The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1899-05-17
CRAZY KING LUDWIG.
PATTI ONCE THREW HIM INTO A
FRENZY OF MADNESS.


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-
ly refused to 60 She had heard toe
many stories of Ludwig's freaks, his
curses and his unreasonable commands,
and she was desperately afraid of HIM.
But Mt last the king offered her sum
SO enormous that it seemed ridiculous
to refuse it. Then the singer plucked NJ
courage and started for Munich. When
she and her maid alighted at the sta
| ton, not even a carriage was there t
meet them, and they had to inquire tn,
name of tho best hotel and call cal
like any ordinary travellers. That wa,
the first shock to tho divas nerves ant
temper. After luncheon she started out
! to SEQ the town and incidentally tf
examine the posters announcing the
great honor conferred upon tho citizens
of Munich by visit from Europe
greatest singer. Not mention of her
name could she find in the town. She
rushed back to the hotel and told her
maid to pack tho trunks.
Just Mt that moment resplendent
officer was announced. He saluted her
and delivered letter from the king.
| The letter stated CURLY that his majesty
would await her at 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.
81 have never been treated 80 bru'
tally" she said 81 shall leave at once,
Tell the king SO. will not sing
never. never" The officer pleaded will
the irate prima donna She must moi
disappoint the king. His majesty had
been wild with excitement ever since
he knew sho would como and had moi
slept for three nights. SO great was his
joy at tho prospect of hearing her.
Besides, added tho officer. "you
know our king is-is-is-"
"Crazy, F." snapped Patti. Eyes. that's
very comforting, isn't it2 don't know
why ever came. just then she caught
sight of postscript she had not read:
1.-The king commands Mime. Patti to
appear in pure white, without any
color whatever. and not by any means
to wear n satin gown, but soft wool.
Silk Is painful to his majesty"
Ellis majesty will have to DO panied
| | have no white wooden gown except
my peignoir, Go tell the king shall
wear red velvet. "
"Red - groaned the officer. ooh, no,
no, nea sends iriz majesty into fitsiuli
You appear in red he will scream an,
madamel l will bring Mime. Fischer t,
you. She understands tho king snerves
She will explain. !"
Ho fed from tho room, and, shortly
after, Mime. Fischer appeared upon thu
scene. She soothed Patti into good
humor and also attacked tho white wool
peignoir and transformed it into n
most becoming Greek robe
Before z the royal carriage arrived at
the hotel and Patti went to the palace
She was 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 n soft
prelude. Through the gloom she could
just make out II 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 sound could she make She open
ed her mouth, but her throat was para
lyzed from nervous terror. There was n
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 ono 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 ola Trayiata" triumphantly and
stood flushed with victory. Dead 81
lence. Not sound came from the gloom
before her. She went off the stage in a
temper His majesty might have given
some sign of appreciation. Mime. 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 moment Patti stood stunned.
Then she laughed The rudenese was 80
| colossal that it was funny. Mime.
Fischer took The diva to supper and then
home.
The next morning Mime Fischer called
at the hotel once more. accompanied by
the court chamberlain. who bore tho
promised check. an autograph letter Of
thanks from tho king and some jewels
of great value. Mime. Fischer = explana-
ton of the concert fiasco pleased Patti
more than the jewels. King Ludwig.
she said. was in one of his maddest
moods, wild with regret, cursing him
self and cursing Patti. He had walked
tho floor all night, grooming that he
was u traitor, for PATHS voice had 80
ravished his senses that for one mo-
ment he had gone over to Italian music
and had been false to Wagner to Wag-
ner, tho one musician who alone had
satisfied his majesty soul.
THAT was better than having bored
him." added Patti, Struggling her
shoulders. New York Sun.
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