The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-07-19
BeethOven's Fierce Eyes.


Her Majesty the Empress has graciously
commanded that Beethoven's "Fidelio" be
given on her birthday.
Herr Umlauf, the V iennaopera direct
or, sighed deeply as he read these lines.
Who was to sing Leonora2 Since Anna
Milder Hauptmann, for whom Beethoven
wrote the part, had gone to the Court
Theater, in Berlin, "Fideio" had been
lying quiet among the manuscripts;
for Herr Umlauf had not had the luck
to discover new and equally capable
Leonora.
He sighed, although he did think of
Wilhelmine Schroeder. i've no choice"
he said at last The Schroeder is the
only singer in all Vienna who has com
pass. Her lyric parts, her Emmeline
and her Agatha | shall never forget; but
even if she can sing Leonora her extreme
youth puts playing Leonora ont of the
question. And Of all roles this loses the
most if it isn't thoroughly well played"
"Whatw exclaimed Beethoven, when
Umlauf told him that the part was al
ready in Schroedcr's hands, "Mlle.
Schroeder, girl OF seventeen, and my
LeonOra! Don't You know, Umlauf, that
to play such part one must have lived,
loved, suffered! It'll never do. My
opera shall sooner not be given at all.
How can you trust a strong character
like that in the hands of chiidl"
The director shrugged his shoulders
and drew the official order out of his
pocket.
"My friend" said Umlauf, "all objec-
4. al IL
royal command in black and white. The
opera must be given. You know as we'll
as /, that, for the moment, no better Leo
nora is at our command; and so we must
sec what we can make out of Mile.
Schroedes; and hope'that her mother
''Well, if it can't be helped, go ahead,
for all care" Beethoven was walking
up and down the room with his hands be-
hind his back. "But tell you, Umauf,
I'll have nothing at all to do with it. I'm
going into the country, if it is mid-wiuter;
and if you come after me about directing
the piece you ana I'll fall out-that's all"
The director was silent, but he smiled.
After Beethoven had gone, though, and
he thought of Leonora and her unlucky
youth, he couldn't help signing again.
Wihcimlne Hdu Just IuIOWu
lack her curs and left the piano.
You're not pleased, mother" she said,
laying her hand on her mothers arm. II
know exactly what you're going to say"
@Well, what is itg' Frau Sophie
Schroeder, who had been giving sundry
hints to her daughter while she was re-
hearsing at the piano, especially in regard
to playing the prison scene, now looked
intently into the girls sparkling eyes.
"Well, my child, what is inn
"That can master only the first act
For the second lack training, experience,
passion. That's what you're going to
say. Mother, you're anxious about me.
You're afraid Iii break down. No, dear
mamma; let Leonora once get on the
stage. There I'm at home, and have
courage enough. Though if Beethoven
were in the theater, couldn't get out q
single note for sheer terror. It's lucky
he's going into the country. Umlauf
told me so for certain"
The practice at the piano and the
mothers advice went on. From the first,
Frau Schroeder had shared the opinion
of the men-that Wilhelmine was too
young to play Leonora. But while the
mother looked forward to the theater re-
hearsaIs with increasing dread, the daugh-
ter could hardly wait for them. In her
little room she felt like bird in a cage
bot on the stage, like lark that mounts
singing, up into the sunny sky.
At the first rehearsals, Herr Umlaul
put up with good deal, not to discour
age Wilhelmine by blaming her. HeI
mother saw that she was right. On the
stage her playing did gain force; still il
seemed, of course, to the eye Of an artists
like Sophie Schroeder, too studied anc
net nearly dramatic enough. Herr I'm
lsuf, in the. succeeding rehearsals, begar
70 be rather pleased, but when lie though'
Of the dress rehearsal and performance
he grew cold with apprehension. HI
knew Beethoven.
To 60 into the country just when hi
opera was to be given. He had faid SO
ssd yet at every rehearsal he had riser
up suddenly in the orchestra like ghost
s6aed the baton, and not only blame(
Gingers and musicians, but actually tor
meotod them. Now, although Umlau
knew al this, 10 had assured Wilheimine