The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-21
A WHOLE WEEK OF OPERA
MEMPHIS TO BE GIVEN A SEASON OF
THE BEST ON THE ROAD.
Noble Consideration for Large Com
pany of Congenial and Sympathetic
People Impels Miss Abbott to Strive
Against Great Bereavement.


ally spoken OF only few years since.
Beginning her professional career in
earnest thirteen years ago, in 1876, amidst
adverse criticism from all the New York
dailies, the lady has persevered, steadily
increasing her popularity and fortune from
year to year.
Miss Abbott today enjoys the distinc-
ton OF being the wealthiest woman on the
stage, in any world. She has not secured
her riches entirely by opera performances,
but merely laid the foundation in that
way, reaping the balance from judicious
investments, skillfully managed by her
late idolized husband, Mr.. Wetherell.
The ladys success artistically, Is due
almost entirely to the marvellous pluck,
devotion 10 her art, slavishness TO earnest,
conscientious study, and consideration for
others, including those associated with her
professionally and those who compose her
audiences, traits which even those who
criticse her singing and acting adversely.
can1idly admit she possesses. She is now
in this city TO begin weeks engagement
OF eight performances, and appear person.
ally in each one except "Chimes OF Nor
mandy" ut the Wednesday ma inee. An
APPEAL reporter called on her at the Pea
body, yesterday afternoon. lie was ac-
corded the welcome for which the ener-
getic, accomplished prima donna is famous,
albeit her eyes were still red and swollen
from weeping over her recent sad bereave-
ment. Even as the brief interview pro-
dressed, tears would well up from her over
charged heart, roll down her check and
dis ppear in the folds OF a handkerchief
the necessity for almost constant use Of
VIII ch kept II ever ready
"lho question has reached me so often
since my husbands death, that / almost
divine what you wish 10 learn" said Miss
Abbott, after insisting upon the reporter
being seated in the most comfortable chair
her well appointed room contained. $50
many of my friends have inquired what
change the death OF my husband would
make in my career. Naturally, my first
impulse was 10 disband the company had
collected, most OF which has been with me
for years, and retire. The first shock 10
this impulse came soon after the receipt OF
the intelligence OF my loss. There was
not member OF the company who did
not ovcrwhelm me with their touchngex-
pressions OF sympathy, aud not one
who who was not represented in
iloral tribute on his coffin.
have a larger company this
year than ever before. The members and
their dependencies number nearly 800.
reflected that this was but the middle Of
the season; that their release would entail
a severe hardship, virtual compulsory
idlencss, perhaps for months, and 10 this
state Oi affairs | could not get my consent
10 become 4 party. 4 large proportion OF
the public, looking only 30 the fact that
am 30 soon before the iDotlighls again. may
criticize me harshly, but while shall re-
gret il keenly. | cannot be the means of
throwing fifty or more good people aud
friends adrilt Ia the midst Ut a season. 10
scramble for engagements, and possibly
10 encounter suffering
Miss Abbott, during the foregoing trib-
ute 10 the friendships drawn around her,
struggled hard iorcomposurc, aud was la
measure drawn away from her sorrow by
the rtpOrt9rial question, 'What sort Of a
season have you had, financially"
81 have never had much foundation for
complaint In that regard, but much less
the present season than ever before. The
people have been exceedingly kind 10 me
everywhere, aud turned out in large mum
beers 10 attend the performance"
You have had 10 more experiences
similar to that at Nashville, last season.
have your
"NO, no, aud for moment n faint
smile played over her features as the
memory Of that episode was revived.
by the way, she resumed, in tones Of
returning sadness, 81 entered a hack this
morning and told .he driver 10 drive me
10 some church, without any instructions
~ 10 which one. lie did 10, aud was
more than gratifed. The quartet Of voices
in the choir was very fine aud evenly bal
anccd, aud the minister unusually elo-
qucnt.'
The church referred TO was Calvary, and
Miss Abbott did not forget To comment
upon the briliiauco Of Prof Levy at tho
organ and the taste displayed Ia his scicc-
tons Of music. They were truly refresh.
ing, the more 80 because those grand old
melodies which the whole congregation
can take up were not omitted. Ono Of
these Was that s0ul-siirring hymn, 'CorO-
nation, that | have cherished ever since
~ strains became familiar 10 me.
81 have heard that you intend going TO
Germany after the close Of your season. IL
Il true, and II 50 what object attracts
your
Yes, my present intentions are 10 sail
Tor Germany la May | merely wish To
study the German language, rs ono 81 the
valuable accomplishments in my profess
sion. German composers produce somo
OF the gTandest 81 Operas, Invaluable in
repertoire. True, sing them, M do al
others in Eugl.-h, bul the most faithful
tmnsatious possible cannot give one
tcrupuluusiy accurate conception II their
real worth. Away back IN the original can
be found line points which add inimcas-
umbly 90 the dramatic effect. Il ia the
capacity and power 10 grasp and utilize
these IN my performances which imprls
me. IL WIS the same realization that
prompted me 20 pursue the study Of lial-
ian aud French. both oil which languages |
have sufficiently ma8 urcd Tor all practical
Tho sale Of seats here Tor the Abbott en-.
gngrmcnt has boon IN propoFlionatc adj
vance of hcr past succ,f,cs hcru, aud those
she has achieved elsewhere. even during
the present season. This L. not due solely
90 the inrt that ID IN the first opcraiic en-
glgcmcnt Of the season, but lies mainly in
The high regard Mcmphinns cherish for
the laly aud the consciousness that there
Is nothing OF the fake about her perform
anccs. IL is music and The best possible
effect from beginning TO end, In which the
prima donna leads all In the ouncstness
thrown iuto her Efforts
Thr Prc' cut Mortgage Law.
rr1m tic urownitiiic .tug# I,uogmL
one OF the most beneficial acts that could
H., ,,,.....I lao tho InsiaI.fur. 1. tk, ,,,,.t.