New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-04
A SINGER OF THE PAST.
MRS. CHARLES l.. HORN-ZUST AND HER
EXPERIENCES IN AMERICA


Richard Grant White declares that it is the
proud boast Of the American music-loving public
that Italian opera first planted in New-York
not by an obscure travelling troupe but by the
glorious Malibran. When her father deserted
her. taking with him his Italian company. Mali
bran gathered in what support she could and
gave The Devils Bridge" and Love in a Vii
laSe Uwo English ballad operas) at a theatre
then newly built and called the New-York Thea
ire to be known later the Bowery, and now
known as the Thalia Theatre Considered as
hitting place for exploiting Nine. Cottrelly in the
Royal MILDLY" and for kindred performances
the present generation hardly think Of it as hav-
ing echoed with the notes of Malibran, Wachtel
and Lucca. Malibran's example in Italian opera
has been followed by every queen of song since
her time; they have all visited our shores In
English opera she was followed by Mrs Austin
Mrs. Wood. Miss Shrref, Caradori- Allan and
the Seguins. The only genuine English opera
sung by the Woods was Arne's "Artaxerxes"
and their repertory consisted Of Italian operas
adapted to English TRANSACTIONS freely interpol-
ated with songs by Bishop, Horn and Linley.
Miss Shrreffs production Of "Amelie, or the
Love Test, was the first taste the Americans
had Of the style Of opera they now enjoy in the
Bohemian Girl" Mariana" etc.
THE WORK OF THE HORNS
Among these visitors prima donna who
deserves mention for many faithful representa-
tons of English opera, sometimes in NewYork
but mostly in the provinces. She first appeared
as Miss Mary Horton, but became better known
later as the wife of Charles +. Horn, who
the most prominent English opera tenor Of the
second quarter of this century in America Horn
was always organizing opera companies. adapt
ing operas etc, and with prlma donna in his
own household, his schemes matured the more
easily. He is now known the composer Of
Henrietta Beebe's successes I've Been Roam
Ing" Cherry Ripe" the duet Il Know a
Bank" etc. Mrs. Horn, or Horn-Zust, as she
became by a second marriage, gave the writer
description Of the opera-giying of that day.
For instance. in La SOnnambula" she made a
sensation in the bridge-crossing scene by virtue
of having a great head of hair which would
reach to her feet. and which was wound under a
cap that by touching a spring at the moment
the bridge broke, the cap came off and the
loosened hair fell, completely enveloping her In
cities like Buffalo and Baltimore this opera was
given five times in one week by the Horns
When the writer first met her she had long
been Mrs. Charles i. Horn-Zust, having retired
from singing to devote herself to teaching. One
day she was asked if she had heard Malibran.
YES" she said; she a very fascinating
woman"
But she surely great singer!"
Eyes, but she had a rival in Nine. Sontag, who
also owed much to personal charm; although in
my opinion, Sontags place in history is as the
first great light soprano great enough to rival
Pasta and Malibran. You see, l heard even
Catalan; when 1 was a little girl at the Biz
mingham Music Festival, strayed at luncheon
time into her room, when she took me on her lap
and kissed me. l can still hear that great voice
filling every nook and corner Of that cathedral
with those wonderful scales and trills"
Mrs. Charles T.. Horn-Zust born Mary Horton
at Birmingham, England was singing children's
parts the local stage when she engaged
20 sing in the chorus at the Covent Garden Thea
ire under Charles Kembe's management, and
was thus present at the first production Of Won
Weber's "Oberon" in 1894. Having twice APP
peared substitute for Miss Romer. who
afterward created Airline in the bohemian
Girl" she thought with further study, to win
iaurels her account and accordingly
sought instruction from Bordogni at Paris, |
where at the Italian opera the stars were Grsi, |
Rubini and Labache After three years with |
Bordogni, she sought engagement as a prima |
donna; and choosing America as a field, arrived |
here December 1G 1880 Ohe morning of the
great fire., and relates her surprise at the |
sight of Trinity Church spre Before leaving
Paris she saw Louis Philippe riding in procession |
Immediately after Fieschrs attempted assassi-
nation Of him by the Internal machine. Soon |
after the explosion, the King rode by without IA
holding public attention at the time of her ar
and accepted an engagement prima donna
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