The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-12
CHATS WITH CELEBRITIES.
Talks with Great Men in Paris-Gounod. the
Author of .'Faust." Dumas. and Others.

Special Correspondence of the Journa.-Copyrighted
PARIS, Jan. 22--As went up the grand stair
case of Gounods magnificent mansion, the other
morning, Alexandra Dumas just saying
goodbye TO the author of Faust"
Yes, we are fast friends said Gounod to
me, referring to the dramatist whose boots
could sfill be heard squeaking down the stairs;
The is my neighbor. and his great father sits in
front of my window" meaning Gustave Dore's
brouze statute of the elder Dumas which adorns
the Place Malesherbes.
The famous composer has as grand an air
about MIN as his superb house. He is a little
above medium height, rather heavily built has
. large head covered with grey hair, while
moderately long full grey beard sets of his
large benevolent face. There is rather wild
look IN his brown eyes and nervous air IN his
manner.
Twill you believe it9" he began; II have not
a moment to myself. Calls visits, speeches,
jury duty; why. /, who should be left alone to
mediate and produce new operas. bound
down to trivial duties if / were slave
Fecundity is life But as produce more, I
am dead All this is driving me mad. Why.
don't sleep any more at night. I will surely go
crazy if this sort of life continues much longer.
just look at this pile of letters here my desk.
answer them more properly. But they increase
in bulk daily. much faster than can dispose of
them. Enough about my private affairs, how
ever.
You ask if Germany is better than France as
a musical center for students My honest opln-
ion is that Paris is far superior to any German
city in its musical advantages. Why whore
could be found ADLER teachers than those at our
CONSERVATORY just look at Ambrose Thomas,
Jules Massenet, Leo Deibes, Saint Saens, Theo-
dore Dubois-our best COMPOSERS, in a word, are
all to be found 10 the Rue Bergere.
s'And then dislike all this nonsense about
German music. Italian music, French music.
and so on. Geographical boundaries cannot
hedge in harmony. There can be no secrets
bass, counter-pont, fugue are the same all the
world over. Rossini once said to me: / know
but two kinds of music-good and bad. Music
is universal. it is humanity, it is love. Why,
just listen to this, and the great composer, who
had now worked himself up to high pitch of
excitement pressed slightly on the top of his
writing desk. which softly slid back few
inches. disclosing key board. Then. throwing
back his head, he began playing, with delicate
touch, delicious air from one of Rossinis
operas, and stopping suddenly, exclaimed:
There; that is universal in its beauty. 1t
goes right to the heart of everybody. And this,
too"
Thereupon. Gounoi began singing in a soft.
musical voice. accompanying himself on the pi
ano. favorite air, from another of Rossini's
works 1t was no ordinary treat that was en-
joying-the author of Faust" interpreting the
productions of the author of William Tell" on
his work piano. in his private library, with me
his only listener. But this privileged situation
was of short duration, for Gounod suddenly
pulled the top Of the writing-table back which !.
covered the key board and he then settled down
in his easy chair. The spell was broken. He
ceased to be communicative, and bade him
good morning few moments later.
Before / met Gounod, NJ Francisque Sarcsy,
the distinguished Partisan dramatic critic, said
to me one day:
Gounod doesn't know how to write We lis
ten to him deferentaly when he reads some
thing at the Institute; we even applaud, but
none of us understand his phrases. He is al
ways in the Clouds and speaks of love and the
beautiful and music If they were animated
beings. We admire his wonderful musical tai
ent and pretend to sathom his thoughts
AS left Gounod's house, | recalled this re-
mark of Sarcey. and it.seemed to apply to much
of what had just been hearing. Gounod's con-
versation had, indeed, been in the clouds. But
it was charming to listen to him, nevertheless.
A day or two afterwards spent an hour with
another great artist, the famous portrait painter
NJ Leon Bonnar- He. too. resides in fine
house built with money earned at his easel.
mir Blaine called on me the other afternoon,
accompanied by Mr. Morton" he began. ..You
know / painted the portraits of Mr. Morton and |
his wife while they occupied the American le-
ognomist. After elancing about the studio for |
\ few moments he pointed out that head there, |
which had just finished, and said: That man |
IS evidently a savant.' And sure enough, it |
was the portrait of one of the bestknown |
Partisan physicians Then turning to another |
canvas where the features were scarcely |
should say that that is the head Of a
public man, one who knows how to make /
speech. He was standing in front of M. Jules |
Ferry. / you that these remarks 1
made impression upon only wish I |
could have conversed in more satisfactory
manner with him. But we had TO speak in Eng
cave me whenever try to express myself in
rour tongue. You see / have never had time to
tudy English. What / know / have learned /
mainly from nv sitters, many of whom
Americans as you are aware But ] spoke
nough with Mr. Blaine to discover that he was
man of extraordinary ability"
Bjornstjerne Bjornson is also musician and
'ainter. in his way, for he is poet and nove-
st. The Victor Hugo of the North" is in
Scandinavia upholding the doctrine of monogamy
q opposition to the new doctrine of polygamy
ow being preached in Norway. ] saw him q |
hort time ago in his coy Paris home.
Yes, you right he said; 81 ought to co |
ack again to the United States, for many of my
Citations are there. word about European
olitics2 WE'LL of course, Russia is the great
anger of the old world, especially at this mo- |
lent. The United States, Scandinavia and
,ngland ought to form grand federation to
rotect the world from the encroachments of
distasteful to Russia Here is a curious ex-
mple of this friend recently put into French
newspaper article of mine, which contained
ne Temps. But the leading Paris daily could
OF be induced to publish it!'
Curiously enough. the same friendly feeling
or Russia that Bjornsoa finds fault with in
rance also exists in the United States, which
snders apropos these words that Stepniak said
recently:
1T exceedingly painful to me to learn
bout the proposed extradition treaty between
le United States and the Cars government
.marked very earnestly the famous Nihilist
nd author of ssUnderground Russia (which
ssimiates political offenses with those con-
Bmned by the common law. Receiving such q
ow from the American republic was the last
ling Russian patriots would ever have dreamed
!. But, after learning what the measure was
Id thus being able to discuss the subject with |
mer;cans residing in Europe, have found that
le Hberty-loving citizens Of the United States
e full of sympathy for Us, and opposed to this