--TUSCAN TAFFY--A HEALTHY +"LUCIA"--I RECOVER FROM THE UNITED STATES--A BEKNIGHTED MAYOR. + + +We opened our Chicago season with a grand concert prior to the +commencement of the regular performances in order to let the public know +that all the Company was present in the city after the conflicting +reports that had been circulated. + +Notwithstanding all our recent reverses, my Company was intact, except +that the refractory tenor Ravelli had been replaced by Signor Baldanza, +and the basso Cherubini by Signor Bologna. Here, again, in Chicago, my +usual stronghold for Italian Opera, the reports of our troubles had been +exaggerated and enlarged upon, so that the general public had lost all +confidence, notwithstanding the fact that, through Mrs. Marshall Field's +influence, a party of the most distinguished citizens had secured the +whole of the boxes for the entire season. + +The Chicago engagement was expected to recoup us for our losses in the +West. But, unfortunately, this hope was not realized; and in consequence +of the wild reports that got into general circulation, and, of course, +into the newspapers, the Company began to clamour for their pay. I +referred them to Mr. Henderson, the Manager of the Chicago Opera-house; +and his office was crowded daily with prime donne, chorus people, +dancers, musicians, property men, bill-board men, and supernumeraries, +all demanding money. "Lucia" was begging for dollars and cents; +"Manrico" insisted on having at least three meals a day; while the +"Count di Luna," who shared his rival's apartments, protested that +unless he had a pint of good wine before he went on he could not get out +his F's with due effect in _Il Balen_. + +Mr. Henderson proclaimed his managerial life a burden, but made no other +response. + +Of the orchestral players the drum was the noisiest; though the hautboy +and the piccolo were every whit as emphatic. It was a united and +determined strike, the keynote of which was, "No pay no play." + +Only two weeks' pay was owing to them, and it was agreed that Mr. +Henderson, the Manager, should give them one week's salary on account. +But when the musicians assembled to receive it they suddenly, through +the persuasiveness of one of their body, insisted upon having all +arrears paid up; otherwise they would not enter the orchestra. + +Finding they were obdurate and would not take the money that was offered +them, I was forced to seek musicians from among the various musical +societies of the city, and called a rehearsal as soon as I was ready. +After the new orchestra had been brought together, a hasty rehearsal was +ordered for 7.30 that evening; and not long after the opening of the +doors the public was regaled with the sounds of my new orchestra, who +were practising underneath the pit, from which they were separated only +by a very thin flooring. + +On Arditi's notifying Signor Bimboni, the accompanist and +under-conductor, that he would require him to assist on the piano in the +orchestra, Bimboni replied: "Bless you! I have struck too." + +Nothing discouraged, though somewhat wrath, Arditi succeeded in +unearthing an accompanist, who struggled bravely with the pianoforte +score. + +During the performance, Parry, our stage manager, met Bimboni near the +stage door, and reproached him sharply for deserting his post. This +altercation led to blows. Bimboni struck out wildly, and soon went down +with a black eye and a bruised face as a souvenir of the encounter. + +The chorus, finding that I had provided another orchestra, and had +threatened to find other choristers, gave in; and I must say we +succeeded in giving a very excellent performance, despite all +difficulties. + +The next day all was again serene, and I was enabled to continue my +representations until the close, finishing up the season with success. +The Chicago engagement concluded with a benefit tendered to me by most +of the prominent citizens. They thus showed their appreciation of my +efforts as a pioneer; for I was the first manager who had introduced +into their city grand opera worthy of the name. + +Amongst the signatures to the document embodying this fact were the +following well-known names:--The Hon. Carter H. Harrison, Judge Eugene +Carey, Marshall Field, Ferd. W. Peck, J. Harding, Professor Swing, +George Boyne, Irving Pearce, A. A. Sprague, George Schneider, John R. +Walsh, J. McGregor Adams, George F. Harding, S. S. Shortball, J. Russell +Jones, Edson Keith, C. M. Henderson, Hon. J. Medill, Potter Palmer, John +B. Drake, N. K. Fairbank, T. B. Blackstone, A. S. Gage, &c. + +On being called before the curtain I thanked the public for the liberal +support they had given to my undertaking; also the press for the +encouraging notices which it had published daily, notwithstanding all my +troubles. These had been fully made known to everyone by means of the +daily papers, which really took more interest in my affairs than I did +myself. + +In regard to the strike of my orchestra, an account of which was +published in the _Inter-Ocean_, Mr. David Henderson, manager of the +Chicago Opera-house, said to an interviewer:--"The new orchestra played +this evening in a satisfactory manner. The Musical Union held a meeting +during the day, and decided, I am told, that the members of the +Colonel's orchestra did wrong in taking the stand in the matter of wages +that they did; that is, in demanding from me back salaries. After the +meeting several of them expressed a desire to come back; but I only took +those needed--five or six in all. The rest are out of employment. The +orchestra is now better than before, and everything is going along +smoothly. At the conclusion of the engagement of the Company, Sunday +night, a number of the principals and of the chorus and executive staff +will return with Colonel Mapleson direct to London. I ought to add that +since the beginning of the engagement he has not touched one cent of the +box-office receipts. I have distributed the money as equitably as I +could, giving to each artist, on present and past salaries, as much as +the receipts would permit. I have learned that the Colonel is not as +much in arrears to his Company as newspaper reports led the public to +believe. Some of the leading people have been, as near as I can +ascertain, only behindhand some three or four performances, before +coming to Chicago. The orchestra that left, I understand, have two +weeks' salaries due to them, that were incurred during the past eight +weeks since the Colonel's bad business in California, and through the +lengthened voyage. The best proof of the belief on the part of his +company that the Colonel intends doing what is right by its members is +the willingness with which every one of them has consented to appear at +his benefit, Saturday evening, without compensation." + +"The Mapleson Opera Company," wrote the Tribune, "with the Colonel's +trials and tribulations, have pretty well filled the public eye the past +week. Outside of the Columbia Theatre, with the McCaull people there has +been nothing to talk about but the Colonel. There are times when +Mapleson, unconsciously, perhaps, appeals to sympathy. He is the only +living man to-day with nerve enough to go into the business at all, who +can govern and control the average opera singer. The latter is the most +trying beast on earth. Male or female, Italian or Greek, German or +'American,' they are all alike. A more obstreperous, cantankerous, and +altogether unreasonable being than an opera singer it is hard to find in +any other walk of life. The Italian contingent of the guild is the worst +to get along with. The Italian singer is rapacious, improvident, +ungrateful, and wholly inconsiderate of his manager. At the same time he +is a vain fool whom a word of flattery will move. Mapleson speaks +Italian fluently, and hence when trouble arises he seeks the complainer, +gives him a lot of Tuscan taffy, and the idiot goes off and sings as if +nothing had happened. The Mapleson season at the Chicago Opera-house has +had its difficulties, yet it has scored successes. The leading people +have stood by the Colonel. He has had trouble with the orchestra, but +that was quickly remedied. Yesterday Giannini, whom Mapleson picked up, +as it were, out of the gutter in New York, where the Milan Company +dropped him, and to whom he has since paid thousands of dollars, whether +he earned it or not, made a strike just before the _matinee_. Giannini +wanted 600 dollars. Mapleson offered 400 dollars. Giannini refused it, +and would not sing. Then the Colonel began to talk Italian in his +charming way, and the result was that the tenor went back, dressed, and +sang, and that, too, without a 'cent,' and did it with meekness. _La +Sonnambula_, which gave Mdlle. Fohstroem her last chance to appear, drew +a good house at the _matinee_, and the Colonel's benefit in the evening +was a gratifying tribute. There were no more breaks, and the audience +showed a warm appreciation throughout. The programme was just what +Colonel Mapleson's admirers wanted. Last night's performance ended the +season. From here the company scatters. The principals seek their homes +in Europe, and the Colonel travels post-haste to London, where he is to +superintend the Patti appearance in June. Mapleson is disgusted with his +present season's experience, but he is by no means disheartened. He +threatens to come back at an early period." + +At the end of some three weeks we learned that Sergeant Smith, the +commissionaire who jumped out of the window in his shirt, had been +discovered comfortably asleep and unhurt. Some difficulty was +experienced in marching him along in the costume in which he then was to +the hospital, whither it was thought prudent first to take him until +some clothing could be provided. Whilst he was detained there a lady who +had come to visit a sick gardener recognized the sergeant as having +crossed on the same boat with her some six months previously. He readily +accepted her offer of the vacant place, and forthwith began work; and it +was only after many inquiries as to how the missing body had been +disposed of that we discovered the man was still alive. On this being +made known several articles came out in various journals, some giving +the life of Sergeant Smith, and saying where and how he had won his +numerous medals, whilst others expatiated generally on the valour and +endurance of the British army. + +In due course the gallant sergeant joined the main body and donned his +uniform. + +While we were at Chicago another Opera Company, calling itself the +Milan Grand Italian Opera Company, was giving performances, and an +amusing incident happened during a representation of _Lucia_. The +audience was waiting for the appearance of the heroine in the third act. +But they waited and watched in vain. The chorus stood in mute amazement, +while the musicians in the orchestra looked somewhat amused. The +audience stamped their feet and clapped their hands, while the gallery +hissed repeatedly. The curtain was rung down, and there was a wait of a +few minutes, when finally Signor Alberto Sarata, the manager of the +Company, appeared on the stage, and said that Miss Eva Cummings, who had +been singing the part of "Lucia," had suddenly become ill, and was quite +unable to continue her performance. The opera would, therefore, go on +without her. He had scarcely finished speaking when "Lucia" herself came +on to the stage, and declared that she was in perfect health, and that +she wanted her salary. This announcement was received with mingled +cheers and hisses. + +The prima donna bowed gracefully first to one side of the house, then to +the other, and was about to follow the manager, who had already left the +stage, when she found that the curtain was held fast by invisible +forces. From one exit she went to the other, but still was unable to +escape from the presence of the public. + +"I will get off this time, anyhow!" she exclaimed, and with a rush +pushed the curtain back. The invisible forces still resisted; but after +a time "Lucia" succeeded in making her way to the wings. + +Then the curtain went up, and "Edgardo" began to bewail the death of a +"Lucia" who had not died. + +Towards the close of our Chicago engagement attachments, writs, +summonses, etc., began to fall thick and fast, which had to be dealt +with speedily in order to ensure our departure. + +I therefore made arrangements for a farewell Sunday concert in order to +raise the wind for the purpose. + +I cannot allow this opportunity to pass without tendering my sincere +thanks to my esteemed and valued friend, President Peck, who very kindly +came to the rescue by affording me the monetary assistance I required to +enable us to get out of the city. + +As fast as one attachment was released another came on. The last one I +got rid of about 2 a.m., and left the theatre satisfied that all was +serene. On seating myself at the Pacific Hotel, with a view to supper, I +was called to the door, and notified that the waggons I had seen +properly started had all been arrested and were at the corner of +Dearborn Street. Placing down my knife and fork I hastened off; and by +the aid of my friend Henderson, who gave bonds, the attachment was +released. Meanwhile the whole of the Company was on the qui vive for the +entraining order, the steam having been up some ten hours and the train +not yet started. + +At the station I came across the remnants of the Milan Opera Company +which had been stranded some fortnight previously, and whose members +were supplicating aid towards getting to New York. I thereupon had the +great pleasure of affording them all a free passage in my train; and +after sundry salutations from my numerous friends who came to see me off +we took our departure. The Company reached Jersey City very early the +following Tuesday morning, and went straight on board the boat which was +to sail late that afternoon. I meanwhile crossed over into New York, +where I attended at the Inman Steamship Office, and arranged for them to +give a passage to my Company and to take an embargo on my belongings for +their protection, as well as mine. + +I must here set forth that every year on entering the port of New York +the Customs authorities had charged me duty at the rate of some 50 per +cent. on all my theatrical costumes, scenery, and properties, although +the majority of them had originally been manufactured in the United +States. Explanation was useless. The tax was invariably levied, though I +always paid it under protest. I maintained that the things which +accompanied me were tools of my profession, and were entitled under the +State law to enter free; but inasmuch as I did not wear the clothing +myself, it was contended that the property could not be so entered. To +be free of duty the costumes, it was argued, must be the personal +property of each performer. Mdme. Sarah Bernhardt on entering the United +States