The San Francisco call., 1909-01-25

San Francisco music lovers and So
ciety leaders are planning energetically
for the splendid testimonial benefit that
is to be given tomorrow evening in
Golden Gate Commandery hall, in Sutter
street near Steiner in honor of the
seventy eighth birthday of Nine. Fab
bri-Mueller. who, among all the women
of California. has experienced the great
est number of triumphs and achieved
the most brilliant musical career.
Nine Fabbri- Mueller was at one time
a grand opera singer. Then she had all
the homage and glory that the world
gives To the sweetest voices. Meyer
beer. the composer. declared that her
rendition of Valentine In THE Hugue
nOts" was the best portrayal of that
part: Richard Wagner pleaded with her
to create The role of Isolde in Tristan
and Isolde"
MOST NOTED SINGER
She sang before e.nperors and presi-
dents. She was the protege of En-
Deror Francis Joseph and his empress,
Theresa Isabelle; two emperors of Ger
MANY listened to her notes; twice at
distinguished functions the prince of
Wales. now King Edward of England,
honored her wonderful gift; at one time
she was a member of the encourage of
Dom Pedro, the emperor of Brazil; she
sang before President Grant in Wash
ingtOn and on the same platform from
which Robert Ingerson spoke. And in
1860 she and Patti were rivals for the
musical sovereignty of New York city.
matching their glorious voices from
competing opera houses in a duel of
golden notes and trills and dramatic
rival singers appeared in Don Clio
vanni." and o years later, in London in
1870 they again appeared on the same
stage IN the same opera.
OPENED GRAND OPERA HOUSE
Nine Fabbri- -MuelIer's greatest boon
to san Francisco was given when she
opened the Grand Opera house in Mis-
sion street near Third in 1876. Then
she sang her great role of Valentine
in The Huguenots" Later her oper-
attic career was closed. and she has
lived quietly in San Francisco teaching
music. training younger voices to fol-
low in the operas she made famous and
with her charm and viyacity that age
can not dull enlightening the hearts
of those about her Her home now is
at 1176 Ellis street the walls of which
are crowded with the portraits Of great
artists from the operas
Amid all the iattery Of court and the
tremendous successes of the opera
house. Nine Fabbri Mueller had a life
of domestic simplicity and beauty. She
lives now in san Francisco because Of
her romantic devotion TO the memory
of her first husband Richard Mulder.
who was a famous musician and i'm
Dresario The remains Of Mulder lie
in a grave overlooking the Golden gate
and before his death Nine. Mueller
r-g~o cfa
the spot Subsequently the singer re-.
married James Mueller, a great barry
tone.
WAS FORMERLY BRUNETTE
When young. Nine Fabbri- Mueller
was brunette Now her hair is white
and her cheeks show lines that they
did not have in youth, but the sweet
ness of manner is there. the gracious
ness. the buoyancy that must have
made her remarkable on the stage. In
her home last evening she talked of her
triumphs and of the people she had
met and the songs she had sung.
IN the recital appears Meyerbeerf
Wagner. Patti, kings and princes.
singers and beauties.
.AIeyerbeer said TO me, Your yalen-
tine in The Huguenots' expresses just
the conception / had when I wrote the
part
w aRner sent lOf me- SdlQ NINE
Mueller in discussing that great musi-
cal figure. when I was singing in
Vienna. and asked if he could have an
interview.
II want you to sing Isolde in
Tristan and Isolde, he said.
Master, / told him, you frighten
me. ] never could do justice to that
part: can not take it
But you can he said. Any one
who can sing the part of Valentine like
you can, can take any part
But I refused" Then Nine Fabbri-
Mueller's eyes twinkled.
OBJECTED TO WAGNER
Il did not want to sing in his operas
IN them the singer is nothing the or
chestra is everything. Before Wag-
ner's genius / lay on my knees; I pray
for him for that genius" she added
quantity. but 1 did not want to sing
his operas.
Verdi and Meyerbeer are the great