Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-24
"GiuIia Grlsl,
1S11-1S6O.

II etdnO NirlS1, an OIlCer OF engineers
W under Napoleon, was born in 1871.
The tastes of the family were decidedly
musical and artistic, the father having
dramatic ability and the mother taking
delight In vocal work. An elder sister
was a singer of considerable ability, and
her cousin, Carlotta Grisl, was dis
tinguished as n danseuse, but Giuiia
made the name Gris a famous one,
known to the entire world Her teachers
were Filippo Cell, Boccababati and Gu
glielini At the age of II she made her
debut at Bologna, creating favorable
impression and raising glowing hopes for
her future. A thoroughly womanly wo-
man, she charmed by her grace of man
ner, while she enthralled the world by
her phenomenal gift of song. AS lyric
actress she lowered above all her con-
temporaries. even the peerless Malibran
She was equally admirable In lyric
tragedy, lyric comedy and lyric melo-
drama.
Such traits were as plentiful as with
less gifted artists they are rare. She
combined with this versatility capacity
for study and love of Improvement In
her art truly wonderful, an example by
which many of the young singers OF To-
day might profit were they to Jay IL TO
heart. In fact, her whole artistic lie
was one of constant effort to attain per-
fection, She loved her public with
devotion amounting to reverence' Win
the veneration of a priestess she mace
her offering of song at the altar OF art
Her profession was to her a holy duty
Alas! How few there are who today
sanctifv their art to SO high degree.
England above all other countries cher-
ished her, even in the waning years OF
her glory (as they do all of their great
artists they still worshiped the setting
sun in gratitude for the memory OIL lts
meridian of golden splendor. Again anu
again she said "Addlo," but she was per-
petually coming back to them She rare
lv disappointed an audience; ill or well
she was ready to sing when announced
Tn one year after her debut Rossini pre-
dicted a great future for her, ana ne
procured her an engagement TO sing at a
carnival at Bologna in I'll Barplere
"Sposa di Provincial" Then she went 10
Florence and soon appeared at La ocala
in Milan She then made her appear
ance in Paris at the grand opera in RIOS
sinPs new opera, "Semiramide," where
her recognition was immediate and
great triumph. For nearly thirty years.
dating from 1892 she was engaged as
prima donna assoluta. Pasta nao tneh
retired and Grisi reigned without rival
In 1884 she made her first appearance III
London in LA Gazza Ladra." Her prlii-
cjpal triumph however, was achieved IN
"Anna Bolena" Lablache and Rnolnl
supported her in this opera She was
extremely popular in London ana Always
had an affectionate regard Tor the hhs-
lish capital, where she became per
sona-grata of the operate stage. Be
tween 1894 and 1861 Grisi only missed one
season in London. Her voice began then
to show indications of vocal decline. Al
Paris the public were not indulgent ana
in Madrid she was received very coidly'
and at once relinquished her ENGAGE
ment. Rest was prescribed. She resteu
a few years and then again maue hei
appearance in London in "Lucrezia BOT
eia " which was comparative failure.
The great singer was a social wreck
she married in 1886 a Count de Melcy,
but was most unhappy. An attachment
sprang up between her and Mario Une
noted tenor, who for years was tne
rage of London, Paris and st. Peters,
h,,re and having received the sanction
Of the church after procuring a divorce
from her first husband, she married MIN.
Rv Mario she had six daughters. IN
1863 Grisi left for a short trip to 81.
Petersburg to meet her huspanu. ~
berlin she was seized with an attack OF
inflammation of the lungs anu al.er a a
few days illness she died on November
90 Her remains, enclosed In a crystal
casket with an outer case of oak ana
third coffin of lead, each being of superb
workmanship, was inferred at Fere
Tachaise in Paris. Her caskets were
richly decorated with ornaments cast III
bronze. wreath lay upon each corner
"a ot the head a crown of thorns. Her
snIendid voice in it's prime had no faw
ond her superb histrionic talent added
1,ater IN the brightest laurels of the ly-
,ic stage. BY the side of two OF her
daughters lies all that is mortal Oh tne
once peerless Grisi, whose beautlrui
genius graced and developed by art anu
culture. gave light, music and brilliancy
~ the stage and swayed to ecstasy the
emotions of two continents. "Such music
tones were heard in heaven, before the
sons of Adam sang"
- -
The next Sundays article Will be
"Catherine Hayes, the Irish Songbird
John Haze Zinck gave fine program
ot Monroyia Friday night. William Ed
son Strobridge was at the piano. Botn
were received with enthusiasm and the
nroeram was artistic and instructive
s. ,,,..
Howard f. Pratt sings at the flrst
Presbyterian church today.
-.
Miss Hermosa Henderson is in New
York singing in one of the churches.
81
Erederick Grover, the violinist, and
1Ierr Kunitz, the pianist, will leave for
Eurore Euro in the early spring for several
year. study.
The concert of the Orpheus club takes
place Monday at Simpson auditorium
varied and attractive program has
bean prepared. The soloists are Miss
Marie Thomas, contralto, and Natorp
Blumenfeld, violinist. One of the most
ioterestine numbers is the Brahms
Rhapsode Op. 43 for alto and chorus.
s.
"Wnt thou have music? bark!
pV And twenty Gagged nightingales do
sing"
Music as represented in painting and
scripture is a delightful study. 1t IS
difficult to consider either by ieself.
AT and musici So related are they to
each other and so fascinating are both.
The great painter gives us picture,
the great god Pan for instance, and
we try to listen to his pipes. We look
~ that wonderful picture of "Salome"
by Andrea del sarto, as she dances be-