Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-10-04
Great Singer Dead.

Sister Agnes Gubert. probably the
most noted TEACHER of vocal music
connected with the Roman Catholic
sisterhoOd in this country, and the
possessor Of a phenomenal voice, which
would have made her one of the
brightest lyric stars Of modern times,
died at st. Agnes Hospital, Baltimore,
six weeks ago after a lingering illness.
She had numerous family connections
in this city, and her pupils dwell 10 sll
parts of the country. Before taking
the veil her name was Louise Gubert.
Her mother, the Oldest sister of the
late ". Miner Roberts, the civil en-
giueer, who died last year in Brazil,
married Mr.. Gubert, a Frenehman,
and soon after that event Joined the
communion Of her husband.
10Th the parents Of Louise we're
gifted with fine voices. and years ago
led a church choir in Philadelphia as
soprano and tenor. Louise was the
eldest and sole survivor Of a family Of
twelve children. Sister Agnes was
about 45 years Of age at the time Of her
death. Before she was 10 years old
her voice had attracted attention. She
was given the best instruction, and at
the age Of IA was placed under the
charge Of Parini. the great French
music teacher Of Philadelphia. When
her mother brought the little girl to
the famous teacher, and after some
exhibition practice, she asked him
whatlhis terms would be. He replied:
II have never heard such a voice, such
exquisite taste. | knew not that | can
teach her. Let the remuneration be
the poor privilege that Parini can
state that once Louise Gubert was his
pupil"
Louise displayed in early years a
prediction for convent life. She
had been educated partially at the
Georgetown Convent, and Openly
among her friends declared her inten.
ton at some time to take up her abode
there. This intention very naturally
met with the opposition Of her mother,
her father being dead, and she was
even appealed to by the clergy not ia
leave her mother, when by the won
derful powers OF her voice, she NIGH
delight multitudes and thus confer q
benefit upon humanity. But she was
deaf to all entrea.ies. About the las
time that she sang in public was the
opening Of the cathedral in this city
having been specially invited to sinI
On that occasion. la Pittsburg her
voice created as much Of a Juror,
among the musicians as it had il
Philadelphia. Louise Joined th,
convent at Georgetown, but at a diyi
sion Of the sisterhood soon afterwarC
she was transferred to Dechanta
Seminary, in Wheeling. While a
this seminary she was visited by mani
noted vocalists.
Here il was that the late Parep
Rosa first heard Sister Louise sins
and frankly acknowledged that he
voice was the sweetest she had eve
heard. List, the great pianist, re
corded in his journal. published sine
his death, hat at Wheeling be ha
heard the greatest cantatrice know
to the world. Max Strakosch hear
of the sweet singer of Dechantel an
visited her. Sister Louise sang f.
him, and so enthusiastic was the Inn
preston that he offered her $4,000 fo
a season of six months in concer
Bishop Whaleu declined to permit he
to accept, and she remained at th
school, where she devoted her talent
to her always large classes. Her yoic
could not be described as either tha
Of a soprano or a contralto, for sd
ranged with ease over the compass
making both extremes Of these spe
oialties. She was herself more fon
ofsimple ballads than anything else
Her voice was too sweet to be mare
By machine music, and it was he
habit while accompanying herself o
the harp or piano TO strike the key
note, and not until the last echo 0
her voice died away did her finger