New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-05
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
THE PRTMA DONNA.

THE PRIMA DONNA Her History and surroundings
nom the Seventeenth to the Nineteenth Century
BY H. Sutherland Edwards. Two vols. large
evo, PIP. 800 and 302. London: Remington d
Co.; New-York: Scribncr d Wexford.
Mr.. Sutherland Edwards IS perhaps the clovcrest
OF English musical raconteurs. lIe likes to gossip
and he gossips en,crtanlngy, though on tho basis OF
fund Of information which is neither peculiarly large
imprssivey varied Viewed as intellectual pabu-
um his books are rather light but he is always divert
ing, sometimes suggestive, and never dull Discrm
nation however, seems TO be with him an unknown
quantity and seriousness OF purpose Is so foreign 10
his style that all is fish that comes TO his net lie
values clever saying much more highly than simply
true saying. The Widest most ridiculous ana oD-
vously absurd stories OF the rcdoubtable Mapleson
about PATHS adventures in California and her journey
ththcr rctsed by him without word of warning
or hint Of incdulity, though no ono better than he
knows tho characteristic traits OF all prime donne and
the tricks of the impressario's trade.
From the historical sketch which fills his first chapter
learn that the prima donna, this most fortunate
among women was unknown to antiquity; she be-
longs essentially to modern times. Like the actress
to whom she generally superior by her indispensable
artistic training though often inferior in native w.t. she
IS product OF the last 200 years. No singer OF the
first distinction heard in England until 1902.
when Margarita PErine arrived, though the first
dramatic singer that the first prma donna, who ap
peared the English stage at the time the
first actress ever seen there. This Mrs Coleman
who assumed the principal part in "Tho Siege
Of Corinth' when Sir William Davenant pro-
drccd that work In 1856. Evidently Mr.
Edwards docs not want us TO consider Mrs. Cole
man a singer Of the first Distinction As tho first
actress ever the English stage, however, she
occupies interesting historical position and this
sets our author rambling along about Nell Gwyn and
her admirers old Pepys who kissed her In the pres
ence of his wife and carefully recorded II in his diary
and King Charles ii Tor I" Charles the Third as
witty, pretty Nell, called him because he was her
third lover of that name). Bontempi is quoted, as
so often before to show us how singers were trained
in the Roman schools of the seventeenth century,
but without deprecatory comment on the quick ana
superficial manner in which the maestr OF to-day
turn out singers. And our gossip reaches MIS-.
lofts, whose cx-servng woman attended performance
of Margarita Eplne, Mrs. Tofts's rival to hiss hcr
and throw oranges at her; from which incident IL
appears that the jealousy of singers was carried
over TO their partsans as long ago as l'o4 Inc
musical profession was not esteemed especially
respectable at that time, judging by Swfts entry In
his Journal TO Stellar touching this same Madame
i Epne.
The marriage Of Anastasia Robinson to Lord Potter
boro and the disappearance Of Lavnia Fen'on IN COM
pany with duke suggest TO or gossip tine lhSp'il
ing thought that at the feet Of the nrma donna lies
path may lead the most dazzling attitudes An
Engllshman may gain entry to the House OF Lords by
way of the House of Commons the army or the par Or
II he does not mind being only c-pcer, through the
Church But for an Engshwoman who has career
to make the only road the peerage by way of the
STAGE
Mr.. Edwards has read many English and French
memoirs and they supply him with much pretty Cos
sip about the score or of primo donne whose
careers he sketches in the subsequent chapters OF his
two volumes. All the old stories are retoid with
guso including that which tho old operago OF New
York whose musical life still bounded by the memory
OF Grsi and Mario Castle Garden will continue to
vote the best Of all musical epartees:
These arc your little Grisettes.' said the Emperor
Nicholas to Mmc Grisi. meeting her one day al ST.
Petersburg with her two little girls, Rita and Clelia
The third daughter, Mrs Godfrey Pearse, who tells the
story. not yet born
no, sire answered Nine Gris with an appropr1
almost too happy for reality, they arc my little
Marioncttes.'