Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1880-03-25
A FAMOUS SINGER.
Her Whims and independence.


1t is often said, and with truth, that no
romance that was ever written equals the
romance of real life. This is especially
true of our popular female artists. Nor
can charity look too leniently upon their
dizzy and sudden elevation from COM
piete poverty and obsCurity to affiuence,
position and homage. A striking exam
pie is furnished in the history of Roman
girl of the name of Caterina Gabrielle.
Her father was cook in the service of
cardinal. That cardinal, one day, while
walking in his garden, was startled with
burst of the most delicious melody.
Standing still, he listened with delighted
establishment, and when the voice ceased,
he turned to one Of his attendants and
inquired who was this songstress who
made his garden SUCH an enchanted one.
He was told that she was the cooks
daughter, and only fourteen years of age.
He sent for her Immediately, and made
her sing to him all the airs she knew.
Caterina was lively, audacious, handsome.
with most delicious voice, though quite
untutorad. Her father, the cook was
quite aware of her talent, but the only
means he had of cultivating it was to
great singers. In this wav she would
catch the most difficult pieces and per-
form them surprisingly well without
instruction.
The cardinal was so delighted with
her talent that he agreed with her father
to give her musical education at once
added to this, he often gave concerts to
exhibit to his friends this youthful mar
vel. At the age of seventeen she appear
ed IN public, and turned the head of ev-
cry one who listened.
She was beautiful, witty, intelligent
and graceful. She had one personal de-
feet, slight squint in her right eye,
which, after all, was not defect, as it
only gave reguish look to her bright
face. Although quite small, she was
digni6ed in her gestures and department,
and gave in no way the slightest indica-
ton of her obscure origin. All the beauX
in the country crowded around to gain a
smile. Caterina made fun of them, and
kept them all IN becrazed state of vex-
alton and admiration. In fact, at that
time, she much preferred the singer asso-
ciated with her to these fine young lords
AL the great managers in the different
cities made her brilliant offers to sing.
After a while she went to Naples, where
she lived IN great splendor. The courtly
poet Metastasio, offered to give the
finish to her musical education. But
alas for the old man of fifty-three! he tell
crafty in love with his pupil. She
laughed at him, too, and his aching bones
so full of ailments, but received his gift
with a regal condescension. And al
though he, with the rest of her infatuat
ed admirers. received no other token OF
her appreciation, they would yet patient
ly lolter in her parlor for hours for the
mere pleasure of exchanging one wore
with her.
This bright little humm1ng- bird cloyec
with sugar began to be dainty and i'm
perative. When she felt inclined to sing
she would; when she didn't, NO power OF
earth could open her rosy little mouth
They used to manage her in this way
The most favored of her admirers was re
quested by the manager to place him
self in front of some conspicuous box
when she was in bad humor; and
they were On good terms, which was no
always, by any means, she would addres
her tender airs to him, and sing he
sweetest notes. One of her lovers con
ceitedly agreed with the manager to civ
him an example of his power over Cater
ina. He took his seat, perfumed an
dressed with great skill. The little lady
seeing through the trick, much to hi
chagrin, took not the slightest notice {
his presence.
Laden with wealth, she then went t
Sicily, where she became perfectly III
manageable by her managers" She ash
ed just what prices she pleased, and e
them. She sang when, where and ho
she pleased, or sometimes not at al
lazily putting off her tasks upon her si
ter Francesca, whom she carried abol
with her for the purpose. Everybody ha
the choice either to yield to her whim
or not have her. On enc occasion Il
Viceroy of Sicily asked her to dine Wi
him in company with some of the nobil
ty. Finding she did not make her a
pearance, he sent II servant to learn Il
reason. He found her lounging on s
fully gave her his message, she pretend,
to have forgotten all about it. Howevt
she went, and the ViceIoy concluded
pocket the insult for the sake of t
songs, and received her as if it had n
OCCuTT0U. DuJ Wne0 IL was evident In
she sang her worst, and so low that 8
could scarcely be heard, he threaten
Imprisonment
"Ah," said the stubborn little gi
livery likely you can make me cry, b
you shall never force me to sing"
So the Viceroy imprisoned her
twelve days. In prison she gave gay a
costly entertainments, paid all the del
of her fellow prisoners, distributed lar
sums among the poor, besides singing
them every day her own choicest son
in the finest style, until the term of
imprisonment ended; when she cal
forth in triumph, amid the shouts a
rejoicings of the poor people whom
had benefited while in Jail.
After this she went to Russia, VIII
Catherine II. received her with great
vor; but when the terms of her enga
inert came to be discussed, the little Ia
struck for five thousand ducats.