Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-18

AAN4 charming romanceS reward those
INv who follow the progress of music in his
~ tory and in tradition. delightful one
of these concerns wonderful voice that was
heard more than century ago within clolster
walls. Thus the story runs:
1t was All Saints Day, in the year 1885,
The bells were ringing for mass in the chapel of
the beautiful convent of Santa Lucia not far
from Rome A long train of worshipers clad
in the picturesque garb of the land moved
toward the cloister gates. Above them and
around them and about them beamed the blue
sky and the golden sunshine of Italy.
The windows of the APPEL greeted them with
a golden blaze of glorious radiance Within
the sacred edifce they found dim religious
light. The priest appeared. Every knee was
bent very head bowed. From the elevated
invisible choir burst forth the kwie elelson of
borne to the hearts of the faithful by the pure
sweet voices of the nuns. Clear and distinct
above the web and wool of tones the mel
ody which the entire tonal structure was
founded. The other parts entw1ned themselves
about it, striving to suppress it, but it tri-
umphed over every obstacle. In the Gloria
there suddenly rang out silvery toned soprano
that scared far above all the other voices and
made its way, with the most enhancing undua-
tions, to every nook and corner of the chapel
Its tones of a totally different quality than
those of other singers, and they aroused wave
of excitement that surged through every heart
in the congregation.
In the Credo the marvellous voice was hushed.
1t was heard again in the noble Agnns Del,
darting through the incense laden air like vic
tory bearing barbed arrow. The voice betrayed
neither age. Its tones dazzled the
hearers, but did not quicken their religious
emotions On the contrary, its influence on the
devotions of those present was disturbing one.
As the worshipers wendell their way home
ward the wonderful voice afforded the main
topic of conversation. No one had ascertained
the name of the invisible songstress That
there was some myster'' about the voice there
could be no doubt, and it was unanimously
agreed to solve it.
The following morning, a laughing, joyous
Italian morning, there once more pressed through
the portals Of Santa Lucia eager throng. Ex-
pectation was depicted on every countenance.
Once more the vibrations of the wonderful
voice throbbed and thrilled through the chapel.
Once more hearts futtered with excitement
Once more devotion was overcome by curlOSl
At the conclusion of the service, those who
questioningly and thankfully accepted the voice
gift from on high were in the small minority. ]
great majority was swayed by seething state
unrest. Hearts and tongues alike were busted W
manifold doubts and queries in regard to the F
sonalty of the singer.
1T is, after all, child whose singing we hear
cried woman, who having fingered for NOM
IN the chapel now fastened to join her compano
Il caught glimpse of her myself, as she pas
behind the grating. She is as beautiful an1
and"
"Nonsense!" interrupted another voice. &C
child ever sang that way"
Some one told me- cried another, that
dOlllld - ulllS Will tllc SlSIc
Santa Lucia. I'll warrant you, it was she "
sang
mo, mol" came from yet another 1.-The VIC
that of girl in her teens. l think it was
of the younger sisters a novice perhaps. The CT
behind the grating was only listener
1T was neither child nor woman" here broke
an agitated voice. "a miracle has been wrou
in behalf of this blessed coister. An angel fir
Heaven has been sent by Santa Lucia to bring no
and gold to the good Mother Theresa and this no
of piety and good deeds
What childish prattle!" interposed sh
visaged man. The whole matter is but bit
deception to wiring from our hard earnings"
At once the people thronged about the
speaker. who thus continued: