New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-02

article is so much an art by itself. and so diff
cult. that even poet laureate need not disdair
such tribute TO his poWsFs.-(C. w. Spalley, IN
McClure's Magazine
LEoNCAvALLo ON HIS CAREER
began my peregrfnatiOns a concert pianist
In Egypt. where at that time had an uncle.
LeOncavallO Bey. who was Director Of the Press
at the Foreign ONCE There played at court.
and MahmOud Handy. the brother % The Vice.
roy Tewhk appointed me as his private mu-
sician- ] was driven out Of Egypt by the war
with the English. Mahmoud having sided with
Arab Pacha. who had promised officially to give
me the appointment Of head of the Egyptian
military bands. with liberal salary Instead
of this fine promise being fulfilled, / was fOrtu-
nate in saving my life after Tel-el-Kebir. by
means Of twenty-fOur hours ride in Arab
costume to IsmaIlia- There I resumed Euro
pean dress, but, being penniless, obliged
to give a concert at Port Said in the house OF
NJ. Desavary, representative of NJ de LeSSeps~
The proceeds OF this concert amounted TO five
or six hundred francs 18th which was enabled
to take an English boat the PropitiOus-
Arrived at Marseiiles. I Immediately took
train mot de luXei nor. alas, expreSS9 which
brought me 10 Paris. where, in the depths Oc
want, / was forced to begin my career as an
/ quilted the sphere OF cafe concerts, and got
singing pupils among the artistes whose roper
toire 1 used to work up for them. II was &C
this period that ! had the pleasure Of making
the acquaintance of NJ. NaureI and the Maestro
Massenet. who from the first treated me with
great kindness When one day In con-
versation with NJ. Maurel on the subject Of nv
hopes for the future, read him the poem Of tbs
''MediciS." whicG = had just completed; this
great artist was so struck by the magnitude OF
my seIf-imposed task and the quality OF the
poem that he advised me, Italian. TO go
to Milan, where he was TO take part in the first
rehearsal Of "Otello, promising me an intro
duction ard recommendation to NJ. RicOrdL
Relying on this promise, / pawned the furnfs
ture OF my little fiat and went to Milan. Wher@
NJ Maurel kept his word and presented me and
Tecommended me 70 n, ., Eic9rdl. VINO anaily
the Iibretto Of the ''Medicis." which had read
10 him. for the sum Of 200 francs. payable In
sums Of 200 francs month, thus obliging me TO
finish my opera in the course Of q wear But
alas. although the opera was ready at the end
Of the year. NJ RicOrdi was by no means ready
70 produce it, And ] waited thus In vain for
three years durins which recommended az
Milan the melancholy task OF teaching which L
had hoped might never have to resumed
After the success af "CavalIeria" BY NIascagut
/ lost all patience and shut myself I'D in She's
desperation, resolved to make last struggle
In five months wrote the words and the u91Isi,
Of "Paglacci' which was acquired by m Son
Zogno after he had only read the Iibrerro AMI
which Maurel admired much that he fnsisrad
on prodCcing 1t az Milan on May n. 1891 The
success OF this piece, as is known was as strik-
ing as that OF "Cavalleria." and its fame sDTesd
like wildfire.
! had taken my plot from event that really
took place In Calabria and was BROUGHT bef0r,
my farher when he was holding the Court OF
justice at Cosenza. And what is stranger still
as nave since learned. the prOtagOnist OF nv
x MOFk rs sun living. and. having been released
rom prison IS now in the service OF Baroness
Sprovler1 IN Calabria. II the action had come
TO trial. he would have beesewfling 10 come
ana give evidence in my favor. regret that
very dramatic scene during the evidence OF poor
A4eSsandrO (the real name Of my Canio) when
ne was relating his crime. his jealous fury and
MS surer1ngs.-CThe NORTH American Review.