New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-12
ANNETTE ESSIPOFF.
A CHAT WITH HER IN PARIS-TOO FEARPm
OF THE OCEAN To COME TO AMERICA, 3

~ IL
OF THE OCEAN To COME TO AMERICA.
Paris. February 81.
Among the thousands OF women who have a.
peared in tho musical world as piansts, three nov
hold conspicuous rank. Theresa Carrcno Sonh,
Afentcr and Annette Esspoff, the first an America,
OF Spanish extraction. the second an Austrian AMI
the last Russian. Americans are familiar With
the playing Of Theresa Carreno, the superb dash
and vigor, the mastery Of an instrument which
sounds triumphal. Sophie Mcnter's playing ia N.
markable for an extraordinary and absolutely
faultless technique; whilst Essipor has grace. :
briliance and feathery lightness OF touch IN.
cqualled. All three are absolutely perfect in the,
genre, unlike each other. and have attained world
wide recognition and renown.
In private life they are not unlike: each woman
has her peculiarities and alas her history Short.
ly after Rubinstein founded the Imperial Conservs
tory Of Music in st. Petersburg one Of the great
est OF modern composers left its portals to become
famous, Peter Tschaikowsky. His was only tho
beginning of o long line Of names more or Lees
ilustrious, among which we find Annette Essi.
pon At fifteen Annette Essipaff was marvellous
player, and one of the most beautiful Of young
girls. St. Petersburg went mad about her. She
was feted and petted by the Court and the mobiles,
anu IeT career W NC Ollt Cl
brilliance.
Lcchetitsky was her teacher, and, although .
married man with a family, he became 30 enamored
of his beautiful pupil that he turned Lutheran in
order 70 obtain divorce and be able to marry
Annette. st. Petersburg was aghast at the scam
dial aghast, too, at Essipof consenting but artists
have, or rather make themselves, special code Of
morals, and the two were married. and were forced
10 leave Russia inasmuch as their marriage In that
country was not legal.
The first Madame Lechetitsky who was singer
and still gives lessons, remained in ST. Petersburg
with her children, and many time have seen her
at Rubinstens house while the great Russian COM
poser pianist lived in St. Petersburg, not as now
in Dresden.
Lechettskv settled in Vienna, anu Essipof went
year after year on artistic tours all through Europe
till her fame reached the United States. and she
came over to charm all by her wonderful gifts.
Last week her success in Paris. at three concerts IN
the Sale Erard and at the Lamoureaux concerts,
was phenomenal. Sho is playing more perfectly
than ever il that be possible. and proving all the
time that rs a master Lechettsky Is unrivaled.
Paderewski. Rosenthal, Bloomfield, Slivinskl, all
are his pupils; and it is the greatest possible ply
that Josef Hoffman, should not be with him now
as at first intended, instead of with Rubinsten =
Essipof says is the case.
Before she left this city called on Essipof atha
hotel near the Boulevard DIES Capucines. she mao
lust come from a rehearsal with the Lamoureaax
orchestra and. awaiting luncheon, was playing
| patience." the cards as l entered lying all oso
the table. As Essipoff dislikes speaking Enslls
we spoke German, and she took me rouhd " "s
the quantities Of flowers that had been sent ner
I am proud OF them" she said, smiling, Tor tney
are no longer sent me as a woman. but as an ar'so
You see, she said quickly as tried for some rpy'
Il am no longer young nor beautiful. measu"
heaven only knows how many inches around 'n'
waist, and am fast becoming old
certainly hardly recognized the brilliant Esr
poff Of few years back, nor do know II "ae
her dress or the cards outspread the table, but "
seemed to me that all the daredevil element naa
left her character, and that Annette EssipoH had
becomc--in one word-motherly In answer to my
| question as 10 her movements she said that Sne
was STAYING more and more at home 81 loVe
Paris. she said enthusiastically: my audiences
here are all so kind and attentive, ana 'ooA ''
| ward TO my yearly visit.
| As 10 America she said with shrug No.
10 not intend to go there. II is too far the par'
ney is too long, and the passage is one long ser''
| Of misery for me- think We Russians are p'
culiarly ll-adapted for sea voyages. LOOK 40
Rubinstein. He cannot bear one 20 mention '"'
| Atlantic in his hearing. whereas you American.
| cross and recross the ocean with as LITTLE resa'u
| IA we do the putting of or on Of our shoes
tried 10 have a photograph from EsSipon. '"'
she told me that she had given up having ,,'"'
done. at is just this" she said. smins my
ALWAYS tell Won it is only question OF 'e" '''.
utcs whereas they make il one Of hours. LOT ''''
sucnd so much time showing yonr head inns WI,
| and that way and il is all tirrsome ana s'"p''
| that I have given up having them done. b'S'''',
| avery one takes them from under my hnG"fs. az"
after all nv trouble | am always left withoi' W"
| copy s,u,
askcd Madame Esspor il sle prac's"' daiy'
| ard she replied at once: "Ccrtalny 90 u"
or two at least. Every player must. heN,'
licvc those who say they don't: for roatin" i o.'
| % the great secrets in the success OF pan, .,
Another thing do. too. is 10 taxi" rNer''S' a." ,,h
CAT we'll That il half the battln. Without ne.''
and muscle il il impossible Il bacom" pa"l''.
| asked her il she had seen Ruinsfcin i'',"'
and she said "Ycs." that no was living III pr,,
in pension. and paving eight marx. ? gay ho n"vnf
II it," she said. pi'yingly KUN! LIVE Inner table
and has entertained Grand Dukes with laV's' '''
pitalWjty;, ,u, 10 coud make fortune if hc would
| only 10 10 the United States. rrr'.u i, rom
mony t,mes have made princelv offers 10 MN IN a.
imprsaarios during the years was win '"~
| Russia ~ . .,. ,.,u foropt thefe
| ia always th, Atlantic betwiXt and brtw"cIp ,hn.
sides. il would he spent easier than maae Of thcn.
stein has literally thrown away hnnirS al. ~ h. is
sands Of ronblcs in entertaining STRANGERS. % ;our.
no LONGER Young enough undertake. sncI !,ein.
mSy for the mere sake of money Heis SSnourh fOr
and greater his fame cannot be. 1t Is e"o"'"
IL" asked Madame Es>ipof il she were ,n MOO. TO.
further on her travels. but s''e sail no husband.
inc home TO my two children pna my m. san ara Ia
The rest Of my engagements Tor TINS Se'''A
Vienna"
TINE VENUS or CALIFORNIA