brought some thousands of pounds worth of beautiful dresses, +which were seized, she refusing to pay the amount of import duty +claimed. Her case was heard, and it was decided from Washington that her +dresses, since she wore them herself, were the tools of her profession +or trade, and must be allowed to enter free. My case was different. But +I instituted law proceedings against the United States, which, in +consequence of various delays, lasted some four or five years. A +decision was at last given in my favour. An order was, in fact, issued +to refund me the duty I had previously paid, together with 6 per cent. +interest. + +On leaving the Inman Company's office I met my attorney, who informed me +that the money that I was entitled to in the action I had won against +the United States was payable to me on demand. This was, indeed, good +news, and through my attorney's indefatigable exertions I was enabled to +obtain the final signature of the Customs House authorities to the +cheque which had been drawn to my order, and through his kindness to get +it cashed. + +I had, before leaving Chicago, received a letter from the ticket +speculator Rullmann, to whom I was indebted upon a libretto contract, +suggesting I should embark at Jersey City to avoid difficulties at New +York. Angelo also recommended this course, saying that at New York there +would be a plant put upon me, in order to delay my departure. As I was a +resident of New York, and stood well there, I decided to start from that +city; and it was a good thing I did so, as I afterwards learned that +preparations had been made at Jersey City to prevent my starting, the +"plant" having been prepared there. As I had a deal of business in New +York the day of my departure, I decided to sail from Castle Garden in +the health-officer's steamer, which was kindly placed at my disposal, +the Captain of the Inman steamer having agreed, on my hoisting the +health flag, to heave-to when outside in order to allow me to get on +board. + +Prior to leaving New York I arranged with the Mayor of Liverpool, +through the medium of the cable, to give a grand concert at the +Liverpool Exhibition building with the whole of my principal artists, +for which I was to receive two-thirds of the gross receipts; and as the +papers stated that the Exhibition was a very great success, I +anticipated sufficient results to enable me, after landing, to take the +Company on to London and send the choruses over to Italy. + +We arrived in Liverpool three days before the time fixed for the +proposed concert. + +On landing I at once looked at the morning papers, when to my +astonishment no announcement whatever of the concert had been made. On +presenting myself at the Mayor's office I was informed that his Worship, +who had just been knighted, had gone to the north to rest himself, +leaving no instructions whatever with regard to the concert. A few bills +had been ordered at the printers', but the proofs had not been +corrected. + +Feeling myself placed in a very trying position, I set personally about +the arrangements, every obstacle meanwhile being thrown in my way by the +executive, who contended that the Mayor had no right to enter into any +arrangement without their sanction. I at last got placed up in the +Exhibition two bills; which had vanished, however, by the next morning. + +The concert-room was in a most chaotic state, stray pieces of wood, +broken chairs, etc., lying about the floor. I had to arrange the room +myself, and even number the seats. + +The evening of the concert arrived; but the public as well as my own +artists were debarred from entering the doors unless they first paid for +admission to the Exhibition, the whole of the gate money having been +pledged to some banker in Liverpool. + +The concert gave great satisfaction, but the receipts only reached some +L70 or L80; of which to the present moment I have been unable to obtain +my share. + +As I had to pay Mdlle. Fohstroem L50, Del Puente L40, and all the others +in proportion, I found myself, counting the hotel bills, some L180 out +of pocket. + +The day after the concert we all reached London. As it was now the 18th +of June it was too late to think of giving a London season; and my +doings were limited to my benefit, which took place at Drury Lane under +the immediate patronage of Her Majesty the Queen and H.R.H. the Prince +of Wales. Mdme. Patti volunteered her services on this occasion, the +Theatre, kindly placed at my disposal by Mr. Augustus Harris, being +crowded. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +BACK IN THE OLD COUNTRY--THE LONDON SEASON--SLUGGISH AUDIENCES--MY +OUTSIDE PUBLIC--THE PATTI DISAPPOINTMENTS--THE "SANDWICH'S" STORY. + + +Shortly afterwards I organized a very strong opera party, determining, +during the coming September, to revisit the English provinces, which I +had rather neglected during the previous seven or eight years. I, +therefore, arranged to visit Dublin, Cork, Liverpool, Manchester, +Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, etc., etc., resolved on giving a series +of excellent performances. Engagements were concluded with Mdlle. Alma +Fohstroem, Mdme. Nordica, Mdlle. Dotti, Mdlle. Marie Engle, Mdme. +Hastreiter, Mdlle. Bianca Donadio, Mdlle. Jenny Broch, together with +Signor Frapolli, Signor Runcio, Signor Del Puente, Signor Padilla, +Signor Ciampi, Signor Vetta, a promising young basso, and Signer Foli; +my conductors being Signor Arditi and Signor Vianesi. + +My performances were admirably given; which was readily acknowledged by +the whole of the provincial Press. But during the seven or eight years I +had been away a younger generation had grown up and the elder ones had +gone elsewhere. Inferior English Opera seemed now to be preferred to my +grand Italian Opera; and it was only after I had been playing three or +four nights in a town that the public began to understand the +superiority of the latter. + +In Dublin we had to feel our way with the performances, which culminated +on the last night with a crowded house. I was anxiously expecting the +arrival of Mdlle. Fohstroem, who had been delayed in Russia through the +illness of a relative. She made her appearance at Dublin in the latter +part of September to one of the most crowded houses I have ever seen. + +We afterwards visited Cork, where I fear, as in Mdme. Gerster's case +some years previously, Mdlle. Fohstroem took the germs of typhoid fever, +which developed some ten days afterwards. Whilst singing at the grand +concert of the Liverpool Philharmonic the lady found herself scarcely +able to move, much to the astonishment of myself as well as the +Committee. She, however, got through her work, and came on to +Manchester, where she lay in bed for nearly three months, which was, of +course, a great drawback to our success. + +At Manchester, which is a great musical centre, our receipts the first +week were miserable. But with the commencement of our second and last +week they gradually increased, until there was not standing room. I +endeavoured in vain to buy off another Company in order to continue our +success. + +Again, in Glasgow, where our old triumphs had been evidently forgotten, +we played to most miserable receipts until the second week, when +gradually the business grew until we had to refuse money. In fact, I had +to re-take the theatre, and return there a fortnight afterwards, when on +my last performance of _Il Flauto Magico_ people were paying 10s. for +standing room, while private boxes fetched London prices. + +We next moved on to Birmingham, where my sole consolation was the +admirable articles, making over a column in each of the daily papers, +which appeared the morning after each representation, according the most +unstinted praise to my really excellent performances. We afterwards left +for Brighton, where we closed up just before Christmas. + +Very early in the following month I started my Spring concert tour, +visiting some forty cities in as many days, and meeting with great +artistic success in every place we stopped at. My party consisted of +Mdme. Nordica, Mdme. Marie Engle, Mdme. Helene Hastreiter, and Mdlle. +Louise Dotti; likewise Signori Runcio, Del Puente, and Vetta, with M. +Jaquinot as solo violinist. No more excellent artistic party could have +been put together; but here, again, the provincial public, not knowing +my singers, attended with great caution; preferring old names to the +young voices I had with me. + +In Liverpool, as well as in Bradford, both said to be great musical +centres (?), the receipts were nil. + +We finished up in Dublin, where, as usual, the houses were crowded with +large and appreciative audiences. The Irish, thoroughly understanding +music, and judging for themselves, crammed the hall, and encored every +piece. + +In England, as a rule, singers take some years to acquire a reputation; +but having once got it, they can never get rid of it. + +I recollect hearing Mr. Braham sing when he was 82; and he was +applauded. We are a conservative nation, and value old friends as we do +old port wine. + +Both on the Continent and in America I have been frequently interrogated +as to why the London opera season is held at a time when it is next to +impossible for so many patrons and supporters of music to attend on +account of the numberless _fetes_, flower shows, balls, garden parties, +races, &c., that are taking place; to say nothing of the Crystal Palace, +the Alexandra Palace, and (as regards the present season of 1888) the +Irish, Danish, and Italian Exhibitions. + +I, of course, could make no reply, being fully aware that alike in +France, Spain, Austria, Germany, Italy, Russia, America, etc., the opera +season begins generally about the third week in October; at a time when +all outdoor attractions have ended. In the countries above mentioned +dances and balls are, it is true, given during the winter months, +whereas in London these social gatherings generally take place when the +weather is extremely hot; and, as a rule, the smaller the house the +greater the number of the guests invited. + +In former times the London season was set by the opera; and its +beginning usually coincided with the arrival of the singers from abroad, +who in those days had to cross in sailing vessels, and would only come +in fine weather. + + * * * * * + +Returning to London in the latter part of February, I decided on opening +the Royal Italian Opera early in March; for which purpose I formed an +admirable Company, consisting in the prima donna department of Mdlle. +Alma Fohstroem, Mdlle. Emma Nevada, Mdlle. Jenny Broch, Mdlle. Marie +Engle, Mdlle. Lilian Nordica, Mdlle. Louise Dotti, Mdlle. Helene +Hastreiter, Mdlle. Borghi, Mdlle. Bauermeister, Mdme. Lablache, Mdlle. +Rosina Isidor, and Mdme. Minnie Hauk; my tenors being Signor Ravelli, M. +Caylus, and Signor Garulli; my baritones Signor Padilla, Signor Del +Puente, and M. Lherie; with Signor Miranda, Signor Vetta, Signor de +Vaschetti, and Signor Foli as basses, Signor Ciampi as buffo, and Signor +Logheder as musical conductor--in which capacity he proved most +efficient. I moreover introduced two danseuses of remarkable excellence, +Mdlle. Dell'Era and Mdlle. Hayten; both of whom must have left a +favourable impression. + +The novelties I produced were _Leila_ (Bizet's _Pecheurs de Perles_); +and Gounod's _Mirella_, for the first time since twenty-five years. Thus +_Mirella_ was practically a new opera. Both works were newly mounted, +and both made their mark artistically. + +But the season being a short one, and having no spare capital, I could +not resort to my old _Faust_ and _Carmen_ plan and hammer the music of +_Leila_ into people's heads. Consequently my production of the work did +not meet with the financial success it should have done. The day will, +however, come when it will form an attractive gem in the operatic crown. +_Leila_ is readily accepted all over the Continent; and even in Italy +has been the mainstay of some twelve or fourteen opera-houses. Here, +unfortunately, at its first production, many of the Pressmen were +absent; and at its repetition no further notice was taken of it--though +numbers of the public rely entirely upon what the newspapers say for +their opinions and views. + +The same fate awaited Gounod's _Mirella_--another most charming opera, +in which Mdlle. Nevada sang to perfection. + +The season continued for upwards of eight weeks, and was a pronounced +success, both artistically and financially. It terminated about the +middle of May. As I knew that London would be full of strangers on +account of Her Majesty's Jubilee, I rented Her Majesty's Theatre, and on +taking possession of it discovered it to be in a most desolate state. +There was not a scene or a rope in working order, and the interior of +the theatre was in a most deplorable condition, entailing upon me +considerable expense for cleaning and restoring, painting, papering, +carpeting, etc. There was nearly a mile of corridors and staircases to +whiten, paper, paint, and carpet. + +I opened a fortnight afterwards, when I again brought forward a powerful +Company, including such valuable new-comers as Mdlle. Lilli Lehmann, +Mdme. Trebelli (after an absence of eight years), and Mdlle. Oselio. + +The season commenced most auspiciously on Saturday, June 4. But soon +there was a difficulty with the orchestra, for there were now two other +Italian Operas going on. It was impossible to induce the players I had +engaged to attend rehearsals. There were Philharmonic, Richter, and +other concerts in full swing; and although I paid them weekly salaries I +could never command the services of my musicians for rehearsal, even +though I closed my theatre at night for the purpose. I therefore had to +suspend the representations for a week and form another orchestra, in +order that I might sufficiently rehearse Boito's _Mefistofele_, which I +had then in preparation. Ultimately I succeeded in bringing out that +work, when, as on its first performance, it met with considerable +success. This was followed by the _rentree_ of Mdlle. Lilli Lehmann in +Beethoven's _Fidelio_, which was probably the grandest and most perfect +performance given in London for many years. In the meantime I placed +Bizet's masterpiece, _Leila_, in rehearsal. + +About this time the Royal Jubilee excitement began, followed by +extremely hot weather; and notwithstanding the brilliant performances +given the house was empty nightly, the public preferring the free show +they got out of doors, in the shape of processions, illuminations, etc., +to performances at the theatre, where the temperature was now averaging +90 deg., notwithstanding all I did to keep it cool. + +In fact, the only receipts I got for the purpose of paying my way were +from the letting of the exterior of my theatre instead of the interior; +seats on the roof fetching L1 apiece, whilst windows were let for L40. +These receipts