The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-20


mence Like many great artists faure does not care
10 be surrounded by remarkable talents When those
that sing with MN are mediocre he Always mus
them considerable, and praises them to the skies
from the fear that they may be substituted by better
There is only one thing in the world OF which the
celebrated baritone has any fear, and that Is the
press. He is dreaduy afraid of journalists In MS
heart he cordially detests them. but he takes good
let this appear Nor is he easy to satisfy
in the way OF praise. He met one day the musical
critic OF great Paris journal =
mon cher ana. . he said to him. "You remarked IN
your last article that of the greatest gers
of the present epoch"
and ready to affirm it again" replied the
critic. II only spoke the truth You are certainty
of our greatest singers
"Its very kind you say so. but tell me II l am
of the greatest singers-who are the others. ,.
Frequently. however, tlis excessive vanity mas
proved useful On many occasions Faure has causeu
the dignity OF artists to be respected by the proe
who choose to ignore it.
Under the Empire. Faure was constantly sent ior
to attend the Official sorees. There could be no
good concert without him. One evening he Went TO
sing the first time at great soree given at lho
Mu.istere dEtat. The large courtyard was Inil OF
eouipaces which deposited the minister's senator's,
murshals all the great dgnitaries-ln short az the
bottom of the grand staircase leading TO Inc
official sdions This staircase had been decorated Tor
the occasion with extraordinary splendor, pro-
fusion of plants and velvet haiginss lmparting
TO it most imposing appearance. ne ces' gasaes,
in their MAGNIFICENT costumes, were ranged on eacn
side of the stairs. Faure arrived just as the En-
peror and Empress descended from their carriage
The singer felt proud follow in their train and to
ascend this admirable staircase in company with tho
greatest personages of France. But just as he had
placed his foot the carpet of the first step
htisser tremendously advanced toward him and
said = -
..Yes Why do you askT
Monsieur will be good enough to follow me. The
artists through the other side and by another
staircase.
ARTISTS like me have right to the recep-
ton Minister. will have this recognized. And
You tell me not to ascend with the guests.well1
his back the astonshed huissier, and getting
into his carriage ordered the driver to return home.
The lesson to the Minister was all the more severe
the fact that the latter had announced to his
guests that Faure would sing and that the Emperor
2anifested his displeasure at not hearing him. But
the Minister took the thing it was meant. Like
thorough man OF the world he addressed a charming
letter to the susceptible artist asking him to excuse
him for the c0atreemps and to consider himself for
the future at home the grand staircase OF the min
isterial hotel.
With sense so great and SO legitimate OF his pro-
fessiona dignity it readily be understood that
Faure is indignant at the ostracism which is pratt
tised toward lyrical and dramatic artists i'll regard to
the Legion of Honor. Like all Frenchmen he has
the superstition OF honorary titles. All the other
governments have given him decorations, and his
own alone has up to the present time refused him
the red ribbon which he so much covets. He knows
that he will be decorated when he retires from the
theatre in the quality OF professor but 1t Is ms am
..rell me- he said one day to a political parsonage,
'why do they postpone decorating mey
because you are singer of great talent.
Then make frankly and at once chevaler as
a singer and you can give me the cross OF an ofhcer
when am professor
HIS PRICES SINGING.
In connection with this anxiety tor the decoration
there many stories III circulation. 1t has long
been openly asserted that Faure made it condition
of his the Opera that he should receive the
red ribbon But believe that in reality his hesta-
tion in this matter arises as have already stated
rather from the habits of absolute independence
qulred by the artist in his tours through the
provinces and in other countries. which are besides
much more advantageous in u financial point OF
view than any theatrical engagement that he can
form, Faure would be all the less disposed to re-
this golden liberty from the fact that he by
no means belongs to the category Ia small one) OF
disnterested singers who prize their art above all
other considerations. The honor of having him sing
i'll ones salon is costly one, and all the more SO
from the fact that Faure deigns to discuss the
miserable question OF price. When one goes to him
to ascertain his terms he always replies ambigu-
ously:-
II will take from you my usual terms
One cannot very well pretend to be ignorant Of
his usual terms, people are afraid to offer less
than Others and they end by giving more.
On occasion. however, the singer was caught
in his own trap. millionaire banker thought that
he was playing the munihcent IN sending him u
check for thousand francs for soiree. Faure was
vexed that he returned the check to the banker.
with note couched in the following terms
Returned to Monsieur R for his poor" =
LOVE OF PICTURES. ~
1t is true that IL he is eager to gain money NJ
Faure knows now spend it, He does not shrink
even from the luxury OF picture gallery. He ls
Ga 10 he the possessor of one OF the fin est
in existence Manet is fantasicai painter. who
out OF hundred ridiculous picture the absurdity
OF which is intended and studied, and is therefore
cOmpete, OcCisOHally prouuCes oue WHICH is HAS,
terpece. Faure only collects good picturespictures
that unquestionably good. HIS gallery is there
fore celebrated. The day that he VIII sell ii, he
did several years since the works of which it
posed will fetch remarkable prices. These artistic
satisfactions have procured him. and will procure
him again, great pecuniary satisfaction thus he
enjoys both the IDEAL and the positive. 1t in
evtable that Faure, eed artist and possessing
q solid musical instruction. should be tempted to
augment his glory and to add to his laurels a
baritone those of a composer. 1t is but justice to
acknowledge that he has not entirely failed in this
latter career. Some of his romdnzas have made the
round of the word-among others that OF the ERA
meaux." There has been formed in tact quite
class of bartones who only know and sing the Ira
meaux," which in this respect may be compared
20 the everlasting variations Of the Carnival
Vcnse" for the cornet piston. Vocalist composer
ami art critic. Faure has written poetry While
he still ut the Opera Comique, and was chatting
under the pleasantries written in his name he COM
posed the following quatrain in reply 10 his COM
rades, who had given him the soubriquet OF For
Ever -
Faure cut un sort.
Des son aurore
III tut Fauro.