The sun., 1897-05-09
RISTORrS TRIUMPH HERE.
HER SUCCESSES TOOK JACOB GRAU
FROM PERJURY TO FORTUNE

Ne Vivo's "Reminiscences or the Thrilling
Nights or Her Appearance In New York
in 1sso-eS, when Her visit was Pro-
1enGed by His strateGy-lfer Spirited snyinEs
After tho disastrous FIRE that destroyed the
old Academy of Music. Jacob Grau was loft
penniless. He had paid to q cent ell his artists,
his chorus and orchestra, and had paid other
sundry expenses. His only debt, 30 far as
knew, was one OF $500 duo me for salary. This
sum, as did not demand II, knowing we'll that
he had exhausted his bank book. no offered me
in two promissory notes OF $too each, one at
four months and one at six months. OF course
was very happy to accommodate him, and would
have been had he owed me $1,000, as con-
sidered him, as everybody slso did who know
him, ono of the very honest managers Of his
time He was ono for whom had the greatest
esteem and friendship, and nm we'll aware
that he thought of me in tho same way until
his demise Just twenty years ago.
Owing to the successful opera season in Ha.
vnna, he had concluded 10 send thoro another
opera company during the next winter. and had
engaged the celebrated primn donna soprano,
Nine. Carozzihucchi, who had scored a great
success the previous season with Max Maret-
zek's opera company, and he had rosngaged
Mile. Boschetti. Nine. Noel Guidi, Mile. Olga
Olgini; Musiani and Anusturio, tenors; Or.
landini and Brandini, baritones; Carl Formcs
and Milleri, bassos; Rocco, buffo. and Muzio,
conductor. He felt moro dishcartened at hav-
ing to cancel all these engagements than he did
over his great loss in New York.
But, fortunately. ho had engaged the renowned
Adelaide Ristori, with her company Of italian
players, for a tour in America and in the island
Of Cuba, nnd as guarantee he had deposited In
q bank in Paris $4,000 francs, which he could
not get back until he had fulfilled his contract.
AS he required ready cash to carry out the con-
tract he was In deep trouble, for he knew that
his best friends. to whom he might look for
big loan. had no confidence in this, as they
deemed 1t. very risky enterprise. No one that
remember believed that Rstori and her
company, speaking the italian language,
would be a success here. But as had seen her
acting for over ten years in various cities Of
Italy, where she was declared by press and
public to be the greatest actress of tho age. and
as had read Of tho triumphs she had achieved,
first In Paris and aftcrward In Spain and Portu-
gal. and in London. st. Petersburg. and Moscow,
encouraged Grau. telling him not to listen TO
the opinions OF any body. but to be assured that
Ristori would create here greater sensation
than any other artist had. And my prophecy
was verified.
told him also that even the Italians had pre-
dicted. in 1853. when Ristori went to Paris to
play, assisted by Ernesto Rossi. the only rival
Of Tomasso Salvini. that she would make
grand flasco. but that instead she had achieved
the greatest success of her career. It was q
success such that when tho great Rachel. then
the adored genius Of France, refused to play in
Legouve's great tragedy Of "Medea." Ristori
replaced her. and with such distinction that
Rachel in anger left France
The Paris success OF Rstori encouraged her to
all 80
and South America. Havana and Australia. Her
drawing powers were such that In whatever city
she play ed she killed financially any Italian opera
enterprise. as know by experience with her in
Havana In 1s67-6s. Poor Bacchi, a great basso.
well known here as the first Mephistophcle with
Miss Kellogg as Mdr0ueriteI, was in Havana
that season as impresario Of a splendid
opera company. I met him there and he
offered me $4,000 and $1,000 per month
for three months II I would persuade
Ristori and Grau not to come there,
on account of cholera and yellow fever. re-
fused the offer with contempt. but I advised
By not taking my advice, and by performing on
the same nights in opposition TO- Ristori, he lost
over S2o 900 in ten weeks. Such was the great
power Of Ristori all over the world. | have
heard just such complaints from many impre.
sarios and from operate artists who have sung
In the same cities where Ristori has played and
at the same time.
One clause in Grau's contract with Ristori
was that GraG vas W tG Pax the passages OF his
to New York. This matter troubled his mind.
In the first week of June he came out to my
ofice was at Chickering's store, in Broadway.
near Bleecker street. and told me to DO there
day t 10 to consult with him
French Theatre tnow, the Fourteenth. Street
Thentrcl. for four weeks. with tho privilege of
together. and talked about raising some money.
As had invested some thousands Of dollars on
few hundred in cash. could not help him much,
but I told him that the following day would be
in SeT York a1 and would tx to discoun, the two
get one note discounted by my good friend. the
late Frank Chickering and the other by an
at the disposal OF Grau for the summer for daily
expenses. lie used but half of 1t. But he was
always nU d worried about the passage M money
not worry yourself about the money for the
Of Ristori's company. You have
succeed In getting n loan from your friends who
will however. surely let you have 1t when we
have enough BY the 0 time Il Is we
open a subscription in the first week Of August.
After week week. or ten days you car, can cable the
ship company for the passages"
He took my advice and meyer saw him wor-
like beavers every day. was downtown every
news about Ristorl, ana he was really very glad
TO print anything told him. as he had promised
Grau to help him by publishing. almost every
day sonnet hing about Ristori's achievements all
over Europe. used also to call on other editors
advent as the promised feature OF the new sea.
son. which offered nothing else sensational in
musical or dramatic events.
BY the first week OF August Ristori's name
posters in available windows in Broadway and
other avenues, in hotels barrooms. music stores.
and book stalls. Most Of the stores were very
glad to put up the bills gratis. while now they
exact two tickets from the theatre managers
every week. On our posters and tablets was
printed only "Ristori. and ! well remember
that out OF ten people who looked at the show
bills. not two knew whether Ristori was q man
or a woman. an actor. a singer or an acrobat,
unless they had read the newspapers; and so
there was aroused some curiosity.
will state here. also, that even some news
paper men In tho West. after Ristori had played
here some weeks. did not know whether Ristorl
was an actress a singer. remember when /
arrived at st. Louis to advertise Ristoris advent
there and called late in the evening at the 'edi
torial rooms Of two of the papers to ask the ed
tors TO notice the coming OF Rlstori. / was very
much surprised the next morning to read in the
Democrat: Ristor, the great italian singer. is
coming here neXt week. insisted by her own