helped to provide the sinews of war for carrying on my +arduous enterprise. + +I now bestirred myself in order to obtain some attraction that would +replenish the depleted operatic chest. My efforts seemed rewarded when +I secured the services of Mdme. Adelina Patti, at the small salary of +L650 per night. Mdme. Patti in due course made her first appearance at +Her Majesty's Theatre in her favourite role of "Violetta" in _La +Traviata_, when there was L1,000 in the house. My hopes, however, of +recouping my heavy losses were dashed almost instantly to the ground. +Mdme. Patti having accepted an invitation from a wealthy banker for a +trip up the river, to be followed by a dinner, she took a violent cold, +from having been placed in a draught with a light muslin dress on. The +next evening Mdlle. Lilli Lehmann again made the old theatre ring with +her magnificent impersonation of "Fidelio." The house, however, was +nearly empty, all attention being directed to the next night, which was +to be Patti's second appearance--in _Il Barbiere di Siviglia_. + +At five o'clock, however, on the evening of the performance, Signor +Nicolini came in to inform me that Patti was too ill to sing, but that I +might rely upon her services the following Saturday, when she would +appear as "Margherita" in Faust, transferring the _Barbiere_ performance +to the following Tuesday. He himself added to the programme an +announcement to the effect that she would introduce in the lesson scene +the valse from _Romeo and Juliet_. + +It being too late to substitute another opera, I had no alternative but +to close the theatre that evening, leaving hundreds of carriage folks +who had sent their coachmen home to get away as best they could, +disappointed, and declaring (in many cases) that there was no reliance +to be placed on Mapleson! + +On the following Friday, finding that the booking for the second Patti +night was very light, the public having lost all confidence, as is +generally the case after a disappointment, I suggested to Mdme. Patti +and to Nicolini that a small allowance ought to be made towards the vast +expenses I had incurred (rent, salaries to artists, band, chorus, &c.) +while keeping the theatre closed, which her incautiousness of the +previous Sunday up the Thames had alone prevented me from opening. + +The following day Signor Nicolini offered to contribute a sum of L50. I +replied that that would be scarcely enough for the orchestra, and that +the entire representation would be jeopardized. He thereupon went home, +stating that Mdme. Patti would not sing that evening unless the +orchestra was duly secured. + +I immediately made arrangements with my orchestra, and notified the fact +to Mdme. Patti by half-past three o'clock through her agent at her +hotel, who, after seeing her, informed me that it was all right. She was +then lying down in view of the evening performance, for which her +dresses had already been looked out by herself and her maid. + +Just as I was leaving the hotel Mr. Abbey came downstairs, and +accompanied me to the ticket-office, adjoining the theatre, the +proprietors of which were large speculators for the occasion. On +ascertaining that some four or five hundred of the best seats had not +been disposed of--the public naturally holding back until Mdme. Patti +should have made her reappearance after the disappointment they had +experienced--Mr. Abbey informed me that Mdme. Patti should not sing that +evening. I may here mention that the full L650, being the amount of her +honorarium, was already deposited to her credit at the bank, so that it +was not on the score of money matters that her services were refused. + +I waited until eight o'clock for the arrival of Mdme. Patti, her room +being prepared for her; but no message was sent, nor any notification +whatever, that she was not coming down. After the previous +disappointments the public had met with I could not find heart to close +the theatre. I, therefore, informed the numbers who were then getting +out of their carriages and gradually filling the grand vestibule that I +would perform the opera of _Carmen_, and that I invited all present to +attend as my guests; adding that their money would be returned to them +on presentation of their tickets. This, of course, it was. + +As to the gratuitous representation of _Carmen_ (with Trebelli in the +principal part), it went off admirably. The audience was numerous and +enthusiastic; and among the distinguished persons who honoured me with +their presence, was, I remember, H.R.H. the Duchess of Edinburgh. + +I wrote to Mdme. Patti the following day, entreating her not further to +disappoint the public, and to stand by the announcement Signor Nicolini +had given me of her appearance the following Tuesday in _Il Barbiere_. +To this I had no reply; and I afterwards learned that Mdme. Patti had +gone off by a special morning train to Wales, to avoid meeting the +chorus and _employes_ who, hearing of her probable flight, had assembled +in large bodies at Paddington to give her a manifestation of their +disapprobation. + +I was now placed in a most difficult position, and left to struggle on +as best I could, having some three weeks' rent still to pay for the use +of the theatre until the end of the month; together with the salaries of +singers, choristers, bill-posters, supernumeraries, orchestra, etc., +etc. These unfortunate people were actually following me in the street, +clamouring for money. There were, moreover, some sixty Italian +choristers, whose travelling expenses had to be provided for to send +them home to Italy. In fact the Opera Colonnade had become a regular +Babel, and it was only by dint of hard work amongst my numerous friends +that I was enabled to collect funds and see the last of my chorus +singers depart. + +This affair threw me into contact with several supernumeraries as well +as bill-board men, and I was very much interested to hear their +different histories. One man, who had been a "Sandwich," gave me the +following account of his life:-- + + THE "SANDWICH'S" STORY. + +"I was formerly," he said, "a captain in the---- Regiment, and many +a time have I paid my six guineas for a box at your Opera, both in +Edinburgh and in London. Subsequently I began to take a great +interest in the turf, and soon met with heavy losses, which +compelled me to give various promissory notes. This at last came to +the knowledge of my colonel, who recommended me to leave the +regiment without delay. Having nothing to live upon, and being a +fair performer on the cornet a piston, I joined a travelling +circus, and ultimately came across your Opera Company in +Philadelphia, where I was one of your stage band. Later on I joined +a party who were bound for the diamond fields in South Africa, +where I was most unsuccessful; and I had to work my passage home in +a sailing ship, till I got to London, where I became a +supernumerary under your management at Drury Lane. + +"During your third season an aunt of mine died, and I found myself +the possessor of L10,000. My cousin, who was largely interested in +building operations, which he assured me paid him at least 60 per +cent., induced me to place half my fortune in his speculations. His +houses were in the west part of London, which had been considerably +overbuilt; and being mortgaged they would have been lost but for my +paying away the remainder of my fortune with the view of saving +them. In spite of this the mortgagee foreclosed, and I again became +a supernumerary, when, in the mimic fight in the second act of +_Trovatore_, one of my companions by mere accident with a point of +a spear put my eye out. + +"I was now no longer qualified for engagement even as a +supernumerary, and I became a 'sandwich' man. My duties during the +last four and a half years have been to parade Bond Street and +Regent Street, receiving as payment ninepence a day." + +On my handing the poor man his salary and settling up he at first +declined to take the money, saying that I had done him so many +kindnesses at different periods of his life that now, when I was in +trouble myself, he could not think of taking his week's pay. I, however, +not only insisted upon his accepting it, but gave him a sovereign for +himself. The unfortunate gentleman, as he showed himself to the last, +went away blessing me. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +MASTER AND MAN--"DON GIOVANNI" CENTENARY--MOZART AND +PARNELL--BURSTING OF "GILDA"--COLONEL STRACEY AND THE DEMONS--THE +HAWK'S MOUNTAIN FLIGHT--AMBITIOUS STUDENTS AND INDIGENT +PROFESSORS--A SCHOOL FOR OPERA--ANGLICIZED FOREIGNERS--ITALIANIZED +ENGLISHMEN. + + +Although an operatic impresario cannot reasonably count on making his +own fortune, it is often a source of satisfaction to him to reflect that +he in his lavish expenditure makes the fortune of singers, officials, +and various people in his service. At the time when I was in my greatest +trouble through the disappointments I had to put up with from some of my +leading singers, I heard that an enterprising Italian who had been +employed by me for many years had taken the New York Academy of Music +for a brief season, and that he was actually performing the duties of +manager. + +Angelo was, or rather is, a very remarkable man. I engaged him many +years ago as my servant at 10s. a week, and he is now said to be in +possession of some thousands or even tens of thousands of pounds, which +he gained while in my service by turning his opportunities and his +talents to ingenious account. Angelo is well known in the United States, +chiefly by the unwashed condition of his linen. Reversing the custom by +which, in England and America, gentlemen who cannot trust their memory +to keep appointments write with a black pencil the time and place on one +of their wrist-bands, Angelo used to write on his wrist-band, as nearly +as possible black, with a piece of white chalk which, primarily with a +view to billiards, he used to carry in his pocket. I mention this as an +example of his proneness to imitation, and also of his economical +habits. + +How, it will be asked, did he amass a fortune in my service when I was +paying him only at the rate of 10s. a week? + +He began by starting a _claque_ of which he constituted himself chief, +and which was at the service of any of my singers who chose to pay for +it. He was always ready, moreover, to act as interpreter. There was no +language which he did not speak in courier fashion more or less well; +and as in a modern operatic Company artists from such outlandish +countries as Spain and Russia as well as from Italy, France, and Germany +are to be found, Angelo's talents were often called into requisition by +singers who did not understand one another and who were altogether +ignorant of English. + +Angelo knew where to buy cheap cigars, and he used to make the members +of my Company buy them as dear ones. He speculated, moreover, largely +and advantageously in vermuth, which he sold in the United States for at +least a dollar a bottle more than he had paid for it in Italy. Campanini +acted as his friend and accomplice in these _vermuth_ sales. Entering a +bar, in no matter what American city, the great tenor would call for a +glass of _vermuth_. "Pah!" he would exclaim when he had tasted what the +bar-keeper had offered him. Then, after making many wry faces, he spat +out the liquor which had so grievously offended him. + +"Where did you get this horrible stuff?" he would then inquire. +"_Vermuth?_ It is not _vermuth_ at all. What did the rascal who sold it +to you charge for it?" + +"Three dollars a bottle." + +"And here is a gentleman," pointing to Angelo, "who has genuine +_vermuth_ of the finest quality and will sell you as much as you like +for two dollars a bottle." + +The bar-keeper thought, with reason, that an eminent Italian tenor like +Campanini must know good _vermuth_ from bad, and at once bought from +Angelo a case or two of the true _vermuth di Torino_. + +Angelo, in addition to his other talents, is a first-rate cook, and in +the preparation of certain Italian dishes, dear to those born in the +"land of song," has scarcely an equal. He was too important a personage +to act as cook to any one singer; but on the Atlantic passage he would +take a pound a-head from some thirty different vocalists in order to see +that each of them was provided with Italian cookery during the voyage. + +Angelo made most of his money, however, by speculating in opera tickets +during my Patti seasons. He had, of course, peculiar facilities for +getting (unknown to me) almost as many tickets as he wanted at +box-office prices; and he could count as a matter of certainty on +selling them at enormous premiums--often as much as two or three pounds +a-piece. + +During the retreat from Frisco, seeing that there would be a scarcity of +food along the line, he laid in a stock of provisions, which he retailed +at enormous profits. + +Angelo had made himself a prominent figure in connection with my +Company, and was frequently spoken of in the newspapers. On our arrival +at New York he waited upon the Secretary of the Academy, as I found out +some time afterwards, and actually took the building from him for a +season of opera, which was to begin in the following October. He +accompanied us, however, to London as though nothing had happened. He +returned at the appointed time to America, taking with him a company +which included Mdme. Valda, Giannini, and others. When his prospectus +came out I noticed two announcements which struck me as strange in +connection with his costumes and music. The former, said the prospectus, +had been "lent" by Zamperoni, the latter by Ricordi and Mdme. Lucca. +They would not, then, be liable to seizure. He had taken the precaution +to secure what he considered a proper reception at New York. Thus he had +hired a steam tug with a brass band on board. This excited the mirth of +all the New York journals. + +When the season began Angelo on the opening night occupied my box, +wearing for the first time in his life a white shirt; and it was noticed +that when he made memoranda on his cuffs he now did so with a black lead +pencil. + +After the first week, the salaries having become due, the theatre +closed, and the would-be impresario found himself surrounded in his +hotel by infuriated choristers, who, with drawn stilettos presented, +formed a veritable _chevaux de frise_ in front of him. Angelo appeared +himself at the second floor window in order to hold parley with his +aggressors at a safe distance, and for some days he remained confined to +his hotel. + +A public subscription was got up for the choristers to enable them to +return to Europe, and Angelo himself now accepted an appointment as +interpreter in Castle Garden, where he had to receive the emigrants, +make known their wants, and give them instructions in whatever happened +to be their native tongue; but he would do nothing