The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-09-03

fine mezzo voce tones, whereupon the sgnors
brother the tenor, said "I would give many
thousand francs for your mezzo voice"
The Maestro and his brother now again talked
apart, and then signor Corsi spoke anew,
"I never take beginners" said he, "but since l
have heard you sing will take you. OF course,
with that voice, you mean to study for the stageT
replied that I had not determined on an artis-
tic career but If he thought l should succeed |
should be glad to undertake It, provided we could
agree upon terms.
II win guarantee that you will be good artist,
and will make my terms to suit you. | shall
bring you out in year from this date" said Sig
nor Cori.
DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY.
began my lessons upon these conditions, full
of hope, and tried to learn the Italian language,
But as was only natural singer knew not why
or how sung. Nevertheless, without putting me
through a regular course Of studies, in the mec-
hanism of the voice, signor Corsi made me sing
the opera of Faust" Singing in new language
Immediately found difficulties in the emission
of certain vowel sounds. l tried to surmount
each difficulty by forcing the tones from my
throat, and consequently made them gutteral.
The signor objected to this proceeding, without
explaining to me how to overcome my defect
The more labored, from day to day the more
fatigued my throat and the more my voice fell off
in compass and power. Being possessed however
Of hope and perseverance, and trusting that all
would come right In accordance with the assur-
ances of the Maestro, went on for three months,
at the end of which began myself to belive that
/ Al .F ,faa
An American lady, however who had heard
me sing on my arrival In Milan, invited me to an
evening party, and there met an old Spanish
tenor, who asked me to sing for him. After some
reluctance consented, and he then told me
must change my mode of study and learn, first of
all, to pose my voice.
"You have fine natural voice. he added, but
you have many bad habits which must be
cured"
"But where" said l, "are the teachers to whom
l shall go for guidance"
"lknow of none" replied he.
had heard him sing, and though he was past
sixty, he sung very well. -....
"Can you give me lessons?' ] asked,
He was then without an engagement and an
wered "Yes" ......
was with him for three weeks, and at the end
Of that time assigned contract to sing at Nantes
in France. / asked permission to follow him,
feeling persuaded he was the man wanted, and
came on to Paris, where applied to him for in
structlons. He answered that he could no longer
give me lessons, SO that all my time and money
was again thrown away.
MONTH WITH WILSON'S TUTOR.
II was in the middle Of January, 1873, when l
found myself for the first time in Paris, without
friends, OF knowing where to turn. But had
still little money 1then remembered that Nil
sons teacher was certain NJ. wArtel, and going
into music store asked his address called
upon him and begged him to hear me sing. He
received me with some roughness, but allowed me
to sing for him the aria from Faust "salve d.
mora"
When | had finished, Wanels accompanies,
who speaks English, after a few words with the
Maestro, turned TO me and said;
you have good voice, but you don't know
how to use IT,"
The very bluntness with which | was received
made me feel that warteI was great, and resolved
to study under him. As soon az / had made ar
rangements to pay him s5Oa month for three les
sons a week, he Immediately changed hia man
ner and began to pour enthusiastic praises on
my voice. He said TO me, that which my expert
ence has taught me, he says to everybody
"You will be as great as Rubini or Mario, If you
study long enough under me"
studied with him for one month, and became
satisfied that he might cultivate a soprano voice,
but could do nothing with mine.