New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-24
AMBROSE THOMAS.
TIE ONE THoUsANDTH PERFORMANCE o.
"MIGNON'

TIE ONE THOCsANDTH PERFORMANCE W
"MIGNON."
7, has rarely been the lot Of any composer to re-
ca.ve sach an ovation thai which has just oeea
given to Ambrose Thomas, in respee, - the LVV'a
performance q mis- "Migaon.' In reality says 4As
London Globe" the anniversary has DaeA dlV!Iea
into two perforrnances-one for the masses ana 'hs
other FOR the classes. The former took place On
NAY r. when the doors Of the Opera Comique wes
thrown OMEN free to the public the latter occurred
on May l5 when the President of the Republic, ms
Ministers and the elite OF Paris attended. Ins
history Of the charming opera has been checkereL
The HERETO was originally offe?e1 ID Neyeroser
who first accepted K zen principe, bu; SUD eqleny
declined /; on the ground Of patriotism, pelleVns
his countrymen would never forgive nm Il ne
German poet was mu,liat L How nttle he was right
In sucn an opinion has siace been iuAy proved "
Germany IL was then offered 10 G0un0d, but 10
also refused IT, In the end Ambrose Thomas toSk
among the chefs-d'oeuyre OF the French stage.
Among the many incidents wn!cn Accompanies ~
moas song OF "Conna's-,u l. pays on heurlt
rorangerg" II appears that he wrote Two versions
s6lec ' ~ s,,bntted b5h * .hem to the juigmen.
OF the musicians of the orchestra, VINO ene,e ~
one which now igur"s in the opera ne NJ
~ the other is now IN ;he possession OF NIUE :.
Galii-Marit When the work was brought OUT ~. u
point OF wlthiraw.ng r. bur he listened 70 the voer
of his friends who pr3Qhesed II ~Ou'd soon ~
better appreciated, AMI their prophecy was iu~
realized. =, ',
Ambrose Thomas Il now egh;y-tWo years old ~
spite OF his numerous successes 81 coninusss a.
modest he before he become known 20 laiHs.
In 1911. after N, death OF Auber. IN Minister "
Fine Arts appointed him director oil. re CY.ssi .,
unanin ous.y designated Tor that high post hat
did not nominate You O. u should ne aceusu
not doing my duty" II IN 1922. NJ the age
eighteen, that he won his first prize. Durhs -,
revolution OF iSiS he had 70 take up MS gun dess
the r.volutlOnists. buy. he himself has sAe' 10
and preferred composing 10 fighting II was az uI.
troubled period that h. wrote the best part Vi rJ
"Cad." His first ATTEMPTS were d'shear snins, az
many Of them are known Only I'D name, UuI NJ r.,
severed. and ultimately scored triumph rtO..
that date his career has been one iong series =.
successes Amiabe. learned. and witty. he mas nOI,
but friends all sides. Before installing n.I,
A. the Conservatoirp. H. lived in small aparsH.,bs
IN the Rue Sant-Ce0rges, a few steps lIo'. .,b "a
house Of Auber. which hy the way, J. ap1ut ~
There the author Of "Misnon' passed me ssnh11bs
part OF his life. surrounded by thousand ssc,
lots" 70 which he firmly attached, ana N "a
he was fond Of showing 10 visitors liz w9rn go a
piece of furniture which could be turned INV
desk or piano according TO crcurnst anee', .., q
After the performance Of May 10, when wa, s
vtritabe auOthcOsis he received the io.o"ilSS NS.
gram: "The thOusandth representation o. tt, .i
non What glorious day 10 You and Your iiiS u ~
who. like me- admire and love YOU May sV' ,Ss
happy as you deserve - be- Today, lie ,olns
Opera COmque In heart and soul MY WIZ .' -.
me In congratuatng and appaudlng you. IN ths
spects 10 NINE Thomas. Verdi" To winch ~ ~
composer replied: Deeply moved. deeply $50 800
dear iustrOus cOnfrere and friend, tor u nsors
tionate dispatch. No congratudtl0ns cOulu pv "a
Mime. Verdi I embrace you with all M H'
AmbrOiSa Thomas"