for them unless they +began by buying a certain number of his detestable but high-priced +cigars. Even Dr. Gardini, the husband of the distinguished prima donna, +Mdme. Gerster, was actually afraid in Angelo's presence to smoke any +cigars but his. I remember on one occasion giving Dr. Gardini an Havanna +of the finest brand. He knew that Angelo, who was acting at the time as +_chef de claque_ to Mdme. Gerster, would, if he came in, recognize at +once its superior flavour; and when the door-keeper suddenly entered to +tell me that Angelo wished to speak to me for a moment, the doctor +thought it politic to throw aside the cigar I had given him and replace +it by one of Angelo's vile weeds. + +As to Angelo's exact pecuniary position at this moment it is difficult +to speak with certainty. Some say that he is without a shilling, and my +baritone, Signor de Anna, declares that he accommodated him with that +sum a few weeks ago when he was passing through New York. According to +other accounts he is a millionaire, with his millions safely invested in +Italian securities. + +To return to my own managerial business. I now fitted out an expedition +for the following October, when I proposed to make an operatic tour +throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Some few days before my departure +I was much astonished at an embargo being laid on all my costumes and +music under a bill of sale, voluntarily given by me to two friends, in +order to secure a sum which they had advanced as subscribers for the +previous season; which, but for Mdme. Patti's refusal to sing, would +have been completed. I thought that, under the circumstances, my friends +might have waited until after the tour had started. This incident +prevented me from getting away at the appointed time, and I was delayed +in London for nearly a week with the whole of my artists and chorus on +my hands. I, however, got over this difficulty, and left for Ireland +with a most attractive Company. + +We opened in Dublin about the middle of October with an excellent +performance of _Carmen_; Minnie Hauk not having appeared there since ten +years previously on our way to America for our first visit, when Bizet's +opera was totally unknown. On this occasion we were rewarded with a very +crowded audience. Mdme. Rolla made her _debut_ as "Michaela," in which +she met with great success; Del Puente, of course, being the "Toreador." + +On the following night Mdlle. Dotti appeared as "Leonora" in +_Trovatore_, when the house was again crowded. The third night was +devoted to the _Barbiere_, for which I expected Mdlle. Arnoldson, who +did not turn up. The part was, therefore, undertaken by Mdme. Rolla, who +met with great success. Some eight months previously it had been agreed +with Ravelli, prior to his departure for South America, that he should +return to me in Ireland for this engagement, and I must give him credit +this time for having kept his word. He had been travelling continuously +for over seven weeks, and, landing at Bordeaux, had to work his way on +to Dublin, where he joined the Company. There was now no murderous +feeling between him and Minnie Hauk; they seemed to be the best of +friends. I felt sure, however, that this reconciliation would be only +temporary. I remained in Dublin a fortnight, during which time I +produced _Le Nozze di Figaro_, and _Ernani_, with Mdme. Rolla's +excellent impersonation of "Elvira" and Signor De Anna's superb +rendering of "Carlo V." This was followed by _Don Giovanni_, _Faust_, +_Rigoletto_, _Il Flauto Magico_, in which the whole Company took part, +the exceptionally difficult _role_ of the "Queen of Night" being +undertaken with great effect by Mdlle. Marie Decca. I afterwards left +for Cork, where the Company met with great artistic success, the Press +notices being more favourable than they had ever been on previous +visits. + +On the 29th October, being the centenary of Mozart's _Don Giovanni_, I +was determined to celebrate the event with due circumstance; and the +great opera was given with the following very efficient cast:--"Donna +Anna," Mdlle. Louise Dotti; "Donna Elvira," Mdme. Rolla; "Zerlina," +Mdme. Minnie Hauk; "Don Ottavio," Signor Ravelli; "Leporello," Signor +Caracciolo; "Il Commendatore," M. Abramoff; "Masetto," Signor Rinaldini; +and "Don Giovanni," Signor Padilla; conductor, Signor Arditi. + +I had arranged at the close of the first act to place a bust of Mozart +on the stage, executing at the same time the grand chorus of the _Magic +Flute_ while the High Sheriff of the County crowned the immortal +composer. Alas! there was no bust of Mozart to be obtained. But the +property-man reported that he had one of Parnell, which, by the removal +of the beard and some other manipulation, could be made to resemble +Mozart. The High Sheriff having declined to perform the ceremony in +connection with the bust of Parnell, the Mayor of Cork immediately +volunteered to replace him. The public soon got wind of what was going +on; and, fearing a popular commotion--as this very day the city had been +proclaimed in consequence of the Land League meetings--I had to content +myself with performing the opera as Mozart originally intended. + +The part of the dissolute "Don" was superbly rendered by Signor Padilla, +the eminent Spanish baritone, whose appearance reminded me forcibly of +Mario. He had just returned from Prague, where Mozart's centenary had +been duly celebrated, the whole of the arrangements having been left in +his hands. He told me many interesting stories concerning his researches +in the museums and libraries that had been placed by the Government at +his disposal during his stay there, which extended over some five or six +weeks. He succeeded in ascertaining the correct date of the original +production of _Don Giovanni_ at Prague. The authorities in Paris +insisted that it had been first performed on the 27th October, 1787, and +they even went so far as to regulate their centenary performance by that +day. Signor Padilla, however, obtained the original play-bill from the +National Library, in which it was clearly set forth that _Il Don +Giovanni_, _Ossia_, _Il Dissoluto Punito_ was first produced on the 29th +day of October, 1787. + +In my representation the absurd scene of "Don Giovanni" surrounded by a +lot of stage demons flashing their torches of resin all over him was, of +course, omitted. He simply went below in the hands of the Uomo di +Pietra. + +This reminds me of an amateur operatic performance we once had at +Woolwich, in which I took part for the benefit of some regimental +charities. + +I was dining at my Club with some friends when the performance was first +suggested. It was decided to give _Rigoletto_, in which I was asked to +undertake the part of the Duke; this to be followed by the last act of +_Don Giovanni_. + +I, of course, said "Yes," as I usually do to everything; and before the +dinner was over so many bets had been made on the question whether or +not I would appear as the "Duke of Mantua" that, on making up my book, +I found I must either play the arduous part or pay some L300 or L400. I +determined on the former course. + +I, of course, kept the matter a profound secret from all connected with +my theatre. On the night of the performance, on the rising of the +curtain, I was horrified in the midst of my first aria at seeing Mdme. +Titiens, Mdme. Trebelli, Sir Michael Costa, and Adelina Patti amongst +the audience; and it required some nerve to pull myself together and +continue the part. I succeeded, however, in obtaining the customary +encore for the "La donna e mobile" and for the quartett; and on the +whole I believe I acquitted myself well. So, at least, said the notices +which, to my astonishment, appeared next morning in the daily papers. + +A catastrophe occurred at the close of the last scene, where the late +Colonel Goodenough, in the character of "Rigoletto," had to mourn over +the corpse of the murdered "Gilda." At the rehearsal a man had been +placed in the sack, but he was too heavy to be dragged out; and, as +Colonel Goodenough was very nervous, the property-man made the sack +lighter by placing inside some straw and two large bladders full of air. +Just as the curtain was descending Goodenough, who was a very heavy man, +threw himself for the final lament on to the corpse of his daughter, +when a loud explosion took place, one of the bladders having burst. + +The performance concluded with the last act of _Don Giovanni_, in which +Colonel Stracey undertook the part of the dissolute "Don." The demons +were gunners from the Royal Artillery. It was most ludicrous, every time +the Colonel gave the slightest stage direction as to where these men +were to go and when they were to take hold of him and carry him down, to +see the eight demons all give the military salute at the same time. +Stracey told them not to salute him, on which they said "No, Colonel!" +and gave another salute. + +On leaving Cork we had to return to Dublin, where, in consequence of +enormous success, we were called upon to give an extra week. We finished +up on the following Saturday evening with a performance of Wallace's +_Maritana_, in the Italian language, to a house literally packed to the +very roof. Ravelli sang the part of "Don Caesar;" and being encored in +"Let me like a soldier fall," gave it the second time in English. + +We afterwards went to Liverpool, when suddenly Mdme. Minnie Hauk, +without a moment's warning, left the Company. Two days afterwards I +received a medical certificate from Dr. Weber, to the effect that the +lady was in a precarious state of health, and utterly voiceless, so that +it was necessary for her to go to a certain mountain in Switzerland to +recover her health. It was the month of December. + +I afterwards ascertained that _en route_ she had sung at three concerts +for her own benefit. + +We next visited Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Brighton, +etc., concluding at the last-named town just before Christmas with a +memorable performance of _Maritana_, when the curtain had to be raised +no less than five times. + +On the termination of the season we returned to London, where the +Company disbanded for the holidays, my Italian chorus being now sent +back to Italy. + +It costs L8 to get an Italian chorus singer from his native land to +England; and this seems money wasted when one reflects that just as good +voices are to be found in this country as in Italy. If such a thing as a +permanent Opera could be established in London arrangements might be +made by which it would look for its chorus to one or more of our +numerous musical academies, which at present seem to exist and to be +multiplied solely to deluge the country with music teachers, whose keen +competition lessens daily the value of their services. When the Royal +Academy of Music was established the Earl of Westmorland, who presided +at the first meeting of the promoters, said, in reference to the +expected advantages of such an institution, that he hoped to see the day +when music lessons would be given in England at the rate of 6d. an hour. + +A nice time music teachers will have when ten hours' work a day will +give them an income of 30s. a week! But what, if not music teachers, are +the pupils of our four leading musical academies to become? The Royal +Academy of Music, the Royal College of Music, the Guildhall School of +Music, and Dr. Wylde's London Academy of Music must send out annually +some thousand or two well-taught musicians who have nothing to turn to +but teaching. + +Except among the richer classes almost everyone who studies music ends +by teaching music to someone else. Such is his fate whatever may have +been his ambition. What, except a music teacher, or an orchestral +player, or, by rare good luck, a concert singer, is he or she to become? +In other countries there is an established musical theatre with which +the recognized Academy of Music is in connection, and which in some +measure depends upon it as upon a feeder. The students of the Paris +Conservatoire sing in the chorus of the Grand Opera; and those students +who gain prizes, or otherwise distinguish themselves, obtain an +appearance, as a matter of course, at the great Lyrical Theatre, for +which they may be said to have been specially trained. In England, +however, we occupy ourselves exclusively with the teaching of music, +never in any manner dealing with the question what the students are to +do when their period of study is at an end. In other countries there is +together with one musical academy one Opera-house. Here we have four +musical academies and not one permanent operatic establishment. + +Such is the national mania for establishing schools of music that a few +years ago some L200,000 was collected for establishing a new musical +academy with, for the most part, the same professors as those already +employed at existing academies; and an attempt, moreover, was made to +shelve Sir Arthur Sullivan (who may yet, it is to be hoped, compose an +opera), by placing him at the head of this quite superfluous +establishment. More recently Sir Arthur refused to allow himself to be +shackled in the manner contemplated; and not many years afterwards +another composer, Mr. A. C. Mackenzie, who has already proved himself +capable of writing fine dramatic music, was put on the retired list in +similar fashion. Mozart, Rossini, Auber, Bellini, Verdi studied at no +academy; and my friend Verdi was rejected from the Conservatorio of +Milan as incapable of passing the entrance examination. We, however, +hope everything from music schools though we have nothing to offer our +composers or our singers when, in a theoretical sort of way, they have +once been formed. The money wasted in establishing the Royal College of +Music might have been usefully spent in founding a permanent lyrical +theatre for which our young composers might have worked, on whose +boards our young vocalists might have sung. Thus only, by practice in +presence of the public, can composers and singers perfect themselves in +their difficult art. It should be remembered too that for operatic music +the best school is an operatic establishment where fine performances can +be heard. + +The unhappy students, meanwhile, receive but small benefit from their +tuition, seeing that they are simply turned out to swell the ranks of +indigent teachers. No capital in Europe has anything like so many music +schools as London, and no capital in Europe is so entirely without the +means of offering suitable work to students who have once qualified +themselves for performing it. We have some twenty or thirty theatres in +London without one school of acting; which is possibly a mistake. But it +is not such a bad mistake as to have four large music schools without +one lyrical theatre. Nothing can be more preposterous. Yet there is at +this moment more chance of a fifth music school being