The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-25
is morning, warm and calm,

The last mist but just
moment lifted from
The soft Italian slope
The maestro cus and there leaf and smiles
Expectancy indulgng like some happy youth,
This is the day at last, at last Fidelio
He sings Fidelio
IT'S on his birthday-ay
We two, my boy and l, established that-the day
From which we might birthday count;
was the day
found m-seepng-lost-a little gypsy boy
No more than five at most.
Seventeen with me! then he
To-day is twenty-five. How lastly fly the years!
Dear lad, my staff and stay.
Yes remem Der we'll
Imurmured bitterly (may forgive), my fate
Seemed hard and BITTER and then into my life
God placed the little And remember too,
My Joy to note his so fautess and the tone
So pure and effortless My song brd-Marco!- but
/ named him Theodore-so truly gift of God
Was he to me! e..
And him have versed deep in music lore, and craft
A willing listener
"Come, let US build with
tone to-day" In vain his silvery laugh, sweet,
Would ripple as he coaxed,
"Ah Padre milo, sing
Just sing what thou woudst have
Or on thy fageolet
So play Then would try frown, and straight essay
Intricate turns and rapid semtones-
And tri trlls He'd shake his cur and sing the
Then lau ghed too, or wept for joy.
Still have e'er
Maintained the voice it should be built
Ay, tone tone
IT'S craft nigh lost, know But built ay built until
The drill has rendered it all automatic. Nav,
Full second nature That passion eer could move
Or alter. to color IN the sentiment.
Tonight he sings Fdelio, Fidelioi
And muse builded tones, when he with voice
Fresh morning thrush That triIl last night thnF
He doubled it, because he was so pleased
IT'S such an angel voice
And yet fear? Fear? Fearp
must be crazed Tonight he sings Fidelio.
No, it's fear! (The affrighted meo
The voice thrills with its fresh, glad spontaney
What if a sudden shock
shock2 Papa sento i'll. Go in and take stuff
That strengthens shock,
And this night he sings.
love that air. [Sings.]
Ah there he comes-he heard.
My Theodore sol Jesu! what's thatP All, me-
Thou'rt reeling- anting Oh, why moan We like thing
Struck voiceless with wild grief?
Suspense is killing me.
Look! look at me; for I'm trembling SORE
But calm.
Calm, calm because to- night you know Fideio
"False False! She's false to me-"
She false? Marcone she?
know not any she. Thou frightenest me- Now still
And calm: Thou ddst then love? And she is false
Cease quiv ring Tonight, tonight you know
Fdelio!
"Fidelio9 I-sng-Fideio IT'S that
I cannot sing! Oh God OH God! L cannot sing
mot sing, he said, "not sing. I think am too old.
1 seem all shaken, bent, I've lived SO long
Grief insupportabel She's false to me, Fasel false!
She beautiful loved her even still
Though had proved her false. raved with grief
She laughed Twas then twas then that forgot herthou
And everything. And then in one mad moment wild
flung her at my feet and held her supple throat
Within my grasp. Thus thus
To laugh-to laugh my grief
A devil must thou surely be. And then"
"Then? Speak,"
sit seemed as if I heard the singing as affair."
And straight l let her loose. think did not kill
know more until saw thee here.
Tonight
cannot sing. It seems as if I know not how"
Not sing Fideo!' His trembling hands sought out
10 reach resting place; down low he bowed his head;
The wind blew gently through the vines.
The doves
Swirled round and round-coo coo-oo, coo, cool
A butterfly flew by. His soul had fed.
3 I