The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1872-04-26
mi i 8 g elIaneous
"Reminiscences of SOntag.

Connected with the destruction of the
Koenigsmaner," the Kings wall, in Ber-
lin, there is related an episode in the life
of the celebrated cantatrice Henrietta Son
tag, which the dilettantt of Paris have GER
tainly not forgotten.
Invited in 1895, by Kustner, who was
intendant of Berlin at that period, to give
concert at Leipzig, Henrietta Sontag, ar
irving from Prague and Vienna, commenc-
ed that triumphant round of successes
which greeted her in both hemispheres.
A little after, a director of tie theatre
Royal of Berlin, having heard her at Leip-
zig, induced her by his brilliant offers not
only to visit Berlin on her way, but to re-
main there for some time. And up to this
very day, the ray-headed amateurs of Ber-
lin remember and speak of the enthusiast
tic reception they then gave to the young
prima donna, and when she finally relin-
pushed her position in Berlin, to appear
there no more except at occasional inter-
walls, the shower of applause which greeted
her farewell appearance amounted almost
to frenzy.
Immediately following her first triumphs,
Henrietta Sontag visited Vienna, but was
soon obliged to quit that city with the
profoundest sorrow. The jealousy and
ISLANDERS of her rivals greatly disquieted the
illustrious debutante, who, with her rare
gifts, had promise of a most brilliant future.
Among her enemies upon the stage, the
most bitter of all was the singer Amelia
Steininger. Mile. Sontag left Vienna and
often thought of that trial and of the bitter
grief she had caused her.
Nearly ten years had rolled away, and
Sontag was once more enhancing the peo-
pie of Berlin. One morning during this
latter visit she was riding in her carriage
through the Friederichstrasse when she
heard the sweet voice Of a young girl who
was singing upon one corner Of the street
1t was popular air, warbled in pathetic
tones to the passers-by, by little girl of
ten years,
sontag stopped the carriage and called
the child to her.
"What is your name ?" she asked lean
ing from the open window.
Nanneri," replied the child in the
purest Austrian accent.
"What does your mother do ?"
"Ah Madame, she is poor blind wo-
man."
"a poor blind woman! But tell me her
name.
"Amelia Steininger"
"Amelia Steininger!" exclaimed Son
tag in the greatest surprise.
Yes, Amelia Steinlnger," said the little
one with an air ofpride. my mother was
one of the celebrated singers of Vienna be-
fore she lost her voice and became blind
from too much shedding of tears. All our
friends left us then. We have been COM
PEELED to sell everything we had and live
by begging"
Henrietta Sontag, overcome by emotion,
was unable to utter word. At length
she asked in q stifled voice, "Wherc do you
live ?"
behind the Koenigsmaner, No. 1917
"Wish your mother good day, Nanneri,
for her friend and former companion Hen
rietta Sontag, and say to her that l beg she
will receive me this afternoon. will come
to visit you, and we will have little talk
together"
"Henrietta Sontag!" exclaimed the
child with amazement, and ran hastily
home to her mother, to tell her all that had
happened.
But the child little knew how the blind
woman's heart throbbed when she learned
who was coming to see her.
The celebrated prima donna kept her
word. The same day, accompanied by an
aged friend, she sought out her who had
once been her rival, and who was now a
poor beggar living behind the Koenigs-
maner
She met and embraced the poor unfor.
tunate with the greatest cordiality, taking
care not once to allude to all that had pass
ed in Vienna, and religiously avoiding the
recollection of the ISLANDERS which had fore.
ed her to leave the imperial city.
On bidding her adieu she not only left
her well-filled purse, but few days Ia
ter she sang at the Theatre Royal for the
benefit ola NEEDY artist" 1t is superfu-
GUS to add that the "needy artist" was no
other than the former cantatrice, Amelia
Steininger.
Sontag thenceforth supplied her wants
as long as she lived,