Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-08-27
MARCHESI METHODS.
HOW THE GREAT TEACHER TERROR
lies HER SCHOLARS.

Instructions In Singing From Her Noe
Altogether an Agreeable Ordsal-But
She Conscientiously Labors Always For
Her Pupils Benefit.
In the musical world Of Europe NO
teacher stands higher than Mime. Mar
chest, and yet first interview with her
is an ordeal to be dreaded. She may tell
you with almost brutal frankness that
your cherished vocal projects are thin
as air bubbles and that you had better
turn your attention to cooking. Or,
with one unusual CLEAN of her gray
eyes and one sCdden indrawn breath,
making her thin lips still thinner, she
may tell you that you are destined to
lift the heart of the world in immortal
song and wear the laurels of a great
lyric career. Again, she may tell you
with the same blunt severity that you
have no looks at all for the stage, and
after You have been accepted as a pupil
you are still subjected to her merciless
severity.
To be taught by Mime. Marchesi is
not to have the luxury Of an individual
.
able time all to yourself. By no means.
That is not her plan. You are taught
in class. You are thus introduced at
once to an audience. You thus have an
opportunity of conquering stage fright.
You are thus submitted to the criticism
of others. Not only your voice, but
your manners, your gait, your way Of
holding your hands are studied. From
head to foot you are scrutinized.
A small platform is in the center Of
Marchesi g salon, where the pupil stands
and recites (or sings) her lesson. The
class sit around the room and criticise.
The pupil has to face not only the class,
but the audience includes often the first
musicians Of the world. How does q
sensitive woman bear the gun fire of
Mime. Marchesi's criticism, her ridicule,
her sarcasm and severity? One day one
of the class was having her l 8 minutes
OF lesson before a crowded room. Mar
chest was in sardonic humor that
morning. Her remarks were brilliant.
but more cutting than a Damascus
blade. The audience felt that climax
was coming. 1t came. The girls lip
began to tremble as Marchesi's COM
mentary sparkled and cut and sparkled
again. Her lip trembled more and
more. The agitation gained upon her
whole body, till she shook like willow
in the wind. Poor dear, the other pu-
pills held their breath. The room was
silent as a tomb. You could hear Mar
chests watch tick in her pocket. Still
the pupil strove to bring out the tone
that those severe lips of Marchesi had
commanded. At last the voice rolled
out. The tone gained upon the room.
The voice stopped.
lyon sing like o foolr' literally
Kissed Marchesi, and the storm broke.
The girl burst into tears. Her sobs,
coming upon the silence, We're most
painful. Not one of the pupils dared to
rush forward with comfort or handker-
chief The girl threw the sheet of mu-
sic on the floor and covered her face
with her hands. Then, dashing the
tears away from her face, she stopped
down. gathered up the scattered music,
tore it into shreds. tossed it to every
part Of the room, and rushed from the
platform stage. All felt it was over
with her forever, SO far as lessons with
Marchesi were concerned, and more
than one heart ached for her.
"Ha, hap laughed Marchesi. rising
delightedly from the piano, rub ing her
hands together and walking, Or rather
stalking, majestically through the room
and up and down and again seating
herself at the piano. ''Ha, hal That
girl will sing! She has the grand fire.
She is dramatic. She has the fine pas
sion of the DEVIL And the girl came
back the next day and won Marchesi's
braves and hand clapping.
Upon another occasion Marchesi sat
IN judgment upon a pupils hands as
she stood upon the platform.
Now, don't put up your lip like q
baby, she says, IF I tell you that I
never saw such BOBBY. You re as awk-
ward as country clown. Look at your
hands! Just look at them dangling
down at your sides like jumping jack
waiting to twitch on pole. Mails, vol
la" she continued, softening a little,
III do not tell you. ma chere, Of these
things now while you are in my salon,
do you know who will tell you of them
later on when You stand for the first
time before one Of the great audiences
of Europe? The reporters will fay you
alive and deservedly. Will they not note
down every awkward gesture, every
gaucherie? Will they not say. She has
a divine voice, but she held her hands
like clown?' And when you read it in
all the papers the next morning, ah,
how You will exclaim, Why did not
Marchesi correct me, tell me, reprove
me, no matter how severely" Now,
hold your hands easily, one palm crossed
upon the other, the right hand across
the left. the forefnger and middle fin
ger Of the right hand between the thumb
and forefinger Of the left hand Boni
Now, see what ease of position, what
repose it gives to your whole figure as
You stand there
To look over the programme for the
concerts Nine. Marchesi gives from
time to time is to read a strange collec-
ton Of names. Here are pupils from
Japan. Here is name from Nor
way. Here is q lady from Finland.