New-York tribune., 1889-12-23
GOUNOD AT HOME.
THE SIMPLE LIFE OF THE GREAT COM
POSER.

POSER.
vxox AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE !,
Paris, December o.
Though NJ. Gounod is not the Oldest OF the
rrench composers, ne is incontestably the most
ncpular and the most fecund. and at the same
time the most loved and the most sought after.
He is also the most accessible lie goes little
into society: his time and his strength are not
sufficient TO satisfy all those whe wish TO receive
him at their houses. But his door is willingly
o,ened TO any one who desires TO see him, either
a ask favor OF him or artistic advice, or sim
nly for the pleasure Of seeing him. Thursday
mornings. from 10 TO l2 are receptions days, but
h. frequently gives appointments for other morn
,nss in the week. OF scrupulous eXactitude, he
.lways writes to you il something happens TO
nrevent his keeping his engagement. that you
will not make your call for nothing. Although
hs receives daily an immense number of letters,
Ne prides himself on answering them all, unless
,hey ovcrstep the limits of cOmmon-scnse or of
sscretion. He has no secretary, and reads them
al himself. and replies to them always in his own
handwriting. Too many persons talk TO me Of
,heir private affairs he said, 4" for me 10 let
third person know about them" AS 10 his answers,
he is too much of Frenchman and too old school
10 admit that il is polite not 10 write them him
self-ess still 10 have recourse to typewriter.
They ask me everything" he eXclaims at times.
half angry and half joking. for his anger is
more than skin deep.
NJ GounOd rises rather late for in spite of his
sventy-one years he has not reached that com-
mon state OF old men who require but little sleep.
In this detail, as in many Others he has remained
sill very young; almost like a child. His room
very simple, with only small iron bedstead.
When he has finished dressing himself with a
grat deal of care he goes into his study. lie
generally wears black trousers, with a short vel
vet Jacket of the same color, white flannel
shirt and a red silk cravat a velvet cap on his
head and polished-leather shoes His white
heard is carefully brushed, and his complexion is
As clear as child's lie drinks cup of milk
and sits down at his writng-tabc in the large.
tudioke room, with stained-glass windows like
church. furnished chiefly with an organ, two
nanos and a large musical library. He writes,
Inoking his pope, receives visitors, hears peo-
be sing and at IL o'clock he break
ssts with Madame Gounod daughter of the
composer thinner. NJ Gounod has lived since
4 few years in the second story of handsome
nouse in the French Renaissance style, the
corner Of the Boulevard Malesherbes and the
Rue Monchaniu. built by his brothcr-in-law, NJ.
piquy, the well-known architect. whose wife in
labits the first floor On the third story lives
ais son, NJ. Jean Gounod. who is an amateur
,ainter, married to the daughter of the decorative
utist Galloud, who has little son, the image
If his illustrious ancestor. His daughter, the
Baronne Pierre de Lassos, the mother of two
charming young children, lives on the rez-de
ehaussee.
NJ Gounod rarely dimes out. His afternoons
ire devoted to work. In the evening he often
voes to the opera and to other theatres, to the
Paais Royal as well as ~ the Theatre Fran
rais lie retires late, reading always
70 put himself - sleep. Very sim
Ie in his habits and tastes, lie is
frugal in his eating and more so in drinking
be smokes moderately and is fond of walking.
He goes out great deal to rchcarsals at the
theatres and opera. or else 10 see any friend who
may be i'll, for he Is very aiicctOnate and devoted
10 those he loves. Every Saturday he takes part
n the sitting of the Acadcny Of Fine Arts and ne
fulhls his duties very concientiOusly and assidu-
Dusly member or president of an infinite
number of musical societies. Very sOciable. an
lrhna. fng conversatiOnalIst and full of wit. he
~ct,r n, o us society with which he niinCles with
sreat simplicity of manner making himself loved
Sy All who approach him, humble people as well
Here is al example of his simple ways as COM
pared with the pretentious manner OF some artists.
They were 10 give performance OF his oral1rlo
"Mors et Vita" at the Trocadero. lie arrived at
the artists entrance, where the chOruS-Sn@crs
and musicians were grouped, waiting for The door
10 be opened. lie got out or a cdD, as he had
given his carriage TO his family, with his VOlumi
nous portfolio under his arm and a cigar in his
mouth He stayed there talking Familiarity with his
performers. Joking about all manner Of things.
and any one who did not know him might have
taken him for any humble violinist. \ few mo-
ments afterward, a coupe, drawn by a splendid
pair of horses, drove up. A gentleman got out
Of il very s1Iemnly, wrapped in a fur-llned over
coat with the airs of a prince, and not even
defining to look at anybody, escorted by groom
in livery carrying a small book under his arm
NJ GounOd addressed this great parsonage by his
name so that those surrounding him knew that
Il was only one of the solo singers for the perform
ance.
NJ Gonnod lives thus from November 10 The
middle of June interrupting his stay in Paris by
short visits to the large provincial cities, where
he is solicited direct the execution OF ms WORKS
In the summer his family 90 60 st. Cloud. where
Madame Gounod owns villa, left 70 her by her
mother As for himself. he GOES and comes. max
Ing visits to his friends at Nieup0rt IN BelgIum.
in Normany. and 10 Barritz, Archachon. Irou-
vile and other seaside places. Since his return
from England in 1873 where he remained three
years and Of which time his turbulent friend Mrs.
Georgiana Sheldon. did her best TO make hls mem
ories ANYTHING but agreeable. he has passed one
winter at Rome with his old friend the painter
Hebert director of the French school of painting
AZ the Villa Frederic. Except for this absence,
bis existence passes regularly in the routine
have described.