The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-09-30
NINE. lNEZ. SPRAGUE.
The Wife of Ex-Governor Spraguc VIII
Make I. but In Concert.

the following:
\ prospect of unusual concern in the
musical and social world is the debut in
America OF Inez Sprague, the beautiful
Virginisn and the wife OF the famous
war governor OF Rhode Island, William
Sprague. Nine. Sprague returned from
Paris in June, and occupied her msgnih-
cent estate, Canonchet, at Narragansett
Pier, during the summer. After three
years OF final preparation with Juiiani she
has come to her own country to adopt
the operatic and concert stage. Foreign
critics have heard her in Gioconda, a role
In which her greatness will probably be
este blished to an admiring world. They
have said Of her abroad that she is destined
TO first place among the greatest dra-
matte soprani Of the age. The Sparis
Gsgliani, publishing an expressed char
acterization of her social place ana talent
lyrically, announced her as the "patrician
Paris Pupil, the greatest graduate OF
masters curriculum whonG Paris had sent
back to America in two decades" From
Juliani's studio she was repeatedly in
yited TO produce Giaconda at La Scala,
Milan. Sonzogno insisted that her debut
should occur under the auspices of this.
the renowned first resort of the world's
greatest artists. But Nine. Sprague pre-
ferred America and her own people for an
entree into the art life to which her years
OF assiduous studies have been devoted.
In June, therefore, after important
solicitations of her foreign following TO
stay abroad, shc came TO America under
plans laid for her appearance with the
Boston Symphony Orchestra in Boston
during November. 1t is this debut of an
American artist of great personal beau
ty, talent declared to be exquisite on
It's 6neness, expressed in voice of won
drous charm and dramatic power, that
is attracting the attention OF society on
two continents. Nine. Sprague's life
has heen punctuated by events surround
ing the lives of many of the greatest
names In American history.
her attachment By romance ana mar
riage TO the life of Rhode Islands famous
Sprague is still alive in the mind OF society
here and abroad. Her sagacious rescue
OF the magnificent mansion, the Sprague
home. Canonchet, at Nsrragansett Pier,
in the early eighties, was in its time an
inspiration to the wonder and gossip Of
the Elst. Thiw rendezvous so years ago
reared by Governor Spcague at cost of
a million dollars, is still intact in the
midst of 400 acres of groves, fields,
beach and lakes. Here in the olden time
Greeely's Presidential aspirations were
first inspired; here Chief Justice Solomon
p. Chase lived to enjoy the glorious re-
treat upon Atlantic's coast; Grant,
Hayes, sherman, Marshall, Blaine, But
Ter, Tildep, ConkliDg and a host of other
nota bles were constant visitors to the
hospitable halls of famed Canonchet.
Now at the age Of 81, after years Of a.
duous application, OF a naturally fervid,
intense artistic temperament the dasning
Virginia girl, the beautiful chstelane of
Canonchet, the "pa,rican Paris pupil"she
whom the modistes declare to be the best
gowned pupil sent out OF Paris in their
day, is announced as a new, and brillia 1T
light in the stellar galaxy in which Calve
mas WOu, hIuIsky
achieved, and other are still attaining
lustre.
A critical estimate OF Nine. Sprague
based upon the significant commenda-
tion of foreign critic and masters, would
naturally lie one OF much import TO
Americans, who are evolving more surely
every year subjects destined to reflect
splendor upon our concert and operatic
stage. II Inez Sprague is what competent
ones enthusiastically declare her 20 be,
then America Ioay prepare to extend the
palm Of welcome and adoption to a re-
turned daughter OF the South. The an.
nouncemcnt of her advent i'm Boston
where uer early pnpilage was had under
MIR. Charles X. Adams, has already en-
livened a season Of many musical features.
Nine. Sprague will make her debut In
this city about the middle OF Novem Der,
with an orchestra composed of mem bers
OF the Boston Symphony Orchestra.