The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-12-28
PATTI.
THE FAIR DIVA INTERVIEWED by d, "DIs-
PATCH" CORRESPONDENT - WHAT SIZE
THINKS OF MUSIC-CULTURE IN AMERICA
SUE WOULD LIKE TO COME SOUTH, ETC.
IL

PATCH" CORRESPONDENT - WHAT SIZE
THINKS OF MUsIc-TLTURE IN AMERICA
SHE WOULD LIKE TO COME SOUTH, ETC.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.l
new YORK, December q, 1882.
Thinking the musc-loying class OF read
crS would be interested 20 know something
OF the leading prima donna Of the world,
your correspondent on ChTis'mas-day
sought the honor OF ali interview with
Madame Adclina Patti. A singer OF such
distinction is constantly prosecuted by all
classes Of persons, and especially by the
press reporters, and it is very difficult TO
get an cafr<e. In this instance. however,
the diva consented TO the interview in con-
Sideration OF the great distance travelled
by your correspondent and his admiration
Of her singing.
Madame PATTI occupies handsome
salt Of rooms in the Windsor Hotel. on
Fifth avenue. She is now about thirty
two years OF ago, and is very handsome
woman. In her manners she is extremely
pleasant, ard her visitors soon feel per-
iectly at case. There is 10 formality about
her receiving visitors. Your correspond
ent simply knocked at her rarlor door
and was told to "comc in" The diva adj
yanced TO give him Il cordial shake Of the
hand, and after few words Of thanks
from him the following conversation en-
sued:
This is your third visit to America. is
ii not. Madame:"
"This is my second, unless you count
The time when / was baby here. You
know | was raised in New York and began
my stage life in America when seven years
old. That wa, long time ago-you know
my age. ] SUpposc-ior have been twon-
iy-Gyc years on tie stage, and am now get
ting on in years" with a little shrug OF
her shoulders.l
"But, Madame, YOU are not weary OF the
stage. are you? ! thought you artists had
such a love for your ait and took such
pride in your success that yOu could never
consent to lay it aside when YOU have
reached the very pinnacle
"YcS; but we lead irving life, having
no independence and belonging 10 any and
every one but ourselves"
"And, Madame, have YOU no sympathy
for the rest Of the world, who would be
deprived OF so much pleasure iy your re-
tircmcnt from the staee!"
~ don't know 30 much about that. |
don't think they would lose 80 much plea
sure. Ny friends speak 10 me ~ you do
about il; but / thinl, the world would be
rs easily entertained with something clae,
and there are few persons who are thor
oughly devoted TO music"
"N0w. Madame, tell me what impression
YOU have formed Of the American taste Tor
music and the improvement OF that tate
here. How do We compare with the Gcr-
mans, the French. and tie nations OF
Southern EurOpe!"
"Oh, the German style of music Is 50
different, and can't say about that; hut
America is not yet equal 10 Europe in this.
There Is not here the same enthusiastic de-
yotion, that wild excitement over music
which we sometimes see III the French.
But observe that there is 4 rapid growth
OF musical taste here, and you are coming
on"
"Do YOU observe no difference in the
different sections Of our country? You
have been 10 our northern, western, and
southern cities, | believer"
"New York, Chicago, St. Louis, and
Cincinnati are all about tie same; but You
are different in The South, are You not:"
"Oh, yes, Madame; in the South We
have warner hearts and more enthusiastic
natures than in the colder climcs OF the
North"
"Oh. should so much like to go there"
[South.l
"Nou have been to New Orleans, have
you moi, MadamcI'
Ycs. and | found il different there.
There was more taste and enthusiasm for
music. should like TO go there again but
for the malaria" -.
"Bui, Madame. why do you not visit
other southern cities:'
""Well, you know ! am with Mapieson,
and he Is not going there"
The conversation then turned Oh the
opera in New York, and Madame Patti
complinenled the distinguished con;rallo
OF her Maiesty's Opera Company. Madame
Scalchi, who usually takes the part in The
opera Of next importance to that OF the
diva herself. She then spoke OF her home
in Wales, Of her horses, dogs, and olhei
pets and having no children, she called
these pet. her children.
Other visitors crowding in, your core
spouGcnt saw tit TO retire, and soon badc
adicu to the fair diva. AXIS