Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-09-24
Old Musicians.
MICHAEL KELLY's REMrNIsCEXcEs OF MOZART
AND GLUcK-A DINNER WITH CURRAN.

q AND GLUCK-A DINNER WITH CURRAN
: Kelly was contemporary of OKeefe',
also a Dublin boy, and one of the fine.
r musicians that city has produced. lie wa
the Oldest Of fourteen children. who were a
musical, and when only three years old hi
father used to daily place him on the tabl
after dinner, to howl Hawthorns song OIL
"Love in Villige" here was jolly mil
ler) for the entertainm mt of the company
At seven he began to study music under
musician named Moreland, genius. but
great drunkard afterward he was the pupi
of the famous Dr. Arne; he afterward stud
led in Italy, and made his debut in Florence
in ''ll Francese en- Italia, and he afterward
sang at the Opera house in Vienna. His life
was full of adventure, which he narrates
with racy humor. In his early Italian ex.
perience he states that the Romans are the
most sapient critics in ne world, They are
certainly the mostsevere. Every one who
knows anything of art criticism in Italy will
acknowled ge this.) If you ask a Roman
whether a new opera or musical composition
has been successful, the answer. if favorable,
will be dnddRto al setfimo oieio-"it has
ascended to the seventh heaven" If it has
failed, they say, dn9antO al aJJisso del IN
Jerno-''it has sunk to the abyss of hell"
If in a new work passage should strike
the audience as being similar in any way to
another by some other composer, it will pro-
badly be saluted by the cry, Braro Il lGdro
-"brayo, you thief
Michael Kelly relates his meeting with
Mozart at the house OF kozeluch -
ale (Mozart) favored the company by
performing fantasias and capricios on the
pianoforte. His feeling, the rapidity of his
lingering, the great execution of his left hand,
particularly, and the apparent inspirations
Ul his inspirations astOnished me. After his
splendid performances, We sat down to sup
per, and had the pleasure to he placed at
the table between him and his wife Ma
dame Constance Weber. lie conyersed with
me good deal about Thomas Lindley, the
first Mrs. Sheridan's brother, with whom he
was intimate at Florence. and spoke Of him
with great affection. Madame Mozart told
me that, great as his genius was, he was an
enthusiast in dancing and often said that
his taste lay in that art rather than in music.
He was remarkable small man, very thin
and pale, with profession Of fine fair hair,
of which he was very vain. lie gave me
cordial invitation to his house, Of which
availei myself, and spent a great part Of my
time there. He was remarkably fond OF
punch, Of which have seen him take copi-
ors draughts. lie was also fond of billiards
and had an excellent table in his house
Many and many game have played with
him, but always came off second best"
MELODY is the essence of fmusic. " said he,
"IcOmparea good melodist to fine racer,
and counterpointists to back post horses.
Therefore be advised let well alone, and re-
member the old Italian proTerb, Chi sa pm
TTe7o sa - who knows most knows least"
Among other celebrated musicians that
Michael Kelley met was the Cheyalier Gluck.
He was then living in Vienna, crowned with
professional hOnorS and splendid fortune.
courted and caressed hy all, at the ripe old |
age Of seycnty-iour. lone morning says I
Kelly, after had been singing with him,
he says, Follow me up stairs, and | viii /
you 10 one whom all my lie have f.
male nv study and e1deayorei to initiate
| followed him into his bedroom. and opposite I
to the head ot t-e led saw full length pic /
ture Of Handel ina rich frame. There, sir, I
said he, Is the portrait of the inspired mas
ter Of our art. When | open my eyes in the 4
morning | look upon him with reverential .
awe. and acknow wledge him as such, and the .
highest prai Is due to your country Tor hay /
Ing distinguished and cherished his gigantic /
genius. Kelly sang in M1zart's ''N0zzo |
di Figaro" under the maestro's own direc-
ton, before the court at Vienna.
Affar If- -.+tt-- p, I-of ~ D., 10
meeting at the diuner-table with CGrran.
the bArrister. and the well-knowu priest.
Father OLeary. lie says: "Our tastes
were genial, Tor his reverence was mighty
fond Of whiskey-punch, and 50 was |, and
many Jug of st. Patrick eye-water, night F
after night, did his reverence aad myself CO.
Joy, chatting over that exhiarating aud na-
tural beverage. | always had a cold shoul-
Ter Of mutton for him when he came to din
ler, for, like some other OF his countrymen,
who shall be nameless, he was ravenously
iond Of that dish"
One day Curran did me the honor TO meet
him. To enjoy the society Of such p.en was
IN intellectual treat. They were great
friends, and seemed to have a great respect
.jr each Others talents, and, a it may ea>i-
y be imagined, Leary v. Curran was no
BAD match.
One dav, after dinner, Curran said to the
priest. Reverend Father. | wish you were
St. Peter"
"And why, counsellor. would you wish
hat were s.. Peter p asked o Leary.
Because, Reverend Father, in that case
aid Curran. You would have the keys Of
heaven and you conld let me in"
by me honor and conscience, counsel
or, replied the divine, at would be better
or yod if had the KEYS of the other place,
or then could let you out"