New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-28

DEATH OF GEORGE A. COMFY AND HERMANN RETzEL
OF THE CLARA LOUISE KELLOGG CONCERT COM
PANY-sKETCH OF THEIR LIVES.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass, May pa dis
patch from Brattlcborc, vt to The Un,on says ;
George A. Comfy, the wel-Snown basso, and Hermann
Retze the pianist OF the Clara Louise Kellogg Concert
Company drowned in Lake Sporord at Chester
field n. H., yesterday. Lake Spoford Is about nine
miles from Bratteboro, and a favorte summer resort
The concert company expected to appear at Rut
land VT, on Thursday evening" but failed to make rail-
road connection and obliged TO remain at Brattle-
boro night The company was TO have sung at
Burlington Friday evening, and at Brattleboro this
evening. The persons drowned were lshingi
Two coats longing TO Mr. Comfy have been found on
the shore OF the lake. together with his hat and the oars
belonging to the boat One Inference that MI Comfy,
who was good swimmer, had removed hls over anu
under coats In order to rescue more easily young ez
who may have accidentally fallen overheard IL 10 also
thOugh tat the boat may nave Dee ofSI m t ~ ,n
wind it found bottom upward on tho shorc'
the lake Is calm this will probaby be accomplished al
though the lake is large and deep Miss Kellogg has
cancelled The engagement here t0night Inc acciueh'
caused profound sorrow III TINS lOcanty.
Intelligence Of the drowning Of the two musicians
received yesterday by their friends in this city through
teeaphic dispatches sent from BratebOro by Charles
A. Crosby, Miss Kellogg's agent The first dispatch
to Mrs Conly camc to her home No. 40 West Twenty
fOurthst. about l o'clock, in her absence 1t stated
briefly that Mr. Comfy and young Retzl had gone ont
had been made for them, resulting in the finding OF the
capsized boat Later, word came to Haines
Brothers that COnlys hat and coats had
been found floating the water and it was therefore
probable that lie had thrO wn them off in effort to
his companion, who could not swim. great many
singers who had been associated with Mr. Comfy during
the late opera season, including Miss Emma Abbott,
called at the honse in the afternoon and evening TO
press their sympathy with Mrs. Comfy and learn the
latest intelligence. Mrs. Kellogg sent letter in the
evening inclOsing a telegram which stated that Miss
Kellogg had intended to return to NewYork last night
bu had changed her mind and WOuC remain IN Brattc-
borc until after to-day for the purpose or aiding In the
search for the bodies Of the drowned men.
George a. Comfy was thirty seven years Old ana was
foundry, and during three years OF the Rebellion wa-
member Of IA Pennsylvania regiment. ON his return
from the war he began to study singing with Ettore
Barili and for six elght years was popular concert
singer He made his first appearance III opera with MISS
KellOggs English troupe on February "a, 1872
in Boston as MephisfOpheicS IN GOunods Faust
mentcd with Peter in Mcyerbeer's The star
OF the North" He remained with Miss Kellogg
for four years then he joined Max Srakoschs forces
and aiterward went to Engang with Mr.. Mapesol
While there also sang the provincial cities OF Great
Britain with Carl tiosaS company On re'uTing m non"
he again Joined Mr. sirakoschs company ana was tne
original McphSfophcieS in the English version OF Boos
opera of that name During the last season he was
member OF Emma AbbOtts company.
Hermann Retzel, WHO was native Of his city, was the
sOn OF Frederick Retzcl first hue-payer aud vce-Pres
ident Of .he Philharmonic Society 10 competed hls
fourteen old, and where he remained TWO years
lie was young ambitious, talented and industrious, ana
at Philharmonic concert At me last couctrt o' the
Society tiis hr played Goetzs piah iortc con
certo for the first tue IN This c1untry ne Aso pysu
:hs season at one or the concerts Oh cnaihprT Slc
given by Standard Quartet Club and IL IA raid was
about 10 begin tour Of two year.. duration with
Camilla UrsO through the United states, Australia
China, japan and the East Indies.