The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-02-20

was Mozart's " Flauto Magioo," and her
role was that OF the Queen Of the Night, q
part which perhaps was never before so
lected for debutante. II will be remem-
bered that the Queen Of the Ntght, though
she appears but three times in the course
of the whole opera, and remains on the
stage only few minutes on each occasion,
has, during these few minutes, task to
perform of which many OF the most IA
nous prime dome have been found incaD-
able. The part can only be taken by n pure
soprano OF almost abnormal compass, and
any lady who undertakes to fill it may feel
assured that she Will produce sensation 80
either on account of complete failure or
of equally complete success.
Now Signor Sassi, knowing that his pu-
plwas capable Of accomplishing this feat,
am knowing also how great would be the
fame that would attend her achievement
OF II, had not been able TO resist the temp
tatiOn of risking much on the hazard Of
her triumph. She had sung and acted the
part over and over again, not only to him
but to several other competent judges, and
he thought he was justified III the venture.
Nevertheless, considering the youth and
total inexperience of the performer, IL was
not surprising that many of Annunzlata's
friends were terribly nervous when the
important evening arrived, aud the Opera
House began to fill.
Sgnor Sassi, who was behind the scenes,
was very pale, and his hand shook, though
he endeavored TO keep up demeanor of
jaunty carelessness; the manager himself
looked worried and anxious; Signora Sassi
was perspiIing In the stalls, flaming
herself vigorously with o huge fan,
end keeping up her courage by smiling at
a bottle o; strong, sweet scent, whereby
much Ill feeling wis cH=orrered among
her immediate neighbors. Inc onolesy o.
them all was the principal person Con-
cerned, who, oddly enough, was perfectly
at her ease, calm and self-confideut. She
Of m n nf N
intense desire TO succeed, and n strong
determination and belief that she would
succeed.
The last notes of tho overture sounded,
the curtain rose, and the opera began.
With just slight and not unpleasant
tremor, AnnunzIata felt that there was
now no retreat possible for her. She set
her teeth. and her breath came quickly for
moment or two, but she was quite com
posed again before it became necessary for
her to step out and faco the audience.
Many people may remember the thrill
OF surprise that ran through the whole
house when the Vannini for the FIRST time
appeared upon tho BOARDS where sho has
since become so well known. Her graceful
carriage, her self-possession, and her mar
vellous beauty, set off by the diaphanous
draperies that she wore and the diamond
stars that rested. like oorones, upon her
masses of dark hair, filled every one there
with amnzement. In au unbrok en- silence
each note rose, filling the vast building
without apparently any effort to the
singer. and several heads IN the stssls be-
CAV to nod approvingly. But Signora
Sass, who knew that this beginning was
mere ohild's play, was scarlet, in the lace,
and famed away more vSlently than
ever. Then came ripping runs aud trials,
and tlSere was murmur OF applause, rs
will sometimes be the ease with English
audiences, even in the middle of sole..
The Vanuini went on singing like n night
ingnle; and higher aud higher rose her
voice, TIL si2nOra Sassi dropped her tan
aud grasped her neghbors arm with "a
force that nearly made the poor man cry
out. The critical moment had como; the
note-the great nOte-the wonderful ter
rible note-was out, and out successfully.
The Signora, feeling as though she had had
an operation performed upon her, sank
back with huge sigh OF relief. and almost
Immediately the ana came TO an end.
Then the applause began-a roll and o
rattle that swelled. and grew till the Van
mini was frightened at tue thunder she had
evoked. Her cheeks flushed and her eyes
sparkled applause WAS Intoxicating 10 her
then-it does not OCCASION her much emo
ton now.
She had TO sing her song twice again.
and poor Signor Snssi passed very ugitat-
ed quarter of an hour; but all went on
well, and then the successful cantatrice
was free 10 receive the COMMUNICATIONS of
her friends behind the scenes, and 20 re-
pose ueTstll llli ueT bccOuu appearance IN
the third act. In this also she was tr1um-
plant. She left the theatre with the APP
plause still ringing i'll her ears, followed by
SsLssi, whose arms were filled with bou-
quets; nor was there probably "a happier
supper party In all London that evening
thun was formed by the good singing
master aud his wife aud their fortunate
pupil.
such was the opening of the great Sig
norma Nitnnluls career. The details OF
that career cannot here be dwelt upon
space being insufficient; nor indeed did
Annunziata's lie differ much thencefor-
ward from that usually led by the dis
tinguished members of her profession. In
tbs course of the two following years she
sang IN all the great capitals OF Europe,
and was everywhere received with enthu-
siAsm. There was much pleasure IN her
lie, plenty of work, some excitement, aud
also some anxiety. But she made great
deal OF money and We may be sure that
one OF the FIST things she did was TO place
her old aunt, Marta Vaunini, in u position
OF ease aud comfort. IL amid the din aud
turmoil OF the world she became u little
forgetiul of some of her old friends at Sor-
rento, do not think any one can wonder
or blame her much But she blamed her
self when, returning home one evening at
Paris, after singing at the Italian Opera, "a
letter was put into her hand, signed LuIgi
Rata" Alas had she not almost forgot
ten Luigi's very existeneeY
90 be concluded ncIt Sullddp)