The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-02-28

Of her early tours in America at 5000
night MaplesCn, the impTesaTi0 r3n
short of money and could only pay ESQ
down when the hour came TO proceed
with an opera in which the yiyac0us
cantatTIce was to appear. lie made
offer Of The amount with an apology ana as
| suranCes that the remainder would be forth
coming. But the manager OF the little lady
put MS foot down against singing without
prepayment in full, and it was limited
that the deficit would be obtained possibly
in the box Office in the course Of the evening,
/ and that this could be transferred 10 the
pUWa donna. As luck had 10 all the money
needed was thus obtained except so, and
Nine. Pa.u was notified and asked to
prepare for the stage. IhcreUDOn she sent
word to MaplesOu that she had only one
! little slipper 10 put on to complete her
toilet, and this would be on her foot and
she would come on the stage when the so
was In her hand, It would be foolish to
say harsh things Of this incident or to sug
gest that il was a hard bargain. The parties
| simply carried out their undertaking Nine.
Patti prevented the impresari0 getting into
debt on her account. leaving MIN that privl-
lPge il so minded, in respect Of others, and
It was a valuable lesson in economy to him.
Why should he pay five thousand dollars
night 10 a pTima donna When half the sum
! is generous payment? Rival managers have
themselves to blame for chronic financial
distress. -0-
Is it not little absurd that in America
and England there should be so much pro-
fessed appreciation Of music sung in a for
elgn tongue? Formerly opera was little
heard in England except IN Italian, and in
America singing in Italian Is common. The
French prefer their music Ia French, and
the Germans in German, although they do
not positively put han upon Italian. In
Italy, OF course, nothing IS heard but
Italian, and il Is unQueSuO0ablY tue most
beautiful language for the vocalist. But lt
Is very difficult 10 follow in any language
words welded TO music. Practically,
the singer might as well give " Ira
Ia Ia or any other JargOn OF
not be spoiled, and the meaning TO those
listening for the first time would just be as
clear. Nor would there be less effect upon
the emotions. An operate score arranged for
Instrumentation IS just az stirring IS when
the voice has its place. "Sc0ts VIVA Haze" is
equally potent in TOusing patriotic fire in a
SCatChmaH's breast when performed on the
organ OF by an orchestra, as when given by
a UaTytone OF powerful voice. SO with the
"Marseillase." A good deal OF the charm
OF ballad lies in association, aud in the
fact that listeners frequently know the
words by heart. When an audience has TO
turn 70 4 programme for the words the
music is spoiled. 1t is pltiable TO see any
I one following the meaning Of an Italian
libretio IN an English translation.
Mrs French-Sheldon. a wel-meaning
lady, who assigns to Pennsylvania hehonor
Of being her birth State, has returned to
America from England, where she was for a
brief period iiOness in society in recogni-
ton Of her exploits as traveller in Eastern
Africa. it is polite 10 call her adventures
exploits. Stanley terms his adventures eX-
ploits by describing them in his usual lofty
vein. Why not Mrs. French-ShedOn
She mOdestiy saws she did not 90 to Africa
as a Stanley, and does not like to cali her
self an explorer. She went to the Dark
Continent 10 study the social characteristics
Of the tribe5-presum their domestic
arrangements, the manner Of putting the
children 10 bed, and the ceremonies Of
c0urt-all Of which themes for de-
scription or comment must have been
neglected by previous travellers. Doubt
less Mrs. French-Sheld0n had a ko-
OAK for instantaneous manipulation, and
her book when it comes forth will be OIna-
mented with at least truthful pictures. OF
the value OF the book otherwise it would be
presumptnous 10 judge, but 1t may well be
entertaining for If only the social charac-
teristics Of the 138 attendants in her train
are wildly portrayed, there is abundance Of
material to make the curious cape.
This Intrepid lady marched 800 miles on
foot and was carried 1000 miles. She WAS
the only woman IN the caravan, and
among so many black-skinned followers
she must have shown courage occasionally
to inspire respect Let us hope the inter
prefers gave a faithful rendering Of the ex-
CARNATIONS heard on all sides when she
entered a village draped in white, embel-
lished with laces and wearing a jeweed
sword. Some of the chiefs must secretly
have coveted 20 add one more queen to their
establishments. -0-
AS explorers ladies are not to be con-
temned At a recent meeting Of the Brit
ish Association Miss Minnie Muriel Dowie
created quite sensation by describing her
adventures In the Carpathians. In these
wilds among a simple people she travelled