The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-03
VAN zANDTs LOST NOTES.
Charged with Being Intoxicated on the Stage
in Paris-Her Explanatory Letter.

Charged with Being Intoxicated on the Stage
in Paris-Her Explanatory Letter.
Paris Gau!ois, Nov. g.
An incident unheard of and which would have
been deemed improbable ii not impossible took
place last evening at the Opera Con4ique during
the second act of THE Barber of Seville" i'll
which Mile Van Zandt, the American prima
donna, was to sing the part of Rosna.
The second act commences. The scene repre-
sents parlor. To the right table, near the
table a chair, this chair sits Mile. Van Zandt.
The orchestra begins the introduction of Roslnas
grand aria. The diva rises and with stagger-
ing gait advances to the prompters box. A pro-
found stupefaction invades the audience.
What's the matterl What has happened! Mile.
Van Zandt stands there inert, motionless; her
face seems of greensh hue, in spite of the
rouge on her cheeks; her dull eyes fixed on
the public. She is evidently sick, but then why
singl She, however, sings, or attempts to.
From the first bars it is perceived that her voice
is uncertain. The singer glances desperately
first at the prompter then at the leader of the
orchestra She sticks in her words, she wishes
to utter a note. The note is false she tries the
traditional vocazation, she stops in the middle
of the run. She sways to and fro, she seems on
the point of falling. 1t is sad in the extreme.
The public now begins to take offense. Vigor-
kissing is heard. Some persons out of
pity. try to applaud, thinking it to be sudden
indispostion Mile. Van Zandt as if uncon-
scious of the effect she is producing, continues
her aria, forgetting half her notes And always
this same haggard glance, this same inexplicable
swaying. The audience finally lose patience and
shout with one voice:
IAN explanation
NJ Daube stops his orchestra. Mile Van
Zandt remains in her place apparently not I'M
Outstanding what is going on NJ. Fugere then
comes on the stage in his costume of Bartholo
and says:
Ladies and gentlemen, our colleague, Mile.
Van zandt is seriously ill; the performance can
not continue" And taking the singers hand,
who lets herself to be led off the stage like
somnambulist he disappears while the curtain
falls.
The audience shouts for NJ. Bouvet. He ap-
pears dressed as Figaro, and as soon as he can
make himself heard says:
Ladies and gentlemen, the physician attached
to the theater is at present with Mile Van
Zandt. He will tell us If she can continue her
part"
The noise redoubles. Everybody shouts at
the same time
''Yes!"
''Non
Then rush is made for the lobby and the
green room, which is filled with all the
musicians, journalists and friends present on
this memorable evening. Questions fly back
and forthf What's the matterl Why} Is she
sick! Is she insane! Alasl nothing Of this is,
unfortunately, true. The sad truth must be
confessed-the sadder because it concerns a
woman, and woman of talent. Mile. Van
Zandt is intoxicated-entirely, absolutely intoX-
cated, Details are of little Importance. The
truth is that Mile. Van Zandt the star of the
alter subventioned by the government, has in
toxicated herself the evening OF a first perform
ance at the risk of compromising the success of
her theater
From the first symptoms NJ. Carvalho the
director. had rushed out Of his box and sprung
upon the stage There he is joined by a crowd
of curious people, and by NJ Armand Gouzien,
the commissary, who is of the opinion that
every thing should be attempted to continue the
performance. To have Mile. Van Zandt reap
pear is not to be thought of Her true condition
has speedily become known in the audience, and
the spectators are in a state of super excitement.
Mile. Van Zandt has been brought to her room
in condition of complete helplessness, and does
not seem to comprehend what is going on.
Mile. Mezeray who has sung the part of
Rosina at the Gaiety, is discovered in the audi
ence, and she is induced to jump into the breach,
and sings the role in her ordinary street attire
The audience give her ovation.
During this time Mile Van Zandt is still at
the Opera Comique, overwhelmed stupefied,
career of a young artist. She will not easily OBJ
tain pardon, but she can make herself forgotten.
That is probably, her only resource.
MILE VAN zANDT EXPLAINS
Paris Gaulois Nov. 10.
We receive the following letter,
"My Dear ~ Meyer: -'-ss.
81 appeal to your kindness to aid me in putting
an end to the deplorable error of which am the
victim, .-A..t. ........
81 was seized on the stage yesterday at the
moment of commencing my grand aria with
physical illness which added to the appre-
tensions all artists will understand on assuming
a new role at the Opera Comique and before
audience whose good will is SO priceless boon
for me.
Tho physicians attached to the theater have
affirmed, and NJ Carvalho can state that neither
of them has hestated to declare, that to this
cause is owing breaking down the cruel conse
quences of WHICH suffer. have too much re-
spect for the public to fail in regard to what 1
owe it, and have too great a solicitude for the
dignity of my dear French colleagues that select
family which has given ME enviable place
among it, not to protest against accusation [
should blush to be obliged to defend myself
against .......... .t,...
Il would not hesitate an instant to apologize
to the public if could be guilty of such an i'm
propriety, but affirm again that at the moment
/ began my aria in the Barber of Seville, was
seized with vertigo so that l lost all con-
seriousness of what was passing around me-
Let me therefore hope, my dear Mr.. Meyer,
that you will courteousy publish this letter and
receive the expression of M most distinguished
Y