The Sun.
London, England, 1865-04-15 00:00:00

Musical Obituary.

THE LATE MADAME PASTA.—One of the greatest
artistes the lyric drama has ever produced,
is no more; Pasta has left this world's stage. This
grand vocalist, this sublime actress, is no longer of the
living. Pasta dead ! what a flood of reminiscences must
must present themselves to the middle-aged habitué
of the Kings' Theatre, when Fop's-alley was in its
glory. Of Mme. Camporese, Signor Marioni (the lame
Tancredi), of Mme. Colbran Rossini, of Mlle. Caradori, of
Mme. de Begnis, Mlle. Garcia (Malibran) at 16, of Mme.
Vestris, also at 16, of Ambrogetti, Angrisani, Zuchelli,
Porto, Garcia, Curioni, De Begnis, Pellegrini, Remorini,
Toni, Velut, &c., the memory may only serve to recall
special attributes of some of these celebrities of past days,
but of Pasta there is no weakened recollection. Thore she
stands—that Medea, that Tancredi, that Semiramide, that
Romeo, that Nina, that Norma—she is before the eye pal-
pably, and before we hear the voice we mark the short
robust figure, the prominent but coarse features, the awk-
ward and almost clumsy gait. And when the first notes
were listened to, what did Pasta to justify the position she
occupied ? Her voice was not a sympathetic mezzo-soprano
—it had no distinctive resonance above or below ; the in-
tonation, especially in her last days,was flat and precarious.
She was, in fact, an artiste without a voice, an actress
without a stage-presence; but yet we shall near look on her
like again. She was a woman of genius, in short; she
had that wondrous gift of at once fining the attention
of an auditory, of enlisting their sympathies, of rousing
their enthusiasm. Once seen and hoard, it was impos-
sible to forget her ; but it is not so much Pasta you
remember as it is the character with which, for the time
being, she identifies herself. The modern theatre-goer
who followed Ristori's performances, of course cannot
easily forget her Medea; but the realisation of Pasta was
still more terribly in earnest. Never was a wronged
woman's thirst for vengeance, never was the mother's de-
spair depicted more awfully than by Pasta. Her progress
on the lyric stage was but slow. Born at Como—where
she died—in 1798, she studied at the Milan Conservatoire,
and for a short time was one of "the quatre poupees" pro-
nounced by the insolent M. Valabreque <husband of Cata-
lani) to suffice for an Italian opera-house troupe to work
under the prima donnaship of his wife. When Giuditta
Pasta, after her debgt in Paris in 1816, first came to Lon-
don, in 1817, with Mme. Fodor and Mme. Camporese, she
was as virtually a fiasco as Mlle. Garcia„ afterwards Mali-
bran, was when she made her debut at the King's Theatre
as Rosina to her father's Count Almaviva ; as her sister
Pauline Garcia Viardot was when she first appeared in
Paris, at the °Mon, as Desdemona, and at the Royal
Italian Opera as Amina. This is a curious fact—Pasta,
Malibran, Viardot, all failing at the outset of their career.
Critics need indeed be cautious in casting_ their thun-
derbolts on first nights. Pasta's repulse in 1817 was revenged
in 1824. Mr. Ayrton, the manager of the King's Theatre in
the days of Ebers, engaged her for the season 1824, and the
fiat of Paris was then admitted to be right. Her Desdo-
mona at once took the fashionable amateurs by storm,
in conjunction with Garcia (father of Malibran and
Viardot), who was the Otello.' Her next essays in Tancredi
and Zingarelli's Romeo confirmed the impressions in her
favour, and her Semiramide the same season caused the
conviction that she was the Italian Siddons of the day.
The majesty of this oriental queen was indeed irresistible.
Despite the deficiency of her organ, her science and decla-
matory powers rendered every passage striking and signi-
ficant, even when nature refused to respond to the calls for
the articulation of special notes. The management of the
scale was quite a marvel—as a timist. she was perhaps un-
rivalled, so that great quality combined with her intensity
exercised a potent spell over an audience. As to her volu-
bility it seemed inconceivable how she contrived to rival
Rubini in the decorative runs, of the "Il soave e bel con-
tento," from Pacini's " Niobe," an air that no modem tenor
could now sing, and which would tax the exercising skill
of even a dexterous soprano of the day. She reappeared in
1825, adding Paesiello's Nina to her repertoire; her acting
and singing redeeming the weakness of the work. In 1826
she sang in Mayer's " Meudea,', and in Rossini's "Zelmira"
(composed for Mme. Rossini No. 1,) In 1827 she sang the
"Maria Stuarda, Regina de Scozia," of Signor Coccia, a very
slow opera indeed. Mlle. Toso, now Mme. Puzzi, was the
Queen Elizabeth. In 1831 Pasta added Donizetti's Anna
Bolena to her list of creations, Rubini being the Percy
(alas ! for " Vivi to") and Lablache HenryVlll. Jupiter is no
more. Abandoning the royal robes Pasta put on the peasant's
dress for Amina in the " Sonnambula," which she likewise
created. Thissame year introduced David, the tenor, when in
his decay, and Miss Paton (Mrs. Wood) to the Italian
boards here. In 1833 we had Pasta's Norma, the closing
character of lair creative career in the metropolis. Another
memorandum for the critics will not be out of place—they
were all abroad about Bellini's " Sonnambula" and
" Norma," although they raved about the weak " Pirata,'
the vitality of which was due to Rubini. Can the opera
goers forget the "Son io," of Pasta in "Norma ;" her
" Ombra Adorata" in "Romeo ;" her scene in "Medea,"
where she resolves to killiher children. Grisi, who at the
Scala in Milan was the original Adalgisa to Pasta's Norma,
never would essay the Medea. When she declined to try
Mayer's version, she was asked to venture upon Cherubini's
setting, so as to avoid the comparison with Pasta as re-
gards the music, but Grisi was determined to rest on the
glory of her Norma—great glory, indeed, for the part has
died with her retirement. Tietjens is to try-her hand with
Cherubini's grandeur in "Medea."

