The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-04-13
An Evening with Verdi.
TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.

TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.
All the Partisan journals have mentioned a
little informal, reunion which took place last
Wednesday, in the Avenue des Champs Elysees,
at the residence of Maestro Verdi. Those OF
the readers of DATt MuSlcdte who have not
read the other papers-whch they are not alb
solutely compelled to do-will allow me to re-
late in a few words, the object OF this re-
union in the house of a master who processes to
have the greatest dread OF SoiTeeS and recep-
tions, and who declares that he thousand
times prefers TO converse amicably and quietly
with little group of intimate friends, without
being obliged 10 retire at the hour when real
workers rise.
About fortnight ago the editor of L'A7t
Musicale mentioned this TACT, which, for brevity,
rivals telegraphic despatch:-"The celebrated
sculptor Dantan has Just finished bust of
Verdi" However, this brief notice caught the
attention of amateurs, art critics, aud Verdrs
admirers In general, and some of them even
went to Dantan's residence in the Rue Blanche,
the charming Folie Dantan and begged to see
the work of this distinguished sculptor, OF whom
it may be said that he has two strings to his
bow, or chisel in each hand: one for carlca-
lures, and the other for artistic creations. A
few days later, all the principal Parlsian jour
mails spoke of the bust OF Verdi.
La P0trie, for instance, says:-"The bust OF
Verdi, which Dantan has just finished, is life
size, although 1t appears much larger than
nature, and, at the hrst glance, you recognize
in it the author of II 1foUdtore. The resemblance
is most striking. You see there that large, pen
sive forehead, which would have delighted Gall /;
those arched eyebrows, so strongly marked, and
the deep lines between them imprinted by study,
thought, struggle, and the power OF will; that
nose, wide at the nostrils; the beard bulky, with
hair disposed in masses, or rather tossed in in
congruous locks-all, even TO that vague dis
tant look, which is that OF dreamer when not
softened by inspiration. 1t is truly Verdi, as we
see him pictured in all the Italian theatres OF
the two hemispheres This is, perhaps, the
only work of Dantan's which is not popular, or
rather which is not yet. 1t could scarcely be
to-day, when just released from the moulder's
hands. 1t will be tomorrow"
Tomorrow" arrived, and the first hour of its
popularity was in Verdi's salon, where the
maestro had united a small number of friends,
principally artists :-Mad'lle Adelina Patti, NJ.
Strakosch, Mons and Madame Fraschini, Mons.
and Madame Dele Sedie, Ronconi and his
daughter, Madame and Mad1le Tamberlich, and
NJ. AchIle Tamberich, brother of the celebrated
tenor, Madame Esther Fezzi, NJ. du Focle the
co-laborator of Merry IN the poem of "Don
Carlos" which Verdi is now setting to musc
Mons and Madame Leon Escuder, NJ. de Lau-
zures Tor M. de Themines), critic of the Patrte;
Madame Dantan and Nj. Dantan, the hero OF
the tetej for the Inauguration OF the bust
and feti1g its author were the objects of this
RENDEZVOUS at the nldestro's. Merry alone
was absent from this charming reunion
But the orator was represented by the poet.
He has been immured in his room and muf-
fed in hannels since the famous evening at the
Sale Valentine, when he wished TO defend Sieur
Annibal, a Carthagenian citizen, accused by
Maitre Frederic Thomas for not having gone to
Rome. This is the result of occupying oneself
with those who do not go to Rome But Merry
monopollzed large share of the evening, even
though absent. The bust was placed upon the
mantel- piece in the Sd on and NJ. Leon Escudier
requested silence for few minutes and then
read letter from the poet. Merry writes letters
in prose sometimes he has cold. This
letter explained his absence and was accompa-
MED by some beautiful verses, which NJ. Escu-
dier also read, which we're loudly applauded by
the audience.
new surprise awaited us. Dantan unveiled
one OF the most perfect caricatures that ever
issued from his studio. II was Verdi, the author
of La FOTzd del DestinO-halt man and halflio
He was sitting at his piano, and composing;
although the features of his face were much eX.
aegerated, still strong likeness was preserved
may Verdi pardon me saying 1t The com
posers hair ended in a lions name, and en-
VelOped his form with its rich tur; while the
lions tail coied like that of a servant struck,
with its extremity, the keys of the piano. Thus
was truly torcible carcature
Music scores were scattered over the piano
Upon one was written "H hOuUe tort" FREE
pronunciation of the Italian name OF Verdii
chef dGuUre. Dantan wrote it thus in anti
phrass TO the notice which he placed love-
down the sOcle-"TrOuoer EST son triOnaphe
Here is his expressive and appropriate qua
train:-
"Tl a des fers lions Ia gri6e ct Ia crlniere;
Trouver, est son tTiOmphe mditre hGrdi;
II suit a tTdvers champs an chemin sans 0rniere,
Tart feln'ird t0ljours tdat QuR aura Verdi "
will leave you to Judge of the laughter aaC
the manifestations of enthusiasm. One of the
guests who does not pride himself upon being