Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-14
A rALK WIFE GoUNop.
The Famous Composer and Mrs. We'll
oon'H suit gainst Him.

Mrs. Weldon in a French court. 40 not
think that Mrs. Weldon has the slightest
chance of gaining her case. The story.
as told iu a Paris cablegram to the New
York Mail and Express, is substantially
this:
In 1871 Gounod lived at her residence,
Tayistock house, London. AT that time
Mrs. Weldon, who has great musical tai
ent, proposed 10 found a school of music,
and the maestro suggested that she sing
the role OF Pauline in the opera "POly-
eucte.v which he was composing expressly
for her. Besides, he furnished her an en-
gagement at the Grand opera Of Paris,
anu Mrs. Weldon spent money and lost
time in preparing tor her debut. A short
time after he went to live at Tavstock
house, Gounod was seriously i'll. ana the
kind attention Of Mrs. Weldon brought
upon her criticism and unjust accusa-
tions. AT this GOunod was very angry,
and said he would 20 to France for his
wife and children, and that they should
live in London to prevent calumny. Dur
ing the three years Gounod resided at Ia-
vistock house, according to Mrs. Weldon,
ne made many promises which he mas not
kept. Among others that OF a writing
book, containing thirty chants, for Mrs.
Weldou's pupils, and an oratorlO entitled
t4The Fifteen Mysteries," the words OF
which were to be chosen from the Bible
by Mrs. Weldon. He also told her That
the "Redemption' would be sung in Eng
land by no one but herself and pupils. The
"Redemption" was brought out at Btr-
mingham in 1872, without even the coop
Grafton of Mrs. Weldon, and the role writ
ten Tor her in "Polyeucte" was sung by
Nine. Krauss at the Grand opera. An
other charge, which the plaintiff considers
grave, is: GOunUd made an agreement
that 30 soon as ne should have saved $780,
600, the dot OF his daughter, the receipts
from mis- publications saOuld go to Mrs.
Weldon and his school, in order to make
his name better known in England. In
1874, when he left the Weldon residence,
he wrote TO the French embassy, cbarg-
ing Mrs. Weldon with the detention of
some manuscripts. When she came to
Paris with ner husband TO see GOunOd he
refused to receive her: would neither
make excuse nor give the least explana-
ton as to his unfOunded accusation. Mrs.
Weldon first brought suit in London last
spring, and then GOunOd acknowledged
through his lawyer that he owed her
S., 600 Tor assistance in musical matters,
and for board and lodging at Tavistock
house. Mrs. " eIdon'S simple testimony
was believed against the arguments OF
Gounod's lawyer, and be was condemned
to pay $50, 900 damages, besides the $4,000
acknowledged by him. The English con-
sidered the decision of the court just, for
GOunOd's stay at Tavistock house pro-
voked comment, and he quite forgot that
on the other side of the channel he was
husband and father. The proverb says,
sArtists are subject to no general law"
but genius should not prevent one from
behaving like gentleman. Since 1911
there has been great change III GOunods
life. Now he spends his hours in prayer,
goes several times each day to church,
L. ON hn ar nj a
OF pieIy. He is very mystical, sad and
solemn. When l met him in Rome few
years ago, 1t was reported that he wished
TO become monk or priest, like List.
GoUNOD TELLS HIS STORY.
Curious to know what tue maestro had
to say about the decision of the Englsn
court and the summons before a French
tribunal. | called at his residence in the
Boulevard Malesherbes. Receiving me
very cordially, GOunod said:
''FOr fifteen years nave been the vic
tim of persecution which | cannot ex-
plain. The first time that l met Mrs.
Georgina Weldon was at the house OF a
friend Jules Benedict, with whom | had
taken refuge during the siege OF Paris.
At her urgent invitation | went to TaVis-
took house, and l cannot remember the
time when | said anything against her.
She has publicly declared that the affair
L 1
" abandoned her. How can l make such
a statement when L have only shown
kindness TO herp Mrs. Weldon had in her
possess ION my manuscript Of PUlyeuct- -
look at it,"
And l saw that each page was soiled by
criticisms, followed by tue name GeOrgina
Weldon. "POlyeucte" was not alone; she
had equally dIsfigured other works. Show
ing me an album with the first sketches of
~ daf n ha
last pages July, 1870, GOuuod sand:
'Mrs. Weldon pretCnds that l wrote
"POlyeuote" while at her house in 1871;
in reality, The work was begun in 1869
and finished in 1870. | began and ended
il IN the castle of one OF my friends near
Lizieux, where l pass several months
each year"
While the maestro pointed out the dates
clearly written on the manuscript, read
on the margin: "The old man promised
90 give me this manuscript; he has not
done it," "Hne old man has promised
to bring his wife; he has not done
It," and other sentiments of a worse char
acter, all signed Georgina Weldon.
what decision said Gounod, "can
Mrs. W ldOn expect TO obtain from the
French tribunalY Perhaps she hopes for
the execution of the Judgment given
against me in England. Evidently she
has come TO Paris, where l have 50 many
friends, TO pour upon me her walls OF
wrath. l am calm ana confident, for l
know that above human injustice scars di-
vine justice, 1 think of the suit without
fear. All will be in the hands OF my law
yer. Tomorrow (Jan. 10 1 shall go to
Brussels TO superinJend The production OF
MOrs ct Vita. When l return TO Paris,
1 shall begin "Jeannie dare" l have
asked permission of the archbishop of
Rheims TO put my workable before the
high altar OF the church, dedicated TO the
maid Of Orleans; aud my Joan Of Arc will
be work prand as It's subject. That Will
be my masterpiece"
in saying goodbye, Gounod added:
Nothing evil will come TO me; am a
tprOvidentialist.'"
Undoubtedly Gounod's intellect ia
weakening, and IL is to be feared he has
done his best work.
HIS EARLY DIFFICULTIEs.
Once heard him relate the story OF his
early difficulties. His mother was poor,
but tried 10 educate Der sons. He, Charles,
nsufered 10 see her working day and night.
in order 10 give him an education, and did
hot like TO dsappOlnt her.
The mother wished him 10 enter the nor
Ylnal school. but be knew be must be- a mu-
sician. he told her his plans, and she re-
piled:
"Are you seriousY
'Certainly."