New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-01-22
STUDIES IN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
by CHARLES 7. CONGD0N.
MICHAEL. KELLY

his ReminIsocucesn to his august monarch. the
virtuous and asceuc George the Fourth, SIRE
most respectfully and duufully lay nj the teet oil
NV Sovereign the Memoirs Of life which has
derived its happiest well as proudest passages
from hrs ROYAL coudesccnSion and patronage,
Kelly goes on TO say that millions of his Majesty
snbec1s lave him whereas millions of them detcsi-
ed and dcspised him, and with good reason too;
that they blessed his ilustnous name Tor b'ueU'S
either conferred or secured whereas everybody
knows they did nothing of tho kind; and that oil
the hearts of all of them, none beat with more
fervcnt sense Of obligation than that "i l'u
MajCsty'S ever grateful and dutiul Suolect ana
Servant. Michael Kelly All of which may De
cited 70 show Of W hat stuff the dcdcations ct sing
crs TO sovcreigns usually consist. When Mr. hciy
wrote TINS govt had almost deprived him OF loco
motion The illustrious sovereign was IN pretty
much the same condition. IL was well. therefore,
that he was not literally obliged to lay his book at
the swollen feet of his Majesty; though 1t w"nId
have made very pretty tabltau-the lat Anon
kneeling to the fat Adons,
Mr. Kelly was an Irshman. and Dublin fairly
claims the honor of his birth. His father was Mas
fer of Ceremonies at tie Castle. and win" uer-
chant also who had exhibited one at least OF the
national characteristics by running away with MISS
Mary McCabc whl pupil IN Roman Cath0
lie convent The boy Kelly early exhibited musical
talent as a singer. and was put under the care %
the best Italian be had for love or money
He was also taught by Michael Arnc. OF whom IT Is
told that content with being one of the first m'l-
steal geuiu,cs of the day. ne faucicd himself great
alchynlist. As his experiments were expensive ne
soon found himself in a spungng- house while under
articles to compose an opera for Covcnt Garden.
Kel'v's father sent him wine and pianoiorte ana
under the inspiration of the and by the assistance
of the other he composed some beautiful music
Master Kelly sang a few nights al the opera III
Dublin and was then sent of 10 Naples 10 study.
lie there saw Lady Hamilton. Nelson's mistress
and mentions that she was considered one OF the
finest pIarolore players in italy, SIR William
Hamilton was very good to the boy, as he seems I"
have been to everybody The lad went to work
uuder Fiuer1lh. whose conscrvajoro is thus de-
scribrd: There were several roomS, but la tie
great school-room into which | was introduced
there were some singing, Others playing upon The
violin haut5ov clauouct horn, trumpet, etc. e"i..
each different music and IN different keys. Inc
noise was horrible; and IA the midst of thu, tcr"c
babel. a boy who studied composition WAS expected
to pcrform nj, task ami harmonic a melody gwen
him by his master" Kelly was Disguised, and
sworc al frs, 30 have nothing to do with such au
lnstiiut an: but FiueroiH. who had taken a liking
10 the lad made arrangements which Tcconchcd
him 10 tho school.
puriug q visit to Rome Ko Unattended tic operas.
nnd ne g,yrs al anu ing account Of the lWp'Iu"uS
criticism Of the audiences. They knew no medium.
II asked whether performance or q piece BAD been
successful the answer If favorable WAS. &c II has
assembled 80 fine seventh heaven" If uufavOrahle.
they said " It has sunk TO he ah}s, Of hell" For
the first three nights the composer of a new opera
presided al the pianofortc ~ prccions time he
has of il in Rome" SAYS Kelly. They were watchful
for plagiarism and at once detected Numbered pas
cages crying Bravo. thief bravo. flcSclIo bravo
Sacclnii' if they suppose the passages stolen from
them. They had no idols 80 FAR Is art was con
earned Cimarosa was very popular. but once when
be had come from Naples TO Rome 10 bring
.out new opera they at once discovered that ne
bad repeated passages Of previous production. aud
a certain Able in the pit Started mp aud cucd
"Bravo. Cimarlsai You are olcomc from Naples:
by your music of tonight II i clear you have
neither left your trunk behind you. nor y"nr old
music; you are an excellent cook in hASi"ng up
old dishes"
Kelly made hi, first appearance upon The Italian
stage at Florence i'll an opera long since torgot'en
"The Frcnchman in italy" His stipend gives an
idea of singers salaries in those DAYS lie received
f23 for singing from the middle of April To the he
ginning of june But then he only paid for board
with an excellent table Il los per month. His
debut was a success. not wanting in encores. He
was then engaged as first tenor at the iearO SAINT
Noise in Venice" dear. beautiful Venice" rs tins
enthusiasts Irishmau calls IT, But when he ar
rived there he fonnd that his manager bad bo'tcd
and that be was in a condition OF most dramatic
Gestituton with only five zecchiHoN in his pocket
BIT he still kept his spirits, like a true lUshnaH.
with q presentiment thar something would turn mp
for him Almost on the very next page ne breaks
ont again with Venice Dear beautiful Venice
Scene of harmony and love" and IS as Jolly rs If
he had made another cuga- cement and received bis
salary 10 advance.
Fortunately when matters were at the very
worst ne secured employment AT GTatz. and KIND
hearted sing T. paid his expense ~ that pac'-the
Signora B.nini. Kelly aftcrward found engage
rncrts ~ various Italian opera houses bat we can
not follow him. lie was fortunate enough 70 be
employed ias' IN Vienna. where he appeared with
great success. Here he net Mozart who's piano
forte plav'pg he speaks of wonl ertal. Kelly
aays: M)zIrt's feeling, the ra2ldity Of his fingers,
the great execution and strength of his left hand
particularly. and the apparent inspiration Of his
nolu!at tons astounded me- Madame Mozart told
Kelly that her husband was an enthusiast III dane
ing and ocn said that his taste lay rather in that
art than IN music lie was very small. thin and
pale. with profu>iOn of fine hair Of which ne was
rather vain. he was remarkably fond Of punch
and billiards, He was very Hud-hclT.ed and
always ready to obligc, but when he played if the
Eughtc,; noise was made ne Immediately Left OIL
r., advised Kelly not to study composition bat 20
stick 10 hi, singing. SAYING Melody Is the
essence Of music. ! compare a good meloli-t to
fine racer and contemporaries 10 hack post horses
Remember the old Italian provrrb, WHO knows
most knows least Kelly mentions the dis
tribution of the parts of a quartette winch
ne heard at SOrdcc's house. II IL enough
70 srx that the first violin was played
hv HaYlu and the tenor by Mozart. Our
Ta,ini,ccn, opera singing good enough TO please
everybody, and the Emperor added $50 to his sal