The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-13
LUIGI ARDITI'S LIFE.
the World-Famous Operate Or
chestra Cenductor-His Acauaint-
ance With Patti. Titiens, Maple
son, Trebeiii. Nilsson. Wagner
and Other Songsters-Ffrst En-

The public have 20 thank the Baroness
Won Zedntz fnee Beatty kiagstonl for a
very entertaining book. The careers or
pubic men are always interesting, but
particularly go are the "reminiscences OF
men who have done 50 much FOR art and
music as Luigi Ardlti. perhaps the most
popular OF orchestral conductors. At last
this talented composer and pubic favorite
has been persuaded 80 jot down his per
sonai recolleetions. ana il IS those notes
which the a1tkoress has edited and COM
piled.
In the course OF the introduction, also
contributed by the Baroness Won Zedlitz.
we learn that Luigi Aroiti was born at
Crescentino on the Isth OF July. ~
From his earliest childhood he had always
shown a great love for music. and az the
age OF 10 he begged his father 70 give him
3 violin in preference TO any toy. At that
period there existed in Cvescentino So
ciety OF amateurs and diiettanti. headed
by the Hell-known DR.. Chic and Signor
RoSSignoh. These gentlemen, noticing
the boys ardent inclinations toward the
study OF music 70 be combined with I'M
questionable talent, prevailed upon his
father 10 make whatever peeuniary saeri-
fee might bs requisite, 10 provide the
gifted lad with adequate musical instruc-
tion-
Arditi first learned the rudlmeu1s Of
music under the guidance OF CarosSini and
CapitanL and he made such marked pro-
gress that after -four years arduous study
he managed TO get together small or
chestra- composed OF two viOlins. one 6ou-
bic bass. one clarionet aud one trombone.
which he conducted in person, playing the
first violin himself, as all conductors IN
IN OSe 1aNS were ob7ie-ai To i0
Luigi was sent TO Turin in order that he
might study Technique under Signor Cal
dera. There his ARTISTIC capabilities and
faculty of musical expression on the violin
were greatly appreciated at all the per-
formances OF church music in which he
took part, while his execution OF Mayse-
der's variations in r major created an
unusual display OF enthusiasm. considering
the youth OF the artist. In this town he
also conducted an amateur orchestra. Civ
ing great satisfaction 70 his master Slgnor
Caldera, Who prompted by the knowledge
of the boys exceptional talent, persuaded
Lulgfs father 10 permit him 10 enter the
Conservatorie at Milan.
At the Conservatoire Arditfs chosen
companions and chums were Luigi Yotti.
Bottesini and Patti.
In 1872 Arditi babe adieu to the Conser-
vatosre. IL was with a heavy heart that
ne parted with his kind masters and fell
low pupils-for he had been the recipient
OF much arec tomato eonsidera ton at their
hands-and turned from loyal friends and
pleasant association 10 a world OF new
ventures. and one which was destined 10
be fraught with many perplexing strug-
giles.
His first conductorship oe opera was
during carnival time in Vercell, at which
time he was elected honorary member OF
the Philharmonic Society
a great compliment was paid TO him in
1874 Arditi's old master. Ferrara, hear
ing that his pupil had made such big
strides In the direction OF musical distinc-
ton. offered to him the post OF conductor
OF the orchestra at the Teatro Re. Milan,
which important post Ardlti accepted, and
occupied most creditably for two years.
At Varese. whore Arditl conducted. he
found an ardent supporter in the person
OF the Duke Antonio Litta. who steadfast-
ly patronized the opera house.
Al a farewell dinner given to Arditi and
his friend. Bottesini, by the DIXIE Antonio
IAtta. IN Milan. in honor OF their proposed
departure 10 England, he met Badiali, Don
Francesca, Marty's agent. and brother of
the famous baritone, Cesare Badiali, who
made them 50 excellent an offer to accom-
panv him throughout concert and opera
tour beginning with visit to Havana and
continuing to other parts Of the New
W Dfius mat itiey EEttEflBlSUFu lht2F iofHlCF
plans and closed an engagement TO try
their luck under Badlalrs auspices. Arditi
was then . years Of age. In 1851. after
giving a concert In which Angelina Rosie
ana BottesinI Joined him, he visited Trini-
dad Matanzss and Cienfuegos, and, re-
turning 70 New York, he was engaged by
Maretzek as conductor OF the Academy OF
Music. At this point il may. perhaps, be
interesting % quote few OF Arditrs per-
sonal "reminiscences.
His Marriage.
ITO me, 1856 was fraught with stirring
interest and incident, for II was the year
OF my marriage to Virginia, daughter OF
William s. Warwick. OF Richmond. w.
Her dear companIonshlp throughout my
eventful career has been a great help to
me In smoothing many a stormy wave OF
strife. and in teaching me how to trim my
sails and 20 keep an ever watchful look
out for a favorable breeze that might hap
PLY watt me into peaceful Ravens.
'sTo her I owe much gratitude for the
careful and untiring way IN which she has
helped me 20 preserve my "reminiscences.
which. fear without n wifeis loving and
unseSish care. would have failed me at
this important moment. We were mar
RED on the Goth - uIne lSs and sailed
for Liverpool on the morning OF the ast-
ct was during our stay IN Milan. IN 1851.
that we first met Madame Puzzi, who was
for 50 many years the rigot-hand and most
iudlcfous adviser Of Mr.. BENJAMIN Lum-
ley, the then manager OF Her Maiesiy's
theater IN london.
That chance encounter with one o. The
cieverest and most energetic women OF the
day whose salon was the rendezvous 81
the fashionable and musical world IN Lon
don. probably. nay. undoubtedly. infiu-
encel our future destination to very
great extent.
During the long subsequent friendship
and affection which suosistei between
Madame Puzzl her dear daughters. ard
ourselves. Madame puzzi was always the
frfenf 20 a A7r,1 We @rfrnaf for advice when