The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-05-11
OF and About the
Makers of Books.
Some of the Latest Volumes
To Issue from the Press.

posed one OF MS greatest WORKS, Louo-
iska."
AT another time, in the presence of
Napoleon, Cherubini resented an ig-
norap. critism passed by the Corsican
upon his music. saying. sharply: "You
love the music which does not prevent
you from thinking of the affairs of
state" The rebuke nettled Napoleon,
and he never forgave 1t. Upon another
occasion, the emperor, who had re-
Gently returned from the wars, asked
Cherubini what he thought Of the
opera "Faniska," which had been pro-
duced during Napoleon's absence.
ut will not please you. SIRE" Cheru-
bini replied.
"Why not?" ..
ut is too good" was the curt re"
sponse. And to Napoleon, who prided
himself upon his ear for music, this
second thrust was an insult superadded
to injury.
NJ. Pougin, who has been selected as
the biographer of Rossini, is overmuch
given to superlatives, and has no time
for Wagner. To him, Rossini is the
adorable master, the Incompatible ART
st, whose name should be written on
the annals of art in letters of gold. All
other composers are of minor conse-
quence. Notwithstanding these out
groupings of NJ. Pougin's preferences
his summary of the main incidents IN
the COMPOSERS eventful and highiy
dramatic career Is accurate and Impair
tial. We shall not repeat those biogra-
phical details-they should be familiar
to all who take genuind interest In mu-
sic. We mention only one incident be-
fore passing to a consideration or Ros-
sini's rank as composer. When that
most successful of Rossinis compost
tions, I'll Barbiere di Siviglia." received
its first production at Rome, 1t encoun-
tered violent opposition. A reignins
favorite, Paisiello, had treated the same
subject in a different manner, and al
though Rossini publicly paid tribute to
Paisiellos genius and disclaimed any
wish to interfere with his laurels, the
Roman people refused to be appeased.
Zanolini thus graphically pictures the
episode:
1.-The Romans went to the theater, per-
suaded that they were going TO near
detestable music, and disposed to pun
ish an ignorant upstart. The overture
was executed in the midst of confused
h,h- mi tho nrecursor Of the tempest.
C.roia a.tamnted to accompany with
his g,,,+.r the first air of the count
AIr,o yiva. all the strings broke at once,
ond thsn heyan the laughs. ieers and
h;sses A little while after Don Bas-
lilo an old singer of the Sistine chapel.
stun bIed on entering the stage. and
fell and bumped his nose. This was
enougb. la,phs and misses burst from
all sides and people would not and
could not listen any longer. One per-
son apnlauded one only. and that was
the comnoser. and the more he clapped
the louder grew the Kisses. until, when
the fury of the crowd had reached its
climax he mounted upon his chair, SO
that he could be seen by all. and with
head hands and voice testified to the
actors his appreciation. He remained
intrepid until the orchestra had all left,
waiting to receive the last insult. Dur
ing the second evening, Rossini was
conversing at home with some friends.
when cries were heard in the street,
in front of his house, and the lights of
many torches were seen through the
window. The guests at first were
alarmed: but soon distinguishing in the
confusion the voices of friends, they
opened the doors, and in an instant
Rossini was seized and carried by main
force on the shoulders Of the mob to
the theater, where the whole audience
cheered and roared its message Of sur
render" The tickle public had changed
its tune. and ever since that second
night the "Barbiere". has been recog-
njzed throughout the world as the su-
preme achievement in opera bouffe.
Our bioerapher. in his estimate of
Rossini's genius and rank, takes It with
Ill grace that "for wears past Rossini
has been snoken of s,iehtinglv his
genius misunderstood his worth de-
MED Certain adepts of a new school
who affect to disparaee all that was
done before them. are ready to drag
him to the gibbet without even giving
him credit for what they owe bim-di-
rectly or Indirectly. They do not seem
- La..e A. 49,. a.. A.. 4. l., na...t