The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-08-27
MARCHESI METHODS.
HOW THE GREAT TEACHER TERROR
lies HER SCHOLARS.

uZCS TEN 0SVV0eUTSs
Instructions In Singing From Her Not
Altogether an Agreeable Ordeal-But
She Conscientiously Labors Always For
Her Pupils benefit.
In the musical world of Europe no
teacher stands higher than Nine. Mar
chest, and yet a 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 Sudden 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 Nine. Marchesi is
not to have the luxury Of al individual
lesson, an hours good, cozy, comfort
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's 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 a
sensitive woman bear the gun fire Of
Nine. Marchesi's criticism, her ridicule,
her sarcasm and severity? One day one
of the class was having her Is minutes
Of lesson before a crowded room. Mar
chesi was in a sardonic humor that
morning. Her remarks We're brilliant,
but more cutting than a Damascus
blade. The audience felt that a 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 a 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.
"You sing like a fool!" literally
Kissed Marchesi, and the storm broke.
The girl burst into tears. Her sobs,
coming upon the silence, were most
painful. Not Il Of the pupils dared to
rush forward with comfort or handker-
chief. The girl threw the sheet Of mu-
sic OH 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, ard rushed from the
platform stage. All felt it was ove1
with her forever, so far as lessons with
Marchesi were concerned, and more
than n heart ached for her.
"Ha, ha!' laughed Marchesi, rising
delightedly from the piano, rubbing he1
hands together and walking, or rather
stalking, majestically through the room
and up and down and again seating
herself at the piano. "Ha, ha! Tha
girl vii sing! She has the grand fire
She is dramatic. She has the fine pas
sion of the devil" And the girl cam'
back the next day and won Marchesi'
braves and hand clapping.
Upon another occasion Marchesi sa
i'll Judgment upon a pupils hands a
she stood upon the platform.
"Now, don't put up your lip like
baby" she says, IF / tell you that
never saw such a BOBBY. You re as awk
ward as a country clown. Look at you
hands! Just look at them dangling
down at your sides like a jumping jacl
waiting to twitch on a pole. Mails, vol
la" she continued, softening a little
IF I do not tell you. ma chere, of thes'
things now while you are in my salon
do you knew who will tell you i. then
later Oh when you stand for the frs
time before one of the great audience
Of Europe? The reporters will fay yo'
alive and deservedly. Will they not not
down every awkward gesture, ever,
gaucherie? Will they not say, She ha