Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-11-17
HIS FAVORITE ROLE.

Il
Among my dearest memories Of Italy
is that Of the evenings used to spend
in Venice with the Cavalier Cicogna,
as he was known upon the stage. We
usually sat in the garden Of the Osteria
until late into the night-sometimes
tete- a. tete, sometimes in the company
of old Captain Amati.
BY the garden Of tho Osteria one is
not to understand anything like that
which the name, used elsewhere, might
imply. 1t was simply small courtyard
about 10 feet square and was paved
with slabs of marble. -Four high walls
inclosed it like funnel, and from three
Of these the court was overlooked ny
windows and balconies which, as a rule,
were festooned with grimy washings.
But, unless one chose, be need see moth
ing Of this, for above our table-there
was space for only one-the branches Of
noble vine interlaced to form a thick
screen Of foliage.
Thus one could sit here quite cool and
comfortable, and, when the moon came
up over the tall chimney tops and its
silver lines threaded the dense mass OF
leaves and tendrils and dallied with the
bottle of dark Trentino which stood on
the notified marble before US, this very
garden became a little world full Of
poetry. Then was the place we'll suited
to the tales of the Cavalier Cicogna.
In his Jokes, anecdotes and stories,
the Italy of the robbers and romantic
wars, the Italy Of the Austrian occupa-
ton and Of secret conspiracies, the Italy
of Garibaldi and Victor Emmanuel,
and, not least of all-for Cavalier
Cicogna had been one Of the most dis
tinguished impersonators OF Doctor
Bartolo and Dom Pasquale-the Italy
of Rossini and Donizetti. Here the
old man told us the story of Signor
Campobassi, concerning which he de-
clared somewhat violently, as was his
wont, that the Madonna might withdraw
her favor from him if every word were
not the truth. The story which he had
told us repeatedly, as was his custom,
ran as follows:
care you familiar with Farli? No.
Well, it does not lie on the regular
route Of tourists, and am not surprised
that you are not acquainted with it.
But you know it by name, captain, do
you not? And you have no doubt heard
of Signor Campobassi-but only casu-
ally, Ell? / knew him we'll. I have sat
with him over Refosco as we sit here
over this Trentino He was very agree
able oomrade, and it grieved US all to
lose him. The ladies adored him, for he
was slender, finely formed fellow,
with the most beautiful eyes in the
world and mustache-as if the Ma
donna herself had meant him for a tenor.
We men liked him because we had in
him true friend, and one who always
stood ready to help with his purse o,
his dagger, and who had no trace Of
haughtiness about him, although he wat
the favorite of the public. He was one
Of those exceptional men who have moi
an enemy.
"But forgot. Farli is in the vicinity
Of Rome, at the foot Of the Abruzz
mountains, small but rich and very
Furnishing town. It was in the fiftie'
that went thither with newly formed
company.
''Farli had very spacious new thea
ter. We pleased the public, did thriv
ing business and accordingly were vel
suited to stay there. But it was ou
primo tenore, Signore Campobassi, VIII
awakened the most interest. Our i'm
presario smiled contentedly wheneve
he CHANGED to mention him. and said
with knowing look, That was tn
best hit ever made. I can still re
member we'll to what straits he had beef
put for tenor. He refused to lay GU
much money for one, and tenors, as
rule, are high in their prices. Then on
day, as we were sitting in the cafe
Campobassi appeared, inquired for tn
director and asked him to try his voice
He said he was a peasants son from tn
neighborhood Of Areggo, but even as
child he had had such an ear for must
that he knew by heart all the airs b
had ever heard. 1t was the opinio
among his acquaintance that he coul
sing finely, and so he had thought ths
he might make his fortune in the opers
Now, he had heard that Signor Mari
was looking for tenor, and SO he ha
made haste hither to offer himself.
! "Our impresario was cunning TO
and shook his head gravely at this. !
would be great deal Of trouble to coac
you, he said. But Oampobassi reptile
that on this account he would be cor
tent with very small salary.
| "Signor Mario still shook his heae
but he took up his- glass, contemplate
for awhile the dissolving bits of ice an
finally drank the remainder of h
granite with an air Of decision.
+" Well, we will try it, said h
Colleagues, If you have any desire
be present at the rehearsal, follow me-
1--WE were all curious enough, 4
we started for the theater in spite Of tt
midday heat. There Campobassi sang
couple Of airs from the most familis
operas, and the more he sang the MOI
significantly did Mario wink at Us. H
fat, round face fairly shone and glove
for Joy. Nevertheless at the end he sal
rather coolly, You will make Us muc
work, Campobassi, but will give 70
trial.
''As a matter Of fact, the trouble /
made us was very slight. He had sue
an extraordinary musical ear that he n
tanned the most difficult passages
they had been sung before him onl
once correctly. In addition, he had