Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-05-10
NINE. GENEVA JoHNsroNEBIsHor

beauty, ner production faulCleSS anu
she was undoubtedly one of the great
est mistresses of vocalization of the
century. AS an actress she could not
compare with many other singers, and
her greatest successes were gained IN
operas that made little demand upon
her histrionic capabilities. Her reper-
toire was not a large one, compared
with the artists of today. Nine. Patti
was born in Spain, but was brought
to America wheA years old ana
claims to be an American, and as
child sang in small concerts all over
the country. After she had entered
the operate field, scoring success all
over the world, she became a perma-
nent favorite in England, and from
the year 1851, In which she made her
European debut, for more than twenty
years she was engaged every season at
Covent Garden. In spite of all rivalry
she held her position there as the most
popular opera singer of modern
times. One of the most notable events
of Nine. PATHS career occurred when
in 1868 at the funeral of Rossini, the
composer, who sang with Nine. Albani,
the contralto, the duet, "Quis est
Home" from Rossini's "Stabat Mater
On that occasion such an assembly of
noted musicians and singers were
gathered together to honor the great
composer as probably never before met
under the same roof. To hear such
beautiful music rendered over the
grave of the composer by two such
great artists was to feel in the truest
sense the genius of Rossini and the
prominent part he played in the mu-
sic of the nineteenth century. The
name of Patti has always been asso-
ciated with high prices. and not with
cut cause. for although other singers
have received larger sums for en-
gagements, none have ever succeeded
in maintaining such a uniformly high
rate. When Nine. Patti returned to
America in 1881 after an absence of
twenty years she held mistaken notions
about the American people and her
concerts were disappointment. High
prices and hackneyed songs did not
suit the public, and in order to make
her tour a success she dismissed her
French manager and Henry e. Abbey.
who knew the public well. took the
work. 1t proved to be success
financially and artistically, her voice
showing but little sign of wear and her
execution being as brilliant as ever.
In Brooklyn the people took the
horses out of her carriage and dragged
her home. AT that time the following
clever rhyme at the expense Of her
manager, taken from Buck. voices
the opinion Of the public very neatly
In regcrd to PATHS tour In 1SS1-18S2:
Patti cake, Patti cake. Franchi man!
So do messieurs. CONNIE vite as can.
Roulez ct tourez ct MARQUEE with care.
Et poser au publique at ten dollars a
chair"
Patti at once made a contract for
a series of performances at $4,000
night, and when she sang in Boston
in 1882 she sing three performances
on shares-her share OF the receipts
was $40, S95--the attendance at one mat
inee was 9142 people.
Mime. Patti always had the advan-
tage Of excellent management. Her
brother-in-law, Maurice Strakosch,
usually had her under his protection.
Petit has been married three times.
Her first husband was Marquis de
Caux. In 1885 she obtained divorce
from the marquis and the following
wear married Ernest Nicolini. the ia
nous tenor. Signor Nicolini was
man of fine stage presence, ana a1ter
the retirement of Mario, was consid-
cred the best tenor on the stage. He
died in 1898. In one short year she again
married-Baron Cedarstrum. They
are still living at his beautiful castle
at Craig-y-Nos in Wales. Her wealth
ia by no means confined to real es-
t-te. for she has rare collection OF
Jewels, said to be the largest and most
brilliant owned by any of the modern
operatic artists. Her last concert tour
to America was not success. IL is
remarkable that she sings at all at
the age OF 81. Sir Morrell Mackenzie'
the great throat specialist in London,
saws Nine. Patti has the most Won
derful throat he ever saw. She has
witnessed the rise of many rivals, but
none ever euualed her In popularity,
end several years must elapse De1ore
anv of the singers careers will equal
the lnegth of Adelina Patti.
Nine. PATHS eldest sister, Carlotta
Patti, was also wonderful singer,
but she was obliged to ABANDON tne
oneratic stage on account of lameness
She died in 1889 and was the wife or
Ernst de Munck of Weimar.
Madame Albanis family name was
Marie Louise Cecilia Emma Lateunesse
and she was borr.in- 1850 OF French
Canadian parent Chambly near
Montreal. Her father was a professor
musical atmosphere. She was placed
in the convent of the Sacre Occur at
Montreal and here 1t was she received
her education. In 1864 the family
moved to Albany, N. Y, and here
Mile. Lajeunesse entered upon her
professional career. She adopted the
name of the city because 1t was here
that she decided upon becoming a pro-
fessionaI singer Il have lately heard
that this is not true.) She sang In
the Catholic cathedral and attracted
the attention of the bishop by her
beautiful voice and he urged her father
to take her to Europe. To provide the
necessary funds a concert was given
for her in Albany after which the
.,o,,ng Iadv and her father proceeded
TO Paris. where she commenced her
studies with Duprez. She then went
70 Milan and became pupil OF the
great Lamperti. In 1870 she made her
debut in "Sonnambula," singing for a
time In Florence. For years she has
been a great favorite in London and
st. Petersburg-in fact, all over the
world. She visited America in 1873
and again sang in the cathedral in
Albany. In 1878 she married Ernest
GIVE. a lessee of Covent Garden theater.
ana they have lived in England ever
since. After career of nearly thirty
years she is still as popular as ever.
Her voice was one or great beauty.
I never heard such high tones OF en-
chanting sweetness come from the
throat of any living singer. Her pian-
issimo and wonderful breath control.
runs, staccatos and trills gave delight
t. anyone who heard her sing. Not
only a great operate artist is Nine.
Albani. She is also one of the fore
most oratorio and concert sopranos OF
England and the world. She created
the part of Elsie In the Colleen Leg
end" travelling from Brussels to Berlin
expressly to sing 1t at the request OF
the composer, Sir Arthur Sullivan. In
England. where she has made her
home for so many years. she is as
popular and as highly .respected on