Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-04-26
ReethOVen'S Deafness.
\ SCENE ArA THEATRE.

When Becthoven's Fidelio was produced at
the karnthncrthor Theatre, Vienna, the ques-
ton was discussed rs to whether Beethoven
should be asked for his cooperation bv con-
Quoting it, Bcethoven's cruel infirmity
which continued to grow worse. should have
caused the rejection of this idea, but the
desire of seeing him once more At the head of
an orchestra rendered the persons concerned
incapable of due reserve. The unfortunate
| composer was therefore asked To direct the
study of his work. and, unconscious of his
misfortune, unhesitatingly accepted. IL was
resolved. however. to give him as a coadj tutor
the Capellmeister Cmlauf, who was to stand
behind his chair aud restore order among the
instrumental hosts, it, bv chance, the COM
poser's deafness should throw them into dis
order. tnluckily, this prccaution proved
insufficient, as We shall see.
| On the dav of rehearsal, Beethoven. ac-
companied by SCHNEIDER. went to the theatre
and took his scat at the conductor shesk. The
overture went of without any hitch. but at
the first vocal numbcr-thc duet between
,Iacquino and Marcclina-thcrc was confusion
among the artistic phalanx. Alas il was
only too certain that the master did not hear
a note of the vocal parts. and could not,
therefore. be relied on to mark the
proper moment for each artist to ioin
in. Amid the general confusion t'mlauf
restored silence, parleying for an instant with
the two singers, and gave the signal, de capo.
! Again il was impossible to 90 through with
the number to the end the instrumentalists
followed faithfully the beat OF their conductor.
but the singers, getting perplexed and troub-
| led, were unable to keep time. This state of
! things could not continue, and il was impcra-
tive, at whatever price, to inform Beethoven
of the impossibility. But no one would nn.
dertake the ungrateiul task. Duport dared
| not venture for Cmlauf there was something
particularly delicate in making such a COM
munication, and it was only natural that he
should endeavor to escape the task. While
the point was being discussed. Beethoven
moved about uneasilv in his chair. turning
his head right and left as to read in the
physiognomes around him what was going
on; but on every side he beheld only mute
| impassibiliy. ''Suddenly," says SCHNEIDER
''he called me in an imperious voice, and,
holding out his tablets. ordered me to give
him the solution of the enigma. Trembling
all over, t-aced the words ''Let me entreat
you not to proceed. I will explain more fully
when you are at home" He gave one leap
from his chair, and, getting over the pit-rail
ing. exclaimed "Let us 90 quickly" hc
then ran at one breath to his lodgings. then
in the Piarrgasse. Leimgrrbe suburb.
When he got indoors his strength failed
him. He fell inertly on the sofa and, COW
erine his face mp with his hands, remained
motionless till dinner-time. After he sat
down to the table, too, it was impossible to
extort a word from him. That fatal Novcm-
ber day, adds SCHNEIDER, Twas the most
sorrowful one in the career Of the poor CON-
poser who was 80 terribly tried. However
grcst his anguish may have been on pre-
vious occasions. never before had he re-
ceive,i so fearful a blow. Only too frequent
ly | had an opportunity of seeing him ex-
posed to vexation, and more than once
beheld him tent down under the weight
Of his misfortunes, but ! had always
know him. after a moments prostration,
raise his head and triumph over adversely;
on this OCCASION however. he was stung to
tho quick, and to the day Of his death lived
under the impression of the terrible scene
Despite this cruel shock, Beethoven had
the courage to go to the theatre, on the night
Of the performance, the 9Th Of November,
1922. As if he had been an intruder, he
slipped into the orchestra, and taking his
place modestly behind the conductor, wrap
ped himself up to his ears in his cloak, as
though to avoid the curiosity Of the public.
- Loadoa Musical Worid.