The St. Charles herald., 1885-11-28
WIVES OF COMPOSERS.


Ludwig Spohr got his wife in a very
droIl manner. When Spohr, who had
just been made Director of Concerts by
the Duke Of Gotha, stood up to conduct
the first concert as such, he heard q
beautiful young lady say to another in
the first row. Look at our new Dircc-
tor Of concerts. What tall hop-pole
be looks" Spohr inquired after the
young lady who had criticised his per-
son in such curious way, and heard
that she was the daughter Of the first
prima donna, Scheidler, and harpist
of the first rank. The next day Spohr
called upon Frau Scheidler. and was
introduced to her daughter; the ac-
quaintance became more intimate, and
he was finally engaged to be married
to Mile. Scheidler. The artistic couple,
Spohr playing the violin and his wife
the harp, had afterward the most en-
thusiastic reception during their con-
cert tour. Particularly did the brilliant
solo pieces for violin and harp written
by Spohr excite everywhere the highest
approval. When Spohr later began the
composition of the operas ''Jessonda,p I
Faust, ETC., both mother and daugh-
Ger assisted him in every possible way
Cherubini, the composer Of the opera
the Water Carrier" and the cele-
brated s.Requiem," married in Paris
during the very turbulent times Of the
great revolution. His wife was Cecilia
Tourette, the beautiful daughter of
:. AL TknIea,. Ox,asso NJ r.ia
IL was a time when each morning hum
dreds were sacrificed on the guillotlne
and thousands looked on unconcerned-
ly, going in the evening to the theater
and The opera to enjoy themselves. On
the morning of his marriage a large
number Of ''sans culottes, the reddest
of the red republicans, went before
the house Of Chcrubini, made the
master come out, put guitar
into his hands. and dragged
him during the whole day through the
streets Of Paris, where the poor artist
had to accompany the ribald songs of
these terrible gentry. Late in the even
ing Cherubinf was released, after he
had been forced to enter the National
guard.
Rossini married first a singer, Sig
nora Isabella Colbran, prima donna In
the company Of the celebrated impre-
sario Bariliago, in Naples. This lady
made as great q furore by her splendid
figure and imposing appearance as by
her extraordinary voice. Particularly
as Zelmira this beautiful diva created a
sensation in Vienna in 1922. Later,
when Rossini gave up his art and com
menced 3 yery lucrative business In
fish. Isabella died; she had been by no
means agreeable to such change OF
profession. Rossini, who was beyond
measure avaricIous and lazy, found q
new wife in Mime. Olympia Pelissier,
who outdid him in avarice, and who
wisely made herself mistress Of the sit
uation by taking all business matters
upon herself. Rossini received annual
ly twenty thousand francs tour thou
sand doliars) income:as Inspector Of
Singing in France, and had also large
percentage from the production Of the
Barber Of Seville and William
Toll. y So we'll was 1t known in Paris
how saving the housekeeping was man-
aged Ia ROssini's house that scarcely
any one ventured to touch the food or
drink offered to the guests at any Of
the soirees. Rossini became thoroughly
henpecked under the management Of
his proud Olympia. He died before
her, Olympia living ten years after his
death.
Bellini was not fortunate IN love; he
conceived violent passion for b lady
who WAS already in matrimonial
bondage Maria Malibran. the
eldest sister OF Viardot Garcia.
Her husband, Mallbran, had once
saved her family when they were in
great straits on a tour in Mexico, and
she had married him from feelings OF
gratitude. Malibran was wealthy, but
when ne later became unfortunate in
his commercial business. and was made
a bankrupt, Maria went back to the
stage, when Belllni composed the parts
of Norma and Romeo on purpose for
her. With these two roles, which
suited both her individuality and her
artistic powers, Malibran conquered
the world. Her husband died sudden
~, and she married again the violinist
and died in the arms of the singer La
~ -.-L4 H. 49,. q