Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-07

Her Objection 70 the Opero-Pr0babl<
Farewell 10 the stage.

Farewell to the Stage.
| Correspondence ofthe New York Tribune.
PARIS, November Is.
have had q long chat with Patti, on the in.
PRODUCTION of a French lady, the widow OF q
French colonel who befriended Nicolini when
he wanted friends. She received me with the
| frankest grace. She was In the sitting room of
Hotel Able. which used to be occupied by the
Duchess of Edinburgh in her early visits TO
Paris. had not been In the company of the
| famous Diva since she used to live on q ground
door near the Arch Of Triumph and was In the
spring of her life and full of joy and exhilara-
ton, though in a state OF permanent revolt
against her brother-in-law st -akosch. cannot
say she struck me this time as looking well; but
she had an air Of contentment which showed
that she has won Preside happiness by follow
ing the dictates of her heart The changes that
| time has wrought in her during twenty years
Sad s they sss
was leaden tinge In the compile xion and
particularly round the eyes, The face was also
Ing OF which showed that 1t was not due TO the
coifeurs Intervention. was an evidence or
IL Was clear that i IL was n%wiahstandins its
darkness, innocent Of dye. Dyed hair Is always
| a dry, harsh texture: The eyes were in some
twenty. should say the change has been
wrought by the exercise Of her maternal in
stlncts. Iney are IN the laDlt OF looking love,
and that OF a non-sensual and healthy kind
She has q motheriy, though not matronly air,
and speaks of Nicolini's sons as 'my children"
1t Is clear that they are the joy Of her Inner life
and her serious occupation. The under part Of
the singers face has grown too heavy She had
always AWAY rather prominent jaw: Patti used 70
ent, has paid great attention to her daily menu
so that 1t should be tempting and delicious.
well for one who does not work In the fields or
ride after hounds, and is now forced to be alb
stemious and to resort TO an alkaline diet,
which. however, may include shellfish, such as
oysters, shrimps and crawfish Succulent meat
no longer suits her.
l think she meditates retiring from the stage
while her voice is In full tune and taking seri-
ously to gardening and farming at her w elsh
home. She must have forgotten her lawsuits
think how happy am ut Craig-y-nos. can be
so completely myself and have SO many occu-
pations that are SO delightful to woman Of
domestic tastes" Fashionable beauties who
have none of Gods great gifts to recommend
them should hide their aspiring heads. Here Is
whose presses e are fiiied with the most Splendid
jewels and whose notes have delighted the Old
World and the New, claiming unattectedly TO
says, lis so soothing. 1t is SO sweet TO feather
II icely a nest for ones family and friends. We
are now engaged in building a tower from the
summit OF " Inch we shall enjoy a mag niticent
view, and in which there will be large billiard
rooin- take Il pride In my greenhouses and
kitchen garden. All the time don't spend at
Crai.-y-nos seems to me time lost should not
give snap OF my finger Tor my brilliant career
lad it not procured me delicious country
retreat and the kind of anchorage that exactly
suits me-"
Patti is going on a tour round Europe, which
Will end shortly after Easter She has been
pressed by the managers Of the Grand opera to
sing there; but she knows Paris and the Paris
ians too we'll 10 risk accepting an engagement
there " Ii that dear old Sale Nentadour,' she
says, "were still used an Italian opera house,
i should be enchanted. Why in the world did
they turn 1t into bank? For it was so central
ia ifInr.l 0rQ
admirable. AT the opera house i should have
TO sing in French, which is not the tongue /
best manage; and you know how severe the
Parisians are when the pronunciation Is not
faultless Also, in the Italian opera the whole
soul may express itself through the throat.
Dramatic technique, As well as feeling, Is
needed at the Grand opera don't set up to be
an actress. am a song bird, you know. French
critics have always been on my side. But
came among them when WAS twenty, and
have been sixteen years away. In some re-
spects may have gained as an artist. But l
am no longer q young girl and have no taste
coquetry, which is said in France advantage
Ously TO replace youth.
Patti was dressed in a matinee gown of soft
brown cashmere trimmed with plush and gold
braid. The upper part was loose. An Ameri-
can came in before my visit was ended. She
received him as II coinpatriot. America was
public at the age OF three. TOavoid singing and
to stay at home and play with q doll she crept
under bed and was pushed out with a sweep
plains her wonderful ease, the perfect pitch OF
her voice, and the absence in her manner OF
grimace and seif-con seriousness. believe she
would be 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 SO might be-
come what she never has been-a little awk.
ward because not sure of herself She spoke
| with pride of America, of which she claims to
| be almost daughter. But the distances there
were terrible. England being little place is
so snug and convenient! PATHS friends can
run 10 Craig-y-nos whenever she beckOns to
down. kingston =
plays there her Accomplishments as when she is
In London. She does not mind crossing the
"silver streak" The early spring OF 1856 will
be spent by her in the Riviera, She being en-
gagged at Naples, Genoa and MANAGE
4 Quaker Proposition to the PreSi.