Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-05-11
OFFENBACH.
The Famous Composers Reception
in New YOFk-WhAt He and the
Chatty Aimee Had TO Say.


The Famous Composers Reception
in New YOrk-What he and the
Chatsy Aimee Had 10 Say.
New York Times. May 6.l
Mr.. Jacques 0ffenbach, the dis
opera bouffe composer,
reached New York at any early
hour yesterday morning, on board
the Canada. He was at once es-
corted to suite of rooms reserved
for him at the Fifth Avenue Hotel,
where he received many visitors
during the day. In the evening he
visited Union Square and Booths
Theaters, and at the close of the
performance at the latter house,
returned TO the hotel. Here at
midnight a serenade was offered
him by a large band under the di-
rection of Mr.. Anthony Reiff. The
serenade began with the overture
to ezra Diayolo," and then the
musicians played a quadrille on mo-
tives from "0rphee," At this
stage of the proceedings, the three
or four thousand persons gathered
about the hotel called SO loudly for
NJ. 0ffenbach, that the gentleman
stepped out upon the balcony, from
which hoated the French flag.
Hearty cheering attended his ap-
pearance, and it broke forth anew
after a few words Of thanks spoken
in response to a call for speech.
An impromptu supper later on sup
piled an opportunity for numerous
presentations. To-day M. Often
bach will be entertained at dinner
by the Lotus Club. He expresses
himself as delighted with the city,
and as much pleased with the at
tentions shown him by residents Of
every nationality.
New York Evening Express
Ofenbach cannot speak English
and conversed throughout in
French. His appearance ispeculiar.
He is not unlike the pictures which
appear in the shop windows, yet
they fail to convey the impression
of the man as you find him. He
is about the medium hight, sparely
built, and slightly round-shoulder-
ed, probably from studious applica-
ton to his professional work. BE
wore a Scotch tweed-mixed suit, a
round-top felt hat and eyeglasses.
His age appears to be about fifty.
The pink ribbon of the Legion Of
Honor appeared in a button-hole of
his left lapel. His head is quite
bald and the hair slightly mixed
with gray. His beard is long and
curls inward slightly at the sides of
the cheeks. Its color is a sort of
greyish blonde. A high forehead,
a pair of twinkling eyes, and a
merry smile on his countenance,
which hardly ever departs, COM
pletes the pen portrait Of the most
popular and prolific composer OF
the age. Every motion was full OF
life and ylSaeity. There was an
utter absence OF affectation. lie
was the most modest, and at the
same time the jolliest Of the party,
and he handed around the cham
pagne to the ladies and gentlemen
present with the grace of a Ohes-
terfeld and the modesty of a gar.
con.
Reporter-'G believe you were
not born in France"
"No, / was born in Germany,
but love France. 1t is so bright,
so lovely, SO beautifully charming
Then adding with merry laugh,
g The Emperor William once asked
me the same question you have just
| put to me, and ] answered him yes
| was born in Germany, but then
it was SO very long ago that | got
to be a Frenchman, and the Empe
ror laughed heartily. What paper
did ] understand Mr., Grau to say
you represent ~
Turning to Aimee, the reporter
remarked that, as she had beer
here before, she knew what it wal
to be bored by interviewers. Often
bach and Aimee both laughed
heartily, and the former said :
Journalists are no bores,
have all my life lived in an atmos
phere of Journalism and among
journalists. ] like them They
are my friends all the time and al