established than +of an Opera-house being founded at which the shoals of composers and +vocalists shot out every year would have an opportunity of pursuing +their profession. + +Sixty years ago, since which time we are supposed to have made progress +in musical as in other matters, the Royal Academy of Music, which has +produced so many excellent singers, instrumentalists, and composers, +was intimately connected with the King's Theatre. Its students sang in +the Opera chorus, and every fortnight gave performances of their own, at +which leading vocalists, choristers, and orchestra were exclusively from +the Academy. These performances took place in the King's Concert Room, a +sort of _annexe_ to the theatre in which the performances of Italian +Opera were given. + +Nor in those days were singers who happened to be English ashamed to +call themselves by their own names. The present custom of Italianizing +English names as the only process by which they can be made fit for +presentation to the public is much more modern than is generally known. +Even in our own time two admirable vocalists, Mr. Sims Reeves and Mr. +Santley, have had the manliness to reject all suggestions for +Italianizing their names. The foreign musicians, often of the highest +eminence, who have settled amongst us, seem, on the other hand, to have +taken a pride in passing themselves off as Englishmen. Handel is always +called in the bills of the period Mr. Handel; Costa (until he was +knighted) was always Mr. Costa; Halle (until he also was knighted) Mr. +Halle; Benedict (until the moment when he was empowered to adopt the +"Sir"), Mr. Benedict; Herren Karl Rosa, August Manns, Alberto Randegger, +Wilhelm Ganz, and Wilhelm Kuhe (whose knighthood has not yet reached +them), are Mr. Carl Rosa, Mr. Manns, Mr. Randegger, Mr. Ganz, and Mr. +Kuhe. It cannot be a disgrace even for a musician to be an Englishman, +or so many foreign musicians of eminence would not so readily have +called themselves "Mr." + +An English vocalist, on the other hand, will not hesitate to pass +himself off, so far as a name can assist him in his enterprise, as some +sort of foreigner. My old pal, Jack Foley, becomes Signor Foli, and the +Signor sticks to him through life. We have a Signor Sinclair, a name +which seems to me as droll as that of Count Smith at the San Francisco +Hotel. Provincial managers have often entreated me to use my influence +with Mr. Santley in order to make him change his name to Signor +Santalini, which they assured me would look better in the programme, and +bring more money into the house. A Mr. Walker being engaged to appear at +Her Majesty's Theatre, called himself on doing so Signor Valchieri +(Signor Perambulatore would certainly have been better); and a +well-known American singer, Mr. John Clarke, of Brooklyn, transformed +himself on joining my Company into Signor Giovanni Chiari di Broccolini. +The English and American young ladies who now sing in such numbers on +the Italian stage take the prefix not of Signora or Signorina, but of +Madame or Mademoiselle. This, also, is confusing. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +FIGHT WITH MR. AND MRS. RAVELLI--AN IMPROVISED PUBLIC--RAVELLI'S +DANGEROUS ILLNESS--MR. RUSSELL GOLE--REAPPEARANCE OF MR. REGISTRAR +HAZLITT--OFFENBACH IN ITALIAN--WHO IS THAT YOUNG MAN?--FANCELLI'S +AUTOGRAPH--RISTORI'S ARISTOCRATIC HOUSEHOLD. + + +In the early part of January, 1888, I gave forty-two grand concerts in +forty-two different cities, commencing in Dublin, where I was placed in +a position of the greatest difficulty by the non-arrival of Padilla, the +baritone, Ravelli, the tenor, and my principal soloist, Van Biene, who +was laid up with rheumatism; so that it was only with the greatest +difficulty that I could even make a beginning. In due course Ravelli +arrived, but with such a cold that he was unable to speak. I, therefore, +had to proceed to the south of Ireland minus a tenor and a baritone. I +succeeded, however, in replacing the instrumentalist by M. Rudersdorf, +the eminent violoncellist, who resides in Dublin. + +Prior to going to Belfast, towards the latter part of the week, Signor +Padilla joined us, and for the next evening in Dublin all was arranged +for the appearance of Ravelli, who had been living the whole week with +his wife in the hotel at my expense. On notifying him to go to the +concert, he replied that he must be paid a week's salary for the time +during which he had been sick or he would not open his mouth. He +conducted himself in so disrespectful a manner that he deserved, I told +him, to be taken to the concert-room by force. I had scarcely made a +movement of my hand as in explanation when he thought I was going to +strike him, and made a rush at me in a most violent way, kicking up in +the French style in all directions, while his wife assisted him by +coming behind me with a chair. + +I knew that if I injured him in the slightest degree there would be no +concert that night. Meanwhile he was going full tilt at me to strike me +in any way he possibly could, and it taxed my ingenuity to stop all +action on his part without injuring him. It was fortunate I did so, as, +after he had calmed down, seeing me in earnest, he dressed himself and +went on to the concert. All this occurred only half an hour before its +commencement. Afterwards Ravelli sang with comparative regularity. + +Business, however, was not what it ought to have been, in consequence of +the absence of favourite names from the programme. The musical +excellence of my Company was beyond question, but the public must have +old names of some kind or other, whether with voices or not, to ensure +an audience. + +We reached Leicester some four days afterwards. On the Company arriving +in a body at the hotel, the hostess looked at us with amazement, and +asked me if I had not come to the wrong town, since no announcement +whatever had appeared as to any concert taking place. I thereupon made +inquiries and found the landlady's statement to be perfectly true. All +the printed matter--bills and programmes--previously sent on was +discovered hidden away; and the person who had undertaken the +arrangement of the concert, being in difficulties, had been unable even +to announce our coming in the newspapers. + +I, of course, insisted upon giving the concert, and as evening +approached some half-dozen people who were accidentally passing +purchased tickets. The performance proceeded in due form, and Ravelli, +much to his disgust, obtained an encore from his audience of six. + +In a hall adjoining I heard excellent singing, as if from a large +chorus. I at once saw a way of giving encouragement to my artists, who +were going on with the concert. On entering I found that the local +Philharmonic Society was practising. It included many of the leading +ladies and gentlemen of Leicester, and numbered altogether some two or +three hundred singers. + +I told the conductor that a capital concert was going on in the +adjoining hall, to which I invited all present. If he would suspend the +rehearsal they could go and help themselves to the best seats. Great +astonishment was evinced amongst the six members of our public when they +suddenly found the room filling with a well-dressed and distinguished +audience, who were so delighted with the excellence of the performance +that they encored every piece. Prior to the close of the concert I +thought it was better to address a few words to my visitors, in which I +stated that the concert, having been given secretly, without the +knowledge of the town, I should look upon it as a private rehearsal +only; and that it was my intention to return to Leicester some two or +three weeks afterwards, when the public performance would take place. On +leaving the hall my new audience booked some L20 or L30 worth of seats +to make sure of obtaining places at my next visit. + +When I returned shortly afterwards the Concert Hall was packed from +floor to ceiling, and I was even requested to come back and give a third +entertainment. The Press declared that no better concert had ever been +given in Leicester. + +We afterwards visited Cheltenham, Bristol, Exeter, and some twenty other +cities, in each of which we were considerably handicapped by amateurs +giving concerts for the entertainment of other amateurs; neither +performers nor listeners seeming to have any high idea of art. + +On reaching Cardiff Ravelli, without any reason, in the middle of the +concert, said that he was indisposed, and walked home. As there was no +other tenor present, and as it was impossible to continue the +performance without one, I volunteered my services. I had previously +notified the public; and after I had sung in the _Trovatore_ duet I was +recalled twice, and on taking an encore was again twice recalled. This +helped us for the moment. But I have no intention of again appearing as +a vocalist. + +Ravelli, after going home to bed, had requested me to send for a doctor, +as he was in a desperate state. The next morning, prior to leaving the +town, I gave instructions to the landlady that proper care should be +taken of him, adding that I would return in three or four days to see +how he was progressing. I requested her, moreover, to paste up the +windows to prevent any draught blowing into the room. + +I then started with the Company to Exeter. On reaching that city I +received a telegram from the landlady, stating that after my departure +Mr. Ravelli had gone to Paris by the next train with his wife. + +From Exeter we passed on to Plymouth and Torquay, where we gave a +morning concert, remaining in that delightful watering-place till the +following Monday morning, when we left for Salisbury; after which we +visited Southampton, Southsea, Cambridge, Leicester, and Nottingham. The +concert tour being now at an end, I returned to London. + +Although both Mdme. Minnie Hauk and Signor Ravelli had left me on the +plea of sickness without being seriously indisposed, I took no steps +against either of them. For a time, I must admit, I thought of having +recourse to the good services of my friend and solicitor--strange +conjunction!--Mr. Russell Gole; who during my career as impresario has +brought and defended for me actions innumerable, and invariably, I +believe, with the best results that under the circumstances could have +been obtained. The reader has already heard of Mr. Gole's ingenious +suggestion at a time when for six minutes I was in the position of a +bankrupt. During those memorable six minutes Mr. Registrar Hazlitt had +occupied the position of an impresario, and it would be difficult to say +whether at that momentous crisis he or I was most out of place. When Mr. +Gole reminded him that he was now _ex-officio_ the manager of Her +Majesty's Theatre, and that advice was expected from him as to the +cutting of _Lohengrin_, the making up of the ballet girls' petticoats, +and the pacification of an insubordinate tenor, he sent for the Book of +Practice, and after consulting it rescinded the order, observing that he +did so "in the interest of the public." + +Once more, only a few weeks ago, I stood in the presence of Mr. +Registrar Hazlitt, and, as in the days of Sir Michael Costa's disputed +cheque, had Mr. Russell Gole by my side. Once more, too, when an order +of bankruptcy was impending over me it was withdrawn partly through the +instrumentality of my solicitor, but mainly, of course, through the +goodwill of my creditors, who subscribed among themselves sufficient +money to pay into Court a sum which was at once accepted in liquidation +of all claims. + +I am generally regarded and have got into the habit of looking upon +myself as a manager of Italian Opera. But, accepting that character, I +do not think I can be fairly accused of exclusiveness as towards the +works of German or even of English composers. Nor can I well be charged +with having neglected the masterpieces of the lyric drama by whomsoever +composed. For a great many years past no manager but myself has given +performances of Cherubini's _Medea_. _Fidelio_ is a work which, from the +early days of Mdlle. Titiens until my last year at Her Majesty's +Theatre, with Mdlle. Lilli Lehmann in the principal part, I have always +been ready to present. I was the first manager to translate Wagner's +_Tannhaeuser_ and _Lohengrin_ into Italian, and the only one out of +Germany who has been enterprising enough to produce the entire series of +the _Ring des Nibelungen_. + +As regards English Opera, Macfarren's _Robin Hood_ and Wallace's _Amber +Witch_ owe their very existence to me. It was I who, at Her Majesty's +Theatre in 1860-61, brought out both those works, which had been +specially composed for the theatre. I myself adapted Balfe's _Bohemian +Girl_ to the Italian stage, and in the course of my last provincial tour +I gave for the first time in Italian, and with remarkable success, the +_Maritana_ of Wallace. + +Casting back my recollection over a long series of years I find that the +only composer of undisputed influence and popularity whose propositions +I could at no time accept were those of Jacques Offenbach; whom, +however, in his own particular line I am far from undervaluing. The +composer of _La grande Duchesse de Gerolstein_, _La Belle Helene_, and a +whole series of masterpieces in the burlesque style, tried to persuade +me that his works were not so comic as people insisted on believing. +They had, according to him, their serious side; and he sought to +convince me that _La Belle Helene_, produced at Her Majesty's Theatre +with an increased orchestra, and with a hundred or more additional +voices in the chorus, would prove a genuine artistic success. I must +admit that I gave a moment's thought to the matter; but the project of +the amiable _maestro_ was not one that I could seriously entertain. I +may here remind the reader that Offenbach began life as a composer of +serious music. He was known in his youth as an admirable violoncellist, +playing with wonderful expression all the best music written for the +instrument he had adopted. He was musical conductor, moreover, at the +Theatre Francais in the days when the "House of Moliere" maintained an +orchestra, and, indeed, a very good one. When Offenbach composed the +choruses and incidental music for the _Ulysse_ of M. Ponsard he did so +in the spirit of Meyerbeer, who had undertaken to supply the music of +the piece; and he then showed his aptitude for imitating the composer of +_Les Huguenots_ in a direct manner, as he afterwards did in burlesquing +him. + +Offenbach was destined not to be appreciated as a serious composer, +though in one of his works, the little-known _Contes d'Hoffmann_, there +is much music which, if not learned or profound, is at least artistic. + +Had I agreed to Offenbach's offer, I was also to accept his services as +conductor; which would have been more, I think, than Sir Michael Costa, +who would have had to direct