Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1903-11-13
) That Night at "La Scala" I


~~~~-~~~-~-~~-~~-~~
was present, and l can recall per-
fec&y the cold sensation and chilliness
| felt at the first few notes.
1t seemed to me as If some humid
cavern had been suddenly opened, and
that had breathed the first icy watts
Of air emanating therefrom.
Not a sound save her voice was
heard. Her hands hung llstlessly by
her side. l do not remember how she
finished. heard her first strange
tones change to soft, sweet voice
of fascinating, bell-like brilliancy, and
l awoke from a trance by hearing
the audience Shrek and stamp with
delight.
The applause was feverish and fran
tic, then suddenly ceased as If by
enchantment; the strange woman had
turned aside and began the ordinary
stage business and duet with Edgardo,
as Alfieri would have done. The act
ended in indescribable amazement.
who is she? Who is she? What
voice" and such EXPLANATIONS were
heard on all sides.
The director appeared at this mo-
ment, evidently anxious to find out
for himself who the beautiful pale
songstress was, but could answer NO
Inquiries.
In the meantime l hurried behind
the scenes to Alfieri's dressing room,
where had often gone to chat with
her, expecting to see this marvellous
creature.
Tho apartment was Illuminated;
Lucia's bridal costume for the second
act was ready on the sofa; 4 bottle
Of Asst wine, which Altieri always
partook Of between the acts, stood on
the table; but naught proved that the
room had been occupied previously
BY understanding showed the pres
ence Of the newcomer.
waited . few minutes, took . few
vhiffs from my cigarette, and was
about to return, when l spied upon
the floor an earring of such uncommon
size that stopped to pick 1t up, and
gazed upon it in wonder. held spell
bound BY its beauty.
1t was q solitaire diamond, richly
set, Of 4 slightly greenish tint.
knew the value of green diamonds,
and estimated this one to be worth
at least seven or eight thousand dol
lars, being really finer than any l
had seen in the famous vaults Of
Dresden.
fastened down to the directors
Office to remit 1t, thinking 1t belonged
to the newcomer or to Alferi. The
director was absent; soon heard the
bell ring. The diamond In my hand,
l hastened to my seat
The unknown woman again entered;
she was, If possible, tinge paler than
before. She wore gloves this time,
and her lips were not SO cruelty red.
She sang, and, ye gods, what song!
Her voice scared, spread, fused with
other invisible voices; 1t rang sono-
rously, and murmured divinely In
magnificent power and harmony-a
voice all fire, voice all soul.
trembled-the audience quivered.
Still that strange being stood in the
same position. still did her great lum-
inous black eyes gaze continually up
ward she seemed not to heed her fel-
low-artists the bewilderment Of Ed
gardo, the anxious. inquirlng glance
of Ashton did not move her; she would
glide by them like sylph, u vision
light, ethereal, graceful. No one
heard her walk-she sang.
Again the curtain fell, again the
house cried out with dclirium. "Brava!
brava" yelled the rabble.
But no one appeared.
Again l went to Alieri's box while
the ballet (which in those days was
performed between the acts was 60
ing on, but 1t was empty; so re-
turned to listen TO the animated dis
cussions and conversations In the
lobby.
"Alfleri is ecllpsed: she is Pasta and
Persani combined. She is not human,
she Is an angel from Heavens gatesr'
"Tis the Beatrice OF Dante descend
ed from 1leaven.'
A friend came from behind the
scenes.
"Well, what news, Rcciardo? Have
you seen herr"
mo, but Grazzlni has" (Grazzini
was the tenor, handsome fellow,
land he tells me he spoke to her
forced to do so by some subtle, mag
netlc attraction. He told her of his
wonder, his admiration, his love. |