The record-union., 1896-08-02

LIE TO1 est mort. NlFe le lie
Countess Ellie Biscaccianti is dead,
and with her departure from the world
of music and song comes a crowd of
memories from the past-memOries of
those days when Biscacciani, the mar
velous, ruled a very queen of song
From am old Californian have personal
remembrance of the advent of Bis
caccianti to the land of gold. It was in
the year 1860, when the population of
san Francisco consisted largely Of min
ing men, that she made her first ap
pearance in the old Lyceum Thealter on
Mont tgomery street. Her wonderful
mezzo- soprano voice soon won for her
countless admirers, and many will still
recall her rendering of the pathetic
German ballad, EN- Leben Langen
Tag" 0he long and weary day), which
1ever failed to send a sympathetic
thrill through the entire audience, often
composed largely Of men, bringing tears
70 many eyes. She was soon after this
engaged to sing in the old corrugated
iron church of Trinity Parish, where
George Evans was at that time organ
1st, the meeting Of whom was the be-
ginning of a mutual attraction which
finally caused her to desert the old
Count, her husband. Years afterward
she returned to him, and he sent her to
his people in italy. Evans was a drink
ing man, and from him Biscaccianti ac-
quired the habit. That she ever sunk
10 the depth of using her lovely voice to
entertain the habitues of a dive is q.
erievous mistake. The one great wrong
of her life was committed when for love
OF George Evans, who, after all. did not
appreciate the depth and breadth of the
sacrifice. she severed all domestic ties
forever; for though he forgave her, the
Count never lived with her again. Old
men, who listened to her marvellous
singing in those days, declare with
broken voices and tear-wet eyes that
her like will never be heard again.
Whether in the grand old chants OF the
Episcopal Church her voice scared up
ward like winged prayer, suppliant, rev.
erent, solemn, or in some artless ballad
that touched the heart with it's simple
pathos. it was ever the same-every
heart was won by the eloquence of her
wonderful gift of song. Poor, mis-
guided Biscacciand, what a divine gift
was hers, Even now, after many days
does the memory Of that lovely voice
return, and like a pure, unsullied gar
ment enfold her life about, hiding from
our eyes all mistakes. which, after all,
It is not ours to judge-they were but
human, leaving only for remembrance
that immortal voice, heard once. like
sweetest incense, clinging to memory
Through all the years to come.
It is a noteworthy fact that the late
Frank Mayo who has left behind him a
name inscribed among the annals Of the
immortal ones of his profession, made
his debut in the Lyceum Theater while
Biscaccianti was singing there.
In these same days of go our friend
Woodson was superintendent of the
Sunday school Of the Church Of the Ad-
vent, then in its infancy and held in an
unfinished store In a building on Third
and Mission streets. Hall MacAllisner,
now a celebrated San Francisco attor-
ney, was at the same time lay reader,
conducting church services held there.
The engagement Is announced of Miss
Irma Fitch to a San Francisco gentle
man Of wealth and high standing Miss
Fitch is well known as a singer of merit
and has done quite a bit of good acting
as well, having first appeared under
Kinross at the Metropolitan in this city,
IN amateur opera given by q combina-
tion Of the Mcneil Club and Ladies'
Choral Society. Later. after studying
under Nine Rosewald and Mrs. Mel
ville-Snyder in San Francisco. she made
her debut In legitimate stage work at
the Tivoll Opera house. Her last pro-
fessionaI engagement was With the
Oracle Plaisted company in tour up
North, after which her health kept her
very quiet for some time. Now, 1t seems
that she is TO take a perpetual engage
ment. in which her friends wish her all
possible success and happiness. Miss
Fitch declares stage life to be one Of
continual trials for any but woman
who can travel under the management
and In the constant companionship Of
her own husband As the coming man
Is a great admirer of her talent, and ex-
presses no aversion to her holding to a
professional life If she so chooses, we
may hear from Miss Fitch again in her
professional capacity later on 1t Is un-
derstood that the wedding VIII not take
place until early in December.
Have you ever stood on the edge of the
sidewalk and watched a woman cross
the street just after a sprinl1ling cart
had passed? Tt is notable fact that a
goodly portion of the contents of one of
these street sprinklers is often deposited
in perfect floods on a crossing. directly
in the pathway of pedestrians. 1t is