The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-08-11
DEATH OF A GREAT soNGsTREss.
sister siary Agnes, of Mount de Chnn'si' near
wheeling, Dies ut ~. Agnes Hosp'tai' ,"
aai,imerc-"Thc Greatest Cantatrfce
Kuowu % the World"

The sad intelligence Of the death OF Sis
ter Mary Agnes Gubert, al 81. Agnes iios-
nItal. In Baltimore, on Sunday night last,
has been announced.
Although rs n nun Of the visitation "
order her life had been dedicatedto seclI-
sion from the world and 10 the service OF
the Lord. her wonderful and sweet vocal
nowers were not unknown to musicians Tar
and wide. while the knowledge OF them,
coupled with that kind and angelic dlspo-
sition which distinguished her, has endear-
ed her to all who have come under ner tut
ton during years OF useful instruction.
She reached the hospital in Baltimore
about three weeks ago. permission to leave
the Academy OF Visitation, connected with
the Convent OF Mount DE Chantal, near
Wheeling, w. Va, having been granted ny
Bishop Kahn, bishop OF the diocese 10
which she belonged, upon ADVICE OF phy-
sicians. On Monday her remains were
taken 10 Wheeling for burial. She had
many family connections in Pittsburgh,
and her pupils can be found in almost all
parts OF the country. Mother Mary
Leonard, OF the Convent OF Visitation,
said on Wednesday that Sister Guberts
death WIS great blow to the Catho-
lie community In which she lived. The
announcement, which she had not learned
until Tuesday, was unexpected, as
ND TO Thursday last she appeared to
he improving. No fears had been enter
tanned OF q fatal result, and though sur
fering from general debility, it was thought
she would be able to return TO Wheeling
by September. The New York Times says:
Before taking the veil her Name was Louise
Gubert. Her mother, the oldest sister OF
the late Minor Roberts. the civil engineer,
who died last year in Brazil, married Mr..
Gubert, Frenchman, and soon after that
event Joined the communion OF her hus-
band. Both the parents OF Louise were
gifted with fine voices, and years ago led
church choir In Philadelphia as soprano
and tenor. Louise was the eldest and sole
survivor OF family of twelve children.
Sister Agnes was about iorty-five years OF
age at the time OF her death. Before she
was ten years old her voice had attracted
attention.
HER GREAT MUSICAL TALENT.
She was the possessor OF phenomenal
voice of great sweetness and OF such eX-
traordinary compass that, while it could
| be called neither soprano or alto, it had the
range OF both, and was, perhaps, the most
distinguished teacher of vocal music con-
nected with the Catholic SistcrhoOd in
America.
She was given the best instruction, and
at the age Of fourteen was placed under
the charge OF Parini, the great French mll-
sic teacher of Philadelphia. When her
mother brought the little girl to the ia
nous teacher, and after some exhibition
practice, she asked him what his terms
would be. He replied: Madam, have
never heard such voice, such exquisite
taste. ] know not that can teach her.
Let the remuneration OF the poor privi-
lege that Parini can state that once Louise
Gubert was his pupil. While his pupil
she sang at several concerts in Phladel-
phia, and created great sensation by her
execution OF the " Alpine Echo Song" in
troduced in this country by Jenny Lind,
/ The Swedish Nightingale. Louise display
| ed in early years prediction for convent
| life. She had been educated partially at
the Georgetown Convent, and openly
among her friends declared her intention
at some time to take UP her abode there.
| This intention very naturally met with the
opposition OF her mother, her father being
then dead, and she was even appealed to by
| the clergy not TO leave her mother,
when by the wonderful powers OF her
voice she might delight multitudes
and thus confer benefit upon hui
manity. But she was deaf to I'LL entreaties.
About the last time she sang in public was
at the opening Of the new cathedral In
Pittsburgh, having been specially invited
to sing on that occasion. In Pittsburgh
| her voice created rs much OF 4 Juror
among the musicians as it had in Philadel-
phia. Louise joined the convent at George
town, but at division OF the Sisterhood
sooh aiterward she was transferred to the
convent i'll Wheeling, which was after
wards moved outside the city and named
Mount de Chantal, where she has remained
ever since. While at the seminary she was
visited by many noted vocalists.
PATHS VISIT TO HER.
About the year 1866 the Convent was
visited by number OF celebrated sing
ers, amongst whom were Carlotta Patti
and Brignoli. After they had been
shown through the then new institution.
and most Of them had sung in the music
hall for the pleasure OF the young ladies
and Sisters, Patti asked il some of the Sis
tiers or scholars would not favor them with
music. She said her sister Adelina had
charged her when coming to this country
to visit a certain convent and she would
hear most beautiful voice. Sister Mary
Agnes was called upon, and sang
piece with wonderful effect. When the
beautiful notes OF her voice first
broke upon the ears OF the assembled
artists they were perfectly astOnished, and
when she had finished with grand and tell
ing effect the perfect silence OF real admi-
ration which followed was broken by the
most enthusiastic applause, all present
rising to their feet. Patti was foremost in
her expressions OF praise, and, advancing
to the modest and unassuming Sister. she
thanked her over and over again, and said
that hers was the very voice that her sister
Adelina had so often with rapture de-
scribed to her. PATHS estimate OF the Sis
ter's voice may be imagined when she re-
fused to sing again after they had once
heard her seemingly heaven-insprcd tones.
PAREPA ROsA's OPINION.
1t was at Mt. Dechantal that the late Pa
repa Rosa first heard Sister Mary Agnes
sing, and frankly acknowledged that her
voice was the sweetest she had ever heard.
List, the great pianist, recorded in his
Journal, published since his death, that at
Wheeling he had heard the greatest canta-
trlce known to the world. Max Strakosch
heard OF the sweet singer Of Dechantal.
and visited her. Sister Mary Agnes sang
for him, and so enthusiastic was the inn
pressario that he offered 5000 for
season OF six months i'm concert.
blShop W halen declined to permit her to
accept, ana she remained at the school.
where she devoted her talents to her always
large classes. She was herself more fond
OF simple ballads than anything else. Her
voice was too sweet to be married by ma
cnlne music, and it was her habit while
accompanying herself on the harp or piano
10 strike the keynote, and not until the |
IlSt echo of hpr ynieo 4: n