The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-22
nUsIc AND DRAr1A
SKETCH OF NINE. scALcHI.

The Italian prima donna contrafto Nine
Sophia Scahchi, who viii appear az the
Crawford Grand next Thursday evening.
has been before the pubic as a singer
for about thirty-three years. having made
her debut in I'm BaIlo il MeSchera' az
Mantua. Italy. in 1896. some time ago
she spoke thus Srokenly OF her first sP-
pearance: Il was terrible frighten, nerv-
Gus you call him, and when the people all
rose I'd and make a great noise when !
get through I could almost CRY I was 30
1rishten. Now4 am frfghten when sing
because fear they won't make a noise.
soon after making her debut. Scalchi
went 10 England, and in 1855 sang in CO.
vent Garden So pronounced was her sue
cess that she was engaged for annual
appearances fora period that closed just
a few years ago-Said 70 be the longest
engagement in the history Of the garden
Signor Lo1i. another OF the unknown
husbands. first met the young contralto
Who afterwards became his fietaoi. Gin
who afterwards became his wife, al one
Of the Russian imperial treatres~ Nine
ScaJchi. or Mre. Roda. as she was then
called. occupied one Of the proscenIum
had set aside for the use OF the artists
who were not singing that evening. Nine.
ScaIchi then had an engagement at that
theatre SignOr LolH was invited 10 the
box by an intimate friend OF his who
also knew the young singer. This meet
ing was followed 10y a second in London
not long after, sld the next paragraph in
the story was given over 10 a marriage
ceremony. in $50. They have one son.
who is now in his early twenties.
As 10 operas, Nine. Scalchi does not
favor Wagner strongly; IN fact, cannot
sing his greatest roles. IS they range too
high FOR her and are too heavy" The
modern Italian school. as represented by
Masca gni. Leoncavallo and others. she
enjoys and admires, but she claims that
the old school allows the vocal artist the
greatest opportunity and affords the
greatest artistic enjoyment. Scalchi made
much OF her name during the ten years
she sang with Patti, but the two artists
could not agree SO they finally separated.
Since then ScaIchI has been singing in
concert with Nordica. the late Campanini
and others.
Thursday night Scalchi viii be in her
element. as the greater part OF the pro
gram will consist of Italian opera One
act Of NerGis beautiful and familiar III
Trovatore' VII be given In costume. and
vii be part II of the program. Scalch.
will take the part Of the gypsy queen.
Azucena. The Misere and aria Will be
sung and '.Ah, Have Sighed" and others
as popular.
Leading musicians and number OF
the music loving people are Interested In
bringing Nine. ScaIchrs company here
II the desired subscription can be obtained
BY Monday evening their coming will be
assured for Thursday night. the 18th. It
s, hoped that those who wish 10 attend
VII leave their names in order To be able
10 secure so fine musical attraction for
Wichita. Leave names at Howee's jewelry
store.
An extraordinary musical event. and
one that Is hound TO draw the attention
OF all who have any love for music Is the
first appearance in this city of the world
Famous Nine. Sophia ScaIchi and her
company Of grand opera stars at the
Crawford Grand on Thursday night Nine
Scalchi has sung before more nobility and
cultured people of the world than any
artist OF her time. She was at one time
associated 50 closely with the triumDhs
OF Patti that she became too much OF
rival for the capricious little soprano.
VINO became fnsarely jealous OF the great
contralto and refused 20 sing With her
again. ScaIchi has been the principal
conrralto in all The leading opera houses
in the world and has appeared with all
the oeratic celebrities Of the past fifteen
years.
Associated With Scalchi are several art
lists Of the first ran. The rrina donna
soprano. Mile Helene HoIdi IS an Ameri-
can girl Of whom 4 brilliant career is ex-
pected. The past two seasons she has
sung with remarkable success in London
atsd Paris. Shc possesses a strong and
particularly dramatic voice az Unusual
sweetness. She is a native Of Chicago.
and the arst great singer ,aAt the Windy
city aes produced. Siga0r AIberti, the
baritone. Is one Of the most accomplished
artists 3 nhis line i'm the country today
The tenor. senior Canzio. has not been
heard in America before this season. The
well known Walter \ Pick Is musical d.
rector
Opera in costume with scenery. etc.
viii be the principal feature OF the pro
gram. The entire fourth act % Ell T-ov-
atorc' Will be given with all the above
named artists in the cast An operate
concert program VIII take NJ the first
half OF the entertainment.