The Nevada journal., 1852-11-26
Biography of Miss Catherine
Hayes.
TNE " SWAN OF ERIN"

IkE "swAN OF ERIN.n
The near approach Of the world-re-
nowned songstress, Catherine Hayes, to
California, and her probably speedy ap-
pearance among us, has created an in
quiry among those who have not had the
pleasure Of seeing or hearing her as TO
her history and her triumphant career
through Europe and the United States
To such, the following biography, pre-
pared from scraps in cur possession, will
prove acceptable. 1t is singular fact,
often commented upon by the natives of
ireland, that the Emerald Isle," so
essentially the land Of song whose bard
ic remains have obtained world wide
reputation, whose national melodies al
ternate from tho touchingly simple 10
the thrillingly superb, being alike beau.
tiful exceedingly whether they breathe
the soul of pathos or glow with the fer
vor of martial enthusiasm, whose war
songs sir up the heart like the sound of
trumpet it is remarkable fact, we
repeat, that this musical Island has Civ
en- to the lyric stage but single female
vocalist within our memory capable of
Interpreting with success the highest Or
der of dramatic music. Although in
every other branch of art, Ireland has
given proof Of unlimited genius and tai
ent, as vocalist who has already
achieved triumphs which place in the
shade many Of the proudest lyric victor
les of the Italian and German prima
donas Catherine Hayes stands alone
We feel assured that the following ac-
count of her musical career will be read
with interest by the Californian lovers
of music.
Catherine Hayes is native of Liner
ick, having been born in Patrick street
in hat city. where she resided with her
mother and sisters up to the period of
her departure for Dublin, to be placed
under the care of Signor Antonio Sapio.
The developcment Of her musical talent
was early, and almost without precedent.
From her childhood she exhibited pre-
cocity of vocal power that excited aston
ishment and admiration, and won for her
the patronage Of the Bishop of Limerick,
to whose warm and liberal encoura &c
ment she owes the eminence she has
gained.
An incident somewhat romantic in its
ehara cter, formed her first introduction
to the Right Rev. Edmund Knox, near
the See House, then situated in Henry
street, is the town mansion Of the Earl
of Limerick, in whose family an aged
female relative of Miss Hayes resided.
The gardens attached to those grounds
sil etch in parallel lines towards the
Shannon, and wero remarkable for their
picturesque beauty. 1t was the chief
apparent delight of Catherine Hayes,
then q young and timid girl, to sit alone,
half hidden by the leaves, and warble
the beautiful Irish ballads with which
her memory was stocked, hour after
hour. One evening, while thus employ
ed, some pleasure parties on the river
wero attracted to the place by the clear
silvery tones of her voice, and the cor.
rect taste she even then displayed. =.
Boat after boat dropped silently down
the river, and paused in the shadow of|
the trees whehce, as from a bird-cage
came the warblings that attracte them
Not whisper announced to tho uncon-
scious child the unseen audience she
was delighting, until rapturous shout
of applause went up, the first intimation
the blushing child received of their
presence. The Right Rev. Edmund |
Knox was one of those listeners, and his
correct taste, and refined discrimination
at once diserned the germ of that tai
ent, the matured growth of which has
proved the soundness of his judgment
That evening the open air practice ter
and the timid girl, who knew
not the glorious natural gift she possess.
ed, found herself suddenly musical
wonder, and heard with a kind of in
credulous delight, confident anticipa-
tons of her future celebrity pronounced.
She was at once invited to the See
House, whore she received the kindest
from her patron. Bish-
op Knox, astonished beyond measure
with the progress Of his pro5ege, CONSUL
ted with his friends, by whom it was de-
cided to place her under the care Of
some musical professor of eminence. A
large sum was speedily collected among
her friends and soon after, she arrived
at Dublin with letters of introduction to
Sgnor Sapie. Her voice chen possessed
the silvery clearness and mollowness
which ale its characteristics her taste
was pure and refined bat, in what may
be called the mechanical portion Of her
art, in which it requires carefully and
iudiciously directed study to acquire
mastery, She was still deficient.
In few weeks, however, her improve
ment was astonishing. Her frst appear
nnce took place on the Sd Of May, lo4l
Just one month after her arrival in the
Tho scene Of this then great ..
event in her life was the annual concert
IF Signor Sapio, an entertainment uni
5ormly commanding large, fashionable
md discriminating auditory. The af-
air was complete triumph. The pa
1ers of the day were filed with favora-