The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-07-31

cloCh supEofteu ny Cupld. nere
the room was brilliantly lighted by a
number Of wax-candles in silver
brauched candlesticks. How often
had his eyes panied him in tho dim
light of his masters old lamp, when
he wrote his sonatns and motettosI And
these piles of music, so clean and nico-
ly arranged in a large, upright case,
that stood on one side of the room !!
At home their music was slowed away
in hooks and corners.
ri feel like breaking every thing
here in pieces" said Zachau, after
taking another survey of the room.
"Is not such extravaganza rs this sim
full? Can man, who lives like King
Belshazzar, write music fit to he heard?
Come, let US be going but, drink your
wine. There is danger that the mu-
sic we are about hear will give US the
collie if we listen to it with empty
stomachs."
At this time music was much cult.
waited at the Prussian court. The
second wife of the Elector Frederick
H., Sophie Charlotte, a Hanover
princess, was passionately fond of
music, and had called about her a
number Of distinguished artists. She
herself played the piano and harp
most admirably,4and, under the direc-
tion of the amiable and accomplished
Attilio Ariosti, even made considera-
BILE progress in the art of composition.
1t was said of this gifted princess that
what she would, she could and did.
AS proof, it is stated that she learned
Italian in three months so we'll that
the learned Gregorio Lett, who heard
her speaking with an italian, asked if
she understood German Whatever
she undertook, she prosecuted with
that energy and determination that
commands universal admiration.
Among her greatest admirers she
numbered the celebrated philosopher
Leibnitz, whose extraordinary genius
she alone, Of all the ladies at the elec-
toral court, fully appreciated, as she
alone was capable of comprehendlng
his thdories. In reality, Sophie Char
lotte cultivated music as a sort of re.
taxation after more severe mental Ia.
Dor. She would often sit by the hour
and listen to the singing Of the young
er 'Buouoncini, Giovanni Battista,
whom at such times bis brother usu-
ally accompanied; and the playing Of
her favorite, Corelli, the young Roman
violinist, seemed to have an indescri-
bable charm for her. How often, af.
ter day of hard scientific study, she
would send for Ariosti and Corelli,
and have them play some of their
charming duets before her and the
members of her little family circle !
How often would she send, late in the
evening, for the two Buononcinis and
beg them to oblige her with soms fa-
,vorite aria, or to go through some
new score with her, when she would
usually play the accompaniment!
The elector, on his part, took pleasure
in affording the princess every means
in his power to cultivate her favorite
art. In the hall of the riding-house,
by his orders, a small stage, for pri-
vate representations, was built, on
which the ladies and gentlemen of
the court appeared in concerts and
opera. Near the orchestra stood
costly French piano for the exclusive
use of the electress. The musical IL
brary of the princess was the largest
in Germany, and every artist who had
the honor to be known to her had
free access to it. From far and near
the worshippers at the shrine of st.
Cecilia journeyed thithor in order to
profit by this privilege. 1t was his
desire to open this musical store
house to his pupil, and to have him
sec something of the world, that in
duced the domorganist Zachau to nm
dertake THEM those days-long
Journey from Halle to Berlin.
The rehearsal of Buononcinis "Tri-
onfo del Parnasso" in the hall of the
riding-house was half over when the
strangers arrived. They had just
paused to give the musicians and sing
ers few moments rest, and the va
rious groups that had formed on the
little stage presented q pleasing and
brilliant picture.
The youthful companion Of the do
morganist was completely dazzled'
He retrcated to an obscure corner,
and gazed, with astonished eyes, at
one figure after another, while his
master, undisturDed by the tittering
his strange appearance caused among
the elegant asscmblage, looked about
with perfect unconcern. Zachau ap'
preached the piano, at which lady
sat before an open score. The musl.
clans of tho orchestra stood at short
distance from her, somewhat nearer
the stage, in conversation with Buon
oncini, whose stately person and rich
costume made him the central figure
of the group. He nodded a welcome
to the two strangers when they en-
tered, and then took no further notice
of them. On the stage the perform
ers had gathered into little knots, OF
walked to and fro engaged in familiar
chat.
"Herr domorg ganist," whispered the
boy to his master, who had stepped
up on the platform where the piano
stood, "did you ever sec such distin
guished looking singers-the ladies
particularly? How beautiful and
stylish they areI'