The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1899-01-19
PATTI AT FIFTY-SI
A WONDERFUL WOMAN'S FOUNTAIN
OF PERPETUAL YOUTH.


stilI Fresh and Attractive with a Clear
and Sound Voice Her Latest Love How
Nicoiini Won His way-The First Match
with DeCaux.
That wonderful woman, Adelina
Patti must have found the long-sought
fountain of youth. At Sc she is still
fresh and attractive. her voice Is clear
and sound. The story runs that she
met Baron CedarstrOm. her third love,
at Pau last year where, ton. she met
Jocelyn Persse, an 1rishman, to whom
she was reported at one time to be
engaged. The Baron Is described as
about 35 years old, OF commanding fig
ure, and fine appearance. or course,
he has musical education, and he
possesses fine baritone voice. He
has small fortune, but Patti has
far bigger one. He was entertained
by Patti at her Welsh castle, Craig-y-
Nos, last summer
PATHS last husband, Ernesto Nico-
lini died in January, 1898. A year
or two after her debut, In 1859. she
was engaged to the late Max Stra-
kosch. but this affair did not last
long.
The diva, then riding on the top
crest of success, seems to have passed
the next few years fancy free. About
1863 or 1867 she met the Marquis de
Caux, of an honored French family.
As they thought well Of each osher,
marriage was arranged by the EN-
press Eugenle. The ceremony took
place in the summer of 1863 and they
began married life most happily. fn
this fortunate state they lived for
several years. according to the obser-
walton OF others, without cloud up
on the domestic horizon.
Then Signor Nicolini appeared upon
the scene. They first met in 1871. The
wooing and winning of the diva by
Nicolni forms the greatest romantic
episode of her life. and Is considered
by many the most incomprehensible.
Words can hardly express the avec-
sion in which Patti held the singer.
Nicolini, according to all accounts,
seems to have been of rather ordinary
musical ability. He appeared to imi-
tate in every possible way the great
Mario, though in voice he fell far
short of his ideal. This rather ser
vile copying in dress, manner and so
on, may have had much to do with
PATHS feelings. For, when young,
she had heard Mario and Grisi. and
that Nicolini should attempt to dupli,
cate Mario in minor details may have
been the original cause of her aver
sion. Nicolini, however, who had a
wife and children, followed Patti all
over Europe. When ne knew that she
was to appear in certain city he
would secure an engagement for thai
city, and II possible, in the same the
atre. So successful was Nicolini thai
after while she found him singing
Romeo to her Juliet in Gounod's op
era. She could hardly bear him. anC
again and again would have refused
to sing with him, except for business
reasons. Such fervent lovemaking a!
came out in the scene, though one
sided, had not been witnessed before
on the stage by that generation. a
least
And 1t all met the hearty approva
Of the Marquis. Nicolini was received
at the home of the Marquis and Mar
quise as a guest. Signora Nicolini
however, did not like the turn of af
fairs, and though they seemed to be |
devoted couple, many were the ost
breaks and many the times when sh
reproached her huspand with beini
''veritable Don Juan" When Nico
lini had effected reconciliation witt
his wife. he usually celebrated. Nico
lini even took the Marquis into hi