The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-05-26
CRAZY KING LUDWIG.
PATTI ONCE THREW HIM INTO A
FRENZY OF MADNESS.

VnII>6t Vt WVolNe0os H. .
He frightened and Enrased the
Great Diva by His ran Whims,
and When She Finally Sang For
Him 1t Drove Him Wild.
When Patti was in the first heyday
of her fame, Ludwig II, the mad king
of Bavaria. set his heart en- having her
sing for him at his private auditorium
in Munich. He wrote letter after letter.
begging, imploring, offering extrava-
CANT sums of money, but Patti resolute-
~ refused to go. She had heard too
many stories of Ludwig's freaks, his
curses and his unreasonable commands,
and she was desperately afraid of him.
But at last the king offered her a sum
so enormous that it seemed ridiculous
to refuse it. Then the singer plucked up
courage and started for Munich. When
she and her maid alighted at the sta
ton, not even a carriage vas there to
meet them, and they had to inquire the
name of the best hotel and call a cab
like any ordinary travellers. That was
the first shock to the diva's nerves and
temper. After luncheon she started out
to see the town and incidentally to
examine the posters announcing the
great honor conferred upon the citizens
of Munich by a visit from Europe's
greatest singer. Not a mention of her
name could she find in the town. She
rushed back to the hotel and told her
maid to pack the trunks.
Just at that moment a resplendent
officer was announced. He saluted her
and delivered a letter from the king.
The letter stated CURLY that his majesty
would await her at Z o'clock precisely
in the Royal palace, where his singer in
ordinary, Nine. Fischer, would give her
further directions. Nine. Fischer would
also sing with Nine. Patti the duets
which his majesty wished to hear. A
programme was inclosed. Patti burst
into tears of rage.
II have never been treated so bru-
tally" she said. II shall leave at once.
Tell the king so. will not sing-never.
never, never!' The officer pleaded with
the irate prima donna. She must not
disappoint the king. His majesty bad
been wild with excitement ever since
he knew she would come and had not
slept for three nights, SO great was his
joy at the prospect of hearing her.
Besides added the officer. ''you
know our king is-is-is-"
"Crazy. snapped Patti. "Yes, that's
very comforting. isn't it? Idon't know
why I ever came Just then she caught
sight of a postscript she had not read
1.-The king commands Nine. Patti to
appear in pure white. without any
color whatever, and not by any means
to wear a satin gown. but soft wool
Silk is painful to his majesty"
His majesty will have to be panied.
l have no white wooden gown except
my peignoir. Go tell the king l shall
wear red velvet
"Redl' groaned the officer. ''Oh, no,
mol Red sends his majesty into fits. If
you appear in red. he will scream and
have commissions. Oh, do be patient,
madame1 l will bring Nine. Fischer to
you. She understands the king nerves.
She will explain.
He fed from the room, and, shortly
after, Nine. Fischer appeared upon the
scene. She soothed Patti into good
humor and also attacked the white wool
peignoir and transformed it into a
most becoming Greek robe.
Before Z the royal carriage arrived at
the hetel and Patti went to the palace.
She vas led through dimly lighted
rooms and corridors into Ludwig's pri-
vate theater, which was in utter dark
ness save for the moonlight that entered
through the windows. Patti stood upon
the dark stage, while an orchestra.
somewhere out Of sight. began a soft
prelude. Through the gloom she could
just make out a white face in the royal
box opposite the stage. Not another au-
ditor was in the great hall. The whole
thing was most uncanny, and Patti felt
cold shivers creeping over her. She
shook with nervousness and fear, and
when she should have begun her aria
not a sound could she make. She open
ed her mouth, but her throat was para
lyzed from nervous terror. There was a
pause. The king sprang up and leaned
forward out of the box. his white face
cleaning in the moonlight. The violins
repeated the prelude. Patti gathered
herself together and made one heroic
effort. Her voice rang out into the great
empty place, and the king sank back
into the dark box.
Patti, though badly scared, made the
effort of her life and finished the aria
from "La Traviata" triumphantly and
stood flushed with victory. Dead 81
lence. Not a sound came from the gloom
before her. She went off the stage in a
temper. His majesty might have given
some sign Of appreciation. Nine. Fischer
was behind the scenes, and Patti wait
ed with her for the signal to sing the
next number. A messenger appeared at
the door. His majesty had had enough
music and had gone to his apartments.
For a moment Patti stood stunned.
Ih