The age-herald., 1902-02-02

The father would not consent to the be- trothal however, and in 1889 Schumann wrote to his friend Dorn: There Is much in my music no doubt that might seem like a narrative of the struggle for the possession of my Clara. You have probably been able to understand it. These troubles have solely given the impulse to the Concerto the Sonata the Davidsbundler,' the 'Kreileriana, and the 'Noveletten.
 In 184O the father was compelled by re- course to law to grant his consent and l the lovers were married. Up till that l time Schumann had never written song l but in that season of joy and happy con l tent he produced no less than 13S of his now world-renowed Lieber And efter- wards during the years of most harmon 1 ious welded life, he wrote many of his noblest works, and invariably with the thought in mind of her and her approval.
 Another mighty genius who owes much to woman Is Richard Wagner. His first wife, the much -maligned Minna, had lit- tie realization, 1t Is true, of the genius or the high purposes of her eccentric. excitable and not overreliable husband. but she endured poverty and privations with him for many years. and gave him of the best she possessed in the way of advice and help. Wagner. thought he of- ten dewailed his fate, as was his wont, was ever willing to speak kindly word for her and of her. and 1t Is his idolators rather than he who have maligned her. The woman who later came Into his life however, was the helpmeet he needed She was the daughter of Liszt and the wife of Bulow and woman of excep- tional force of character and mental acu- men. Of the manner in which she and Wagner met and were married 1t is un- necessary to speak here. It suf1ces to say that, by her care, her companion ship and her sympathy, she made possi- ble to him the creation of "Parsifal,r the realizing of his dream of a Festival The atre at Bayreuth, and the contentment and peace that surrounded him during the last year of his life.
 But welded bliss has not been the lot of all composers. Haydn, whose sunny disposition and happy spirit won him the fond tile of Papa" Haydn, had a verita- ble Xanthippe for a wife. She was the daughter of a Viennese hair dresser and Wig maker and Haydn married her with out knowing much about her real dispo- sition. He soon found out, however, for she was a scold of the most remarkable abilities, and had a temper that was truly exceptional. When she was not pouting which were probably the happiest mo- ments for the unlucky Haydn-she was indulging In curtain lectures of rare length and vigor And yet this fair speci- men of the disagreeable woman was not without her influence on Haydns creative abilities. She was religious and was es- pecially fond of receiving visits from priests and monks. These churchmen realized Haydn's musical worth, and, therefore influenced her to get him to compose music for their services She scolded and fumed until the unlucky man, glad to be away from her, would seek refuge in an upstairs room, and while his wife and the holy men would feas. and enjoy themselves below he would be writing Te Deums and masses up above.
 As one author remarks: One can cas- fly imagine tho wrath and imprecations he must have hurled at the prude and her roystering companions as the sounds of their revelry smote upon his ears, and how little of the 'Laus Deo there was in his heart as his fingers penned the scores that were to be sung upon the following Sabbath"
 And yet by her nagging and scoiding she drove him forth at last into those conditions at the palace of Prince Ester hazy which were so favorable for the creating of his master works. She was. therefore, an influence for good, even though so effectually disguised that Haydn probably never recognized her true worth or regarded her in that light.