The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-04-16
, THE MYSTERIOUS
PRIMA DONNA.
She Came From No One Knew Where
and Disappeared as Strangely.
A Diamond Earring Re-
vesled Who She Was.
BY HARRIET E. MEAD.

o BY HARRIET E. MEAD.
oooooooooooooo
1t was the third day of the carnival a
New Orleans. Donizetti's immortal mas
terpiecc, Lucia di Lammermoor," hat
been revived and was to be presented fol-
the first time in this country by q com
pany Of Italians. New Orleans was il
an uproar, the streets, squares and ar
cades were Illuminated, while the joyous
laughter Of 10000 pleasure seekers made
the old streets ring and echo again, and
the st. Charles theater, ablaze with glo
~, had placed before it's entrance in let.
tiers Of flame the magic word. Lucia
No wonder the crowd FASTENED thither
for 1t was the first presentation, and
fame, beauty or gold could not force an
entrance. 1t was now o'clock, and the
pit and gallery, boxes and stalls of the
immense theater were crowded to suffo-
cation. Two thousand eager people were
waiting with subdued frenzy for the cur
tain to rise.
The heat was sitting. At 1880 the
overture began. The immense throng
was silenced at the first wave of the CON
ductor's baton. How the audience was
moved! How it trcmbled with expectant
ecstasy! For were they not to hear Cas-
sella, the gifted songstress, over whom
all continental Europe was wild? The
curtain rose.
The hunters chorus was listened to
with Indifferent attention. The baritone's
song which followed caused but Il slight
impression in spite Of its excellence, and
the shifting of the scene to the park
where Lucia makes her first appearance
was welcomed with hushed murmur Of
delight. There was sudden hush, mo-
ment of suspense, while they waited the
entrance of the angel voiced Cassella.
A frail, white rObed female form al
vanced toward the footlghts. Her eyes
were cast down, and she moved slowly
to the center of the stage. There she
stood still, raised her eyes and gazed
upon the audience.
A howl of anger and disappointment
arose from the crowded house.
"She is not Cassela" was echoed on
all sides. Groans, kissing and stamp
ing Of feet drowned the orchestra. The
frail woman confronting the audience
seemed not in the least disconnected
and walked leisurely around the stage
during the uproar.
The stage manager peeped from the
side scenes. "Who is that woman?" he
asked. mo one knows--no one saw her
enter" was the reply.
Again the conductor raised his baton.
The unknown prima donna seemed 10
rouse herself from her pensiveness and
again took her position at the center of
the stage.
eyes and stood in the full force of the
light. She was wondrously beautiful,
but white-white as shroud of snow,
deathly, specially white. Not tinge
of color enhanced the marble beauty Of
her face, which was faultlessly Greek.
Her eyes, black and radiant flashed
luridly. When she dropped them, their
tint became sad, gray and crepuscular.
Her lips shone red as vcrmillion and
seemed like gash--like hideous CASH
when contrasted with the glacial white
ness and rigidity of her face. Her hair,
long and purpish, rioted over her Shout
ders. She had no ornaments. A tube
rose thrust in a rebellious curl adorned
her brow. Around her throat was
piece of broad, black velvet. Her gown
was all white.
She gazed weirdly upon the audience
and began, in strange, unearthly tone
If voice, the ravishing aria of Lucia"
Upon her entrance. | recall perfectly |
he cold sensation and chiliness I felt |
when she delivered the first few notes
If her song. 1t seemed to me as if some |
,,,p,iJ had bao,, Ia,
lpon me and that had breathed the first
cy watts of air emanating therefrom.
She continued. Not sound save her
'oicc was heard. Her hands hung list
essly by her side. | do not remember
low she finished. heard her first
TRANCE tones change to soft, sweet
'oice of fascinating, bell-like brilliancy
nd awoke from n trance by hearing
he audience shrek and stamp with de-
ight. The first act ended in an indie
cribabe state of wonder and amaze
nent.
"Who is she" "Who is shc:' "What
voice." were the Explanations heard OH
II sides.
The manager appeared at this moment
anxious to find out for himself
Tho the beautiful sOngstress was, but
Ould answer no inquiries.
In the meantime l hurried behind the
Genes and, in company with the mana
er, sought Cassclln's dressing room, ex-
Getting to sec this marvellous creature
The apartment was dimly lighted. The
ridal costume for Lucia's second act
'as ready on the sofa. A bottle of Asst
line, Cassella's favorite rcfrcshment,
n on tla fnb I'm pnnOhf ,,r,,,,l ,hok |
lie room had been occupied previously.
othing showed the presence of the new
omer. The manager was called away
nd, saying he would return shortly, left
e alone. ! waited few minutes, took
few whiffs from my cigarette and was
bout to leave when ! spied upon the
DOR an earring of such uncommon size
lat l stopped to pick 1t up and gazcd
pom it in wonder.
1t was a solitaire diamond, richly set
Id Of a slightly greenish color. knew
e value Of green diamonds and est.
ated this one to be worth $1,000 to
5000. l FASTENED down to the man
,er's office to remit it, thinking 1t be-
nged to the newcomer or Cassella.
The manager was absent, and l heard
e bell ring for the second act. Holding
e diamond in my hand, l fastened to
y seat.
The unknown singer entered again.
lie was il possible tinge paler than be-
re. She wore gloves this time, and her
IS were not so cruelty red. She sang,
I'd, We gods, what a voice! Her voice
AIRED, spread, fused with other invisible
ices; it rang sonorously and murmured
yinely in magnificent power and har.
ony-a VOICE all fire a ynicc NIL snnl