The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-18

To Sorrentino he is "Ange;" others
facetiously call him Michael Angelo. =
1t is a fact that his name is Angelo
and the Michael fits so nicely that
the whole of the sculptor and painters
name is given him.
Angelo, whose initials are of no mo-
ment as there is only one Angelo that
is the major dofno the charge DAT
flares with the Banda Rosa, is a char
acter. His title is Secretary to Macs
tro Eugenio Sorrentino," but his pre-
objection is for swearing at the baggage
smashers rather than indicting epistles.
preference.
A big, numbering. roly poly Italian is
angelo whose paunch has been dis
tended by the % years of fine living
ne enjoyed While treasurer to Maple
son, the great opera impresario with
whom he came to Topeka on the mo-
mentous occasion when SchaIchi sang
and Patti remained in her private car.
Before his days as treasurer he was a
grand opera tenor and a good one He
IS still gourmand, but his stomach
Will not stand the abuse as it used t.,
and that is why the house physician
had TO be called in the wee sma'
hours at the hotel in Fort Worth dur
ing last winters tour.
An. 'ow are you feeling, my good
man." suavely inquired DR.. Blunt. the
English Esculapius, begloved and
"Ange" shot one glance at him as
ne rolled from side to side in parox-
ysms of pain.
"Oh. you fool. you." plainly shouted
Come. come. my good man, let me
have your pulse"
1t is not my pulse, it is nv ston-
ach. wildly cried the sufferer.
M. 10 you reel any pain in your back?''
NO! no! no! In my stomach. ston-
ach, stomach! Oh, what a fooiv'
AND so he raved, reiterating to everv
question that the ache was in his
stomach. only he used a less elegant
1t was in the south also that Altman
barrett, manager of the band. gave
Ange', ride for life" Angelo looks
after the baggage. He will not have a
name Sainted on trunk or an instr11-
meht box and he is the only one who
can direct the distribution of them to
the proper places. They arrived in one
town almost too late for the matinee
put the theater manager had buses for
me payers and baggage wagons at the |
Train A hurryup order was issued by |
Barrett, although the conductor and his |
men would have nothing to eat till after |
the matinee.
oh, dear, oh, dear. you'll break the
trunk" groaned the secretary /
as the husky smashers began to tumble |
thlngs into the dray. Look out you'll |
smash the kettle drums! Oh dear. oh.
dear, they'll break everything"
barrett grabbed Angelo by the collar
and dragged him on the wagon just as
the driver whipped his horses. 1t was
over mile to the theater and the street |
was full of ruts. The driver sent his
team along at gallop. Angelo had his
arms around trunk and his exclama-
tons. partly in italian and nartv in
English, would be translated thus:
"O-o-oh, Barrett O-o-oh, if I only see
my wife again. O-o-oh, my stomach |
O-o-oh, nlyl"
1t IS said no person of whatever ma
has ever approached Angelo
n the parks or theaters where the band |
was playing but what the secretary con-
Iersed with him in his native tongue
rhe Italian speaks many languages He
las wonderful memory and knows the
Vords and music nearly complete of |
many grand operas. When Sorrentino
1rst came to this country Angeles SER
Eices as interpreter were invaluable The
great conductor can now converse to
some extent in English, though the
members of the band frequently appeal |
% the big secretary to straighten out
heir difficulties in carrying on a talk
n English.
1t is nearly impossible to deceive
'Ange" on the qualities of a singer. He
Knows the merits and dement's of vocal
SITS from a to 2. He can tell you the
'auses of downfall of many great ar
lists and they are reasons that you
ion't read in the magazines OF Ed
'uard DeReszke. who sang this spring
II Topeka and his brother Jean, Angelo |,
'ecently said during discussion: Ed
'uard can sing Jean they would not
ct sing in Italy. They would mob him."
And this although Jean is regarded
he greater artist. But it must be re-
rendered that Angelo himself was a
enor Perhaps that's why he can't t
'econcile himself to the tenor DeReszke
The secretary can't walk and talk. If
me is on the street with him he will
ouch one on the arm, stop and face one
before he makes his remark. He is al
ways seen at the back of the audience
DOM during a concert leaning against
| pillar, watching the people come in,
1r hobbling off to see his beloved
maestro. He has the suspicion of the
foreigner and if he wishes to purchase
nickels worth of rope to tie up a
runk he will ask the local manager to
accompany him.
You come with me. If I go alone
hey take advantage of me-"