There came a fatal moment for Pasta, when in 1850,
yielding to the pressing requests of injudicious friends, she
reappeared for a night in " Anna Bolena"—it was Rome in
ruins, and Rachel was there with execrable taste to ridicule
Pasta, the hem of whose robes she would have been glad to
kiss in her grand days. This was a distressing exhibition
to those who remembered Pasta in her prime, as heart-
breaking as it was to hear that gifted Mlle. Falcon attempt
to sing again at the Grand Opera in Paris after she had lost
her voice. Pasta also tried to sing at a concert at the Royal
Italian Opera for her compatriots, and she even descended
to the Princess's Theatre. It was melancholy ; but the
quick intelligence of Viardot, even in the Anna Bolena, of
1850, recognised the genius of Pasta. With tears in her
eyes she turned to an ardent admirer of Pasta (Mr. Chor-
ley), and remarked, " You are right ! It is like the Cena-
colo of Da Vinci at Milan—a wreck of a picture, but the
picture is the greatest picture in the world." At the inter-
ment in the Cathedral bf Como there was great pomp. In
the last years of her life, tranquilly passed on the banks of
Como, Pasta always gave a warm welcome to her English
friends. Medea and Norma might have been seen on the
Lake, with a large straw hat on her head, rowing in a
small boat, as content as when she wore the regal robes
and diadem.

THE LATE EDWARD LODER.—This composer
died on the sth, after an illness of some years. He
was the son of John Loder, of Bath, the violinist, and one
of the leaders of tho Philharmonic Concerts. Edward
Loder was educated in Germany, and was a pupil of Ries.
The late Mr. Arnold first introduced Loder at the new
Lyceum, by the production of "Nourjahad." His finest
work was " The Night Dancers," based on the ballet of
" Giselle." Mr. E. Loder was also known as a composer
of classical chamber music, of cantatas, sacred and secular.
He was a first-rate musician, and did, honour to the Eng-
lish school, like his contemporaries John Barnett, Mac-
farren, Henry Smart, Balfe, Wallace, &c.

THE " T. P. COOKE BEQUEST AND BANQUET."—
In accordance with the instructions conveyed in the
will of the late Mr. T. P. Cooke, a dinner will take place at
the Royal Dramatic College, Maybury, next Saturday, the
22d inst., the festival of St. George falling this year on a
Sunday. The following extract from the will explains the
purpose of the dinner, but not the means by which itis
provided. On May 29, 1864, we exclusively published the
full particulars of the bequest, wherein it will be found
that Mr. T. P. Cooke left £l,OOO in Three per Cent. Con-
sols, the interest ofdwhich (.£3O) is yearly to defray the ex-
penses of this interesting meeting. He also left another
£l,OOO, the interest of which is to be given to the
author who writes the best nautical drama, and, if
a successful one, the profit it produces will be added
to the funds of the Dramatic College. We append the
extract above alluded to :—" And for the more effectually
carrying into operation my intentions, on the 23d day of
April in each year, which is the birthday of our Immortal
Dramatic Poet, Shakspere, and which is my own natal day,
also a public holiday or treat should be given to the pen-
sioners of the College for the celebration of this day. And
that on this occasion an annual dinner shall be provided
in the hall of the College at which the master, wardens,
and members of the council should preside, and to which
the whole of the pensioners, and any supporters and patrons
of the drama, and well-wisher to the College, and such
members of my'family as shall be living, and the trustees
for the time being of my will (if any), shall be invited."—
Era.

