Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-04-15
CHAT.

Have you ever noticed the profus1on of
titles among operate singers of great and
small degree? They may begin in poverty,
obscurity, and amid every adverse cir
cumstance that could blight their dawning
genius.
But they are always the gifted offshoots
of some noble line, Impoverished in all
save the most promising vocalization. We
say the republic of letters but in the sing
ing world we must be mindful of nobility.
Said an English sporting man of the
Duke of Hamilton, who has sown the
most extravaganza crop of wild
oats of any man of the present
generation in the United Kingdom:
''What pity" said he, shat the bloke is
a dock"
He'd have been the champion of
England"
Now as q singer no obstacle could hin
der the profession and title from going
hand in hand and being of material
service.
Oar native singers not having titles
handy, take it out in levying from foreign
potentates the tribute of jewels and royal
gifts.
Why, only last week there flashed across
my plebeian vision the cleaning trophy of
the King of Fol-de-rops. infatuation for
the buxom cantatrice, who figured IN the
operate version Of Prosper Nominees
glowing book.
Figured, aye that is the word. IT'S
more matter of figuring
than singing, let me tell you, and it is just
queer to observe how far goodly show of
voice and an accomplished, versatile dis
play Of stage trickery will carry some
favored prima donna on the high road to
public favor.
few clever passes at dancing-a grace
full handling of an illusory guitar-a fine
display of well-rounded arms and pretty
hands, to the accompaniment of sweet
notes-What more would you have? All,
me, the fine professional progress of these
favored folk! To them are given the
warmest and widest admiration of null
titudes, spoken in prose, verse, flowers,
jewels and general sumptuousness.
For what in the name of half the world?
Because they sing.
Bless US, as if they weren't the best paid
of all .sublunary creatures any way, for
the most ephemeral of gifts.
tell you in the words of Joaquin Miller:
Something is surely wrong. Aman may
edit a journal, or write book that makes
a million of people happy, and yet be left
to go hungry; while man may fight a
battle that makes thousand people miser-
able, and for that get wealth and honors
without end.
And Joaquin might have added: Sing
ravishingly in opera, and have all the fine
gifts in life showered upon him, or her,
by scores of infatuated admirers.
When the Freddy Gebhardts take
to the expensive ways and
wiles of dramatic and operate idols, they
haven't the sustaining enthusiasm that
they are the first privileged Washers.
At best, or worst, it is II. R. II. Albert
Edwards Lily, and Nicolini's Patti, and
the king of Fol de rors syren they are
feting and enriching.
By the same token see Freddy has lust
been mortgaging some of his property.
I smile when read the exploits of these
reckless people. In New York lately a
nice young man who had seen Nine Theo
IA sort of French Emma Abbott) in Paris
sought to remind her of his existence in
New York, by sending the most expensive
flowers, until his finances dwindled and he
utilized the desire of a moneyed friend
who sought an introduction to the diva.
Flowers were in order, and m. f. bought
an extravaganza bouquet-5o which
his impecuniOus congener affixed his card
Theo thanked him at little supper, and
his moneyed friend hearing the treacherous
interlude was arranging a duel after the
repast. So the story raR.
The sale of the Bernhard jewelry re-
Gently was salutary exhibition of worldly
calculation selling enthusiasm by the
bracelet, ring. tiara and necklace.
What episodes Of every phase of feeling
they bespoke and how some of the surviv
ing donors must have grown pensive, az
they read of those job lots of costly
souvenirs thrown upon the market to atone
for some of the financial blunderi
, Of Monsieur Damala Ee mari
These are the significant re
minders of folly at auction, "Sensationa
= auction" at that.
Tt seemed q kind Of equalizing business
though, when the Marquis of Caux tool
such generous share of PATHS enormou
and faclle earnings. He could spend tn
excess of her winnings as easy as sh,
could sing, and his title (the prerogativ
= of every eminent singer was somethin:
worth rating extravagantly.
1t gave her the experience which it il
said every great singer must have ere the.
, can realize with Mr.. Guppy that ''there ar
t chords in the human heart"
1T gave her Nicolini.''
When you read of Christine Nils
/ son personating Mary Stewar
: at the Vanderbilt ball. looking calm, blond
I stateliness itself, and then read of her ROY
wit Mapleson, the impressario, you vii
r have misgivings that these fine semi-celes
tial melodious beings drive hard bargains
}, have furious tempers, are selfish, tyranni
cal and exacting, and are. with rare excep