Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-04-26


"Don you want anything ?" mildly fin
quired Barbaia. 81 want to he let out IN
stantly,' roared Rossini.
"You shall come out when your opera
Is finished"
"But this is n detcstablc and arbitrary
imprisonment
Detestable and arbitrary, if you please,
but 1 want my OPERA
Il will complain to all the artistes.''
Let them grumble."
Il will inform the public"
- will close the theatre"
g L will appeal to the king"
. L will send in my resignation"
ROSsini perceived that he was caught in
his own tolls, SO, like a man of brains, he
changed his tone and his manner and said
in calm tone:
81 accept the pleasantly, and am not
angry, but may i know when am to have
my liberty?
"When the last scene Of the opera is
sent to me-" said Barbaia.
every well; send this evening for the
overture"
That evening Barbaia received a large
pile of music, on which was written in
large letters, "Overture to Othello."
The salon of Barbaia was full of musical
celebrities when the first instalment was
sent him by his prisoner. One of these
artistes seated himself at the piano and
began to play the composition, and all de
clared that Rossini was not a man, but like
a god, since he created without labor,
without work, but by the mere effort of
will.
Barbaia, almost beside himself with 10Y,
snatched the music from its admirers, and
sent it to the copyists. The next day he
received 4 new package, on which was
written, 'FiIst Act Of Othello.'' This he
forwarded al once to the copyists, who ac-
quilted themselves Of their duty with the
mute and passive obedience to which
Barbaia had accustomed them. At the
end of three days the music of Othello bad
been been delivered and copied.
The impressariO was beside himself with
joy. He pressed Rossini to his heart, and
made the most humble and sincere excuses
for the stratagem which he had been forced
to employ, and begged the author to finish
his work by assisting at the rehearsals.
81 will see the artistes myself" said
Rossini, ''aDd l will hear each repeat his
. role. As to the gentlemen of the orchestra,
| L will have them rcheaIse in my apart
ment."
VERY We'll, my dear fellow; arrange it
all as you please. 3Ty presence IS not nee
essary, and / will wait to hear your mas
ter-piece till the general rehearsal. Once
more, beg you to forgive the manner in
! which have treated YOU
'sNot a word more ON that subject, or [
shall be offended with you"
"Good-bye, till the general rehearsal"
The day for this grand rehearsal came at
! last. 1t was the evening before the famous
! Both of May, which hal cost Barbaia so
I much anxiety. The singers were in their
places, the musicians in the orchestra, and
Rossini seated himself at the piano-a few
elegant ladies and few privileged gentle
men occupied the boxes. Barbaia, radi-
ant and triumphant, rubbed his hands to-
, gether, and walked up and down on the
stage.
: The overture was played. Frenzied ap-
! plause nearly shook the arched roof of the
! San Carlo. ROssinI rose and bowed in ac-
| acknowledgement.
! "BravO," cried Barbail, ''nOW for 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 Barba;a, ''but
now pass on to the cavatina of the tenor"
The orchestra began TO play the overture
for the third time.
Hold there cried BarLaia, '.that is
charming, but we have not time to hear it
again. Proceed with the cavatina.''
But in spite of tho commands Of the
manager, tho orchestra continued the same
! overture. Barbaia rushed upon the first
+ violin, seized him by the collar, and shout
ed i'll his ear, - What the devil do YOU
mean by playing the same piece for an
hOur?''
Dame said the vioiinist, with true
German GOODNESS, q am playing what has
! been given u.s.
" But turn the leaves, you fools
"It is useless to turn them. w, have
! nothing but this overture"
{ Whatn' cried Barbaia, "noLling but
the overture? 1t is, then, an atrocious
! cheat and mystification ~
| Rossini rose and bowed.
! But B-rbaia fell back upon a sofa, mo-
, tiOnless. The prima-donna, the tenor,
. everybody rushed up to him. For a mo-
! nlent all thought lie was struck with
! apoplexy.
! Rossini, startled by the effect Of his prac-
teal joke, approached hi IL with real
! anxiety. But at the sight of him, Barbaia
! recovered himself, and found his voice once
! more.
''Begone, traitor" he cried, cor shall
, do you some injury"
dc CdlulS Uc CdlLl, IcluiIlcu lOSSllll.
/ 'Let us see if there is not something to be
| done.'
| something to be done, you butcher
and tomorrow is advertised as the first
representation of the new opera"
E'Supposing the prima-dOna should be
taken suddenly ill.," whispered Rossini in
the managers ear.
''Impossible," was the reply in the same
tone, 'she would not risk drawing upon
herself the vengeance and the Orange-pee
I of the populace after such dlsappoint-
ment."
"lf you would coax her little"
''It would he useless. You do not know
! Colbron.'
81 thought you were on the best of terms
with her.
$50 much the worse"
''WiIl you permit me to try and sec wla'
l can do?''
"Do all you can-but warn YOU it i.
lost time"
eve shall see.''
The following day, bills everywhere all
/ nounced that the first representation 0
| Othello was postponed On account Of the
severe illness of the prima-dOnna.
Eight days after that OthellN was per
formed. That famous and celebrated opera
is now familiar to the whole civilized world
Eight days had been sufficient for Rossin
to produce that master piece.
After the fall of the curtain Barbaia
overcome with the triumph, went in searcl
of Ross nj to shower congratulations upoI
him. Bu- ROSsini was nowhere TO b.
found.
The next day Barbaia rung for hi:
prumpter, who was also his valet-tor he
was impatient to present to his guest his
comf liments OH the success of the previou: