Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1872-07-09

trary imprisonment.
"Detestable and arbitrary, if you
please, but | want my opera"
II will complain to all the artistes."
"Let them grumble."
'"I will inform the public"
III will close the theatre"
az will appeal to the King"
"I will send in my resignation"
siniperceived that he was caught
in his own toils-so like a man of
brains he changed his tone and man
ner, and said in calm tone:
II accept the pleasantly, and am
not angry-but may ! know when l
am to have my liberty ?"
"When the last scene of the opera
is sent to me, said Barbaia.
avery well-scnd this evening for
the overture"
That evening Barbaia received a
large pile Of music, on which was writ
ten in large letters, Overture to 9th
clio"
The saloon of Barbaia was full of
musical celebrities when the first in
stallment was sent him BY his prisoner.
One of these artists seated himself
at the piano and began to play the CON-
position, and all declared that Rossini
was not man, but like God, since
hecreated without labor, without work,
but by the mere effect of will.
Barbaia, almost beside himself with
Joy, snatched the mnsic from its ad-
mirers and sent it to the copyist. The
next day he received new package,
on which was written, "First Act of
Othello." This he forwarded at once
the copyists, who acquitted themselves
of their duty with the mute and pas
sive obedience to which Barbaia had
accustomed them. At the end of three
days the music of Othello had been
delivered aud copied.
| The impressario was beside himself
with JOY. He pressed Rossini to his
heart, and made the most humble and
sincere excuses for the strategem which
he had been forced to employ, and
begged the author to finish the work
by assisting at the rehersals. i.
81 willsee the artistes myself" said
Rossini, "and [ will hear each repea,
his role, AS to the gentlemen of the
torchestra, / will have them rehearst
in my apartment"
| Every well, my dear fellow; ar
range it all as you please. Ny pres
ence is not necessary, and | will wal
to hear your masterpiece till the gen
eral rehearsal. Once more, beg you
to forgive the manner in which l have
treated YOU"
| "Not word more on that subject
or / shall be offended with you"
| "Good.by till the general rehearsal.
| The day for this grand rehearsal
came at last. 1t was the evening be
fore the famous 30th of May, which
had cost Barbaia so much anxiety
The singers were in their places, Tho
musicians in the orchestra, and Rossin
seated himself at the piano-a few ell
egant ladies and a few privileged
gentlemen occupied the boxes. Bar
baia, radiant and triumphant, rubbed
his hands together, and walked up and
! down on the stage.
! The ovcrtW was played. Frenzicd
applauses nearly shook the arched ROOT
of the San Carlo. Rossini rose and
bowed in Acknowledgement.
Bravo cried Barbaia, "now fol
|
the songs of the tenor"
Rossini seated himself again at the
piano-everybody was silent, the first
violin raised his bow, and they began
again to play the overture. The same
applause, if possible, more enthusiastic
than before. burst forth at the end OF
this morceau.
"Bravo, bravo " repeated Barbafa,
"that is charming, but we have not
time to hear it again. Proceed with
cavatina."
But in spite of the commands Of the
manager, the orchestra continued the
same overture. Barbaia rushed upon
the first violin, seized him by the col.
lar, and shouted in his ear, "what the
devil do you mean by playing the same
piece for an hour?"
Dame" said the violinist, with true
German GOODNESS, IL am playing what
has been given us"
"But turn the leaves, you FOOLS"
at is useless to turn them. We
have nothing but this overture"
|. "What r cried Barbaia, "notjting
but the overture? It is, then, an
atrocious cheat and mystiGcation p
J Rossini rose and bowed.