The New York herald., 1864-08-25
Tho Last Operate ImbrOglio-The Trou-
bies OF . Tenor.

The Last Operate Imbroglio-The Trou-
bies OF Tenor.
We publish in another column letter from
Signor Brignoli, the famous tenor, in regard to
his legal controversy with the Mynheer Grau.
We know how deeply Brignoli's epistle will
barrow up the tender souls of the sweetest
young ladies of New York; but still stern
like birds of paradise, are popularity supposed
to feast on flowers and sleep on beds of roses,
undsturbed by mortal cares, unvexed
by mortal annoyances, their only labor
being to look handsome, and sing charm
ingly, and die gracefully on opera nights. But
here we have the sad reverse of the picture
We see the delicious singer coming into court
to collect his salary. How surprised the young
ladies' will be to learn that he has salary.
We are officially Informed Of the exact amount
Of that stipend. Oh, horrible and practical
realism! We behold the Mynheer Grau, in
state of mind, refusing to pay the money and
defending the action. We perceive q gnat Of
lawyer buzzing about with counter claim
and asking impertinent ques tions Of the unhap-
py Signor. The bird Of paradise has his
pumage rufled, and his tail feathers erect,
and shows his beak and talons, and strikes out
manfully at his Irritating enemies. The illusion
is lost. The tenor has become mortal, like
the rest Of US. The grievous spectacle wounds
us to the heart
Signor Brignoli tells his story so clearly in his
card, and his statements are 80 we'll authenti-
Gated by the records Of Judge Barnard's court
that we need only hint at the main features of
the case. About ten years ago Brignoli came
to these shores, and here lie has issued his
most melodious and harmonious notes. Many
managers have had the honor Of engaging him,
and among these the Mynheer Grau now figures
conspcuously. 1t seems that, in tho spring Of.
1868, Grau engaged Brignoli for eight months,
at salary of sixteen hundred dollars per
month. Taking into consideration the deprecia-
tion of the currency, that was not high price
for such favorte singer as Signor Brigno Ii; but
Grau went off to Europe, and did not fulfil his
contract. Upon Grau's return from the scenes
Of his childhood and the ruined castles of his
ancestors he offered the Signor eight hundred
dollars to compromise the matter; but as eight
hundred dollars can scarcely be considered an
equivalent for eight times sixteen hundred do.-
lars, the compromise was very naturally de-
clined The Mynheer Grau's position, if we un-
derstand it, is that Brignoli did not sing for
him, and that he is rather generous and mhniH-
cent than otherwise to offer the Signor eight hun
dred dollars for doing nothing. To this Signor
Brignoli replies that he was ready to sing for
Grau; that he refused many more advantageous
offers in order to sing for Grau, and that
if he did not sing for Grau 1t was
Grau's own fault In other words, the Signor
falls back upon his contract and demands his
money; and if he can prove the contract to the
satisfaction Of the court we really cannot see
how the Mynheer Grau can avoid paying him.
At this stage Of the proceedings Mr.. Godfrey,
. lawyer, steps forward and attempts a flank
movement. He brings suit against Signor
Brignoli for fifteen hundred dollars worth of
professional services, and attempts to levy
upon the Signor's diamonds, jewelry and
souvenirs OF this person Brignoli's card dis
poses in couple of lines. But we can tell the
popular tenor how to dispose Of him more
efectually. Let the Signor bring q counter
suit against Godfrey. Let him charge Godfrey
with the dinners he has eaten and the wines he
has imbibed at Rrignoli's house and expense
taking Delmonico's charges as basis. Let
him debit Godfrey with all the drives be
has taken in the Park behind Brignoli's
mares, at the regular livery stable price. Let
him figure up the cost Of. ali the free opera
tickets with which be has supplied the ungrate-
full Godfrey. Let the segars which he has
given Godfrey be put in the account Lot not
pair Of sleeve buttons apd otker presents
which be has bestowed upon Godfrey bs
omitted. II the Signor has ever sung for God
frey in private let Godfrey be brought in deb.
therefor at the current rates. Let the pro-
fsssIonal opinions which Brigdoli has expressed
to Godfrey in regard to operas bs an item
Of the bill. Surely, If Godfrey's professional
services are valued at fifteen hundred dollars,
the opinions Of Signor Brignoli, who knows
much more about music than Godfrey knows