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

with a marvellous ana delicate beauty ana
with the soul OF an artist in fragile
body, reciprocated his first love and con-
scented tostake his name.
In marriage rfey united thcfr poverty
and lived i'm a garret not far from the
Scala. But the frail constitution OF the
young woman was not long able TO stand
prlvations 10 which she and her husband
were unfortunately subjected.
AGONY OF HIS SICK WIFE.
IL was while watching that delicate
flower fading before his eyes that Verdi
had 20 compose his ppera--an opera
boufYe, All the vitality of the angelic
creature was concentrs tod IN love for her
husband. u was she who consoled him
and encouraged him Buoyed up by that
divine affection. Verdi was enabled TO fin-
ish the work. the success OF which. he
thought. was bound 10 bring health and
vitality 10 her whom he adorcd.
The title of his work was "Un Glorno al
Regno."' During it's rehearsal the young
woman took 10 her bed Her Slness was
increasing. When the time arrived for
it's first production she was at the point
OF death. Their wretchedness was at It's
height They had no food and not cent
even for light.
Never. said the old professor who tells
the story. "can / forget that dreadful
night Myself and few friends were
grouped in a corner Of the Scala. deter
mined 10 sustain the piece at all hazards.
Verdi in despair. ran back and forth from
his wretched home TO the theatre
The first act was received coldly. Dar-
ing the cntr actc he ram back Go his dying
wife How is Il going?' she. asked. Sue
cess is i'm sight replied Verdi IL told
you so. she exclaimed. Now | know 1
Will get we'll
murmurs. verdi ran back TO his wife.
The poor young creature seemed TO have
gained a little more vitality. That gave
him some hope. lie wanted to remain by
her side Il beg OF you. she pleaded,
return To- theatre and bring ne back the
good news,"
When he reached the Scala the piece
was closing m the midst OF z storm OF
misses and yels Hoartbroken. Verdi re-
turned TO hts garret 90 find hts wife uu-
conscious and breathing fnintly. a Few
moments afterward she was dead
vERDrs FIRST OPERATIC SUCCESS,
In despair he remained for months with
out being able 60 resume his work as a
composer Yielding 60 the entrcatics OF
his friend. Pasctti. he composed the fol-
lowing year tho opera "Nabucodunosor.
which Merelli absolutely refused 20 mount
at his own expense.
Friends worked and succeeded I'm i'm
tercsting great ANA rich parsonage I'm
Verdi This person gave 10 Merelli price
of tho mise en- scene, about 29,0o) francs.
assuming all risks and giving him full
liberty to deal with the author In case
Of success.
These conditions were accepted and
"NabucOdonosor was played with the
most brilliant success az the Scala on
March .. 1912. Verdi was not at the per-
formance. lie simrl. went al the close
OF the piece, noted the 5uccess OF his
work. returned TO his garret, and went 10
bed.
lie was stlll sleeping when ~ dawn.
there was a knock at his door. Mcrelli
entered Knowing that several OF his con-
frer. would bc sure 10 make propositions
20 Verdi. he determined TO be the early
bird.
The condition OF tho garret convinced
him that he had q hrst-class chance 10
make a good bargain. and he remembered
that Donizetti sold his 'Eliziro dAmore"
"IIow much do you want for your op-
erag' he asked.
Thirty thousand francs" said Verdi
Merclh started. what did you say7' he
gasped.
"f said 2o.eo francs" replied Verdi
with the greatest coolnoss. because YOU
got up at 3 O'Clock In the morning to
come 90 see me. This evening the price
will be $4,000.
After some discussion Mereln Handed
over his check after which he went homo
and took 90 his bed. whore he remained
for two months suffering from iaundice.
On account of that iauudce be became
the laughing stock " all Milan. aud old
artists etill speak of g.
The rest of Nerdis history f. known so
one mcritcd his glorious iriumphs more
than ne did. because his heart his mind.
and his character reached the heights of
talent Ills Eenerous soul was vast and
lohic. liko his genius.