The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-27
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BY DAVID LOWRY.
CHAPTER I.
THE Singer.

audience.
The opera was new, the prima donna
was unknown to the audience, and II
was the opening hight of the new theater,
al Of which was commented on fre-
quently afterward by those who wit
messed the performance and the press.
The manager was apprehensive, as he
had good reason to be, when he realized
the full significance Of remark one
critic made concerning the chances In
volved ir "a new theater. q new opera,
and new singer" The critic had wit
messed many debuts, assisted at many
openings, and damned many new operas.
The first scene was tireSome. The
audience manifested little interest, and
maintained naughty composure.
The people looked about them, at each
other, and at tho appointments and or
namentation of the new theater. Friends
recognized each other and nodded, while
fans futtered and beauties primped.
In the second scene, singer not
wholly unknown to the greater portion
of the audience came on; pretty, grace.
full girl, with eyes like gazelle, and q
sweet voice, but the audience contem.
plated her calmly. The women especial.
II wondered what the men saw in her
that entitled her to the distinction OF
rare beauty; nobody referred to her
musical talent; discussion was devoted
to the singers personal charms.
=: BY this time both men and women
were in better mood, having disposed
Of one victim submitted to public caprice.
Two young men occupying seats to-
gether were talking to each other in
undertones Fifty more were doing the
same thing
II never bother with the libretto un-
less am interested Besides, we know
the story"
@The orchestration is execrable"
~You are forever finding fault, Living
ston.'
"The house Is not properly ventilated
Anything else?"
aThere is too much color; distracts
ones attention"
SIs that ALP"
@Then these seats are absolutely stuf.
fy It makes me warm to look at the
boxes"
@Hush! There she is Ali"
The prima donna was on, bowling In
answer to the ripple Of applause that
rose until it swelled into 3 hearty greet
ing in the gallery.
l. The singer swept the house with
glance, and in the same instant Living.
ston discovered she was q. great beauty.
She was altogether unlike the singer
who preceded her.
This woman with the flashing dark
eyes and sylph-like grace was, conscious
of her power, self-contained.
She looked over the audience second
time, bowed slightly in response to the
warm greeting, and began to sing. The
first note she uttered thrilled Livingston.
He glanced quickly at his companion.
Beauchampe's eyes were fixed upon the
singer, whose voice searched tho inner
most recesses of the heart, and moved it
In spite Of ones self.
As the singer became absorbed in her
part, the sea Of faces were forgotten.
She sang like one inspired. Suddenly
the wonderful voice ceased, and then
there was whirlwind Of applause.
Whatever was in store for the opera,
Vittoria, the prima donna, had scored
an instantaneous success
what do you think Of her, Beau
champe?"
Beauchampe's gaze was so intent, his
being so absorbed in the action and the
singer, that he had eyes or ears for any
thing else. His eyes drank in the ele-
gance of her attitude, the exquisite con-
tour of her head, the beauty OF the crown
of brown hair that adorned her as few
women are crowned. Then he settled
himself in his seat with an involuntary
sigh.
positively you are hit, Beauchampe."
Beauchampe put out hand.
/ GShe is going to sing again.
Z The prima donna moved slowly across
the stage; the sunlight streamed in at
the open windows; the checkered rays
fell upon the sprays Of silver that caught
up her robe; they slanted on her brown
hair, giving it tinge Of gold, and at
that moment she looked divine.
Her voice rose, fell, stole aloft, linger-
ed In the air like chime of bells.
The hearts Of the listeners throbbed as
she poured out her soul in song. And
still her voice scared aloft, hung pulsing
In the air in throbs, while men and
women held their breath in suspense.
The words and the air transported the
audience to the mountain heights; the
pulsing notes were like the lingering
softness Of the mountain breeze signing
On the heather.
The singer swayed tie vast audience
rs one person; her empire was undis-
puted.
When she ceased, the audience, re-
lieved from trance Of feverish intoxi-
cation, burst forth into such fury OF
applause that the singer was compelled
to repeat her song again, and again.
Tho opera was no longer a trial. 1t
was success
As the whirlwind gathers leaves and
tosses them high in the air, so the whirl-
wind of popular approval carried the
audience away until men and women
waved handkerchiefs, fans and flowers
aloft. The thunders that voiced the ap-
plause filled the theater: they rang
through the lobby, the main entrance,
out upon the street They penetrated
the green-room, echoed in the drawing
room.
Beauchampe was aroused by his friend;
he was sitting like one in dream.
u spoke twice. What possesses you?"
Then. as Beauchampe turned to him
slowly, Livingston added:
Il was saying she must be an Italian.
Surely, she is no German. What do you
think?"
u think she is divine"
Livingston laughed, and Beaohampe
blushed furiously.
81 do not think she is foreigner; she
has an American face. I'd swear she is
an American"
sYou are very positive"
81 have good reason. 1 have studied
the face"
aFor fully fifteen minutes"