Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-08-19
relsgr,m 70 lne New York nsr.la.

4 lNpNDON, July H. 100 ls-RlNilDE 1iAIlg
the justly celebrated tenor, has sung hi
farewell song, and last night babe adie,
to the stage. The scene of his last pub
lie appearance was Clvent Garden, an,
the opera chosen for the occasion wa
the well known and much admired 81,
FdVoria Ga the appearance Of n,
celebrated singer the utmost enthusiasm
prevailed. 1t proved 4 demonstration
unparalleled almost in the history of The
lyric stage. The whole audience rose "a
do honor to the artist, and it was some
time ere the performance could proceed.
All through the entertainment the emo
ton OF the tenor was noticeable. vet he
carried himself bravely through to the
end. He felt the influence of the sur
roundings. Eleven times he was called
before the curtain, to receive the HOMAGE
of royalty itself, associated with tho
beauty, wit, talent, wealth and elegance
! of the British metropolis. Showers of
laurel wresths and rare fi1wera were
strewn before the foOtlighis at the feet of
the srtisr. 1t was amidst such a scene as
this thst the great tenor took his farewell
of the stage.
Your readers will no doubt call 10 mind
the immense Juror created in New York
on the appearance of Signor Mario and
Madame Grisi at Castle Garden in 1854.
| and as a sketch of the life of this gifted
singer may not at this time be inappro-
pirate, the particulars of his extrsordi-
nary career, as drawn By himself, will no
doubt prove interesting. Thus he tells
his story:
A SKETCH OF MARIO, By HIMSELF.
was born in 1910, on the 18Th of DC
tober, al Caglisri, in Sardinia. Ny father
was the MaIchese di Gambia. I was sent
to the Military Academy, and served in
the army seven years. l was aid de-
camp to my father st Nice, where he had
been appointed Governor. At that tins
the Duchesse de Berri made her expedi-
ton to the south of France, and visited
| her on board the steamer in
which she was concealed. Nv faith
er being ordered 10 Genoa, where be also
filled the post of Governor, / followed
him thither, still in the same capacity.
When at Genoa | was suspected of asso-
ciating with those who were politically
opposed TO the Government, and was 10
Consequence dsputed to carry dispatches
to Sardinia. This being evidently a pre-
text TO get rid of me, protested, and
was anxious 10 appeal to the King, Carlo
Alberto, against what considered an in
dignity put upon me. However, the
Marchese Paolucci showed me the general
order and the note affixed TO il, according
to which, ii the lieutenant objected 20
the duty, he was 70 consider himself st
the disposal OF the general in command
which, in fact, was equivalent TO my be-
ing placed under arrest. In spite If tie
advice to my good friend, the Marquis.
sent in my papers to the authorities and
decided to embark for Spain. r. being
some time before the preparations for my
departure could b3 made, had to conceal
myself in Genoa, which, thanks to the
assistance of a young lady 10 whom / was
much attached, successfully ace mplish
ed for q month. At the expiration oil
that time took passage on board 2 boa
bound for blsrseilles, intending 70 pro.
esed thence to Spain. On srFi7 n at
Msrseille5 and making myself known N
the authorities ! was received with the
greatest hospitality ard strongly advised
nos 10 continue ny journey as intended,
but to make my way 10 PSris; which a =
vice l followed. ! remained IN Paris but
3 short time, and was persuaded n Join 2
party going 10 London.
Being well acquainted Hith Admins.
Feelings family, through them was id
uoiUced 70 the Duke Of Wellington. SILL
anxious 10 visit Spain, ! asked Ihe DaSn
TO give mo some facility for 50 doing. Fa
assured me it was country in which I
should make no prOgress-'hat the more
energy l displayed the more enemies !
should make, sEd that the Only thing I
could hope for there, with ~ certainty,
was comp &c fusii. Hc concluded his all
vice bT telling me, 'Amusez vous, a. je
feTai queiqUe chose pour v0us pau tsri. ~
This counsel | followed 10 such cool
purpose that time passed awoy and with
it sill my money, until ST last I found my
self without sny means Of support.
then resolved 10 90 10 America, and 60.
cured q cabin on board s sailing vessel.
starting from the Thames, having with
3 me difficulty managed to scrape together .
$40 TO pay the passage A week before
the ship was to sail 1 fell i'll. had 70 /
abandon the i,lea OF going 10 America, |
AID, what was worse, 10 forfeit the $40
During this Illness experienced the pro- |
fondeur of English hospitality and was !
reated like 4 brother by ,b-se with whom I
hsd the good luck to become acqgain.-
ID. was urged TO 60 to Paris 10 con |
lult the doctors, and was taken there by
me of my English friends in his travelling
carriage.
In Paris improved in health and made
he acquaintance of the Marquis Aguad |
hen the director Of the two theatres- !
he Opera and the Tnea'rc dcs Italiens. |
was also intimate with the Prince |
3elgioiosO, with whom I used TO sing /
luets IN amateur. My financial circum- !
tsncGs, however, became 50 serious that |
made them known 20 the Prince, who |
insisted upon my turning my vocal abili |
les 10 account. This was az first very |
,buoxious to me. had looked forward !
o very different career from that of an |
.TtIst, which l then thought Unnsnly and |
insuited 10 my tastes. Bat the Prince /
would not listen to my objections, as
uriDg me that, were il nos for family |
considerations, he would, il spite OF his {
Orial position, 20 himself upon the !
tage. lie spoke 70 the Marquis Aguado |
n my behalf, and obtained for me an en-
,agement for three years. For the first
'esr, which was TO be passed in study, |
eceiyed 1900 francs, for the second
z. 900 and for the third ~, 0O0 francs.
For tue first SIX months | wss placed IN
Ter the tuition Of Meyerbeor, whom / !
laily visited No composer that ever
iged took such pains with his work az
deyeIbeeE-and Of this I had frequent !
of judging while studying /
with hin.
made my aTst appearance in Paris on
Dec. l, 1888, in ''Robert % Diable," at
he Grand Open. 1 sang there two
esTs snd S half, aud played in the
'Comte Dry" ''Le d apier. T" and other
peraa. II 1910, Aguado made me 1ag
8 the ltalieuq, where I annfgTad IN |