Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-01-05
FELICITA DE yEsTvALI.

an old Polish family, and was born on
the banks of the Vestula, in Cracow, a
city possessing, in the feudal times, the
privilege of crowning the Kings OF
Poland. She was born on the 23d Of
February, 1889. Her father was the
Governor of Cracow. Endowed by nature
with remarkable talents, she was given
every advantage which musical instruc-
ton for at that time in Poland such in.
struction was unusual could afford At
the age of twelve years she spoke six Ian
gnages, understood most of the ancient
as we'll as modern poets of Europe;
played upon several instruments, and
had already given unmistakable promise
of the possession Of vocal genius. Her
education was partially conducted in
Berlin, where she studied declam alton
with the celebrated Professor Rott,
having subsequently become at Paris a
pupil of Rocourt, the well-known artist,
who shaped and guided the inspiration
Of Rachel; indeed the French Govern
ment, when she had barely attained
the age of fifteen, offered to receive her
as substitute for the great French ira
gedienne, whose physique at that period
appeared insufficient for her position. 10
the meantime, however, Felicita Vestvali
had made the acquaintance of one OF
those rare geniuses who have dazzled the
French musical public, the famous tenor
Duprey, and by his advice she declined
this brilliant offer, and determined upon
giving her fine contralto voice to the
operate stage Hence the Theatre Fran
caisc lost great tragic artistic, and she
was destined to supply the Italian stage
with one of the most dramatic contrali
who have ever trodden it.
Accordingly she visited Italy, and
after that season of enchantment had
passed, which every imaginative temper
nment must struggle on the classic land
of art and beauty, she settled in Naples,
to the study Of the profession which she
had selected, under the guidance OF the
m9sfro Mercadante.
Her first appearance was, however,
made at La Scala, in Milan, for which
she had been engaged by Romani, at the
earnest desire of Mercadente. This was
in the part Of "Azucena" in Verdi's
Tropatore, which she at once stamped
out as a genuine lyrical creation, in,
which few, or indeed none, have ever
equaled her purely vocal and dramatic
power Her progress was now rapid in
the extreme. From this theatre she now
passed to the Italian Opera in London,
and the next scene of her triumph was
in New York. where she made her debut
at the Winter Garden, taking the part of
+" Assur," in Rossini's Sermiramfde.
When it is remembered that Grisi and
Mario both sung in this opera, the trial
to which she was subjected by our criti.
cal public may bo imagined, as one OF no
ordinary order. Its result was, however,
in her favor. There was not a single
journal that did not recognize the youth
and mower of her magnificent voice, the
fervor and passion Of her defamation,
and the sublime histrionic genius which
she had so largely developed. She was
universally styled " Vestyali the magnlh.
cent an epiihet which, whether applied
TO her dramatically or vocally, but too
clearly marks The effect she produces as
an operatic singer upon her audiences.
Alter this, With the spirit Of travel and
adventure strong in her, abe determined
upoa visiting Mexico, where her triumph
was even more marked, were that posi-
BILE, than it had been in New York. Sub
stantial proofs were indeed afforded her
of it by the presents of -ich jeweiry and
articles of rerfu which were laushed
upon her By the generosity Of her wealthy
admirers. So great WAS Der success, that
in the following year she entered into
operatic management IN that capital on
her 5=l sccounf, and by the one season
became that essential rarity, a wealthy
manager. On her return to the United
States. a party Of Mexican bandstli
nromised themselves the pleasure Of
tightening her OF her gains, which were
enormous. as her last benefit alone net
ted her the sum Of 5000. She, however,
quilted the City of Mexico day eaFlier
than the papers bad announced her ae,
parture; consequently they we're spared
the bad taste Of plnndering her whom
many Of them had doubtless applanded
when squandering ihe proceeds Of their
brieandage in the capitol. A brief pause
was made on her way back to New York.
in Havana and New Orleans, where she
repeated her successes. driving the Ha'
vanese almost to frenzy By the effect she
produced on them at her debut upon the
s,are of the Tacou Theatre. under the
management af Marii On her return
10 New York abe sgain appeared on the
stage Of the Academy. where she achiev-
Cd an even greater triumph than,any she
had before Effected She then, At the re-
qaesf OF her family, returned TO Europe:
where, aher singing ior short period