New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-11-29
PATTI IN PARIS.
HER OBJECTION TO THE OPERA-PROBABL1
FAREWELL TO THE STAGE.

TAUr ~ tfE olAoEs
IRON THE RE0yLAR CORRESPONDENT or TIE TRrHUsE1
PARIS, November 13.
have had long chat with Patti, on the intro.
dnction OF n French lady, the widow of French
Culonel who befrended Nicoliui when he wanted
friends She received me with the frankest grace.
She was in the sitting Of the Hotel dAlbe,
which used to be occupied by the Duchess of Edin.
burgh IN her early visits to Paris. / had not beea
in tho company of the famous Diva since she used
to live on o groun flor near tue Arch Of Triumph
and the spring of her lIe and full of JOY and
exhlarati0n, though in state of permanent revols
against her brother in-law Strakosch. cannot say
she struck me this time as looking we'll bnt she
had an air of contentment which showed that she
has won iresde happiness 10y following the dcl ates
of her heart The changes that time has wroueh IN
her during twenty years were percertble. But
they were loss great than had expected. thought
there was u leaden tnge the complexion and
particularly rOnnd the eyes. The face was also
little putty. Bnt tho wealth of hair. the parting of
which showed that il was not due TO the coifeur's
Intervention was an evidence Of strong vitality and
the absence Of carkng care IL was clear that IL
was notwithstanding its darkness, innocent of dye.
Dyed hair has always a dry, harsh texture. Tho
eyes were in some respects more beautiful than
when Patti was twenty. l should say the change
has been wrought by the exercise of her maternal
instincts. They are IN tho habit Of looking love.
and that Of a non-sensual and healthy kind. She
has motherly though rot matroniy air ami speaks
of Nicouis sons as my children" 1t Is clear that
they the jov of her inner life and her serious
occupation. The under part of tho singers face has
grown too heavy. She had always q rather proln.
inent jaw. Patti used To gourmandiso. Nicolini,
who has culinary talent, ma, paid grcat attention
to her daily menu so that u should be tempting and
delicious. Her sin has found her out. She has
eaten too well for who does not work in the
ieds or ride after hounds ana is now forced to be
abstemious and to resort 10 an alkaline diet
winch, however. may include shelish such as
oysters shrimps and crawish. Succulent meat no
longer snits her.
think she meditaies retiring from the stage
while her voice is in full tune ami taking seriously
to gardening and faI ming at her Welsh home. She
must have forgotten her lawsuits with her neigh
bOrs for she says: " You can't think how happy
am at Craig -nos / can De so completely myself
ami have 50 many occupations that are delightful
to a woman of domestic tistes." Fashionable
beauties vino have none Of Coils great gifts to
recommend them should hide their aspiring heads.
Hero IS perhaps the greatest vocalist that cvef
lived whoss presses filled with tho most
splendid jewels and whose notes have delighted tho
Old World and tho New, claiming unaicctedly to
be a domest woman &" Our home tn re" she says.
is soothing. 1t is so sweet TO feather nicely
nest for oue's family and friends We are now
engaged in building tower from the summit OF
which we shall enjoy magnlilceht view aud In
which there will be "A large billiard room. take
prize in my greenhouses and kitchen garden. AL
time lost. should not give cnap nf my finger fof
my brilliant career had il not procured mo
delicious country retreat and the kud OF anchorage
that exactly suits me. ,
Patti Is going on a tour ronnd Europe which will
end shortly after Easter she has been pressed 10y
the managers OF tho Grand Opera TO sing there.
But she knows Paris and the Parisians too well 10
risk accepting an engagement there. IL that deat
old Sale NeDtadour" she says, were still used rs
an Italian pera House, should be enchanted.
Why in the world did tncy tnrn il into bank For
il was 80 central piaygoer' and tie acoustic con:
dtlops were admirable At the Opera House ]
should have to sing IN French-which is not the
tongue hest manage; and y0n know how severe
the Parisians are hen the pronunciation Is not
fau tlcsS. Also in the Italian Opera the whole spul
may express itself THROUGH the throat DRAMATIC
technique, well as feeling is needed at he Grand
Operd. ! don't set mp to DO an actress. am
songbirl yon know. Preach critics have ALWAYS
been on my side. Ent | came among them when I
was twenty and | have been sixteen years away.
In some respects | may have gained rs artist.
But am ~ longer Young girl and have II" taste
for coquetry. which is SAID France advantageously
to replace youth"
cashmere trimmed with lush and gold braid The
upper part loose An American came IN before
patriot. America her first stage. She inst sang
at New-Orleans in public at the age OF three. To
avoid singing and t0 stay at homo aud play with =
doll she crept nnlrr a bed and WAS pushed ont WITH
a sweeping brush Her early habit of the stage
explains her wonderful ease. the perfect pitch OF
her voice and the absence in her manner of grimacc
and self-cOusciOusncSs. l believe she would bs
rapturOusly listened to at the Opera House. But
perhaps she would not be in the dramatic touch of
the audience there or in the feeling of those around
her. and ~ might become what sue never has been
"A little awkward Decanse not sure OF herself. She
spoke with pride of America. of which she claims 10
be almost a daughter. But the distances there
were terrible England beng little pace IL
snug and convenient! PATHS friends run To
era g-y-nos whenever she bectons TO them TO como
down. and Kingston rs often PLAYS thcre her accom-
paniments as when she is in LONDON. She does not
mind crossing tho "slver strcak.p The early
soring of 1856 will he spent by he'll in the Riviera,
she beng engaged ut Naples Gen a and Monaco.