Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-10-31
A GAIA yIeHr ron PATru
Paris Correspondence (0ct- lS) Of the Ne
York Times.

Paris Correspondence (oct- ls) of the New
York Times.
The best representatives Of Parisian in
telligence, culture, wealth aud refinement
were assembled at the Sale Ventzdour last
night to hear Nine. Patti in the
sHuguenots.n For some days the city has
been agitated over this unusual event. The
celebrated eantatrice was to sing in French
and take the part Of Valentine for the first
time in fourteen years. The discussions,
opened in advance among the amateurs and
habitues of the scenes, were frequently
Of lively sort. Il was urged that
Nine. Patti had neither the force nor the
voice for so heavy and difficult role; and
furthermore, those who professed to know
something about it insisted that her French
accent was so bad that she eouldnot hope 10
avoid good deal Of ridicule. In both
things the knowing ones were in error.
Nine. Patti was equal to the role OF Valen-
tine, although in the fourth act I could see
from the GUGnt-scene box in which l was
sitting that it was a most terrible strain
upon her force and voice. Her accent
was the purest Partisan, and il was
evident that NJ. de Caux had carefully
corrected her modulatiOns. In fact, Ofthe
two leading singers, il appeared that Nile.
Belval had far more Of the italian accent
than Patti. An entirely exceptional audi
ence was present on this occasion. The
announcement that the first representation
would be under the patronage Of Madame
le Marechale herself, and fof the benefit Of
the poor OF Alsace-LOrTaine, caused nut
ter among the deHi-mORdGines, who began
to move heaven and earth to get an
entry. There is nothing they like more
than these sort of gatherings, where
they can see and critieise the lead
ing ladies' Of society, and elbow the
aristocracy during the sHtr' acts along the
cOulOirs and in the saloon. But steps had
been taken TO make the audience extremely
exclusive. All whose relations were not
clearly known were told that the tickets
were all sold, and fabulous sums were
offered two days before the event. Twenty
five dollars for single seat in the posterne
were freely offered at the door by number
of elegantly dressed young men who had
failed to gain admittance. Hence the
the places were kept for high officials,
journalists and literary men, the
wealthy bankers, the cream Of Parisian
high life, and a few noble strangers who
are now within our gates. IL was a repre-
sentation de gala, and, as Mime. De Caux
afterward remarked, 'guite like st. Ie-
tersbtrg audience for performance order
ed by the EMPEROR The number OF dia-
monds displayed was really astonishing
Beginning with Mme De ROthschild,
opposite where was sitting, who wore
heart-shaped lOeket set with enormous
brilliants, round as tar IS could see there
appeared to be a continuous stream OF dia-
mOnds, and constant scintillatiOns OF light
and color. But there was one exception
worth noting. In a front box sat
lady of middle age, dressed in a sim
pie muslin robe of sOnbeF tint, ana
without a single ornament visible save a
plain marriage ring. Beside this simple tig-
ure were three distinguished looking gentle
men, and In the boxes on either side were
two ladies who must have had a millions
value in their hair. The plain little
woman was the Grand DueheSse Marie, OF
Russia, who never loses one Of Nine. PATHS
evenings, if she can help it. But, as lady
remarked. Princess of the blood can afford
such vagaries, while plain Nine. 50 and 50
would be disgraced.