The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-02-27
SONGSTERS IN DTSCORD.
De Reszke and Mime. Nordica Will
Not be Reconciled.

Chicago, Feb 27.-Jean de Reszke
says poor Nine. NOrdica'' with an ex-
pressive movement of his broad shout
derS and a ring of genuine regret in
his voice when he comes to discuss the
unfortunate quarrel he had with the
famous soprano a few weeks ago and
| the possibility of a reconciliation. He
is TOO great an artist and too much of
+ a man to say anything harsher He
is sorry for Nine. Nordica, and believes
she has been influenced by poor advis-
ers His determination not to sing
with her until she retracts her charges
| against him remains as firm as it was
| three months ago, however, and it is
therefore improbable that the world
will ever see them on the operate stage
again together. Jean de ReSZke has
a will of his own. So has Mime. Nor
dica.
With much frankness the great tenor
gave his side of the quarrel yesterday
for the first time since hostilitieS were
announced by Mime. Nordica. He made
an unqualified denial of her charge that
he had used his influence with Maurice
Grau to keep her from making an en-
gagement with the Metropolitan Opera
company. In the same breath he dis
missed the insinuation that he had
been cOnspiring to fill Nine. Nordica's
place with his Sister-in-law, Nine. Lit
Vlnne. 1t was all on account of a little
difference between Nine. Nordica and
M. Grau, he saba matter of dollars
and cents, in which he had no concern
whatever
Nine. Nordica has done me a very
great wrong" said M. de Reszke, land
am exceedingly sorry that our long
friendship has been-ah, how shall 1
say it?-disturbed. We began sing
ing together ten years ago, and I es-
teemed her highly. She is q great
artist
Il sang with her when she made her
debut in Milan," interrupted the big
brother, Edouard de Reszke, pausing
in the enjoyment of cup of black cof-
fee and a cigarette. THAT was-let me
seem 1879. What long time ago!'
the giant basso unused, and there was
no reflection on Nordica's age as he re-
called the flight of the years
1T was a painful surprise to me- -
continued Jean de Reszke, when I
reached this country and learned what
Nine. Nordica had been saying. 1t was
so entirely unexpected. She accused
me of influencing Maurice Grau against
her, and thus preventing her from
making an engagement. could not
understand. Why should I do that
thing? Were we not the best of friends?
All, it was unfortunate!
II wrote her a letter. See, here it is
now" he said, jumping up and going
to his desk, from which he took a sheet
| of paper. Il asked her to sign this for
publication in the newspapers. I did
not ask her to retract what she said.
Will you read it? All, yes You see, I
offered to make up, did not? asked
her to acknowledge that she had been
misinformed-is that not so? and that
she was happy to learn that she had
/ been misinformed.
What did Nine. Nordica do then? I
fear she had bad advisers. She re-
fused to acknowledge her mistake. Her
husband tried to convince her that she
was wrong, but she would not listen.
She renewed her charges against me.
I could do no more then after her re-
fusal. I tried to settle the quarrel
with Nine. Nordica as a gentleman
should. 1 am through.
1T was a question of money. She
wanted as much salary as Media was
receiving. Mr.. Grau refused to pay
her what she asked for reasons of his
own, in which I have no interest. He
is the manager of the company and
does not consult me or any other mem
Der of the company upon such mat
tiers of business. He offered to en-
gage Nine. Nordica twice afterward to
sing at Covent Garden in London in
Wagnerian opera, but could not reach
an agreement with her as to salary
either time. After her first refusal
Nine. Klafsky was secured. When
Klafslxy died Mr.. Grau renewed his Of
fer to Nine. Nordica, and she again re-
jected the proposal. Does that look as
if I was using my influence to prevent
her making engagements ?"