Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-27

we played month at the IeatrO del Fondt
before the Dukes venture came to grief
For six weeks | was without work; but
not idle. | worked necessarily on the scor-
ing of my opera, and the bundle of musical
sheets in my valise grew rapidly. 1t was
there | kept my treasured work when | was
not toiling over it, and all through my trav
els l guarded that valise as carefully as
though it was filled with money and jewels.
1t my meals at this period were not regular.
my diet at least was steady. | could afford
nothing but macaroni. and tasted nothing
else for weeks. | was able thus to avoid the
discomfort of hunger, and kept my spirits
fresh by long rambles along the coast to
Posilipo and Portici | would walk for
miles dreaming with eyes wide open. weaving
fantastic visions of future fame and glory.
Once more an impresario tempted fate at
the Teatro del Fondo and | was engaged by
Maresca as director of the company. We
played short season with some success, and
then began our wanderings. which brought
us finally to CerignOla, where we remained
throughout the carnival of 1886 My salary
was now ten lire two dollars) a day, and
it proved sufficient for the needs of my wife
and myself But the WEAKNESS of the wan
dering life, the nonsenscal gossip and null
titudinous jealousies in an aggregation of
artistic temperaments. and the ever present
edge of my ambition to be known as great
operate conductor. l was impatient to get
on with my own work. and found myself
looking back with envy and regret to the
peaceful and honorable mode of life of my
beloved professors at the conservatory.
Wouldn't Leave His Friends
IN Cerignola l made many warm friends.
I beginning with the Mayor. and when
opened my mind to them they encouraged
me to leave the company and remain among
them as piano teacher. played the instru-
ment discreetly, and knew that Nature had
endowed me with the capacity for teaching.
So my resolution was formed.
The morning after our last performance
in Cerignola, the company was to start for
Sicily. l was not on hand. Maresca went
to my lodgings. His knocking brought no
response. The company searched the town.
Not trace of me was discovered.
Suddenly Maresca had an idea. THE
valise! The valise!" he cried, tapping his
forehead. If we can't find him. we shall
take that. He'll be sure to follow" He got
the key to my lodgings and searched every.
where. under the bed, in the closets: but
the valise containing my precious manuscript
on without me.
Next day. my wife and and the precious
valise returned from the place we had been
in hiding.
My heart glows when recall the years
spent in Cerignola. l had youth and strength,
and burning ambition for work. Even if the
piano lessons were scarce during the first
months and we had to achieve marvels of
economy to keep the pot boiling, we lived
amid kindness and encouragement.
Created a Place for Him
Ygoodfriendt the Mayor and othergente-
A'A men of the city saw after few months
that the hopes they had held out in persuad-
ing me to remain among them were not being
fulfilled Finally they came to heroic reso-
luton and prevailed upon the council to
establish for my benefit the unheard of posi-
ton of director of school of orchestra, at
salary of twenty dollars a month.
In the goodness of their hearts. my
friends never stopped to consider whether
/ was qualified to fill such place. That
dawned upon them only after the resolution
was passed. When the Mayor called to i'm
part the joyful news. he asked with trepida-
ton whether had the ability to impart in
struction on all the instruments in the
orchestra. thought of those hundred lire
and without qualm answered yes.
The issue remained to be faced, and | ap-