Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-12-04

and they all came to the conclusion that RIOS
SIM was not man, but god. He created
without effort he worked without pain. and by
the sole act Of his will. Barbaia was almost
wild with JOY, and seized the piece from the
hands OF its admirers and sent IL to the copy
lists The following day he received n new
pamphlet. on which was written, First Act OF
Othello:" this new packet also went to the
copyists, who fulfilled their duty with that
obedience, mute and passive. to which Bar
baia had trained them. At the end Of three
days the score of "Othello" was bound and
fhe impressario could not contain himself for
joy: he threw himself upon ROssini' neck, and
offered him the most sincere and touching eX-
cuses for the stratagem which he had been
forced to employ and begged him to finish his
work by assisting at the rehearsals.
Il will go to the artists and have them re-
peat their roles said Rossini, easily: las to
the orchestra, will have the honor to receive
"Nery WELL my dear you can hear them at
home. My presence is not necessary, and
will admire your chef d Guvre only at the gen.
eral rehearsal. Once again / beg of you to
pardon the part have acted"
I" Not word more of that, or 1 will be an
gry,yvo,,. ,,.ou ., ,,o ,onor., ,..,,o.-..,,,
At the general rehearsal
The day Of the general rehearsal arrived at
last ii was the eve of that famous Both of May
which had cost Barbaia so many pangs. The
singers were at their post the musicians took
their places in the orchestra. and ROSSini
seated himself ut the piano.
few elegant ladies and few privileged
gentlemen occupied the lodges in the amphi-
theatre. Barbaia. radiant and triumphant
rubbed his hands and whiStled softly as he
walked about the theatre.
First they played the overture. The frantic
applause shook the arches of San Carlo. ROS-
SIM arose and bowed
Bravo cried Barbaia pass on to the ca
vatina of the tenor"
Rossini reseated himself at the piano, every
one became silent, the first violin raised his
bow, and they began to play the overture
again. The same applauSe-mOre enthusiast
tie. If pOssible-resOunded at the end Of the
piece.
ROssini arose and bowed
Bravo! brayOr' again cried Barbaia. 'pass
on now to the cavatina."
The orchestra began for the third time TO
play the overture.
"Ah. yes" cried Barbaia, exasperated: "aIl
that is very fine, but we have not time to stop
here until tomorrow morning. Begin the ca
vatina."
But notwithstanding the injunction of the
lmpreSsariO, the orchestra nevertheless con-
tinued the same overture. Barbaia rushed
upon the first violin, and, seiZing him by the
collar shouted in his ear:
What the devil do you mean by playing the
same thing Tor an hour"
which would have done credit To a German.
I'VE are playing what has been set before us
But turn the leaf, you imbeciles"
We do turn, but there Is nothing but the
overture"
What, there is nothing but the overture -
cried the impressario. turning pale; lis it,
then. an atrOciOuS deception
ROsSini arose and bowed.
But Barbaia fell into chair motionless. The
prima donna. the tenor every one, pressed
around HIM. For a moment all thought him
struck with terrible apOpleXy.
Rossini, in despair that his pleasantly had
taken such serious turn. drew near with real
anxiety.
ward him like lion, exclaiming wildly:
Away, traitor. or 1 shall commit some ex-
cessr'
Listen. listen, said Rossini, smiling, sis
there no remedy"
"What remedy. villain? Tomorrow is the
day Tor the first representation"
-" LII the promo donna should be suddenly in
Of the impressari0.
Impossible" was the response i'm the same
tone: "she would not be willing to draw upon
herself the vengeance and the satire of the
public"
IF you should entreat her little"
IT would be useless. You do not know la
u thought you in league with her."
THE more reason"
viii you permit me to try?"
DO what you like, but tell you it is the
last time"
Perhaps
The following day it was announced before
San Carlo that the first representation of
.OtheLlo" was postponed on account of the in
disposition OF the prima donna. Eight days
alter Othello' was given. To-day all the
world knows this opera We have nothing to
add. Eight days sufficed Rossin to make for
gotten the chef d'Huvre of Shakespeare.
After the fall of the curtain, Barbaia, sob
blng with emotion sought everywhere for the
composer, To press him to his heart but ROs-
SIM. yielding probably to the mOdesty which
so well becomes the triumphant, had concealed
himself from the ovation of the crowd
The following day DOmencO Barbaia rang
for his prOmpter, who fulfilled for him the du.
ties of valet de chambre, so impatient was the
worthy impressariO to present to his guest the
congratulations of the past evening.
The prOmpter entered.
Beg ROssini to come down to me-" said
Barbaia TO him.
"Rossini has Departed replied the man.
what! departed?"
LEFT for Bologna at daybreak."
Left, without saying word to me?'
He left his adieux, Monsieur"
well, then, go and ask Ia Cochran to per-
init me to come to her."
la GOlbran?"
"Yes, la Cochran are you deaf this morn
ing?'
"Impossible.''
"They went off i'm the same carriage"
1.-THE wretch has left me for ROssini?'
Pardon, Monsieur, she is his wifer'
Il am avenged!' said Barbaia.