on alternate nights, would have been able +to stand. Sir Michael was not only peculiarly sensitive, but also +remarkably vindictive; and the engagement of Offenbach at a theatre +where he was officiating would certainly have caused him no little +resentment. He forgave no slight, nor even the appearance of one in +cases where no real slight could possibly have been intended. When he +left the Royal Italian Opera he was of opinion that the late Mr. +Augustus Harris, who was Mr. Gye's stage manager at the time, should +also have quitted the establishment; and carrying his hostile feelings +in true vendetta fashion from father to son, he afterwards objected to +the presence of the Augustus Harris of our own time, at any theatre +where he, Sir Michael, might be engaged. + +"Who is that young man?" he said to me one day when the future +"Druriolanus" was acting as my stage manager. "He seems to know his +business, but I think I heard you call him 'Harris.' Can he be the son +of my enemy?" + +I tried to explain to Sir Michael that the gentleman against whom he +seemed to nourish some feeling of animosity could not be in any way his +foe. But the great conductor would not see this. The father, he said, +had shown himself his enemy, and he was himself the enemy of the son. + +The hatred sometimes conceived by one singer for another of the same +class of voice and playing the same parts, is, if not more reasonable, +at least more intelligible. I shall never forget the rage which the +tenor Fancelli once displayed on seeing the name of the tenor Campanini +inscribed on a large box at a railway station with these proud words +appended to it: "Primo Tenore Assoluto, Her Majesty's Opera Company." It +was the epithet "assoluto" which, above all, raised Fancelli's ire. He +rushed at the box, attacked the offending words with his walking-stick, +and with the end of it tried to rub off the white letters composing the +too ambitious adjective, "assoluto." + +"Assoluto" was an epithet which Fancelli reserved for his own private +use, and to which he alone among tenors considered himself justly +entitled. Unfortunately, he could not write the word, reading and +writing being accomplishments which had been denied to him from his +youth upwards. He could just manage to scribble his own name in large +schoolboy characters. But his letter-writing and his "autographs" for +admiring ladies were done for him by a chorister, who was remunerated +for his secretarial work at the rate of something like a penny Pickwick +per month. The chorister, however, in agreeing to work on these moderate +terms, knew that he had the illustrious tenor in his hands; and in +moments of difficulty he would exact his own price and, refusing cheap +cigars, accept nothing less than ready money. + +Occasionally when the chorister was not at hand, or when he was called +upon, to give his autograph in presence of other persons, Fancelli +found himself in a sad plight; and I have a painful recollection of his +efforts to sign his name in the album of the Liverpool Philharmonic +Society, which contains the signatures of a large number of celebrated +singers and musicians. In this musical Book of Gold Fancelli made an +earnest endeavour to inscribe his name, which with the exception only of +the "c" and one of the "l's" he succeeded in writing without the +omission of any of the necessary letters. He had learned, moreover, to +write the glorious words "Primo tenore," and in a moment of aspiration +tried to add to them his favourite epithet of "assoluto." He had written +a capital "A," followed by three "s's," when either from awkwardness or +in order to get himself out of the scrape in which he already felt +himself lost, he upset the inkstand over the page. Then he took up the +spilt ink on his forefinger and transferred it to his hair; until at +last, when he had obliterated the third "s," his signature stood in the +book and stands now-- + + "FANELI PRIMO TENORE ASS--" + +Some rude critics having declared of Signor Fancelli's singing that it +would have been better if he had made a regular study of the vocal art, +he spoke to me seriously about taking lessons. But he declared that he +had no time, and that as he was making money by singing in the style to +which he was accustomed it would be better to defer studying until he +had finished his career, when he would have plenty of leisure. + +About this time the strange idea occurred to him of endeavouring to +master the meaning of the parts entrusted to him in the various operas. + +"In _Medea_," he innocently remarked, "during the last two years I have +played the part of a man named 'Jason'; but what he has to do with +'Medea,' I have never been able to make out. Am I her father, her +brother, her lover, or what?" + +Fancelli had begun life as a _facchino_ or baggage porter at Leghorn, so +that his ignorance, if lamentable, was at least excusable. On retiring +from the stage he really applied himself to study; with what success I +am unable to say. At his death he left a large sum of money. + +It has often astonished me that singers without any education, musical +or other, should be able to remember the words and music of their parts. +Some of them resort to strange devices in order to supply the want of +natural gifts; and one vocalist previously mentioned, Signor Broccolini, +would write his "words" on whatever staff or stick he might happen to be +carrying, or in default of any such "property," on the fingers and palm +of his hand. In representing the statue of the Commander, in _Don +Giovanni_, he inscribed beforehand the words he had to sing on the +_baton_ carried by the Man of Stone; but to be able to read them it was +necessary to know on which side in the scene of the cemetery the rays of +the moon would fall. On one occasion he had majestically taken up his +position on horseback, with the _baton_ grasped in his right hand, and +reposing on his right hip, and was expecting a rush of moonlight from +the left, when the position of the orb of night was suddenly changed, +and he was unable to read one syllable of the words on which he +depended. Having to choose between two difficulties, he at once selected +the least, and, to the astonishment of the audience, transferred the +Commander's _baton_ from the right hand to the left. + +The vanity of an opera singer is generally in proportion to the lowness +of his origin. This rule, however, does not seem to apply to dramatic +artists, for I remember that when I once called upon Mdme. Ristori at +Naples I found her principal actors and actresses, who had apparently +begun life as domestic servants, continuing the occupations of their +youth while at the same time impersonating on the stage the most exalted +characters. "Sir Francis Drake" waited at table, the "Earl of Essex" +opened the street door, "Leicester" acted as butler; and I have reason +to believe that "Dirce" dressed "Medea's" hair. + +Two more anecdotes as to the caprices and the exactions of vocalists. My +basso, Cherubini, on one occasion refused to go on with his part in +_Lucia_ because he had not been applauded on entering. + +An incident of quite an opposite character occurred at Naples during the +Titiens engagement. Armandi, a tenor of doubtful repute, who resided at +Milan, always awaited the result of the various _fiascos_ of St. +Stephen's night (26th December) which marks the beginning of the +Carnival season, when some hundreds of musical theatres throw open their +doors. He had a large _repertoire_; and, after ascertaining by telegraph +where his services were most in need, and where they would be best +remunerated, he would accept an engagement as a kind of stop-gap until +another tenor could be found. Generally, at the close of the first +evening he was paid for his six performances and sent back to Milan. + +But on the occasion I am speaking of Armandi had stipulated in his +contract that he should be paid the six nights and sing the six nights +as well; for he was tired, he said, of being systematically shelved +after a single performance. + +The part in which he had to appear at Naples, where the leading tenor of +the establishment had hopelessly broken down, was that of "Pollio" in +Norma; but every time he attempted to sing the public accompanied him +with hisses, so that he soon became inaudible. At the close of the first +act he came before the curtain, and after obtaining a hearing begged the +audience to allow him to finish the opera in peace, when he would leave +the city. If they continued hissing he warned them that he would sing +the remaining five nights of his engagement. + +The public took the candour of the man in such good part that they not +only applauded him throughout the evening, but allowed him to remain the +entire season. + + + + +FINAL CHAPTER. + + +Figures are dull and statistics fatiguing; or I might be tempted to give +the reader particulars as to the number of miles that I have travelled, +the sums of money I have received and spent during my career as manager; +with other details of a like character. I may mention, however, that for +many years during our operatic tours in the United Kingdom and in the +United States, our average annual travelling with a large company of +principal singers, choristers, dancers, and orchestral players amounted +to some 23,000 miles, or nearly the length of the earth's circumference. +This naturally necessitated a great deal of preparation and forethought. +The average annual takings were during this period over L200,000. All +this involved so much organization and such careful administration, that +a mere impresario might, without disgrace, have proved unequal to the +work. The financial department, in particular, of such an enterprise +ought, to be thoroughly well managed, to enjoy the supervision of a +Goschen. + +Difficulties, however, are only obstacles set in one's way in order to +be overcome, and mine have never caused me any serious trouble. I am +disposed by nature to take a cheerful view of things, and I can scarcely +think of any dilemma in which I have been placed, however serious, which +has not presented its bright, or at least when I came to think of it, +its amusing side. When, moreover, one has had, throughout a long career, +difficulties, often of a very formidable character, to contend with, the +little inconveniences of life are scarcely felt. + +I remember one day dining with a millionaire of my acquaintance who got +red in the face, stamped, swore, and almost went into convulsions +because the salmon had been rather too much boiled. He had led too easy +a life; or so trifling a mishap would have had no effect upon him. + +Often when affairs looked almost tragic, I have been able to bear them +by perceiving that they had also their comic aspect. The reader, indeed, +will have seen for himself that some of my liveliest anecdotes are +closely connected with very grave matters indeed. Of such anecdotes I +could tell many more. But I feel that I have already taken up too much +of the reader's time, and, having several important projects on hand +which will take up the whole of mine, I must now conclude. + + + + +APPENDIX. + + +SINGERS AND OPERAS PRODUCED BY ME. + + +The following is a list of the principal artists whom I first had the +honour of engaging for this country, and, with two exceptions (marked by +asterisks), of introducing for the first time to the British public:-- + + _European Prime Donne._ + +*Adelina Patti, + +Christine Nilsson, + +Etelka Gerster, + +Marguerite Chapuy, + +Ilma di Murska, + +Marie Roze, + +Marie Marimon, + +Emelie Ambre, + +Caroline Salla, + +Lilli Lehmann, + +Eugenie Pappenheim, + +Harriers Wippern, + +Victoire Balfe, + +Jenny Broch, + +Elena Varese, + +Marianina Lodi, + +Alma Fohstroem, + +Caroline Reboux, + +Clarice Sinico, + +Louise Sarolta, + +Mathilde Sessi, + +Bianca Donadio, + +Matilda Bauermeister, + +Zelie Trebelli, + +Sofia Scalchi, + +Anna de Belocca, + +Borghi-Mamo, + +Carolina Guarducci, + +Caroline Bettelheim. + + _American Prime Donne._ + +*Emma Albani, + +Clara Louise Kellogg, + +Alwina Valleria, + +Marie Vanzandt, + +Emma Nevada, + +Emma Abbott, + +Marie Litta, + +Lilian Nordica, + +Louise Dotti, + +Helene Hastreiter, + +Emma Juch, + +Annie Louise Cary, + +Kate Rolla, + +Laura Harris-Zagury, + +Lilian Lauri, + +Marie Engle, + +Genevieve Ward, + +Minnie Hauk, + +Nikita, + +Etc., etc., etc. + + _Tenors._ + +Pietro Mongini, + +Roberto Stagno, + +Italo Campanini, + +Luigi Ravelli, + +Dr. Gunz, + +Carlo Bulterini, + +Ernesto Nicolini, + +De Capellio-Tasca, + +Victor Capoul, + +Giovanni Vizzani, + +Tom Hohler, + +Allesandro Bettini, + +Antonio Aramburo, + +Giuseppe Fancelli. + + _Baritones._ + +Enrico Delle-Sedie, + +Mariano de Padilla, + +Charles Santley, + +Enrico Fagotti, + +Jean de Reszke, + +Antonio Galassi, + +Giuseppe Del Puente, + +Innocente de Anna, + +Pandolfini, + +Agnesi, + +Senatore Sparapani, + +Colonnese, + +Varese, + +Badiali, + +Paul Lherie, + +Giovanni Rota. + + _Basses._ + +Rokitansky, + +Bagagiolo, + +Medini, + +Castelmary, + +Belval, + +Junca, + +Behrens, + +Novara, + +Cherubini, + +Foli. + + _Buffos._ + +Scalese, + +Ciampi. + + _Conductors._ + +Bevignani, + +Vianesi, + +Logheder, + +Fred Cowen, + +Bisaccia, + +Pasdeloup, + +Etc., etc., etc. + + _Tragedian._ + +Tommaso Salvini. + +The following celebrities ended their operatic career with me, having +remained for many years previously under my management.:-- + +Therese Titiens, + +Giulia Grisi, + +Marietta Alboni, + +Fanny Persiani, + +Pauline Viardot, + +Mario, + +Antonio Giuglini, + +Italo Gardoni, + +Ignazio Marini, + +Karl Formes, + +Sir Michael Costa. + +The following works were, in England, first produced under my +management:-- + + _Faust_ Gounod. + _Damnation de Faust_ Berlioz. + _Messe Solennelle_ Rossini. + _Ballo in Maschera_ Verdi. + _Forza del Destino_ Verdi. + _I Vespri Siciliani_ Verdi. + _Carmen_ Bizet. + _Leila_ (_Pecheurs de Perles_) Bizet. + _Mirella_ Gounod. + _Falstaff_ (_Merry Wives of Windsor_) Nicolai. + _Don Bucefalo_ Cagnoni. + _Hamlet_ Thomas. + _Rinnegato_ Orczy. + _Nicolo de Lapi_ Schira. + _Esmeralda_ Campana. + _Mefistofele_ Boito. + _Talismano_ Balfe. + _Ruy Blas_ Marchetti. + _Medea_ Cherubini. + _Iphigenie_ Gluck. + _Deux Journees_ Cherubini. + _Seraglio_ Mozart. + _Ring des Nibelungen_ Wagner. + +The following revivals, among others, were given by me with entirely new +scenery, dresses, and decorations:-- + + _Fidelio_ Beethoven. + _Freischuetz_ Weber. + _Oberon_ Weber. + _Aida_ Verdi. + _Flauto Magico_ Mozart. + _Anna Bolena_ Donizetti. + _Lohengrin_ Wagner. + _Dinorah_ Meyerbeer. + _Semiramide_ Rossini. + + + + +INDEX TO VOLS. I. AND II. + + +A. + +Aaron, Sheriff, Vol. II., 81. + +Abbey, Mr., Vol. I., 265, 308, 318, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325; Vol. +II., 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 22, 27, 31, 32, 37, 38, 39, 79, 254. + +Abbot, Emma, Vol. I., 