Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-04-02
POOR PATTI.
singing to a Rabble In the UnsavOry
Eden Theatre Of Paris.
rporis LETTER in Chicago Tribune. /

not say GilaG tIle CleiO VI hOi EAN ~
3 turned. Certainly she has found an ugly
| cross current. Some time ago 1T was an
! nounced with prodigious trumpet SOUND
ing that she had been engaged by M
Plunkett to give three concerts at the
theatre of which he is manager. At this
all Paris raised its eyebrows. What is
M. 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 frst-class house. It is a
gaudy, snowy building, decorated in
Oriental style. It's stage is usually
devoted to what are known in
America as variety shows" Bur-
lesques 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 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 q 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 60 to the Eden Theatre
because of its demi-mondaine reputation. |
In the second place, well-to-do Repub-
licans 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 60 because her
divorce and her relations with Nicolini |
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 a strong
"set" toward lower prices at theatres.
The tickets for the first concert
were issued. The price was So 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
letter to leading newspaper Some
say the letter was written by M. Plunkett
Anyway, Patti signed it, just
as she does the advertisement of soap
maker. 1t was a gushing letter. 1t told
now much she loved dear Paris, and how
happy she was to come and sing 10 the
lear Parisians, and what dear, delight
ul new dress she was having made to
wear on that occasion. This was pub
lshed In newspaper, and copied in sew
,ral others at so much per line, cash. But
sold few, if any, tickets. Then there was
tarted a story that Nine. Patti had (
bronchitis, and might not be able to sing.
That did not arouse public interest
ither. Finally Nine Patti came on here
lerself, aud positively refused to see anv
isitors, but threw out hints of various
,inds as bait. Very few fish were caught.
lowever. Then she told M. Plunkett
atly that she would not sing to emntv
enches. He must fill the house in some
ray. How? Naturally, by reducing the
rice of tickets. So down came the nrices
rom So to So, then to 81, then to So: and
couple of hours before the concert was 7
begin [ saw them hawked about at 40 n
piece. And even at that price thew "
idn't go off rapidly. 4
Last Wednesday evening tbe concer+ D
'ok place. I had the privilege of going
ehind the scenes. Just before the chr, F
lin rose looked through the peephole-
J M. Plunkett had done twenty times q
efore within the half hour at the audi y
nee. The house was not more than
To-thirds full. But M. Plunkett had
t of vases Of flowers brought in from =
e adjoining conservatory and massed =
as to conceal the vacant seats. The
age was also profusely adorned with
,wers. AS usual, the audience q
rs deml-mondaine. Half it's mem
rs were cocottes and their low
). 1here was also great
any American and English ladies and
ntlemen, who are not afraid to 90 any,
lere to hear good music. 1t was not a
easant evening, and most of the audi
&c wore plain morning dress. There
re not Two dozen dress costumes in the IA
use. When Patti arrived and peeped IA
rough the hole in tie curtain she was
lous. She said fatty that she would
t sing to "such rabble." =
~, "",u M. rlunRett, madame
u not break her contract now that I
We already paid her for singing?"
Paid? Indeed have::you? Well. Won
ow very we'll that I would not sing be-
an audience of Queens and Arch
gels without having my pay in adj v
ace. But where is NJ. Millot ~ '
me latter gentleman is her MANAGER
came forward.
lave you the money? Every franc?"
} demanded.
Al madame, safe in my pocket p :.
wen, then, suppose / shall have 70
he did so. She sang an air from s.Ia
vlata, one of Schubert's songs, and
mods Ave Maria" She was fairly
l applauded. Her singing was. Of
rse, perfect But never saw her look
Sc. She wore salmon-colored bod MA
ana SKIRT, and long train of vivid
net: The whole effect was inex-
'sioly loud and fashy, but quite in
ping with the building and the andi-
- one wore wonderful array of
nonds, which excited the envyof the {
'ttesl IN the stalls and boxes. After each
a procession OF six footmen in white
orm crossed the stage, bearing buoe
'aass Oh n 9ae! provided by the
l la Pattl would not respond to PU
,res, but sent the footman out to he.r a..
thanks to the audience. She was ac. publ publ
panied In her singing by an orchestra CO Sr
w vlollns and reed organ. The I da "a =
10 AoP' C"o or tnree notes ahead of ing-d
and the organ as far behind bor Coun
effect may be imagined. ro Cor y
-- Q32);
rs. M. McDaniels. Professional No.; twelv