Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-08-10

interesting Points Concerning the Lat,
Sister Mary Agnes.

Inferesting Points Concerning the Late
Sister Mary Agnes.
An interesting sketch Of the life and rart
musical accomplishments of Sister MARI
Agnes was published in the Pittsburg Dis
patch, yesterday morning. The following
is an extract from it:
Sister Mary Agnes, whose name wa
Louise Gubert, was about As years of age q
the time of her death. Before she ha6
reached decade in years her voice had at
tracted the attention of her parents and
friends. She was given the best instruc
ton, and at the age Of IL was placed under
the charge of Perrini-the then great
French music teacher of Philadelphia.
When her mother brought the little girl z
the great teacher, and after some exhibition
practice asked him what his terms would
be, he said: Madam, have never heard
such voice, such exquisite taste. know
not that can teach her. Let the remunera
tion be the poor privilege that PERRIN can
state that once Louise Gubert was his
pupil"
LECTION for convent life. She had been
educated partially at the Georgetown Con-
vent, and openly among her friends de-
clared her intention at some time to take
ND her abode there. This intention very
naturally met with the opposition of her
mother cher father was then dead) and
the clergy not to leave her parent, when
by the wonderful powers of her voice she
might delight multItudes and thus confer a
benefit upon humanity. But she was deaf
TO all entreaties. About the last time that
she sang before the public was on the open
ing of the then new (1S54) cathedral of this
city. having been specially invited. In
Pittsburg her voice created as much
of furore among the mu-
sicians as it had in Philadelphia. She
remained at that time for three months at
her uncle Roberts house, No. II Stockton
avenue, and nightly the large parlors were
crowded to hear her sing. Mr.. kleber was
then in his prime as tenor, and Zamboni,
the celebrated basso was here, and both
were frequent listeners of hers. The wri-
ter as no doubt will many others, recalls
the pleasure of those evenings spent listen
ing TO the sweet music, little dreaming that
he was then listening to the sweetest singer
in America.
Louise Joined the convent at Georgetown,
but at division of the Sisterhood, shortly
afterwards, she was transferred, along with
Sister Eulalie, to Wheeling. Much could
properly be said of Sister Eulalie. She
was a wonderfully gifted woman. Her
discernment of character, her recol-
lections, her general fund OF lnfor-
nation was all of the keenest kind,
while the amiability and beauty and lofti-
ness of her character set her above most
women, as Washington and Jefferson are
set above most men.
Madame Parepa Rosa never neglected an
opportunity to visit Wheeling to see and
hear Sister Mary Agnes, as did many OF
the great professionals in the musical
world. List, the great pianist, recorded
in his journal, published since his death,
that at Wheeling he heard the greatest
cantatrice known to the world. Her
voice was remarkable in that she ranged
with ease over the compass. She was, her
self, more fond of simple ballads than any
thing else, and once when the writer, on a
visit to Wheeling few years ago, asked
her to sing something that she would
choose herself, she said, John Anderson,
NV 10 John" A remonstrance was about
to be offered, fearing that her time would
be frittered away. SIZE struck the key
note on the piano in the large
music hail. and starting off in the
song it seemed to the listener that the birds
were singing it instead of the woman. Not
until the close did her fingers again touch
the piano. 1t would seem that her voice
was too sweet to be marred by any instru
ment. She was, however, thorough mis-
tress of both the piano and harp-musica,
pieces, no matter how difficult, were read
by her at sight-but so great was she that
she was above their aid. When one speaks
of strings, keys and notes he is speak
ing of something which can be learn
ed. But her sweet voice, almost di-
vine, was never learned. Its song is stilled
forever.