The New York herald., 1874-08-18

brother OF his who was coming TO Europe as q
musical student, and he replied, ~ think had
better give you the experience OF friend OF mine,
with the deductions I draw from tnem.n relate
them as they We're narrated to me:-
BIOGRAPHY or AN AMERICAN MUSICAL srUDENT.
Ny name Is Frank Meanwei, OF Cleveland, ONO,
tenor voice. sang from childhood till the natural
change IN my voice happened to me about the aga
e ysa % vssp 1 ana peoP s time
which 1t generally takes or the voice to recover
its tone, was admitted into the Cathedral choir,
where sang the masses OF Mozart and Haydn sue
cessiuly for the space OF four years. 1 was then
nineteen. higher salary called me 70 the First
Presbyterian church In Cleveland, where | sang
for two years receiving the COMMUNICATIONS or my
friends and many praises suggestion rom
musical friend Of high standing, TO the effect that
my voice was flne enough to pay Tor cultivation,
determined me to save money u procure or N.Y.
sell the advantage Of European education
lected $1,000, took passage In the White Star
steamer Republic, on the Goth OF May, 1872, and ar
ceedcd 10 London and, ike ali Americans. anxious
to sec siahts, spent q fortnight in the English
capital: Thence went TO Stnttgardt TO OBTAIN in
formation as to the German school OF vocalIzaton.
in this and several other respects, because be.
longed to family OF Aisatian emgrants. and
could speak both French and German. 1t was in
the summer season when arrived In Stuttgardt,
and, therefore. l was unable to commence nv
studes because teachers and artists were all tax
ing their holidays Iascertained however, through
friends whom met there that the German school
voices and singers OF very strong CONSTITUTIONS.
Moreover, being desirOus above all TO acquire che
fhra iaan sye oa sngng resolved to spend ne
preparing Tor my coming studies IN Italy.
With this object engaged an Italian teacher in
Stuttgardt. paving him three guldens or 81 rs
lesson, and studied under MIN 1Or rw0 months.
THIS teacher was Of no use whatever 20 me; the
stopped IN switzerland and spent seven weeks week
sight seeing Win friends at my own charge
! arrived at Milan on the goth September, hay;
ing already exhausted $500 or my savings; and
went to the American Consul. who gave me the
names OF several of the prominent Milan teachers.
see Signor Corsi. the old and Justly celebrated
oarytone artist on entering the studio
al and Shortly stated the psrpos of my V
The Signor was in comrany with his brother,
who 10 tenor Are YOU a mu,lc.an :" said
my art from the beginning. have sung all my life.
but have never taken lesson" Tne Signor then
subdued voice and asked me to give HIM a spect-
men OF my vocal powers. I sung with all conf
dence the aria from "Martha," beginning "Map-
"What ese do you sing f' said the signor when
~ have sung FRA Dtavolo' with amateurs.n
''Slng me the serenade Young Agnes,' " said ne.
The Signor played the accompaniment in DO,
nne mezzo voce tones whereupon the Sgnor's
brother, the tenor, said, ~ would give many thou
sand francs for your mezzo voce:"
talked apart and then Signor Corsi spoke anew.
81 never take beginners" SAID he, ''but since
have heard you sing, VIII take yon. OF course,
with that voice you mean to study Tor the stageS"
replied that mad not determined on an artistic
career but II he thought should succeed should
be glad to undertake 1T, provided we could agree
upon terms.
II will guarantee that you will be good artist,
and will make my terms to suit you. ! shall
bring you out in q year from this date,' said
Signor COrsi.
DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY.
began my lessons upon these conditions, full OF
hope, and tried to learn the Italian language.
Bat as was only a natural singer knew not why
or how sung. Nevertheless, without putting me
ism ism Of the voice. ssnon Hors rg,ng maze in me
the emission OF certain vowel sounds l tried
to surmount each difficulty BY forcing the tones
Tae to
wGhout explaining to me how TO overcome my de-
feet. The more | labored, from day to DAY, the
more tatigued my throat ana the more myvoice
1e of in compass and power. Being possessed
however, OF hope and perseverance, und trusting
that all would come right in accordance with the
assurances OF the Maestro, | went on for three
mouths at the end OF which began myself to be-
lieve that the promises OF my voice were illusory.
An American lady, however. VINO 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 iOr him. After some
reluctance consented, and he then told me must
change my mode OF study and learn, first of all,
aYon have o fine natural voice." he added
cured"
shall 20 for guidance?"
IL know OF nOne,n replied he.
I had heard him sing, and Though he was past
sixty, he sung very We'll. ''Can you give me les
He was then without an engagement and said
''Yes.n
Twas with him for three weeks, and at the end
Of that time he signed contract to sing at Nam
s he w s wsne
and came on TO Paris. where wired to HIM for
instructions. He answered that ne could no
longer give me lessons. 50 that all my time and
money was again thrown away.
A MONTH WITH MI SSON'S TUTOR.
fond ws al rue rue tnn rs, oi e IN Wne
friends or knowing where to turn. But had still
q little money. then remembered that Nilsson's
music store, asked his address. l called upon
him and begged him TO hear me sing. lie received
e 5ne n Ws hs sog ro pu oye e 10 hg
When had finished Wartel's accompanies, who
speaks English, after Q few words with the
Maestro, turned to me and said "fOu have good
voice, but you don't know how to use it.''
The very blunlness with which | was received
solved to study under hum. As soon as had made
arrangements to pay him $50 month for three
lessons a week he Immediately changed his man.
ner and began to pour enthusiastic praises on my
voice. lie SAID TO me, that which my experience
has taught me he says to everybody,
"YOu " III be as great as Rubini or Mario il you
study long enough under me-"
j studied with MIN Tor one month, and became
satisfied That ne might cultivate a soprano voice,
hut could do nothing with mine. 1t Is only Just,
however, TO add that M. Wartel has method
which in some respects is equal TO the best. His
mode OF respiration and combining head and chest
tones is unequaled; but he Is getting into years
and is not active.
STILL ANOTHER MASTER.
Meantime had heard OF q young spanish tenor,
who had set himself up as teacher alter seven
years OF study under fourteen different Parisan
masters. and having spent fortune on them he
had at last been enabled 10 sing Tor three years
the Royal Theatre at Madrid. Being, however, OF
domestic turn oil mind he renounced the stage
and took to giving lessons.
Under him once more returned to my studies
with renewed energy, and ior the first time felt
that was making progress, but after two months
OF diligent application came to the end OF my
purse. | was in Paris, all alone, without money
or credit, with my education unfinished, but JUST
beginning to see that was on the right road to
success ut last. had friends In Europe, but they
were at distance and was too proud to seek
help from strangers My relatives In America had
only enough for themselves. The first dawn of
hope came to me when my teacher, impressed by
the tact that was serious student and had nat.
ural talent, offered to give me credit for my les.
no roc tO yfcfa