The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-30
and Verdi.

La ITdNldbl Il Ill opera odSeu UPON pp"
erful emotional play, the Lady with the
Cameiia Flower" by Dumas. All theater-
goers know it we'll under the title of Camille.
Its situations are of the most agonizing kind;
and wonderful is the intermixture Of collid-
ing emotions, especially where the father OF
Germont first asks the self-sacrifice of Vio-
letta, and again where all the characters in
terested display their differing sentiments at
the banquet in the house of Flora, and above
all, at the close of the opera, where the es-
tranged lovers are reconciled. Nothing can
be imagined more affecting. The music set
to this emotional play is of a strong. brilliant,
yet pathetic character. 1t is full OF love, and
what Heine calls the "woe of love-" The
last grand scena, which closes with "Addio
del P~assado," is one of the most exquisite
things in the whole repertoire OF the lyric
stage.
"Traviata'' is none other than an adaptation
of Dumas fills Dame aux Cameiias, and is to
the lyric stage what Camille" is to the dra-
matte, affording the star better opportunities
for emotional acting than any drama i'll
modern times (save, perhaps, Pauline In
Lady of Lyons'(. So forcibly are its situa-
tions made TO excite the emotions, that audi
ences who would be tempted to rebuke the
IllOTdlS u Tie NeTOlue are SWdleu ny sym ga
thy for her sufferings, and the visitation of
retributive justice invokes a tear of pity for
her foibles. No attraction, either on lyric or
dramatic stage, draws better than "Traviata'
and Camille" and our best artists, Rhea,
Modjeska, Fanny Davenport, Matilda Her
ron and Ida Gray, have made it features of
their repertoire, invite critical mention and
are willing TO present its characterization in
evidence of their merits.
A love romance in Verdi's life, dating
back to his childhood, was the origin of his
future happiness and the cause of giving to
the musical world a genius. He was born
at La Roncali, near Busetto, Italy, of poor
parents, who earned their bread by labor, as
do the Italian peasantry. A rich merchant,
one Antoine Barezzi. cultivated of mind and
a lover of music. had a skillful performer on
the piano in n talented daughter. Day after
day the merchants attention was called to a
poor boy who, during the hours of his
daughters practice on the piano, fingered
under the window as if rapt in ecstasy. One
day Barezzi asked young Verdi why he
fingered so long around his premises doing
nothing. Il play the piano" said the youth,
"a little, and I do so like to come here and
listen to the fine playing at your
house." He received not only an invi-
tation to enter on this occasion, but at
any other time he might desire, He availed
himself of the invitation. Barezzi became
interested in HIM and sent him, at eighteen
| years OIL aye, 10 Mllun 10 pursue HIS iulSiCdl
studies. He returned a few years later to fill
the place of organist in the church of Bu-
setto. and married the daughter of his bene-
factor. The marriage was the result of love
at first sight, and redeemed pledges of devo-
ton and affection Of years standing.
OF poor and humble %parentage, beset with
misfortunes, overwhelmed with grief in the
MONDAY of life, struggling against fate tnat
would have discouraged a weaker mind, the
bright genius of Verdi came purified out of
the ordeal. In the sunset of life he enjoys
fame and fortune, and better, is so loved by
takes strolls to view the beauties of nature
(for which he has a passion( he is Serenaded
along the route by his countrymen singing
choruses of his ~favorite operas.
His two homes divide the honors of his
compositions, and though Florence, Rome
and Paris crave his presence in their brilliant
society, the refined seclusion of his home APP
parently has more attraction for the artist.
Verdl's residence in Genoa overlooks the
sparkling bright waters OF the Mediterranean.
His villa near Busetto, his native home, is
approached through a large park and over a
stone bridge, spanning an artificial lake. The
building is quaint, but artistic, and the
stones of the bridge bright with messy YER
dure. His bedroom, wherein he composes,
contains two instruments over which he has
complete mastery, a piano and violin. Pic
lures and statuary, for both of which he has a
I SlNht GoN wv fAS - Nffo AAA way OOh
A modest library, and the quaintest and
most oddly-shaped writing-desks complete
the furniture of the room.
His personal appearance and the intense
expression and earnest look of his eye make
him noticeable. HI is tall of stature. with
hardy limbs and square shoulders, sur
mounted by q inely-shaped head, with an
abundance of gray hair. His features are
regular, his eyes dark gray, and he wears
both beard and mustache.
Verdi supported himself at Milan by
giving music lessons at ten pence a hour.
Verdi makes his operas profitable. Here
is the way he accomplisnes it. RiCordi is the
great music seller of Milan, the huge "entre-
preneur" of singers, and general dealer in
musical securities. He takes the farming of
an opera from Verdi, say for 60, 400, about
$12 600. This in itself is not an indifferent
'prime,' but there is a slight ''postile" to
the arrangement under the head of "droits
d'auteur," which is the most fruitful portion
of the b irgain. There are about eighty thea
tiers in Italy, and the farmer contracts with
nearly all of them for a seasons representa-
ton, say az goo, or 81, 900, per season. This
would represent, in a rough way, from f8, 200
to &10, 900. or $40, 900 to $50, 600. And taking
into consideration that there are three oper-
attic seasons in IA year, it will be seen what a
gold mine a new Verdi is. OF these profits
one-haif passes to the poser under the
pleasant euphemism. "droit d'auteur."
Verdi visited England in Queen Victoria 5
time, and RosSini in the time OF George ",
who walked through concert halls arm in
arm with the composer, and treated him
otherwise with great consideration.
Verdi, like Mozart, Rossini and Donizetti,
was a musical prodigy. At eight years of
age ne was a good pianist, and sacrificed
comfort and denied himself the necessities of
life in pursuit of his ~favorite art.
Since the loss by death to the operate
world of Bellini and Donizetti no composer
has filled the vacancy they LETT with such sat
~isfaction as the soul-inspiring Verdi.
Verdi's "Vespres Siciliennes," though a
carefully-written opera, composed for the
French theater, was never highly favored.
His "Un Balio in Maschera'' was forbidden
by King Ferdinand. la Foezadel destino,"
=. written from a Spanish drama. gave a fatal