New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-30
MARIO.
REcoLLEcT1oNs OF THE GREAT SINGER.


[FRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE IRlguSE
PARIS December IA.
Mario's death, Mr.. Bradlaughs visit 10 Paris and
the soiree In his honor at the LaRtene office, the an
nOuncement that the German Crown Prince is going
to visit Rome, the removal" of the Emperor OF
Anam and the letter from the Pekn correspondent
of the Temps on tho action Of Germany in China,
the opening of m eighteenth century art exhibition
at Georges Petit's Gallery, the representation OF
{" Pot Bouille" Zolas fOulest novel, in boulevard
theatre, are interesting, important and noteworthy
events. Mario had long outlived his reputation but
preserved TO the last his manly amability and
charm. He had the graces of the modern Italian,
without the subtlety which too often goes with
them. account for the loyalty of his character by
the fact that he native of the Island of Sar-
DINA, in which families of Catalan origin numcr-
ous The arstOcracy of the island are NJ Spanish
as the inhabitants of Quebec will probably be
French hundred years hence Their ancestors
were from the provinces which tho Moors were
unable to nbugate. The sons Of noble Sandman
families have preferred from time immcuoria the
military to any other career. The Emperor Charles
V. greatly priced them officers in his campaigns
against Francis I. On the north side Of Sardinia,
near Garibaldis insular retreat the climate Is
harsh and stimulating. Sunshine docs not softer
there Ii only develops vitality.
MariO's birthplace Cagliari near Caprcra
The deceased singer, whom sometimes met in Paris
after his operate finished the eldest
son of poor, proud and nObly desce nded gentle
man, tho Marquis dc Gambia. who sent his heir 10
the military school Mt Turn TO be educated for the
horse artillery. Mario entered the service Of
Charles Albert, grandfather of the actual King Of
Italy. But as he was Liberal he found that BIO
was on the black list and doomed to eXpate bis
opinions as prisoner in fortress. lie obtained
warning TO this effect from General de Maiitre
brother Of Xavier dc Maistre, the author, TO whom
he was aide de camp. An order had been signed for
his arrest. The general enabled him TO escape by
sending him on urgent" business 10 Cagliari,
whence he easily got of TO Ajaecio and then wenton
to Paris. He had idea of going on the stage, and
thought Of giving Italian fencing or riding lessons
A friend Of his, the Princess BelgojosO, had been
itera lily hunted out of Italy by the Austrian police
because an avowed patriot. She was wealthy, beau
tifu accomplished, and gathered round her the most
celebrated literary men and artists of Paris. Her
beauty was strange and striking. She had the
blacklist eyes and palcst face imaginable. Mario
called on her and was cordially received lie used
10 sing as a mere amateur in her drawing room be-
cause il was delight to her and her guests 70 listen
TO him. Berger said that when he sang he looked
like an Apollo who had lost his Tyre aud fallen back
upon voice. He was handsome, of a sweet and noble
presence, and easy in all his motions. The figure
had been developed by soldicrly exercises, and he
had tho fine vibrating 6bres Of true artist
Berryer conceived tho varmest admiration for him.
One of the habituI of the Princess Begoosos salon
was Duponchel the manager Of the Opera House.
lie saw in Signor de Gambia lyrical star Of first
magnitude and offered him an engagement as first
tenor Out of regard for his family the young
officer changed his name, and appeared in Robert
Ia Diablep as the Norman Duke. His salary was
Thought magnificent. 1t was fixed at 800 francs
n month. for three nights In the week There never
WAS so fine a Robert Oh the stage OF the old opera
House. In ali respects he had the instinct OF the
scena Sculptors raved abont his figure His physi-
ognOmy was harmony itself Even in his old age the
charm of expression and of regular and clearly
marked outline remained TO this godson Of all the
benefcent fairies | heard him sing once when was
child and he in his prime, and have distinct re-
nembrance of the quality of his voice. What struck
me about him apart from his manly beauty was
that he emitted n volume of sweet sound without
grimacing. One hardly noticed that he opened his
mouth in yOcallLlng.
Mario was an inyeterate cigar-smoker. In his
morning rides il the Bots he had always cigar in
his mouth. His friends here were numerous. They
comprised VI. LogOuy6 dc BerOt, the yiohnist,
Prince POniatowski, the Emperor Napoleon, the
COuneau family, Ihe0phlle Gautier Qrlsrs brother
in-laNl, Madame KlStnfi MauaHo AEuouiV' l,,eS7Sb
the actress Prince Napoleon the Princess MatliIde,
Berryer Madame JaubeTt ROssini, Meyerbeer and
Comte d Alton Shee He was also on intimate terms
with the sisters of the Marquis de Caux and with
Patti Patti was to him twenty years ago the mosg
delicious incarnation of youth that he had ever mes
with since he left Sardinia She reminded him Oh g
hsherman's daughter with whom as a child he used
TO sing in duets. The music came, he said from
Heaven TO them. 1t was inspired by the words OF
ballads which u local poet wrote and By the i'm
pressiOns of the moment. PATHS great charm In
MarO's estimation was her spontaneity. Every.
thing she did was result of instinct. She had no
culture and did not need II. Two daughters OF
Mario and Gris acted as bridesmaids at Pattrs we'd
ding. Mario was not mOney-lovng. All the Tor;
tunes that he made slipped through his fingers and
his friends sent round the begging boz for him
when he was old and vOiceless. He kept open house
AS long as no was able. Anyone who dropped IN at
noon or late in the afternoon was asked 10 stay and
take not luck. There often a score OF guests
thus invited at his table, on which an Italian dish
SURF TO figure
soldieriy frankness the tact of man of the world,
and the most exquisite sensbtty. lie was one OF
the least touchy' artists Of his period His view
OF life was that of philosopher Grsi was super
stitious Catholic, but Mario was fTec-thinkiDg
Dest. he wished his body 10 he burned after his
death, but was persuaded by Prince Odescalchl not
70 Oblige his family by clause in Ills Will Ia carry
out his desire. When last saw him he complained
of a rheumatic affection of the pleuTa and of dis
agreeable distractions of the bronchial tubes.
Though by the kindness OF admirers and Telatlvcs
fairly well Oft and occupying an honorable sltu-
alton, he did not cling TO life IN his old age. Fate
and fortune had been, he put IT, most kind 10 him.
His existence had been singularly happy. IL was
therefore only just that he should disappear TO make
way for others. There were competent and COCO
men who would like 10 take his place rs Director OK
Fine Arts in Rome. 1t made him feel uncomfortable
to know Ee was in their way. when illness came
he did not struggle against It,
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