The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-07

Giuseppe Verdi, when child, was pre-
cocious and extremely sensitive. Music
made him almost delirious. His parents
kept the only inn TO be found In Ramole.
in Italy. that land OF sobriety, the trade
of an innkeeper is still poor, but In the
days of Verdi's childhood. It was misery
in the extreme.
Nevertheless. Verdi's parents managed
by almost superhuman efforts 10 send him
10 Busseto TO study music under the
organist of the town. and at the same
time to learn TO read and write. Little
Giuseppe was only 10 years old when one
Sunday morning he was ordered To play
the church organ, taking the place of his
master. who was ILL.,
lie acquitted himself so well and dis
PLAYED so much talent that he attention
OF the worshippers was turned from the
altar TO the organ loft where the child re-
vealed the genius OF an artist i'm an inn
provisation that already bore the stamp
OF that personality which characterized
all of Nerdis music.
A rich merchant named Anteaio Barez-
I'll. "a great lover of music. became enthu-
siastic over the 'piccolo maestro as he
was soon afterward called in the town.
lie placed him under the care OF Canon
Fcrdinando Provost. a clever composer.
in two years the little fellow had moth
ing more TO learn from that master.
Bare1zi then obtained for him one OF the
four prizes which the town gave 10 tat
ented poor children to enable them 10
pursue liberal course OF studies. But as
the sum was not sufficient TO cover young
Verdi's expenses. his generous beneract-
or supplied the needed addition.
= of a,.TIt aud nCf a h
iisned himself i'm Milan and went To- the
conservatory. where crushing dsap-
pointment awaited him. He was receiv-
ed codly. The examines shook their
heads i'm consultation. and young Verdi
was blaclSballed unanimously
tn the opinion Of the conservatory he
displayed no musical taieut whatever--an
opinion which should go far TO encourage
young neophytcs who may be the victims
OF a similar misfortune. Saddened but
not cast down Nerdi went To see the ac-
companist OF the Scala, lavigna, who
agreed to give him some lessons.
STRUGGLE WITH POVERTY.
At the end of three years he acquired
ali the science OF his teacher. and then
commenced the horrible calvary through
which he struggled along until March .,
lSi2 When his studies were over he had
20 make HIS living. ~ what treasures OF
energy and labor was he 10 solve that
problem He gave music lessons. They
were few and poorly paid. In spite OF his
talent. his youth Inspired no confidence.
After many endcavors be Al last obtain
cd place as organist IN village about
seven miles from Milan Carrying his
breakfast with him. which consisted of
piece of bread when he had IL, he rnade
that journey during several years, under
the burning sun in summer and through
tLe fngs aud SHOWS OF winter.
" should be remembered that the cli-
mate OF Lomhardy is severe. The cmoiu-
ments of that place. which constituted
the only stcady revenue Of his budget,
amounted 10 " francs (S2.i0) a month.
But with that extraordinary tenscity
which characterizes the apostles or art.
he peraisted Nothing could discourage
him. Dramatic composition was his ideal
and his aim. A poet Tomistocle Soicra.
gave him work upon which he wrote
an opera, "Oberto conte az San Boni-
facio." After many hcsitations the direct
or OF The Scala. Merelli. AT last decided
20 mount the piece.
VI was played on Nov. IL. 1890, and OBJ
tainod very honorable success. but did
rot bring IN solitary cent go the author
By the way of retribution McrcIh ordered
three acts for the following year Nordi
once moro resumed his work and that cot
lar OF misery. which for two years now he
did not carry alone.
young girl. almost n child. endowed