Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-04-25

Mime. Patti Secured for Next Seasonal
Contract Signed to Pay Her $1,000 a
Night.
rom the New York Tribune, April "a.

From the New York Tribune April a.
An unusually large company of menials were
filing In and out Of the Academy Of Music all
day yesterday. They looked very seedy and
seemed sad It was the last day of the opera
season. They had received their money and
were evidently looking for something to fool it
away on. A great change had suddenly come
over them, and it was apparent that they real
lied 1t. From priests, knights, princes soldiers,
chamberlains and members Of royal courts they
had passed ont into the common walks of life,
and.Were to be hereafter no better than any one
else. In an Inner room Of the Academy the
impresariO, Col. MaplesOn, twirled a gray mus
tache and received an army Of callers.
Its great isn't ?" Colonel Mapleson re-
marked
"What 2" asked the reporter
why, this opera business" he replied
81 And things turn out so queerly you know,
Now there's Nilsson gone to Europe on the
same steamship with Albani and Gye, and if
they don't adjust their differences before the
voyage Is over, I'm no prophet, you know
Nilsson is all bluff. I'm glad she's gone Do
you know | had ordered wig of the Amer
lean Wig company? These prima donnas have
reduced me to only two or three hairs" and
the Colonel felt Of his head as though he ex-
pected to lose another hair every minute.
You haven't any idea. have you" asked the
reporter. THAT Nilsson will sing for you next
season ~
Not much of one" replied the Colonel. and
he wjnked a knowing wink. But she'll ad-
just all differences. mean. with Gye, and then
we will all be friends. She's a daisy And
when she once gets started-my Cd - and the
Colonel raised his hands in horror
'Have you signed an agreement with Madame
PATTI"
''Well, the contract is all drawn up and It will
be signed by Madame Patti tonight shall
announce 1t from the stage at the end Of the
third act"
''Shall you make speech at that time?"
I've few choice thoughts to dispose of. and
shall no doubt favor the audience with a few
carefully selected words already prepared. The
speech will have the air Of being more or less
extempore. Not too extempore, you know, but
about enough" and the Colonel smiled audbly.
II shall be unable" continued the impre-
sariO, ''to say definitely just now that Madame
Patti is engaged. But it's about the same thing,
'When do you sail for Europe3"
81 shall sail on Saturday by the City Of Berlin,
and my company will go with me. They are ali
tired out and need rest. They'll get lots of It,
You see they've been strung up for seven
months now and have fired of 800 operas. 1t
Is no Joke to be all strung up to the top
notch"
At the close of the third act of the opera in the
evening Colonel Mapleson was called before the
curtain, and in a few words thanked his patrons
tor their kindness during the season and begged
q continuance OF faVOrs next season. He said
that he should bring with him next year an
array of talent such as has never before been
heard or seen In the country. 81 have" said
he, lust signed the contract with Madame
Patti, and she will sing with my company next
season."
Colonel Mapleson said to the reporter later in
the evening that Mr.. Abbey's bids for Madame
Patti had forced him to agree to pay her 5000
a night for the next season. GIVE paid her."
said Mr.. Mapleson, "only "a 400 this season.
And now skip to $5.0O0-and all on account Of
Abbey. And it doesn't do him bit of good"
How many nights will Patti sing 2"
"The contract calls for fifty nights at $5, 600 .
night"
SignOr Franchi, Madame PATHS business man
ager. was also seen by the reporter. "The con-
tract" said he, sis signed, and Madame Patti Is
thereby engaged tO-Colonel MaplesOn for next
season at $5 900 night
Madame Patti will sail for Europe early this
morning. She went on board the steamship ct
10 O'Clock last evening.