190; Vol. II., 297. + +Abramoff, M., Vol. II., 266. + +Adams, J. McGregor, Vol. II., 232. + +Adini, Mdme., Vol. I., 232. + +Agnesi, Signor, Vol. I., 155; Vol. II., 299. + +Albani, Emma, Vol. I., 142, 143, 148, 251, 288, 304, 305, 306, 307, 309, +310, 312, 313, 314, 315, 317, 318, 319, 320; Vol. II., 5, 174, 297. + +Alboni, Vol. I., 9, 26, 27, 35, 36; Vol. II., 300. + +Aldighieri, Vol. I., 19, 26, 47. + +Ambre, Emelie, Vol. I., 220, 229; Vol. II., 296. + +Angelo, Vol. II., 241, 258, 259, 260, 262, 263. + +Antrobus, Captain, Vol. I., 281. + +Aramburo, Vol. I., 232; Vol. II., 174, 298. + +Arditi, Signor, Vol. I., 16, 17, 36, 37, 55, 68, 70, 77, 89, 104, 127, +129, 131, 199, 215, 216, 217, 243, 244, 250, 266, 288, 312; Vol. II., +12, 16, 67, 85, 129, 147, 161, 178, 179, 193, 231, 244, 266. + +Arditi, Mdme. and Signor, Vol. I., 104. + +Armandi, Signor, Vol. II., 290. + +Arnoldson, Mdlle., Vol. II., 264. + +Arnoux, Judge W. R., Vol. I., 326. + +Arthur, President, Vol. I., 313, 314, 315. + +Auber, Vol. II., 169, 272. + +Austin, Mr., Vol. I., 193. + +Austin, Fredk., Vol. II., 138. + + +B. + +Babbitt, Councillor, Vol. II., 42. + +Bacon, Arthur, Vol. I., 45. + +Badiali, Signor, Vol. I., 10, 11; Vol. II., 299. + +Bagagiolo, Signor, Vol. II., 299. + +Baldanza, Signor, Vol. II., 229. + +Balfe, M. W., Vol. I., 2, 161; Vol. II., 283. + +Balfe, Victoire, Vol. I., 16; Vol. II., 296. + +Ballantine, Serjeant, Vol. I., 14. + +Barnes, General W. H. L., Vol. II., 57, 63, 198, 204, 205. + +Bauermeister, Mdme., Vol. I., 198; Vol. II., 116, 161, 162, 164, 178, +192, 248, 296. + +Baxter, Mr., Vol. I., 70. + +Bedford, Duke of, Vol. I., 175. + +Beecher, Rev. Henry Ward, Vol. II., 89. + +Beethoven, Vol. I., 82; Vol. II., 251. + +Behrens, Herr, Vol. II., 299. + +Belart, Signor, Vol. I., 27. + +Belval, M., Vol. I., 152; Vol. II., 299. + +Belasco, Signor, Vol. II., 192, 193. + +Belletti, Signor, Vol. I., 2, 3. + +Bellini, Vol. I., 90; Vol. II., 272. + +Belocca, Mdlle. Anna de, Vol. I., 225, 227, 228, 261; Vol. II., 296. + +Belmont, August, Vol. I., 274. + +Belmont, Mrs. August, Vol. I., 316. + +Benedict, Sir Julius, Vol. I., 16, 17, 27, 172, 197; Vol. II., 274. + +Bentinck, Cavendish, Vol. I., 155. + +Berghi, Mdlle., Vol. I., 288; Vol. II., 248. + +Bernhardt, Sarah, Vol. I., 129, 265; Vol. II., 240. + +Bertini, Signor, Vol. II., 13, 14. + +Bettelheim, Mdlle., Vol. I., 81; Vol. II., 296. + +Bettini, Signor, Vol. I., 6, 7, 73, 76, 77, 81, 120; Vol. II., 298. + +Bettini-Trebelli, Mdme., Vol. I., 7. + +Beviguani, Signor, Vol. I., 109; Vol. II., 300. + +Bidwell, David, Mr., Vol. II., 102. + +Bieletto, Signor, Vol. II., 161, 162, 164. + +Billing, Dr., Vol. I., 8. + +Bimboni, Signor, Vol. II., 231. + +Bisaccia, Signor, Vol. II., 300. + +Bizet, Vol. II., 249, 251, 264. + +Blackstone, T. B., Vol. II., 232. + +Blondin, Vol. I., 283, 284. + +Boito, Vol. I., 240, 241, 242, 249, 252, 253, 254; Vol. II., 251. + +Bologna, Signor, Vol. II., 229. + +Bolton, George, Mr., Vol. I., 61, 298. + +Booker, British Consul General, Vol. I., 326. + +Borchardt, Mdme., Vol. I., 45, 46, 47, 52, 54. + +Borghi-Mamo, Vol. I., 26; Vol. II., 296. + +Bossi, Signor, Vol. I., 89. + +Bowdoin, Mrs., Vol. I., 317. + +Bowen, Detective, Vol. II., 57. + +Boyne, George, Vol. II., 136, 232. + +Bradwell, Vol. I., 271. + +Brady, Judge J. R., Vol. I., 326. + +Braham, Marquis, Vol. I., 65. + +Braham, Charles, Vol. I., 10, 12; Vol. II., 247. + +Brichanteau, Count, Vol. II., 68. + +Brignoli, Signor, Vol. I., 220, 235, 236; Vol. II., 92. + +Broccolini, Signor Giovanni Chiari di, Vol. II., 275, 288. + +Broch, Mdlle. Jenny, Vol. II., 244, 248, 296. + +Brodie, Dr., Vol. I., 310. + +Brooks, Captain, Vol. I., 201. + +Browne, Dr. Lennox, Vol. I., 182. + +Buck, Dr. J. D., Vol. I., 269. + +Burdett-Coutts, Baroness, Vol. I., 172. + +Burnett, C. J., Vol. I., 278. + +Burroughs, Colonel, Vol. I., 282. + +Bulterini, Signor, Vol. II., 298. + + +C. + +Cairns, Sir Hugh, Vol. I., 14. + +Calzolari, Signor, Vol. I., 3. + +Campanini, Signor, Vol. I., 153, 154, 155, 166, 197, 199, 202, 214, 215, +220, 232, 233, 235, 240, 243, 247, 261, 268, 271, 288; Vol. II., 3, 11, +174, 260, 286, 298. + +Capoul, M., Vol. I., 152; Vol. II., 298. + +Capponi, Vol. II., 169. + +Caracciolo, Signor, Vol. II., 161, 162, 164, 266. + +Carden, George, Vol. I., 278. + +Cardinali, Vol. II., 130, 152, 153. + +Carey, Hon. Eugene, Vol. II., 106, 136, 232. + +Carrion, Signor, Vol. I., 172. + +Cary, Annie Louise, Vol. I., 235, 243, 247; Vol. II., 297. + +Carvalho, Mdme. Miolan, Vol. I., 71, 72. + +Castelmary, M., Vol. II., 299. + +Castlereagh, Lord, Vol. I., 93. + +Catalani, Mdme., Vol. I., 42. + +Cavalazzi, Mdme. Malvina, Vol. II., 161, 162, 164. + +Caylus, M., Vol. II., 248. + +Cesnola, General, Vol. I., 326. + +Chappell, Mr. Thos., Vol. I., 28, 66, 67. + +Chappell, Mr. Frank, Vol. I., 66, 67. + +Chapuy, Mdlle. Marguerite, Vol. I., 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172; Vol. +II., 295. + +Charlier, Professor A., Vol. I., 326. + +Chatterton, F. B., Vol. I., 110, 111, 189, 190, 191, 199. + +Cherubini, Vol. I., 88, 89; Vol. II., 32, 119, 127, 161, 162, 163, 169, +170, 195, 229, 282, 289, 299. + +Choate, Mrs. W. G., Vol. I., 319. + +Choudens, M., Vol. I., 66, 67. + +Chorley, Mr., Vol. I., 28. + +Ciampi, Signor, Vol. II., 244, 249, 299. + +Cirilla, Duke and Duchess of, Vol. I., 19, 20, 21, 22. + +Clarke, Mr. John, of Brooklyn, Vol. II., 275. + +Clarkson, Vol. II., 223. + +Clementine, Mdlle., Vol. I., 31. + +Clewes, Mrs. Henry, Vol. I., 317. + +Clodio, Signor, Vol. I., 294, 326. + +Coffee, John, Vol. II., 110, 111. + +Colman, Commissioner J. S., Vol. I., 326. + +Colonne, M., Vol. II., 9. + +Colonnese, Signor, Vol. II., 299. + +Colville, Lord, Vol. I., 110. + +Commander-in-Chief, H.R.H., Vol. I., 277. + +Cooke, H., Vol. I., 278. + +Cornell, Mrs. Alonzo B., Vol. I., 317. + +Corsini, Signor, Vol. I., 314. + +Corsi, Signor, Vol. I., 53, 54, 55, 56. + +Costa, Sir Michael, Vol. I., 2, 9, 33, 125, 126, 139, 140, 151, 157, +166, 167, 189, 190, 193, 197, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 237, 238, +239; Vol. II., 148, 268, 274, 282, 284, 285, 301. + +Cottrell, Mr., Vol. I., 14. + +Cowen, Mr. F., Vol. II., 300. + +Crane, R. T., Vol. II., 136. + +Crittenden, Governor, Vol. II., 68, 69. + +Crosmond, Helene, Vol. I., 220. + +Crowley, Chief, Vol. II., 55. + +Cummings, Miss Eva, Vol. II., 237. + + +D. + +Daly, Chief Justice C. P., Vol. I., 326. + +Daniel, Vol. I., 14. + +Dater, Councillor, Vol. II., 42. + +Davis, Chief Justice Noah, Vol. I., 326. + +De Anna, Signor, Vol. II., 97, 108, 119, 122, 130, 131, 161, 164, 174, +182, 184, 263, 265, 299. + +Decca, Mdlle. Marie, Vol. II., 265. + +Dell'Era, Mdlle., Vol. II., 249. + +Delmonico, Vol. II., 80. + +Del Puente, Signor, Vol. I., 156, 197, 199, 203, 215, 233, 261, 268, +288; Vol. II., 6, 7, 11, 127, 161, 162, 163, 164, 169, 170, 174, 182, +216, 243, 244, 247, 249, 264, 299. + +Dierck, Theodore, Vol. II., 117. + +Didiee, Mdme. Nantier, Vol. I., 71, 82. + +Dix, Mrs. General, Vol. I., 316. + +Dogherty, Hon. Daniel, Vol. I., 289. + +Dolby, Miss, Vol. I., 7. + +Donadio, Mdlle. Bianca, Vol. II., 244, 296. + +Donizetti, Vol. I., 90. + +Dotti, Mdlle., Vol. I., 265, 268, 288, 293, 306, 307, 314; Vol. II., +108, 127, 161, 164, 192, 244, 246, 248, 264, 265, 297. + +Douste, Louise and Jeanne, Vol. I., 201; Vol. II., 16. + +Drake, John B., Vol. II., 232. + +Drisler, Professor Henry, Vol. I., 326. + +Dudley, Lord, Vol. I., 23, 40, 70, 112, 136, 138, 139, 140, 141, 146, +147, 148, 152, 173, 190, 191. + +Durat, M., Vol. I., 288. + + +E. + +Edinburgh, H.R.H. the Duchess of, Vol. I., 185, 186, 187, 188, 189; Vol. +II., 255. + +Edinburgh, H.R.H. the Duke of, Vol. I., 178, 179, 185. + +Edson, Mayor, Vol. I., 326. + +Edson, Mrs. Franklin, Vol. I., 316. + +Eldridge, Joe, Vol. II., 113, 114, 115, 116. + +Engle, Mdlle. Marie, Vol. II., 161, 244, 246, 248, 297. + +Evans, Judge Oliver P., Vol. II., 57. + +Everardi, Signor, Vol. I., 26, 27. + + +F. + +Faccio, Signor, Vol. I., 253. + +Fagotti, Signor Enrico, Vol. II., 298. + +Fairbank, Mr. N. K., Vol. II., 232. + +Falco, Signor de, Vol. II., 161, 162, 163, 179. + +Fancelli, Signor, Vol. I., 155, 220; Vol. II., 286, 287, 288, 298. + +Faure, Mons., Vol. I., 71, 128, 129, 131, 172, 221. + +Fennessy, Mr., Vol. II., 32, 37. + +Ferri, Signor, Vol. II., 92. + +Field, Henry, Vol. II., 136. + +Field, Mr. Marshall, Vol. II., 232. + +Field, Mrs. Marshall, Vol. II., 229. + +Fitzgerald, Thos., Vol. I., 22. + +Flattery, Father, Vol. II., 17, 18, 19. + +Fohstroem, Mdlle., Vol. II., 156, 161, 162, 163, 164, 169, 179, 180, 182, +184, 192, 213, 224, 227, 235, 243, 244, 245, 248, 296. + +Foli, Signor, Vol. I., 87, 89, 129, 139, 155, 172, 199, 208, 215, 217; +Vol. II., 174, 244, 249, 275, 299. + +Forchheimer, Dr. F., Vol. I., 269. + +Ford, Hon., Vol. II., 42. + +Formes, Carl, Vol. I., 7; Vol. II., 301. + +Fowler, Dr., Vol. II., 181. + +Fowler, Mr., Vol. I., 177, 178, 179. + +Fox, Mr. Charles, Vol. II., 129. + +Franchi, Signor, Vol. I., 290, 325; Vol. II., 4, 23, 24. + +Francis, George, Vol. I., 4, 5. + +Frank, Eisner and Regensburger, Vol. II., 197. + +Frapolli, Signor, Vol. I., 199, 215, 220, 314; Vol. II., 244. + +Fraschini, Signor, Vol. I., 117. + +French, Mrs. Barton, Vol. I., 317. + +Freret, William, Vol. II., 103. + +Fursch-Madi, Mdme., Vol. I., 288, 294, 306, 307, 312, 314; Vol. II., 30, +105, 119, 130, 174. + + +G. + +Gage, A. S., Vol. II., 232. + +Galassi, Mdme., Vol. I., 294. + +Galassi, Signor, Vol. I., 166, 199, 203, 208, 215, 235, 247, 255, 259, +261, 265, 271, 288, 307, 310, 312, 314, 318; Vol. II., 32, 56, 67, 85, +174, 299. + +Ganz, Mr. Wilhelm, Vol. II., 274, 275. + +Gardini, Dr., Vol. I., 245; Vol. II., 263. + +Gardoni, Signor, Vol. I., 2, 95, 146; Vol. II., 301. + +Garibaldi, Vol. I., 45, 81. + +Garulli, Signor, Vol. II., 248. + +Gassier, Mdme., Vol. I., 8. + +Gassier, Signor, Vol. I., 36, 68, 81. + +Gayarre, Signor, Vol. I., 149. + +Genese, Sam, Vol. I., 29, 30. + +Gerster, Etelka, Vol. I., 195, 197, 199, 200, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, +207, 208, 209, 210, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 228, 229, 233, 240, 242, +244, 245, 247, 249, 250, 251, 274; Vol. II., 4, 6, 11, 13, 22, 25, 27, +28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 53, +54, 58, 62, 67, 68, 69, 72, 74, 76, 77, 174, 218, 245, 263, 295. + +Giannini, Signor, Vol. II., 108, 119, 127, 161, 162, 164, 182, 235, 261. + +Giffard, Mr., Vol. I., 14. + +Gille, M. Ph., Vol. II., 161. + +Giuglini, Vol. I., 9, 17, 23, 26, 35, 36, 37, 38, 43, 44, 45, 47, 49, +50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 60, 68, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 89; +Vol. II., 300. + +Gluck, Vol. I., 95. + +Goddard, Arabella, Vol. I., 7. + +Gole, Messrs. J. and R., Vol. II., 145. + +Gole, Mr. Russell, Vol. II., 281, 282. + +Goodenough, Colonel, Vol. II., 268. + +Goschen, the Right Honourable G. J., Vol. II., 292. + +Gounod, Vol. I., 68, 70, 72, 250; Vol. II., 123, 130, 249. + +Graziani, Signor, Vol. I., 13, 14, 71. + +Grisi, Mdme., Vol. I., 9, 26, 33, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93; Vol II., 300. + +Guarducci, Mdlle., Vol. I., 17, 18, 19, 22; Vol. II., 296. + +Gunz, Dr., Vol. I., 95; Vol. II., 298. + +Gye, Mr. Ernest, Vol. I., 305, 310, 320, 321, 322, 325; Vol. II., 1, 3, +4, 5, 81, 82, 84, 85. + +Gye, Commander, Vol. I., 288, 290, 303, 304. + +Gye, Messrs., Vol. I., 260, 287. + +Gye, Mr., Vol. I., 8, 9, 13, 14, 33, 36, 41, 42, 67, 70, 71, 72, 111, +112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 118, 119, 124, 125, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, +132, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 142, 143, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 153, +154, 160; Vol. II., 285. + + +H. + +Haines, Vol. I., 216. + +Halle, Chas., Vol. I., 28, 172; Vol. II., 9, 274, 282. + +Hammond, Surgeon-General, Vol. II., 218. + +Hancock, General, Vol. I., 326. + +Hancock, Mrs. General, Vol. I., 317. + +Handel, Vol. II., 274. + +Harding, George F., Vol. II., 136, 232. + +Harding, J., Vol. II., 232. + +Harrison, Mr. Carter H., Vol. II., 134, 232. + +Harris, Augustus, the late, Vol. I., 42, 67, 145. + +Harris, Miss Laura, Vol. I., 187; Vol. II., 297. + +Harris, Augustus, Vol. I., 276; Vol. II., 243, 285. + +Hastreiter, Mdme., Vol. II., 244, 246, 248, 297. + +Hauk, Minnie, Vol. I., 61, 125, 197, 199, 200, 202, 203, 206, 207, 215, +220, 261, 268, 271, 288; Vol. II., 161, 162, 163, 164, 175, 176, 177, +178, 179, 181, 182, 192, 193, 194, 201, 213, 214, 221, 226, 227, 248, +264, 265, 269, 281, 297. + +Haweis, Rev. H., Vol. II., 171, 172. + +Hawkins, Vol. I., 14. + +Hayes, Miss Catherine, Vol. I., 8. + +Hayten, Mdlle., Vol. II., 249. + +Hazlitt, Mr. Registrar, Vol. I., 239, 240; Vol. II., 281. + +Heatly, Mr. Tod, Vol. I., 183. + +Henderson, Mr., Vol. II., 230, 233, 238. + +Henderson, C. M., Vol. II., 232. + +Heringhie, Samuel, Vol. II., 198. + +Hinds, J. Clowes, Vol. I., 279. + +Hingston, Vol. I., 108. + +Hoffman, Rev. Dr., Vol. I., 326. + +Hogg, Sir James McGarel, Vol. I., 179. + +Hohler, Tom, Vol. II., 298. + +Holliday, Councillor, Vol. II., 42. + +Homer, Councillor, Vol. II., 42. + +Hopkins, Mrs. Mark, Vol. II., 118. + +Humphreys, Sir John, Vol. I., 182. + + +I. + +Insom, Signor, Vol. I., 11. + +Irvine, Councillor, Vol. II., 42. + +Irving, Henry, Vol. II., 37. + +Isia, Mdme., Vol. II., 191. + +Isidor, Mdlle. Rosina, Vol. II., 248. + + +J. + +Jacobi, Dr., Vol. I., 202. + +Jaquinot, M., Vol. II., 247. + +Jarrett, Mr., Vol. I., 110, 111, 129, 130, 132, 133, 160, 231. + +Jay, Mrs., Vol. I., 316. + +Jones, Hon., Vol. II., 42. + +Jones, J. Russell, Vol. II., 232. + +de Jong, Mike, Vol. II., 75. + +Joseffy, Herr Rafael, Vol. I., 320. + +Joyce, Mr., Vol. I., 5. + +Juch, Miss Emma, Vol. II., 297. + +Junca, Vol. I., 146; Vol. II., 299. + + +K. + +Kalakana I., H.M. King, Vol. I., 295, 296. + +Keith, Edson, Vol. II., 232. + +Kellogg, Clara Louise, Vol. I., 117, 153, 220; Vol. II., 297. + +Kendal, Mrs., Vol. I., 100; Vol. II., 167. + +Kernochan, Mrs. Frederick, Vol. I., 317. + +Kleist, Albert, Vol. II., 138. + +Knox, Colonel E. B., Vol. II., 138. + +Knox, George F., Vol. II., 205. + +Knox, Colonel Brownlow, Vol. I., 147. + +Kuhe, Herr Wilhelm. Vol. II., 274, 275. + + +L. + +Lablache, Signor, Vol. I., 3, 89. + +Lablache, Mdme., Vol. I., 233; Vol. II., 6, 7, 116, 127, 161, 162, 164, +170, 248. + +Lamoureux, M., Vol. II., 9. + +Lanner, Mdme. Katti, Vol. I., 196; Vol. II., 116. + +Lauri, Lilian, Vol. II., 297. + +Lavine, Mr. John, Vol. II., 84. + +Lawrence, Judge Abraham R., Vol. I., 326. + +Lee and Paine, Vol. I., 173. + +Lehmann, Mdlle. Lilli, Vol. II., 250, 251, 252, 282, 296. + +Leinster, Duke of, Vol. I., 146. + +Lennox, Lord Algernon, Vol. I., 208. + +Lewis, Vol. I., 276. + +Lherie, M., Vol. II., 249, 299. + +Lido, Mdlle. Marie de, Vol. I., 211. + +Lilly, General, Vol. I., 316, 318. + +Lincoln, Dr., Vol. I., 202. + +Lind, Jenny, Vol. I., 2, 172, 