Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-05-15

patience, like q man who cannot find
what he is seeking. In word, he was
composing.
Thcsccrct voice which had said to him,
in the church at Naples, that he would
be a musician, had not lied; saved mi
raculonsly from his illness, one day when
his relatives asked him what vocation he
would like to follow, he replied, rcso-
lutely:
81 wish to be a musician"
They strovc to combat his desire, but
the child persisted in it with so much
firmness that, when thirteen years old,
they sent him to the Conservatory for
Poor Children in the city of Naples. Ma
ture had endowed him with something
which cannot be acquired if she refuses
it, namely, genius His progress was
most rapid, and soon Baptiste was able
to quit the Conservatory to perfect HIM
self by taking lessons Of all the celebra-
ted masters scattered throughout Italy.
At the age of twenty. he procured the
representation Of his fist opera at Rome.
1t obtainedonly partial success, though
full of striking beauties. He resumed
his studies with ardor, and 'The Olym-
pad made tremendous hit. The name
Of Pergolese speedily became known all
over Italy. His religious compositions
impressed the Pope sotavorably that ono
day he summoned the young musician to
the Vatican, and demanded of him
"stabat Mater for Good Friday.
Pergolese asked three months for tho
production Of his work, and to compose
it went to the house in which he had
passed his childhood, now the property
of his cousin Maria, who, for some time.
had been married. But the period for
the delivery of the "Stabat Mater ap-
preached, and Pergelese had not yet
writing a single note Of it, so unworthy
Of the grandeur of the subject had he
found all his inspirations. At the hour
when we again encounter him at hisharp
sichord, we need only glance at his fore
head, illuminated by the pale light of q
lamp suspended from the ceiling, to COM
prchcnd how much courage, pcrsever-
ance and firm will he had required in Or
der to reach his goal. Pcrgolcse was
: but thirty-tllrce, yet his visage was al
} ready filrrowed by present wrinkles and
his body slightly bent. Laborious study
had thus aged him before his time.
NO. said he, walking about the
chamber in agitation; mo, this music
lacks expression; it is too noisy; sad SIM
plicity is what is wanted"
And lie resumed his place at his harp
sichor! to execute new motive which
he accompanied with a low murmnr
''Stabat Mater Dolorosa."
"Cold, always cold"' cried he, sud-
denly, strikingly the instrument vio-
lently. "What am to do. In few
days Good Friday will be here; and if
from now until then have not composed
> this musics what will the holy father says
How shall return to Rome! And what
. a triumph for my rival! No, do not
wish to give them the joy OF spreading
everywhere that l could not keep my
j.. promise! To work, towork; my reputa-
ton is at stake" And he returned to the
harpsichord with increased arlor. At
J.. one moment he thought he had found a
suitable motive, and, carried away by
! the fire of composition, began to sing in
a loud voice; then, like u man who re-
4 members something, he stopped short,
+ saying:
n ''What am doingf ! forget that Ma.
i ria's child is i'll. This noise will awaken
it,"
And he commenced singing in lower
;, tone. However, he was not yet satisfied
for he paused again and said, as HI
y quilted the harpsichorl: a
"No, no, this will not answer; calm
~ ness, not noise, is required-almost tears
and not sounds. Oh! Raphael! Oh
Reubcns! Oh, Michael Angelo" ex
claimed he, "what method did you en-
- ploy when you painted with such terri
bic truthfulncss tho sublime grief Of th
j. Virgin weeping for her crucified Son
=. BY what means did you render SO genu
:, inc, so touching, so dreadful this seen
- maternal dcsolationl Where did you fin
-, Observation-Disclosures those tears' Mas
tiers, yon painted 'The Stabat Mater, an
cannot sing it! Where Shall l discove
10 four notes to bring tears to the eyes {
ri those who hear them, as the Virgin
~ grief almost does to those who admir-
,, it in your pictures! Oh true inspiratio
- will not come to me"
Ar.l 10 1,n..c,, << ,ocI ~ lnr.1 <1,o 1,,,,x,