The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-01-17
AsToRIAN PUBLISHING COMPANY.
PATTI AND HER TRADUCERs.

Ashton Stevens started it, the San Francisco Mus
ical Age. in an extra edition of abominable stun,
nusbed it along, and all of the San Francisco ertl-
c;Sm was reflected in the articles of the Portland
'critics-poor, weak pretenders who must fam fol-
low the fashion and traduce the greatest vocalist the
world has ever seen and heard, Stevens was gen
tlemany aout it-which is something out OF the
ordinary for Stevens; usually he is vulgar The
Musical Age the expressions of which are so unkind
50 painfully unkind-was brutal. The Port
land "critcs''-or mimics-were, like all parrots
silly; and their expressions bore the unmistakable
earmarks Of the San Francisco criticisms Portland
Won know must needs be like San Francisco at crit
ieal times in her career, else some one might doubt
bar very great greatness Just think! what an ever
lasting stain would have remained on Portland fair
name had Patti been courteously dealt with by the
weddings who rushed to print with their senseless
nrattlel What imperishable grief would have come
over the elite of Portland society and intellect
had it not been informed by these discerning, super
ior ones that it had been bilked because sevena-
vu,w'' as one critic polshedly expressed it, was an
essentialityl Surely it was well for Portland and
her distinguished reputation that the critics dwelt
within her midst We shudder to contemplate what
might have transpired but for their presence, and
the lasting tribute to art reflected in the caricature
appearing in the Oregonan, to say nothing OF the
lame Jokes Of the funny men who draw down good
money for the privilege Of practcing upon the pub
lie.
Madame Patti is 81 years of age. Her voice is not
what it once was, as she well knows. She has lost
her high notes and her lower register is sadly thread
bare" the Musical Age says and the Portland crit
les echo the sentiment Those who went to the odeon
to hear Patti knew what to expect. They knew she
once possessed the grandet voice the world has ever
known, and they knew time had told upon its sweet
notes But they went to see her and to hear her. not
SO much because they expected the odme tones, but
because they desired to pay their last tribute to the
wonderful vocal ability Of Patti or else desired toI
pose as people of sufficient mental accomplishment to
appreciate the high order Of entertainment presented
The art lovers were there because of an irresistible
ways are, posing for effect and the curious went
Just as they would flock to see John L. Sullivan, or
any other celebrity who had held the worlds atten
tion.
What does it matter that PATHS high notes have
been lost that her lower register is threadbare? Isl
she not the grandest living vocalist Of the age of 81
Did she induce the crowd to gather under false pre-
tensesl And, if she is the complete failure the Port
land critics brand her. why did the tears to the
eyes Of that vast throng when she sang Home Sweet
Home?' Surely, there is some of the old-time charm
to her voice-none the less Of the personal magne-
tism that brought the world to her feet
The Portland critics have merely followed the fash
ion and roasted Patti To turn them on the cultured
old woman reminds one Of turning bull into
china shop to restore order For her enemiesPatti will
be loved more than ever though her dear sweet
voice is not just what it was 25 years ago.
CtToUnTNTft FrIJE Nr0ATTATAmTnNr