Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-19

was nervous and excited. SI9uor Ardttti
was the rcxt witnsss examined.
"3fr. vianesi says.s remarked the coun-
sell, .that singer who can sing bar OF an
opers can sing the whole opera. Is that
soyv
.simpiy ridiculous signor ArdItti
jelked out The words In nm Italian ecstacy
Of emphasis.
"Mr. viancsi says" continued the i'm
perturbable counsel, "that u Nine. ccalcbi
could sing Martha she must have been able
TO succeed with Fides. Is that SOP"
IL tiuk he must have been choking"
Nine. scalchi became snnused with smiles.
and even Count Lolli seemed amused.
"How long have you been musical
dirsctorf
GAN my Iife., (Laug hter.l signor Ar
diti thought that at least one days notice
was necessary for such r3fs n FIdes. IL
was the most fstiguing and difficult OF any
eontralto or mezzo-soprano role.
Then Mis- Clara Louise Kellogg, with
much alacrity. rose from her seat and
stepped up to the stand. "Speak 80 that
We can hear you,v called one OF her FEM.
nine friends. aud she lauebingiy promised
TO do 80, and certainly kept her promise.
"How long have you been upon the ope-
ratio staee?" she was asked.
"a number OF years." was the answer.
given 50 primly that the audience burst
into laughter, and the clerk called them to
order. Miss Kellogg was quite familiar
with the role Of Fides. At least twenty-four
hours notire was required. and II was quite
impossible TO sing II after lower rpes.
"Wbai preparation ~ requiredg"
"Wbaf do you meany' asked Miss KEEL
logg ierkily.
"ln the way OF mealsy"
lob. that depends upon the artist. Some
are compelled to eat four hours before APP
pearing: others Immediately before. Brig
noli never ate anything except ut an early
meal wben he sang ut night"
LIQUID Nine. Scalchi without any meal
at all have sung that roller"
"simply impossible" WIS., the answer.
.sShe would not have had the strength.
But Immediately after eating IL Is almost
impossible to sing, except In the case OF
Mario, which was exceptional. IL Ia not
customary to ask such thing OF an arsist
In her position. Fides does not fallin. my
roles. but have heard It again and again.
Few people in the world
"Ob. please, Miss Kellogg interrupted
Mr.. OlIn somewhat testify. Miss Clara
took the hint and tripped back TO her seat
like a maiden OF blushiug sixteen. Max
Maretzek then testified that IN his opinion
Nine. scalchi would have seriously injured
her voice II she had surg Fides. sit Is q
high me zzo. soprano rsb. aud Mrae. ScaIebi
Is not high mezzo.soprano. Idon'tthink
1t Is fit part for her. and she might have
broken down entirely"
Slgnor Lucien Abilities, "vocal in.
structor." was then examined: III Nine.
Sealchi had sung Fides." he said, - 1t
would have injured her voice seriously for
a period OF time. II would nearly have
been physical impossiDility. No, itis not
a question OF method: ii is n question OF
| giving the ri4ht gymnastics TO the vocal
organs" Signor Albites was very pomp'
| Gus, and was looked upon with much iu-
terest. Teachers differ" he slid. but
| generally the digestion must 10 complete in
order to have the voice free"
do not artists save their voices FOR the
difficult passagess"
! mot in The Prophet" was the an
swer, and the court was again called from
| It hoisterous merriment. at IL very
dangerous part" he said, sand the fourth
net Is terrible"
DR.. Lewis Elsberg was then called. 81
fear Nine. scalchi would have tainted" he
said palhetically, iii she had sung Fides,
and not only her voice but her health
would have been injured"
"Now," said Mr.. Olin, 81 read in
sHy giene OF the Voice that tenors must
be sober and avoid alcoholic drinks
bassos. on the other hand, may do rs they
like. l. that also true OF sopranos and
| contraltos?"
Il don't think so," was the surprised
answer.
Now. see that Maiibran used to cal
her supper in her private room before
gong 10 the theatre, and thai another artist
always took cold meat during the perform
arcel"
THAT Is historical" quietly assented the
| Doctor, :" but on reding." You will then
see that Malibran did something else which
enabled her to eat before the performs
| ance."
"What was that?n asked the counse
nervously.
"she smoked" lLaughter.l
"Well, 1t seems to me you can't general
| ize," said the counsel. Z" Some prima
donnas drink glass OF beer after the frs
act, others cup OF milk after the second
some indulge in stewed prunes and seltzel
water at stated intervals"
AYES, sir. uaughter.l 1t all depends
upon haJits. Without revealing my pro
fessiona secrets. | may say that Nine
scalcbi was much troubled , ,i,n ner dlres
| tive organs NJ that time. 1t would hay,
bceu greatri,k II she had sung"
Count LolI was then called TO the stand
81 can't spe'k Ongleesb," he sad helpless
", land it ees very important case forrI
me-"
"Did you understand the oathi" asked
Judge Ingraham.
"Oh. yes. / swear" was the answer.
Then the noble scion of Iialiln aristo-
crazy, in spite Of his feeble English. man.
aged to testify TO much the same effect a
his wife, and the case for the plaintiff was
closed. In opening for the defence. Mr.
Rivcs said that on the day when Nine.
ScIlchi was asked TO sing in "The Pro-
phet" Nine. Nilsson. Mime. Sembrich,
Nile. LaOlache. and Nine. Fursch-
AIadi were all i'll, and there was
no one but Nine. Scachi TO help
Mr.. Abbey out OF his difficulty. "Fiye
hundred people were ready to Oblige him,
and he could not give the performance be-
cause ore lady had eaten too much break.
| fast" He claimed she had broken her con-
tract. and asked. furthermore, damages to
| the extent OF $1,000.
The case was adjourned until this morn