St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-20
BAND LEADER soUsA,s CURVES.
Some Inside Facts About His Won.
derfui Back

If John Philip Sousa had not a for
tune in his music, he would be sure to
have one in his back Wherever he
goes that back attracts attention, COM
ment and praise. It's a back that is
born, not made. Its Sinuous curves are
wonderful to behold. It's elasticity is
of the ripping kind. Young kittens
could not curve their spinal cords more
gracefully, nor a panther ready to
spring show more perfect outlines of
vertebrate development.
To preserve such back should be as
great a care as to preserve ones eyes.
This John Philip Sousa understands
equally as we'll as he knows how to
write those catchy martial strains that
have gained for him the sobriuuet of
March King"
Of course a mans tailor has some
thing to do with his figure He can
bring out the good points, if there are
any, and he can obliterate them if he
doesn't know his business When Mr..
Sousa was asked who made his clothes,
the great bandmaster named three of
the most fashionable New York dealers
in fashionables. That three tailors can
dress that back, and do it equally we'll.
is but another proof that Sousa's back
was born not made. Thus, at birth, he
was given an invaluable advantage
over her bandmasters for a profession
that turns its back mostly upon audi
ences.
Vet man cannot take too many lib
critics with a back like this. if he wants
to preserve it intact il ali it's pristine,
feline beauty and suppleness.
Men in The audience, who discuss
that back, have been heard to whisper
that they believed that Sousa wore COR
sets.
This is not so. But there are other
devices whereby men control encroach-
ing fat and skill attempts OF protub-
erance in front that might interfere
with the supple spinal curvature OF the
rear.
Another reason for the undimmed
glory OF the SOusa back is the famous
leaders great moderation in food and
drink. Mr. Scusa looks like well-fed
man, yet he is a small eater, and be-
yond glass of wine which he drinks
with his dinner, and a glass or two of
beer in the evening after the last con-
cert, he never INDUCES. In this way he
will preserve the swaytng grace of his
back to his dying day, and long after
his hair may have turned white as
snow, he will be master of that swagger
back.
By the way, have many noticed that
Sousa wears his hair differently from
his style Of last year? 1t is longer than
it was, and has the SvengaH sweep.
| somewhat modified. in the nape of the
neck, so noticeable on Wilton Lackaye
of the Palmer company.
How is it, Mr.. Sousa? is this the
latest wrinkle?"
1T might be a wrinkle, and it might
not" answered the leader geniallv.
but the truth of the matter is. nv
+ ~
| suited doctor in New York about it.
He told me not to cut it, and this is
the resultr'
IF course. lucky Sousai 1t takes on
of its own accord the latest frill and
curls in the neck with the Svengali
| droop.
Another Of Mr.. Sousa's personal
charms which attracts his attention is
his hand. 1t is small and exceedingly
shapely Miss Harris, of the Philadel-
phia Academy of Music, Mr.. Sousa's
old-time friend and patron, has christ
ened them "Sousa's darling little
| hands"
| His shoemakers say the same thine
for his feet, and, altogether, Mr. Sousa
may consider that he is generously en-
dowed with all the personal requisites
of a successful band master
Over his musical success John PHILIP
! has reason to be. His latest march
king Cotton" is an enormous artistic
and financial success. When he played
| his Liberty BelP' in Canada last year
| Canadian woman said she hoped nc
war should break out while Sousa was
writing the march music of the coun-
| try, for soldiers would go straight into
! the heat of the battle to such strains
/ During the summer Mr. Sousa finished
his new OPERA Gel Captain" which
will be produced in Boston on April II
and on the goth of that month in New
| York, by De Wolf Hopper, for whom il
was written. Composer and librettist
| have cola borated most tremendously
! and the opera promises to fall in line
with the rest of Sousa's luck Not
gainsaying the fact that Mr.. Sousa is
! hard and conscientious worker, the
| difference between his own works and
those of others, not SO poular as the
| great band masters.
| 'I always do my best" answered Mr.
Sousa, whether I write a march or di-
rect one. Since 1884 1 have produced
a successful musical composition every
| year. 1 am as painstakiEg with my
marches as Beethoven could possibly
have been with his symphonies"
1.-The magnificent applause you get
| are a pretty good indication of how
| people like your muSic?" suggested the
reporter. fCan you tell also when peo-
pie are displeased?"
ooh, yes; whenever hear any cough
ing I know that that part of a pro-
gramme is not to their taste. or even a
1 leave it out"