New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-09-25
MADAM SEMBRICH AT HOME.
THE PROUD MOTHER AND THE FAT BABY

n
DRESDEN. Aug. %.
While Wagners singing actors were presenting
the story of the magic ring at ruinous sacrifice of
voice and vocal art on the stage, there sat in a
front row the royal box a quietly dressed.
happy-faced little woman who stands before the
world now one of the two singers to whom 1t has
been given to preserve the traditions OF the old
bel caatO-Madam Marcella Sembrich Less than
ten years ago she was a member Of the Dresden
Court Opera Company. do not know whether it
is true but il is whispered that it the operation
of some of those influences. not uncommon in the
vicinity of roy al courts which do not have their
fountain-heAd in the Kings artistic appreciation,
that suppauted the then youthful artist in favor of
singer with less art but more artice. BE that as
it may. what was Dresden's loss has since proved
to be Nine Sembrichs gain. and the worlds gain as
WELL To-day Madame Sembrich has but one rival,
and that one singer to whom she is glad to look
up as miraculously gifted human being who is
scarcely to be counted in the ordinary category of
artists Madam Adeina Patti. In their respective
provinces these two women are unique, and the
stars which to shine after they have set do not
seem yet to have risen Fortunately for the lovers
of singing in the present generation the art of Patti
and Sembrich preserves instead Of destroying
voices, and giving them life ana health there are
many years of useful activity still before them. At
her beautiful home on the F. be, the village of
Klein Zchachwitz, diagonally opposite the King OF
Saxonys summer palace at Pillnitz l heard
Madame Scmbrch sing an old-fashloned aria by
Bononcini. pathetic little pastoral ballad, Cest
mon Ami" by Queen Marie Antonette. and several
German and Russian songs. Her medium register
has grown stronge than it was when she delighted
the audiences of the Metropolitan Opera House
three years but from top to bottom OF the Wide
compass of her voice, every note IS as hmpld as
pure. as faultless in quality. as sympathetic as
ever. .
TO hear her sing is to experience exquisite
delight to see her in her home is TO be witness
of of the prettiest domestic pictures imaginable
There is new baby at the villa near Klein
Zchachwitz, q marvel of fairness which made its
debut on this worlds stage nine months ago with
sublime disregard of the fact that the debut was
costing a prima donna mother $4,000 francs. as
penalty for a violated contract. An unsympathetic
Madrid manager refused TO recognize the niue
fellows ambition as sickness on the part oil MS
mamma under the contract. But l heard no
murmurs on this account at Klein LchachwitA
The early morning romps in the nursery. the
quarter hours devoted TO increasing the adpose OF
Marcel Christian Sembrlch STENCIL by feeding MS
unwilling mouth pap from a bowl. and the rolls IN
the grass OF the garden are worm many , Inc
$4,000 francs to the proud. and happy mother:
Now Just imagine Marcella Sembrich feeding iat
baby ont of bowl and kissing his shoulders redder
than were the palms which greeted her phenomenal
Lucid three years ago. before runn.ng 10 the
pianoforte TO oblig visitor with the maj scene
from L" Hamlet" OF prelude by CHOPIN ana your
have unique picture OF prlma donnas domes-
In fact Madam Sembrich is much
wonder in the unalloyed happiness and I'M
disturbed contentment OF her domestic life a. she is
on the concert operate stage She speaks with
grateful enthusiasm of the happy days spent IN
America and the appreciation winch she,
stranger won there in the face of such rivals as
Patti, Nilsson and Gerster, and looks forward WIN
mucb delight TO project which she has discussed
with her manager Polni OF visiting the cities OF
the united States during the season OF lSeI-'cS.
For the next European season, which Will begin IN
October she has been engaged by Pollini for sixty
nights of concert and opera at 5000 francs each
She will sing first at the Empresss concert IN
Baden-Baden and will then 90 to Berlin. where to
accommodate the Emperor Whose desire to hear
her last opened the doors of the Hof Opera
haus that Won Iijlsen studiOusly closes against
artists she will sing in both concert and opera.