Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-10-30

| MADEMoISELLE ALBANL-IHE NEW AMER
ICAN PRIxA DoNNA.-The musical sensation
ofthe season in New York has been the sue
cess of the new prima donna. Mademoiselle
Emma Albani-lately brought over from
Europe by Strakosch. That native singer
should take the place Of leading star of tho
Italian Opera hitherto filed only by foreign
artistes, is notable event, and it will lie
the moro interesting to our readers because
the lady is native Of the valley of Lake
Champlain. Her real name is LaJeunesse,
and she was born in Plattsburgh. She is Of
a French Canadian family which, it is said,
is branch of the old Acadian family, i'm
mortalized by Longfeilow in ''Evangeline.
She showed remarkable musical genius
while a child, which was cultivated
by her brother, who was musician.
We have heard that her voice attracted the
notice of the Catholic bishop, at Platts-
burgh, by whose advice and assistance she
was sent to Albany, where she could re-
ceiy better instruction. As the promise of
hei rlture distinction as a singer increased,
she found friends to encourage and assist
her and in due time she went to Paris.
to be under the instructions of the famous
Duprez. After she had been under his care
for year or two. he sent her to the Italian
Maestro, Lamperti Of Milan, under whose
training and direction she made her debut
in opera. Her success was striking one
in Italy, and was followed by triumphs in
London and St. Petersburgh, though sing
ing by the side of Adelina Patti She was
secured by Mr.. Strakosch last summer, and
made her first appearance the other evening
at the Academy of Music in "S1nnambu-
Ia" Her singing and acting took the house
by storm; and she was called again and again
before the curtain. The enthusiasm was
even greater at her next appearance, in
Lucia" Her voice is described as rich
and iiutelike. her yOcalizaton wonderful.
her trllls perfect. and the musical and
dramatic expression which she throws into |
her part most striking. The difficult critic of |
the Iribane says she does not suffer in COM
parisOn with Nilsson and Di Murska, and |
adds; a voice so pure, so fresh, 50 mel |
low, has not sounded in our academy fer |
many season." So the brothers (Maurce |
and Maxi Strakosch are happy. We notice |
from their Programme" that Miss Annie |
Cary remains in their troupe, and that a |
very attractive list of operas is promised |
by them. this winter. including Wagner ; |
"Nascello Fantasma, Flying Dutchman; |
Gounod's Romeo and Juliet Meyerbeer. |
mLetoille dG Nord, Thomas Mignon and |
Hamlet, and many of the standard favorites /
The Middlebary College hunt came of on
the 22i. Under the rules a gray squirrel |
counted 20; skunk p blue Jay 10. and 50 |
on, and fish were to count from to 20 ac-
cording to kind and size The tails of all |
quadrupeds, and the heads of all Dir i were .
to be brought in, and fish to be brought in
whole. The day was fine and from early
morning till late in the evening the crack
Of rifles and shot guns was heard along the
streams and upon the hills. The counting
Of the game was attended with great excite
ment. Captain Twitchell's side made a |
score Of , 800 to , 900 for Capt Wild's. The |
result was a surprise, and when it was
found that one student had brought in
palltul OF mlnnOws which had counted |
5000 points, question a to the meaning
OF the word game gave rise TO d somewhat
lively discussion. The students then went
to the Middlebury House and partook of an
excellent supper.