The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-22
PATTI SINGS IN PARIS,
And the House and the Show Are Both De-
scribed as Being Cheap and Nasty.

And the House and the Show Are Both De-
scribed as Being Cheap and Nasty.
Paris Letter in Chicago Tribune
Poor Patti! Is it strange thus to speak of the
most Industrious singer In the world. and the
richestf But it is fitting. / do not say that the
tide or her greatness has turned. Certainly she
has found an ugly crosscurrent. Some time ago
it was announced with prodieious trumpetsound-
ing that she had been engaged by Nj. Piunkett to
give three concerts at the theater Of which he is
manager. At this all Paris raised its eyebrows
What is III. Plunkett's rheateri It is called the
Eden Theater. and is situated in an excellent
part of the city. But it is by no means first
class house. 1t is q guady, snowy building
decorated in oriental style. Its stage is usually
devoted to what are known in America as
variety shows" Burlesques predominant, in
which displays of almost nude women are the
principal features. 1t is cheap place, the
cost OF seats being about one-half that
at the best theaters And the audience7
But you wish to know2 Well, then, it is almost
exclusively demi-mondaine The women are
femmes &c joie who have not money enough to
go in their carriages to the best theaters and the
men are their lowers ] do not saw that all
those who attend belong to those classes. but a
Paris was astounded at the announcement that
Patti was to sing there9 1t was as If in New
York she was to appear at minstrel show on
the Bowery. And at first Paris declined to be-
came to two conclusions; the one. held by many,
that the very high prices charged for the occa-
sion would make the audience an artistocratic
one; tho other, also held by many, that Patti was
becoming excessively mercenary, and would sing
anywhere SO long she we'll paid for it.
Whichever theory be the correct one, she en-
gagged to come. and the first of the concerts was
given this week. do not think the other two
will be given.
Several circumstances conspired against her.
In fhn 6rcf v>Ia cd
to go to the Eden Theater because of its dem-
m0ndaine reputation. In the second place, we'll
TODD Repu blcans refused to patronize Patti be-
cause some years ago, she said very bitterly
that she never would sing in France again while
1t was under the republic In the third place,
the Clerir&ls Roman Catholics would not go
because her divorce and her relations with
Nlcohni were abhorrent to their religion. In the
fourth place, there is strong sentiment here
against the ''star" system. In the fifth place.
Italian music is unpopular In the sixth place,
there is strong ''set" toward lower prices at
theaters. Shall give more reasons7 WE'LL let
US see how they operated. The tickets for the
first concert were issued. The price was So each
the house was rated at S. But no one would
buy them. More advertising was neces-
sary. So M. Plunkett got Patti to write
letter 20 a leading newspaper. Some say the
letter was written by M. Piunkett himself. Any
way. Patti signed it; just as she does the adver-
ter. 1t told how much she loved dear Paris. and
how happy she was TO come and sing to the dear
Parisians. and what dear. delightful new dress
she was having made to wear on that occasion.
This was published in a newspaper and copied
in several others at so much per line cash. But
it sold few If any tickets. Then there was
started story that Nine. Patti had bronchitis,
and might not be able to sing. That did not
arouse public interest, either Finally Mime.
Patti came here herself. and positively re.
fused to see any visitors. but threw out hints of
various kinds as bait. Very few fish were
caught. however. Then she told M. Plunkett
fatty that she would not sing to empty benches
He must fill the house in some way How?
Naturally by reducing the price of tickets So
down came the price from So to S. then to 81.
then to So; and couple of hours before the con.
cert was to begin | saw them being hawked
about at 81 apiece And even at that price they
didn't go off rapidly.
Last Wednesday evening the concert took
place. had the privilege OF going. behind the
scenes. just before the curtain rose l looked
through the peephole-as M. Plunkett had done
twenty times within the half hour-at the audi
ence. The house was not more than twothirds
full But M. Plunkett had lot of vases of
flowers brought in from the adjoining conserva-
tory and massed so as to conceal the vacant seats
The stage was also profusely adorned with
flowers. As usual the audience was demi mond-
aine. Half its members were cocottes and
their lovers. There were also great many
American and English ladies and gentlemen, who
are not afraid to go anywhere to hear good mu-
sic. 1t was not pleasant evening and most of
the audience wore plain morning dress. There
were not two dozen dress costumes in the house.
When Patti arrived and peeped through the hole
in the curtain she was furious. She said fatty
that she would not sing to ''such a rabble."
But" said M. Plunkett, Madame will not
break her contract, now that have already paid
her for her singinga" "Paidl Indeed; have
youQ Well, you know very we'll that would not
sing before an audience of queens and archan-
gels without having my pay in advance But
where is NJ. AIillot2" The latter gentleman is
her manager. He came forward. "Have you
the money! Every france she demanded. "All,
madame. safe in my pocket" well. then,
suppose shall have to sing!" She did so. She
sang an air from LA Traviata." one of Schu-
berts songs, and Gounod's Ave Maria She
was fairly we'll applauded. Her singing was, OF
course, perfect But l never saw her look
worse. She wore salmon colorei bodice and
skirt and long train of vivid scarlet. The
whole effect was inexpressbly loud" and
fashy. but quite in keeping with the building
and the audience. She wore a wonderful array
of diamonds which excited the admiration and
envy Of the cocottes in the stalls and boxes.
After each song procession of six footmen in
white uniform crossed the stage. bearing huge
baskets Of fowers-al provided by the man
ager. Patti would not respond to encores, but
sent the footmen out to bear her thanks 10 the
audience. She was accompanied in her singing
by an orchestra of two violins and reed organ.
The vioins kept two three notes ahead of
her. and the organ as far behind her. The effect
may be imagined