The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-01-29


theatre. A new opera from Paris was
to be played, and the prima donna was
the young, lovely, and worshipped Clau-
dine, the Jenny Lind of that time and
Iplace. The house was crowded, and
the first act succeeded beyond all expec>
tation, the audience were in ecstacy.
She is a jewel, said NJ. Dupont,
who, from private box, admired the
great supporter Of his theatre. A roar
of applause from the pit delighted at
this instant the good mans ears.-Clau-
dine called before the curtain, was bow
ing to the audience. But what is this ?
Instead of going of, she had just
signed to the orchestra to play. She is
about to show her gratitude to the au-
dience in verse. NJ. Dupont rubs his
hands, and repeats twice between his
teeth. 'She Is a Jewel = But with ease
and rapitny the band has commenced
playing an unknown air, and the next
instant NJ. Dupont is standing up with
strange and wild look. flushed and
still is every breath the audience look
ed at each other; not word Of cons
munlcation takes plare: men shudder
or rather trcmble with emotion But
the first stanza is endel: and then a
frantic shout, starting OF all TO their
feet, wild shrek of delight, cry Of a
thousand voices laundering the chorus,
show how the song has electrified them.
NJ. Dupont lrowned, for the air and the
song we're not new TO him; it was the
Song of the Army of the Rhine" he
had refused that morning But Claus
dine proceeds; again the audience is
hushed in deathlike silence; while the
musicians, reused to an unusual degree
Of enthusiasm, played admirably and
Claudiue, still singing with all the put-
ty, feeling. and energy of her admirable
voice, plunged her eyes into every corN
ner OF the house-in vain. At each
couplet the enthusiasm of the people
became greater. aud the anxiety of the
singer more intense. At length she
concluded and never did applause more
hearty, more tremendous, more uproar>
ious, greet the voice of public songs
tress. The excitable population of Mar
seiles seemed mad.
When silence was restored, Caudne
'Citoyens and citoyennes !" she
exclaimed, This song is both written
aud composed by young and unknown
man, who has in vain sought TO put his
compositions before the public. Every
body has refused them. For myself, |
thought this the greatest musical effort
| e p,nAor,, I
ed it to-day, aud, unknown TO manager
or author, and the band prepared this
surprise. But the author is not here.
Poor and despairing, he is at home La
menting his unappreciated elfIrts. Let
US awake him: let him know that the
generous people OF Marselles can un>
derstand and feel great music. Come,
let all who have hearts follow me, and
chant the mighty song as we 60" And
Claudlne, stepping across the orchestra,
landed in the pit, and, hare headed, light
dressed as she was, rushed towards the
door, followed by every spectator and by
the musicians, who, however, put on
their hats, and even threw a cloak and
cap on the excited and generous young
sOngstress.
Meanwhile the composers dreadful
resolve was being carried out. The
horrid fumes of the charcoal filled the
rooms, soon they began to consume and
exhaust the pure air, and the wretched
youth felt all the pangs of coming death.
Hunger, exhaustion, and despair kindled
sort of madness in his brain, wild
shapes danced around him, his many
songs seemed sung all together by hoarse,
husky voices, that made their sound a
punishment, and then the blasted atmos-
phere expressing his chest, darkening
his vision, his room seemed tenanted bv
myrlads ofnfernal and deformed beings
Then again he closed his eyes, and soft
memory stealing upon him, showed him
happy visions Of his youth, of his moth
er, of love, of hope, and joy; of green
fields. and the murmuring brooks which
had first revealed melody into his soul /;
and the young man thought that death
must be come, and that he was on the
threshold Of better world.
But an awful shout, a tremendous
clamor, thousand voices roared beneath
his window.-The young man starts
from his dream; what is it he hears
) AUX armes citoyens
Formes vos battaillons," &c.
"What is this ?" he cries My song
OF the Rhine
! He listens. A beautiful and clear
voice is singing it is still his song, and
then the terrible chorus is taken up by
the people and the poor composers first
wish is gained-he feels that he is ia,
I nous.
: But he is dying choked, stiled with
charcoal He lies senseess, faintng on
5 his bed but hope and Joy give him
strength. lie rises, falls rather, then
/. darts across the room, his sword in hand
5 One blow shivers the panes of his win,
: dow 10 atoms the broken glass lets II
e the cool sea breeze and the splendit
d song. Both give life toihe young man
e and when Claudine entered the room
a the composer was able to stand. In Ter
5 minutes he had supped in the porter,
?. lodge, dressed aud come out, to be borne
C in triumph back 10 the theatre, wher;
= that night he heard, amid renewed ap
: plause, his glorious song sung between
every act, aud each time gaining renew
a ed aurels.
Ten days later, Rouget de L'Isle wa
y married to Claudne, the Prima DOM
d of Marseiles and the young composer
II in gratitude 10 her and her counirymen