THE MAMMOTH TREES OF CALIFORNIA SUR-
PASSED !—The Brazilian journals would seem to outvie
Baron Munchausen in the discoveries of natural wonders.
They tell of a tree on the banks of the Branco, a tributary
of the river Amazon, under the canopy of which 10,000
human beings may find shelter, and the height of which is
such, that a gigantic bird, the Tononydon, another wonder
of the basin of the Amazon, parches itself so high up the
branches, as to be quite out of rifle, shot. The tree belongs
to the Malvaceous order, and is called by the Brazilians
S ouina.

SHAKSPERIAN SCHOLARS !—The "Lounger" of
the Illustrated Times has a good story about two
dunces who, after pondering over the play bill in front of
Drury-lane Theatre, announcing the performance of
"Julius Coasar," delivered an opinion to the effect that it
must be "an adaptation from the French of the Emperor's
now book."

FOUR POINTS OF A CASE !—An eastern" editor
says that a man in New York got himself into
trouble by marrying two wives. A western editor replies
by assuring his contemporary that a good many men in
that section had done the same thing by marrying one. A
northern editor retorts that quite a number of his acquaint-
ances found trouble enough by barely promising to marry,
without going any farther. A southern editor says that a
friend of his was bothered enough when simply found in
company with another man's wife.

ICII DIEM

HER' MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, April 14.
The Queen, their Royal Highnesses Prince Alfred,
Princess Helena, and Princess Louise, and the Ladies
and Gentlemen in Waiting, attended Divine service
this morning in the private chapel.
The Hon. and Very Rev. the Dean of Windsor
administered the Sacrament of the Holy Communion.
The Rev. J. St. John Blunt, Chaplain in Ordi-
nary to the Queen, preached the sermon.

To-day is the birthday of her Royal Highness
Princess Beatrice.

Her Majesty, accompanied by her Royal High-
ness Princess Helena, drove in the Great Park
yesterday afternoon, attended by the Hon. Mrs.
Bruce.

Their Royal Highnesses Prince Alfred and
Princess Louise went out riding, attended by Lady
Churchill, Lieut.-General the Hon. C. Grey, and
Lieut. Haig.

The Hon. Lucy Herr and the Hon. Eleanor
Stanley have succeeded the Hon. Caroline Cavendish
and the Hon. Florence Seymour as Maids of Honour
in Waiting.

The Prince and Princess of Wales.
SANDRINGHAM, April 14.
On Tuesday the Prince and Princess, attended
by the Countess De Grey and Major Grey, and
accompanied by Earl De Grey, Viscount Goderich,
Major General Lord Henry Percy, Viscount Hamil-
ton, Lieut. Colonel the Hon. and Mrs. Byng, drove
from Sandringham to the neighbouring watering
place of Hunstanton. The Royal party alighted
at St. Edmund's, where a populous town is
fast springing up. This watering place, besides
its modern attractions, has an ancient history of
some interest. Besides being the first place
where St. Edmund landed on his arrival from
Germany, it is said that King Edmund retired
here, and stayed for a whole twelvemonth, that
he might get the whole Book of Psalms by
heart in the Saxon language, the very book being
preserved by the monks of Bury St. Edmund's till
the dissolution. The Royal party viewed with con-
siderable interest the lofty cliffs, which are nearly
100 ft. high, and are very interesting to the geologist.
The Royal party also visited the famous Ringstead
Downs, which is formed by a long valley of beauti-
ful turf which winds from Hunstanton Park, where
Lord Vernon trained his famous horse Florizel and
other racers. Their Royal Highnesses and distin-
guished party returned to Sandringham in the
evening.

On Thursday their Royal Highnesses and party
walked and drove out.

To-day the Prince and Princess of Wales, at-
tended by the Countess de Grey, Lieut.-General
Knollys, Major Grey, Mr. Fisher, and Mr. Holz-
man, and accompanied by Earl de Grey and Ripon,
Viscount Goderich, Major-General Lord Henry
Percy, Viscount Hamilton, and Lieut.-Colonel the "
Hon. H. and Mrs. Byng, attended Divine service
at Sandringham Church, in the morning. The
Rev. G. B. Moron, 8.A., rector, officiated and
preached.

The Regency of Tunis.

