The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-08-05

rehearsals
II shall inspect the artists" replied
Rossinf, with an easy tone of voice, and
l shall make them repeat their parts As
for the gentlemen Of the orchestra, shall
have the hon0r of receiving them in nv
own rooms VERY good, my friend;
you shall look over the whole work with
them. My presence will not be neces-
sary, and I shall admire the chef d'oeuvre
at the general rehearsal. Once more
pray you, forgive me that little strata
gem" mot one word about that, or
shall be angry" "Well, then, at the gen
eral reheaIsal?" "At the general rehear-
SAL"
The day Of the general rehearsal at
last arrived. 1t was the eve of that ia
nous Goth Of May, which cost the poor
tmpresario so many pangs. The singers
were at their post, the musicians took
their places in the orchestra, Rossini
seated himself at the piano.
They executed the overture first. The
most uproarous applauses shook the
walls of San Carlo.
'BravoP' shouted Barbaja. Let US
pass to the tenorS cavatina."
Rossini reseated himself at the piano.
deathlike silence ensued. The first vio-
lin lifted his bow and they commenced
playing the overture over again. The
same enthusiastic applause followed the
Bravo! Encore, bravo!' repeated Bar
baja, 'let US pass to the cavatina.''
The orchestra commenced a third time
to play the overture.
1.-The devil" cried Barbajo, out Of all
patience. "It is certainly very charming,
but we cannot remain playing it over
and over until tomorrow. Come to the
caVatina."
But, in spite of the Injunction of the
a OrpheCtro did the 16GS
continue executing the overture, and
Barbajo made jump toward the first
violin, and, Selling him by the collar,
cried in his ear: why the devil do you
continue playing the same piece for an
hour?"
'same:" said the violinist, with cool
ness that would have done honor to a
German. 1--WE play what is set before
u.s."
Turn over the leaves, fool!'
1--WE have turned them; there is moth
Ing but overture
How! Nothing but the overture?'
cried the poor impressario, turning pale
as a sheet. ''Is it, indeed, an atrocious
conspiracy?"
Rossini rose and bowed
Barbaja fell on a sofa and laid with
out motion. The singers all gathered
around him. For an instant they feared
he was stricken with apopleXy. Rossini,
distracted to have brought his pleasantly
to so serious an issue, approached him
with real anxiety.
At sight of him Barbaja bounded like
a lion from his seat began to cry aloud:
Away, wretch, or you will drive me to
some extremity"
Let US see,'' said Rossini. 'Is there
no remedy"
what remedy, perfiidious!" said Bar
baja. Tomorrow is the day announced
for the first representation
1.-THE prima donna might be much in
Gisposed,' whispered Rossini in the man
ayers ear.
'ImpossibleY' replied Barbaja, in
like tone of voice. "She would never
risk the public vengeance by falling i'll"
eff you allow me to try
THAT is useless; you do not know Col
bron.'
''Will you permit me to try?'
do as you please; but I feel you are
losing time"
"PerhapS!'
The following day the bills Of San Car
los announced that the first representa-
ton of "Otello" was postponed. Eight
days afterward "Otello' was produced.
After the fall Of the curtain Darbaja,
weeping with emotion, sought every
where for the maestro to press him to
his heart; but Rossini, doubtless yield
ing to that modeSty winch conJO1nS SO
well with true genius, had withdrawn
himself from the tumultous throng.
The next day Dominica Barbaja rang
the bell for his prompter, who also filled
the situation of valet de chamber, i'm
patient to present to his guest his feltci-
| tations on the triumphant success of the
opera. The prompter entered
"TeH Sgr. Rossini to come down.
| would speak with him."
"Rossini has departed" .s. e..a.r,s
How departed?'' ~ III yes
"set off for Bologna at the break of
| day"
| Departed without word?"
| mo, sir; he left you his address?'
60! Inform Nine. Colbron 1 must see
! her Instantly" "a,
Mime. Colbron, sir?'
eyes, Celbron. Are you deaf today?"
Excuse me, sir; but Nine. Colbron has
| departed also"
"Impcssible!"
"They have departed in the same
coach.
unfortunate woman! She leaves me
to become the mistress Of Rossini."
Pardon, sir; she is his wife"
''I am revenged,' said Barbaja.