Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-02
The Musical World
Genevra Johnstone-Bishop:



he was the father of Malibran. the
celebrated soprano. Spanish tenors
are rare, for though the climate of
Andalusia is almost identical with that
of southern Italy and the air and soil
impregnated with the same chemical
compounds which are supposed to give
tone to the voice, Spain has not pro-
duced tenors of any great Importance.
Like Mario, Garcia was a failure upon
his first appearance in Seville for a
lack of histrionic ability, but his in
tense energy soon conquered this, until
he absolutely became not only a fine
romantic actor, but also made a name
for himself in opera bouffe. At the
early age of years Garcia was ad-
mitted as a chorister to the cathedral
in his native town. He had studied
even at this early age under Ripa and
Almarcha. There was no theater in
Seville in those early days and young
Garcia found sacred music his only
opportunity. At the age of II he was
known far and wide around Seville
as a good singer, a composer and lead
err In 1892 Garcia went to Cadiz and
was engaged there as a director of
opera for a year. He then left the
conductors baton for the stage, maxi
ing his first appearance in q "Tona-
drilla" in 1898. His voice was good,
says a writer, "but he was so posi-
lively awkward on the stage that any
advance in histrionic ability seemed
hopeless" Then we hear of him in
Madrid, where he composed his first
OPERA Gel Preso." He enjoyed much
popularity in Spain, but his restless
ambition, which was one of his prin-
cipal characteristics, prompted him to
seek other fields for fame and he went
to Paris in 1908. He had never sung
in Italian, but had scarcely been a
moath at Les Italiens when he tri-
umphed over all difficulties and OBJ
stacles and had the courage to face
an audience in Paer's "Griselda." He
gave benefit and made a great hit
with the soft Andalusian melodies
the first time the national Spanish
music had been heard In Paris They
We're received with braves and en-
cores until the undue strain on his
voice was noticed and he was obliged
to rest for months.
In 1911 he went to Italy. Taking up
his residence there he commenced to
study hard and overcame many of his
deficiencies Returning to Paris, where
he remained five years, he created for
himself a great name as a teacher,
lldb Will UCNCI pare I1C
then entered the most important period
of his life-his introduction of Italian
opera in America in 1825-accompanied
by his family, together with Cruvelli,
Angrisani and Rosich. He opened in
New York in "Otello," afterward pro-
ducing "Don Giovanni" Romeo" and
many others. His success was assured
and their reception most flattering, but
the trying climate affected the voices
81. .fr.,-k to
riage of his daughter, Malibran, his
prima donna, deprived the company of
its chief support. He then went
south into Mexico, and there his sue
cess was phenomenal, remaining eigh-
teen months in the city of Mexico, Civ
ing opera three times a week. Then,
having made ample fortune for himself,
he determined to retire. He made ar
rangements to embark for his native
land from Vera Cruz. Knowing the
lawless state of the country, then in
tested with rowing bands of marauders,
he hired a bodyguard, but even this
precaution failed to prevent his being
attacked and despoiled of the greater
part of his fortune. Thus the American
tour in the end became a disastrous
failure. To an ordinary man so severe
a blow would have been humiliation,
Not so Garcia. His energy and indom-
TJndismayeG by misfortunes that would
have paralyzed most singers, he at once
resumed his singing lessons in Paris.
Pupils flocked to him by the dozen
and after three years of hard work he
found himself again in comfortable cir
cumstances. But more trouble was to
follow him. He determined to reappear
in opera, and essayed one of his old
roles in "Barbiere," but, alas it was
- foir fhaf 10 had Lost his
voice forever. The anguish of that
moment-Can anyone portray it? Can
rem describe tine feelings of a great
artist who discovers that his very soul
is dead within him. that part OF his
life is buried and consolation only to
be found in triumphs of the past? His
old Vigor and energy then left him,
and at the age of 81, in the year 1882,
he passed away. As a teacher no one
has ever surpassed him. To be pupil
Of Garcia was to be a success. His
memory will outlive that of many cele-
brated musicians and the triumphs of
his pupils, Pimoault. Ruiz, Garcia,
Favelli, Nourrit, Geraldy, above all MS
son. Manuel and his two daughters,
Malibran and Viardot Garcia, are so
many laurels in their masters wreath
of glory. In private life he was known
to possess an ungoVernable temper,
winch caused TlOSL ldil6nldDiS oSSAiSS
and unhappiness in his family AS
singer and actor, Garcia possessed
merit of no common order. AS COM
poser, he was more prolific than sue
cessful, only two of his works, the
"Contrabardista" and "Il Califo" maxi
ing a sufficient impression to be still
preserved in the musical world.
Article in next Sundays Herald,
"Giuglini, the Italian Tenor of Pesaro
--1S11-1S65."
Alice Bently Gardiner one of Ohlo's
charming brilliant women and reader
of great power and intelligence. Is to
spend the month of February In Los
Angeles. Mrs Gardiner now resides in
Toledo, Ohio but is a native of Califor-
MIA. living at one time in San Jose
Mrs. Robert j. Burdette says of her
work: 81 have rarely heard the spirit
so faithfully interpreted by the reciter
of another's thought Mrs. Gardiner S
readings surely make you feel that her
mission is something higher than to
please. it is to carry a message"
s.
Adela Verne has become a great ia
vorite in Southern California, and
those who are interested in her future
are watching with delight the manner
IN which she has ingratiated herself
INTO the hearts of the music lovers of
this section.
MISS Verne came to us a stranger,
but her clever work is an open sesame
to the clubs, the social section and the
musical fraternity. She has made