173, 205. + +Litvinoff, Mdlle. Felia, Vol. II., 161, 164. + +Litta, Miss Marie, Vol. II., 297. + +Livingstone, Mrs., Vol. I., 316. + +Lodi, Mariannina, Vol. II., 296. + +Logheder, Signor, Vol. II., 249, 300. + +Lombardelli, Signor, Vol. II., 63, 67. + +Lorillard, Pierre, Vol. I., 273. + +Lorillard, Mrs. Pierre, Vol. I., 317. + +Lotti, Mdlle., Vol. I., 7. + +Lucca, Pauline, Vol. I., 72, 134, 135, 229. + +Lucca, Mdme., Vol. II., 262. + +Lumley, Mr., Vol. I., 8, 9, 12, 23, 24, 25, 35, 41. + +Lyon, Geo. W., Vol. II., 138. + + +M. + +Macpherson, Captain Fitzroy, Vol. I., 280. + +Mackenzie, Sir Morell, Vol. I., 182. + +Mackenzie, Dr. A. C., Vol. II., 272. + +Macfarren, Sir G., Vol. II., 283. + +Macvitz, Mdlle., Vol. I., 156. + +Magnani, Vol. I., 241, 271. + +Manns, Mr. August, Vol. II., 274, 275. + +Mapleson, Vol. I., 15, 16, 20, 21. + +Maple, Mr., Vol. I., 226, 227. + +Maple, Blundell, Vol. I., 192. + +Mario, Vol. I., 9, 33, 72, 89, 93, 94, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 128; +Vol. II., 25, 266, 300. + +Marini, Vol. I., 10, 11; Vol. II., 301. + +Maretzek, Max, Vol. I., 7. + +Martindale, Mr., Vol. I., 14. + +Marchisio, Sisters, Vol. I., 43. + +Marimon, Mdlle., Vol. I., 140, 143, 155, 171, 229, 230, 231, 233, 234, +235, 236; Vol. II., 295. + +Marchesi, Signor, Vol. I., 144, 145. + +Massenet, Vol. II., 161. + +Masini, Signor, Vol. I., 220, 221, 222, 223; Vol. II., 148. + +Mathews, Charles, Vol. I., 173. + +Mattei, Signor Tito, Vol. II., 162. + +Mazzucato, Signor, Vol. I., 4, 6. + +McCaull, Vol. II., 234. + +McCray, Colonel, Vol. I., 141, 143. + +Means, Mayor, Vol. I., 308. + +Medill, Hon. J., Vol. II., 232. + +Medini, Signor, Vol. II., 299. + +Meilhac, M., Vol. II., 161. + +Melcy, M. de, Vol. I., 93. + +Mercadante, Vol. I., 18, 65. + +Meyerbeer, Vol. I., 3, 43, 266; Vol. II., 284. + +Middleton, Admiral Sir George Broke, Vol. I., 182. + +Mierzwinski, M., Vol. I., 288, 307, 312; Vol. II., 174. + +Miller, Hon., Vol. II., 42. + +Millais, Vol. I., 72. + +Miranda, Signor, Vol. II., 249. + +Mitchell, Vol. I., 40. + +Mongini, Signor, Vol. I., 16, 26, 27, 95, 96, 97, 98, 117, 128, 129, +131; Vol. II., 298. + +Monti, Signor, Vol. I., 304, 307. + +Moriami, Signor, Vol. I., 152. + +Morris, Vol. I., 183. + +Mott, Dr., Vol. I., 295. + +Mozart, Vol. I., 11, 117, 270, 319; Vol. II., 265, 266, 272. + +Mueller, Miss Marie, Vol. I., 201. + +Murska, Mdlle. Ilmade, Vol. I., 87, 95, 129, 131, 133, 143, 152, 155, +156, 163, 164, 165, 166, 190; Vol. II., 295. + + +N. + +Nannetti, Vol. I., 240, 252, 253. + +Naples, King of, Vol. I., 19. + +Nassau, Dr., Vol. II., 127. + +Nandin, Signor, Vol. I., 10, 11, 44. + +Nevada, Emma, Vol. II., 86, 89, 90, 97, 109, 110, 111, 116, 119, 121, +122, 123, 124, 130, 149, 150, 248, 250, 297. + +Niagara, Vol. I., 297. + +Nicolini, Signor, Vol. I., 152, 288, 310, 319, 320, 323, 324; Vol. II., +32, 35, 44, 47, 48, 49, 65, 78, 88, 107, 122, 131, 149, 150, 155, 252, +253, 255, 298. + +Nichols, Colonel George Ward, Vol. I., 247, 267. + +Nikita, Vol. II., 297. + +Nilsson, Christine, Vol. I., 104, 106, 117, 128, 129, 131, 133, 143, +148, 150, 152, 153, 155, 157, 158, 159, 160, 162, 163, 166, 172, 178, +190, 193, 194, 195, 220, 221, 224, 229, 237, 240, 241, 243, 253, 254, +303, 308, 321, 322; Vol. II., 2, 11, 30, 33, 38, 81, 86, 218, 295. + +Nixon, Mr. William Penn, Vol. II., 136. + +Nordica, Mdme. Lilian, Vol. II., 161, 180, 182, 184, 193, 213, 224, 227, +244, 246, 248, 297. + +Novara, Vol. I., 243, 247, 261; Vol. II., 11, 299. + +Novello, Clara, Vol. I., 7. + +Nugent, Mr., Vol. I., 68, 70. + + +O. + +O'Connell, Officer, Vol. II., 64. + +Offenbach, Jacques, Vol. II., 283, 284, 285. + +O'Gorman, Judge, Vol. II., 7. + +Ole Bull, Vol. I., 218. + +O'Molloy, John, Vol. II., 209. + +Orczy, Baron Bodog, Vol. I. 254, 255, 258, 260. + +Oselio, Mdlle., Vol. II., 250. + +Oxenford, John, Vol. I., 28. + +P. + +Padilla, Signor, Vol. II., 244, 249, 266, 267, 276, 277, 298. + +Paget, Lord Alfred, Vol. I., 177, 178, 183. + +Palmer, Potter, Mr., Vol. II., 232. + +Palmer, Mr. Courtlandt, Vol. II., 171. + +Palmer, Dr., Vol. II., 116. + +Palmer, Colonel H. W., Vol. I., 281. + +Pandolfini, Signor, Vol. II., 299. + +Pappenheim, Madame, Vol. I., 203; Vol. II., 6, 14, 296. + +Parepa, Madame, Vol. I., 29. + +Parnell, Mr., Vol. II., 266. + +Parmenter, Judge, Vol. I., 212. + +Parodi, Mdlle., Vol. I., 211. + +Parry, Mr., Vol. II., 6, 7, 116, 231. + +Pasdeloup, M., Vol. II., 300. + +Patey, Madame, Vol. I., 28. + +Patti, Adelina, Vol. I., 33, 35, 36, 72, 82, 83, 145, 150, 153, 167, +224, 251, 264, 265, 267, 268, 269, 270, 272, 273, 274, 288, 290, 291, +295, 296, 300, 301, 302, 303, 305, 306, 307, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, +315, 317, 318, 319, 320, 323, 324; Vol. II., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 14, 15, +22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, +43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 51, 52, 54, 58, 59, 65, 67, 68, 69, 72, 74, 75, +76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 85, 86, 87, 88, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 101, +103, 105, 107, 113, 116, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 127, +130, 131, 132, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, +151, 154, 155, 156, 157, 159, 160, 161, 163, 169, 174, 209, 218, 236, +243, 252, 253, 254, 255, 261, 268, 295. + +Peabody, George, Vol. I., 5, 6. + +Pearce, Mr. Irving, Vol. II., 232. + +Peck, President Ferd. W., Vol. II., 106, 133, 135, 136, 232, 238. + +Persiani, Mdme., Vol. I., 10, 11; Vol. II., 300. + +Peyten, Father, Vol. II., 17. + +Phelps, Mr., Vol. I., 8. + +Phillips, Mr. R., Vol. I., 69. + +Phillips, Colonel L. E., Vol. I., 281. + +Piccolomini, Mdlle., Vol. I., 9, 19. + +Planche, J. R., Vol. I., 27, 43. + +Ponchielli, Vol. II., 31. + +Ponsard, M., Vol. II., 284. + +Pope, His Holiness the, Vol. I., 18. + +Post, Mr. Chas. N., Vol. II., 138. + +Potter, Cipriani, Vol. I., 1. + +Pratt, Mr. S. G., Vol. II., 136. + +Prevost, M., Vol. I., 262. + +Prussia, Crown Prince of, Vol. I., 8. + +Pryor, Mrs., Vol. I., 317. + +Puzzi, Mdme., Vol. I., 49, 50, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57. + + +Q. + +Queen, Her Majesty the, Vol. II., 243. + +Quilter, Vol. I., 183. + + +R. + +Randegger, Mr. Alberto, Vol. II., 274, 275. + +Rattray, Colonel J. C., Vol. I., 279. + +Ravelli, Signor, Vol. I., 242, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 288, 294, 297, +298, 299, 307, 313, 320, 326; Vol. II., 161, 162, 164, 169, 173, 175, +176, 177, 178, 179, 181, 182, 183, 184, 186, 187, 188, 193, 194, 195, +196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 209, 210, 229, 248, 264, +266, 269, 276, 277, 280, 281, 298. + +Reboux, Caroline, Vol. II., 296. + +Reeves, Sims, Mr., Vol. I., 4, 7, 28, 74, 75, 78. + +Reeves, Sims, Mrs., Vol. I., 74, 75. + +Remenyi, M., Vol. I., 2. + +Reszke, M. Jean de, Vol. II., 298. + +Rhaden, Baron von, Vol. I., 134. + +Richter, Herr, Vol. I., 237, 239. + +Ricordi, Vol. I., 252; Vol. II., 262. + +Rigo, Vol. II., 193. + +Rinaldini, Signor, Vol. II., 161, 162, 163, 164, 266. + +Risley, Professor, Vol. I., 107. + +Ristori, Mdme., Vol. I., 156; Vol. II., 289. + +Rives, George L., Vol. I., 152; Vol. II., 85. + +Rives, Mrs. G. L., Vol. I., 316. + +Robertson, Madge, Vol. I., 100. + +Roger, M., Vol. I., 3. + +Rokitanski, Herr, Vol. I., 87, 95; Vol. II., 299. + +Rolla, Mdme., Vol. II., 264, 265, 297. + +Rolt, Mr., Vol. I., 14. + +Ronconi, Signor, Vol. I., 326. + +Rosa, Mr. Carl, Vol. II., 274, 275. + +Rosenbecker, A., Vol. II., 138. + +Rossi, Signor, Vol. I., 189. + +Rossini, Vol. I., 90; Vol. II., 272. + +Rossini, G., Vol. I., 265, 313. + +Rossini, Mdlle. Paolina, Vol. I., 265, 266, 267, 288, 293. + +Rota, Signor, Vol. II., 299. + +Rothschild, Messrs., Vol. II., 145. + +Rothschild, Vol. I., 230. + +Rouzand, M., Vol. I., 155, 159. + +Rovere, Vol. I., 10, 11. + +Roze, Marie, Vol. I., 155, 156, 163, 190, 206, 207, 214, 215, 220; Vol. +II., 295. + +Rudersdorff, Mdme., Vol. I., 11. + +Rudersdorff, M., Vol. II., 276. + +Rullman, Mr. F., Vol. II., 241. + +Runcio, Signor, Vol. II., 244, 247. + + +S. + +Salla, Mdlle., Vol. I., 193, 196, 220, 225; Vol. II., 296. + +Salvini, Vol. I., 166, 167, 185, 189, 190, 238; Vol. II., 300. + +Salvini-Donatelli, Vol. I., 10. + +Santa, Della, Signor, Vol. I., 7. + +Santley, Mr., Vol. I., 28, 68, 81, 87, 88, 89, 95, 117, 129, 131, 133, +139, 146; Vol. II., 275, 298. + +Sapio, Signor, Vol. II., 178, 193. + +Sarata, Signor Alberto, Vol. II., 237. + +Sarolta, Louise, Vol. II., 296. + +Savio, Mdlle., Vol. I., 288, 294. + +Saxe-Weimar, Prince Edward of, Vol. I., 281. + +Sayers and Heenan, Vol. I., 25, 26. + +Scalchi, Madame, Vol. I., 124, 155, 288, 292, 296, 301, 305, 306, 307, +309, 312, 313, 314, 317, 319, 320; Vol. II., 2, 5, 11, 31, 79, 85, 90, +94, 97, 105, 108, 112, 113, 116, 119, 120, 122, 124, 127, 130, 131, 151, +152, 174, 296. + +Scalese, Signor, Vol. II., 299. + +Schneider, Mr. George, Vol. II., 106, 136, 232. + +Scott, Dr. Joseph, Vol. II., 102. + +Seabury, Rev. Professor, Vol. I., 326. + +Sedie, Signor Delle, Vol. I., 36; Vol. II., 298. + +Selika, Mdlle., Vol. II., 100. + +Sembrich, Mdlle., Vol. II., 2, 30. + +Sessi, Mdlle. Mathilde, Vol. II., 296. + +Shah of Persia, Vol. I., 156, 157, 158. + +Sharon, Mr., Vol. II., 74. + +Shea, Chief Justice, Vol. I., 326; Vol. II., 151. + +Sherman and Clay, Messrs., Vol. II., 49, 50, 51, 52. + +Sherrington, Mdme. L., Vol. I., 28. + +Short, Captain, Vol. II., 55, 57, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 74, 75. + +Shortball, S. S., Vol. II., 232. + +Sinclair, Signor, Vol. II., 275. + +Sinico, Mdme., Vol. I., 87, 215; Vol. II., 296. + +Sivori, Vol. II., 32. + +Smith, Count, Vol. II., 275. + +Smith, Health Officer, Vol. II., 88. + +Smith, Mr. E. T., Vol. I., 9, 11, 12, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, +29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 41, 283. + +Smith, Right Honble. W. H., M.P., Vol. I., 179, 285, 286. + +Smyth, Recorder, Vol. I., 326. + +Snowe, Vice-Consul, Vol. I., 22. + +Sontag, Mdme., Vol. I., 3. + +de Sortis, Bettina, Vol. II., 56. + +Sparapani, Signor, Vol. II., 299. + +Spencer, Lady, Vol. I., 227, 228. + +Spencer, Lord, Vol. I., 227. + +Sprague, Mr. A. A., Vol. II., 136, 232. + +Springer, Reuben, Vol. I., 251, 308. + +Stanley, Dean, Vol. I., 155. + +Stagno, Signor, Vol. I., 89, 95; Vol. II., 298. + +Stanton, Mr., Vol. II., 85. + +Starin, John H., Vol. I., 326. + +Steinway and Sons, Vol. I., 214, 215; Vol. II., 77. + +Steinway, William, Vol. I., 326. + +Stone, Dr., Vol. II., 115. + +Stores, Hon. Emery A., Vol. II., 106. + +Stracey, Colonel, Vol. II., 269. + +Strauss, Oscar S., Vol. I., 326. + +Strakosch, Maurice, Vol. I., 33, 36. + +Sullivan, Sir Arthur, Vol. II., 272. + +Swanstone, Clement, Vol. I., 14. + +Swing, Professor, Vol. II., 232. + + +T. + +Tabor, I. W., Vol. II., 117. + +Tagliafico, Signor, Vol. II., 169. + +Tamberlik, Signor, Vol. I., 71, 72, 82, 172. + +Tasca, Signor, Vol. I., 102, 103; Vol. II., 298. + +Taylor, The Prophet, Vol. II., 44, 45, 76. + +Telbin, Mr., Vol. I., 82, 94. + +Terry, Miss Ellen, Vol. II., 167. + +Thalberg, M., Vol. I., 3. + +Thomas, Ambroise, M., Vol. II., 163. + +Thomas, Theodore, Vol. II., 9, 10, 165, 171. + +de Thomsen, Baroness, Vol. I., 317. + +Thornycroft, Vol. I., 182. + +Thurber, Mr. F. B., Vol. I., 326. + +Thurber, Mrs. F. B., Vol. I., 317, 319. + +Titiens, Therese, Vol. I., 9, 12, 18, 19, 23, 26, 27, 35, 36, 37, 38, +42, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 55, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 68, 72, 77, 78, 81, +82, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 95, 100, 101, 103, 104, 109, 112, 117, 120, +121, 122, 123, 124, 128, 139, 140, 143, 146, 152, 154, 155, 156, 157, +159, 161, 162, 166, 167, 177, 178, 190, 193, 194, 196; Vol. II., 15, 25, +268, 282, 290, 300. + +Trebelli, Mdme., Vol I., 43, 58, 59, 60, 68, 72, 73, 77, 79, 89, 101, +104, 129, 131, 139, 140, 146, 154, 155, 156, 160, 190, 199, 220, 221, +240; Vol. II., 3, 30, 250, 255, 268, 296. + + +V. + +Vachot, Mdlle., Vol. I., 261, 262, 263. + +Valda, Mdme, Vol. II., 261. + +Valchieri, Signor, Vol. II., 275. + +Valleria, Mdlle., Vol. I., 156, 190, 198, 199; Vol. II., 297. + +Van Biene, Auguste, Vol. II., 276. + +Vanderbilt, Mrs., Vol. I., 317. + +Vanderbilt, Mr. W. H., Vol. I., 324, 325. + +Vanderpoel, Aaron, Vol. I., 326. + +Van Zandt, Vol. I., 164, 220; Vol. II., 297. + +de Vaschetti, Signor, Vol. II., 161, 162, 163, 164, 249. + +Varese, Mdlle. Elena, Vol. II., 296. + +Varese, Signor, Vol. II., 299. + +Verdi, Vol. I., 43, 45, 271; Vol. II., 272. + +Vetta, Signor, Vol. II., 161, 244, 247, 249. + +Vianelli, Mdlle., Vol. II., 6. + +Vianesi, Signor, Vol. I., 10, 127; Vol. II., 244, 300. + +Viardot, Mdme., Vol. I., 3, 10, 11; Vol. II., 300. + +Victoria, Princess, Vol. I., 8. + +de Vigne, Mdlle., Vol. II., 161, 162, 163, 195. + +Vivian, Colonel, Vol. I., 208. + +Vizzani, Signor, Vol. II., 298. + +Vocke, Mr. William, Vol. II., 178. + +Volpini, Mdme., Vol. I., 72, 78, 79. + +Volpini, Signor, Vol. I., 73, 74, 76, 79, 298. + + +W. + +Wagstaff, Mr., Vol. I., 113. + +Wagner, Vol. I., 263, 315; Vol. II., 171, 172. + +Wahl, Mr. Louis, Vol. II., 136. + +Wales, Prince of, Vol. I., 111, 139, 157, 192; Vol. II., 243. + +Wales, Prince and Princess of, Vol. I., 91. + +Wallace, Vincent, Vol. I., 28. + +Wallhofen, Baron Von, Vol. I., 134, 135. + +Walker, Mr. J. W., Vol. I., 279, 280. + +Walker, Mr., Vol. II., 275. + +Wallace, Vincent, Vol. II., 162, 173, 269, 283. + +Walsh, Mr. John R., Vol. II., 136, 232. + +Ward, Miss Genevieve, Vol. II., 297. + +Wartegg, Baron E. de Hesse, Vol. II., 177, 194. + +Warren, Councillor, Vol. II., 42. + +Weber, Dr., Vol. II., 269. + +Weber, Vol. I., 27, 43; Vol. II., 131. + +Weber, Vol. I., 216. + +Webster, Mr., Vol. I., 175, 176, 177, 179. + +Wellington, Duke of, Vol. I., 41. + +Wetterman, Vol. II., 52. + +White, Mayor, Vol. I., 300. + +Whitney, Mrs. W. C., Vol. I., 317. + +Willis, Mrs. Benjamin, Vol. I., 317. + +Wippern, Mdme. Harriers, Vol. II., 296. + +Wixom, Dr., Vol. II., 116. + +Wood, Vice-Chancellor, Vol. I., 14. + +Wood, Mr. George, Vol. I., 129, 130, 131, 132, 133. + +Woodford, General Stewart L., Vol. I., 326. + +Wyndham, Mr., Vol. I., 52. + +Wyndham, Mrs., Vol. I., 57. + + +Y. + +Yorke, Miss Josephine, Vol. II., 6, 32. + + +Z. + +Zacharoff, Count, Vol. II., 47. + +Zagury, Mdlle., Vol. I., 288, 293. + +Zamperoni, Signor, Vol. II., 262. + +Zimelli, Signor, Vol. I., 141. + + * * * * * + + Typographical errors corrected: + +made every preparation for going on to the stage=>make every preparation +for going on to the stage + +conterfeits=>counterfeits + +County of San Franscisco=>County of San Francisco + +Augsutus Harris=>Augustus Harris + +lieu of La Sonnambulu=>lieu of La Sonnambula + + (note of etext transcriber.) + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Mapleson Memoirs, vol II, by James H. 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