A letter in the Levant Herald, dated Tunis,
March 15, says :--
".Yesterday Prince Arthur arrived here from
Malta, on board the Admiralty yacht Enchantress.
As soon as the steamer dropped anchor, Sidi Hus-
sein Pasha, Minister of the Interior, was despatched
on board to welcome his Royal Highness in the
name of the Bey. Shortly afterwards the Prince
landed, in company with Mr. Wood, her Majesty's
agent, under a royal salute, and entered one of the •
Court carriages, which, with a perfect crowd of
other carriages, led horses, high officials, and troops,
awaited him at the Scala, drove him to the Palace,
where he was received by his Highness with great
distinction. The whole town, too, was astir to get
a glimpse of the son of Queen Victoria, of whose
power and greatness Tunisians have happily a
very high idea. From the Palace they drove out
to the Marsa, where Mr. Wood has his summer
house. The Bey strongly urged his Royal High-
ness to accept his hospitality during his stay in
Tunis, and had magnificently fitted up a suite of
apartments for his use in the Dar-el-Bey. He pre-
ferred, however, to spend what time he will pass on
shore at Mr. Wood's, and in any case will be only
a short time here, as he purposes visiting Carthage
and all the other sites of interest in the Regency
before proceeding to Egypt and Syria.
" Two days ago Sidi Rustam, who is in command
of one of the camps now out collecting the fines
imposed on the late revolted districts, sent in 250
prisoners. The Bey's first impulse was to behead
the whole, but the Khasnadar interfered and
obtained the amcin, on the rather severe terms,
however, of 180 of the wretches receiving 500 blows
of the ' stick' each, and the remaining 70 1,000
each. This measure of cruelty has had a bad effect,
and is in every way to be regretted. Speaking of
the revolt fines, I may mention that this week
4,000,000 reals (12,000,000 Turkish piastres) was
sent into the Treasury from the camps during the
week. The collection of the impost may, therefore, •
be reported to be proceeding ' satisfactorily.' It is
said, however, that Bengdahoum, the leader in the
insurrection, who, with some hundreds of his
followers, crossed the frontier and took refuge
in Algiers--has been invited to Paris, where he
is assured of an excellent reception. The report
has given great annoyance to the Bey, who has com-
plained of it to the French Consul, but without re-
ceiving much satisfaction from that functionary.
Apropos of this, I may mention the rumour that
Haireddin Pasha, who was at Constantinople some
months ago, is shortly to go on a special mission to
Paris. I have not been able exactly to ascertain the
object of the proposed journey, but shall probably
learn some details in time for communication in my
next.

" You will probably have already heard that the
Government has contracted a loan of 15,000,000 f.
with the house of Erlanger. The price given by the
latter is said to be the high one of 85 per cent."

SUNDAYLAB OUR ONNEWSPAPERS IN SCOTLAND.
The Free Synod of Glasgow wasted many hours of precious
time on Tuesday in discussing how newspaper owners and
workers should conduct their business. As was perfectly
natural, if not (considering who the speakers were and
what they spoke about) wholly inevitable, there was
deal of arrant nonsense talked. Omitting the vaunt-
ings and flourishes of the dogmatic and irrepressible
Gibson, who varied his tale of how much he is
called upon to suffer on account of his faithfulness, and
of how iittle he cares for that suffering, by a series of dia-
tribes against the Post-office, Dr. Norman Macleod, and
number of other men and institutions, we find the chief
things insisted upon, as regards journalism, to be two—the
one a specimen of foolish error as to fact, the other of
Jesuitical reasoning in morals. It was urged, first, that
by working compositors up to midnight on Saturday and
from midnight on Sunday, a newspaper may be produced
without trenching on the hours of the Sunday; and, se-
cond, assuming that this might be done, therefore, no
blame belongs to those who buy a paper on which it is not
done. The answer is simple ; where the first of these
things is tried it amounts to a mere pharisaical adherence
to the letter of what is deemed the commandment, the
men being sent home to snooze over great part of the day
(truly a curious method of promoting its godly observance);
even in their case it has been found productive of worse evils
than those it was designed to prevent ; it can only be
wrought by throwing extra labour on others who have also
souls and consciences, and in point of fact it resolves
itself into a sham and a pretence. As to the second, it /0
enough to say that those who are willing to be taken in
by such a piece of casuistry will find themselves confronted
next Monday morning, let them open what paper they
choose, by a column headed " Latest Intelligence," the con-
tents of which will suffice to knock a hole in their special
pleading, and ought to reduce them to silence if not to
shame. Advancing on the same line of argument, we
might ask, do these grave and reverend seignors never post
a letter on Saturday evening, or indulge in a hot roll Oil
Monday morning ? If they do, then upon the principles
they enunciate, they indisputably render themselves par-
takers in other men's sins. Do they not also exhibit an
inconsistency such as gave force to the denunciation be-
ginning, "Ye hypocrites," addressed to the Pharisees of
old time by One who spa° with authority ?—/Vorth Bri"
(1,54