Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-04-02
POOR PATTI.
singing TO IA IsnbbIc i'm the Unsnyory
Eden Theatre of Paris.
LIBERALIZATION in CHICAGO Tribune. !

Paris Letter in Chicago Tribune.l
Poor Patti! Is it strange thus to speak
of the most illustrous singer in the world
and the richest? But it is fitting. | do
not saw that the tide OF her greatness has
turned. Certainly she has found an ugly
cross current. Some time ago it was an
nounced with prodgious trumpet sound
ing that she had been engaged by M.
Plunkett to give three concerts at the
theatre OF which he is manager. AZ this
all Paris raised its eyebrows. What is
NJ. Plunkett's theatre? 1t is called the
Eden Theatre, and is situated in an ex-
cellent part OF the city. But it is by no
means first-class house. 1t is n
gaudy, snowy building, decorated in
Oriental style. Its stage is usually
devoted to what are known in
America as variety shows" Bur
lcsuues predominant, in which displays
of almost nude women are the principal
features. 1t is cheap place, the cost of
seats seats being about one-half that at the
best theatres. And the audience? Oh,
it is better not to discuss that. Do you
wonder that Paris was astounded at the
announcement that Patti was going to
sing there? 1t was as if in New York
she was to appear at a minstrel show in
the Bowery. And at first Paris declined
to believe it. But it was forced to do so.
Then it came to two conclusions; the
one, held by many, that the very high
prices charged for the occasion would
make the audience an aristocratic one
the other, also held by many, that Patti
was becoming excessively mercenary,
and would sing anywhere so long as she
was well paid for it. Whichever theory
be the correct one, she engaged to come,
and the first of the concerts was given
this week.
Several circumstances conspired against
her. In the first place, great many
people declined to go to the Eden Theatre
because of its demi-mondaine reputation.
In the second place, well-to-do Repub-
Leans refused to patronize Patti because
some years ago she said very bitterly
that she never would sing in France
again while it was under the republic.
In the third place, the Clericals, or Ro-
man Catholics, would not go because her
divorce and her relations with Ncolini
were abhorrent to their religion. In the
fourth place, there is Il 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 theatres
The tickets for the first concert
were issued. The price was IS each for
orchestra chairs. The lowest-priced seat
in the house was So. But no one would
buy them. More advertising was neces-
sary So M. Plunkett got Patti to write
a letter to leading newspaper. Some
say the letter was written by NJ. Plunkett
himself. Anyway, Patti signed it, Just
| &c che Ipac tho n,ly ri NJ ., conn
maker. 1t was a gushing letter. 1t told
how much she loved dear Paris, and how
happy she was to come and sing TO the
dear Parisans, and what dear, delight
full new dress she was having made to
wear on that occasion. This was pub
lished in newspaper, and copied in sew
eral others at so much per line, cash. But
it sold few, fany 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 Nine. Patti came on here
herself, and positively refused to see any
visitors, but threw out hints of various
kinds as bait. Very few fish were caught,
however. Then she told NJ. 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 prices
from IS to s., then to "a, then to $751; and
a couple OF hours before the concert was
to begin saw them hawked about at So
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 cur
tain rose looked through the peephole-
as M. Plunkett had done twenty times
before within the half hour at the aud
fence. The house was not more than
two-thirds full. But NJ. Plunkett had a
lot OF vases OF flowers brought in from
the adjoining conservatory and massed
so as to conceal the vacant seats. The
stage was also profusely adorned with
flowers. AS usual, the audience.
was deml-mondaine. Half its mem.
bers were cocottes and their low.
ers. There was also great
many American and English ladies' and
gentlemen, who are not afraid to 90 any.
where TO hear good music. 1t was not a
, pleasant evening, and most Of the audi.
ence Wore plain morning dress. There
were not two dozen dress costumes in the
house. When Patti arrived and peeped
through the hole in TIE curtain she was
furious, She said fatty that she would
, not sing to "such rabble."
, But" said NJ. Plunkett, "madamc
i VIII not break her contract now that |
have already paid her for singing?"
Paid? Indeed; have:you? Well, yo,
, know very well that | would not sing be.
lore an audience OF Queens and Arch
angels without having my pay i'm adj
vance. But where is NJ. Milot?"
The latter gentleman il her manager
lie came forward.
, "liave you the money? Every frame ~
she demanded.
"All madame, safe in my pocket"
We'll, then, ] suppose shall have to
sing!" "
, She did so, She sang an air from ala
Iaviata, one OF Schubcrt's songs, and
Gounod's Ave Maria" She was fairly
well applanded, Her singing was, o
course, perfect, But never saw her look
worse. She wore salmon-colored bod
Ice and skirt, and a long train of vivid
scarlet The whole effect was mex,
pressibly loud and llashy, but quite in
keeping with the building and the audi
ence. She wore Il wonderful array Of
diamonds, which excited the envy Of tho
cocottesin the stalls and boxes. After each
song procession Of six footmen in white
UNIFORM crossed the stage bearing huge
baskets OF iiowers-all provided by tho
manager Patti would not respond To
encores, but sent the footman out TO bean
her thanks to the audience. She was nc.
c9mpanied IN her singing by an orchestra
a lNNFa NH4..laV 4