New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-09
THE BROTHERS DE RESZKE.
SOME PERSONAL TRAITS OF THE TWO
GREAT POLISH SINGERS.
From Murray's Magazine.

The brothers De Reszke whose appearance at 20,
vent Garden Is always looked upon as the event OF te
toric boards where she her first successes are great
admirers of England and the English; ana never nap
Nevertheless since their avocation calls them away
from their native Poland they look upon Iler h rSaaS
Monsieur Jean as becomes elder brother and reign;
Ing tenor. here occupies bachelor suite on the hrSt
troiseme with wife and children: The house a., Is
conveniently situated for the Grand Opera where 1e
Although citizens OF Parts, and Poles by nalonahNy:
there s MoGsm 0us e" gse nShes to e
gsgng English nurses for her pretty hte iaiflsio
is Entrusted the management of affairs on the Polish
estate. notwithstanding these prediecn9ns o Jan
from their table, declaring Wanted beefsteak ana
vegetables 10 be but very tame substitute ior 'ta
csviare and asparagus, beetroot and bonllon and
the fsvore Polish mixture of oatmeal stewed with beer
Like Mario before him, Jean de Reszke Is an sxi
cellent connosseur OF works of art, and has furnished
his Paris rooms with most distinguished taste. me
windows hung with wineCocred erapefle One Walls
covered with number of interesting stndeS IN c 0
and we sTou1e s sroGp rows glow
over the beautiful Venetian mirrors and LOUIS o AnI
nrond Of his household gods and would beg you TO
Inspect with almost naive delight his great pictures
Of Verdi and other treasures accumulated during the
The parents Of Jean and Edousrd de Reszke were
both very we'll known in Warsaw society, Monsieur as
COnseillcr dEtat and Madame possessing splendid
AND G Sro T sh e@ a9E PS am c
circles was looked upon as a great musfsi a'',non9
his mother first agreed to give him musiclessons and
with her. he delighted to assist az operate perform
on Sunday mornings he allowed to exercise his
childish voice In the choir in the Catholic chapel
scr SS co Hf' at the P TS s and ws
brought 10 London TO hear Mario in round Of
teIlcent student. The marvellous charm and entrSIn
Of Mario reused in Jean de Reske consciousness Of
Of this enthusiasm he accepted engagement to APP
pear as Alfonso in Ia Favorta. at the Venice opera
most renowned Of our operatc tenors first tried the
folly of my life he declares, folly nevertheless
scarcely TO be m3rvelled at. when remembers that
lust as IN former days his baritone was u9ysrsE pro G
scTihed OF baritone tmbre. II through the advice
sons pd Tb9a n' e ECag sr TTF
The experiment was in every way justified: and in
Roberto in Meyerbeer's opera with amazing success
massenet, most dinice OF composers, Immediately
important operas lie Cid" and IcrOdlade" Since
that time the clever artist has appeared in Euro
his triumph cuminating at the Grand Opera in paris
few seasons ago when creating the role Of Romeo,
Adefna Patti smiled upon him from her lattlcewndow.
and awoke in mingled joy and fear to die at The feet Of
Romeo knew no bounds, and although somewhat given
to compliments n there was real note Of sincerity ID
with which he presented the illustOus tenor: "A
cher ct bean Romeo Jean de ResEke, affection ct ad
Edouard. the younger brother. like Jean was not
destined for the stage but. with him also. " genius
would out After having taken course of lessons,
first under his brother and later under several
"Ventadour"-moSt favorite OF Paris opera houses in
bygone years-tO be received with Overwhelming
dialty. OF Edouard It only be said that his
talent Is no way second 10 that Of his brother
and when playing Mephisophelns ~ the Faust
OF Jean. IL is matter OF perpleXity to which
70 award the palm OF excellence Take, for instance,
his performance Of the comparatively unnteresting
part Of Count Rodopho in La sonrambua." Played
nv Signor A.. B. or c. we half inclined 10 rducule
This distinguished parsonage when ne arrives the
scene. accompanied by great CRACKING OF whips.
dressed IN sportsmanke garments Of questionable
some and old fashioned cabqcttn. with which woud
gladly enough dp ense. EdODard he ResZke however.
makes the man live before us. with his co,lrv. high
bred manner his respectful admiration for gentle Amin9
ana chivalrous desire 10 dlspcrse the cloud which
carjIens her fame His exquisitely polished and
presslve delivery Of the long aria always ar0lseS
storm Ut enthusiasm. and impcS his bearer to forgive
the tedium OF the song for the sake OF the singer.
The De ResZkeS usually pass Their time in Paris
from the month OF October until April May. spend
the in London. where tfcv seek refuge at the
Savoy Continental Hotels and after short stay at
Ems eOntrive to snatch a short holiday at
Borovno. their old homo In PcFend. where they own
one OF the strongest instincts Of their nature and Il
II were possible their passion for sport is more In
herent than devotion 10 the art Of which they
such able masters. Like every member Of the rae
from which they spring the gifted Poles imbned
with deem attachment no home and cnnnrv and II IS
continual reference during conversation 10 their donCs
in the good times Warsaw, where they horn
and bred and would fam their days, If fate had
wliIed 1t