The sun., 1912-07-21
? S Mascasni in trouble again. as the
cable dispatches from Europe
would have people believe? No,

~osAAAs
cable dispatches from Europe
/ would have people believe? No,
he Is still in trouble: he is always
In trouble. or to be moro accurate
he is always making trouble.
The latest news about him Is such
that were It not for Mascagni's past
performances one might suspect some
!ns!dious press agent Of trying to catch
public attention at the precise moment
when the author Of "Cavallcria" is
about to give the world a new opera.
The !ibretto Of this new work will be
from the pen Of another italian school,
boy who will never come Of age.
Gabrielle d'Annunzio.
Mascagni is now 4e. having been born
at Leghorn on December Z. 1853. HIS
father, who vas q baker. had hopes OF
transmitting to Pietro the prosperous
bread shop he had inherited from his
father. Pietro. however. was lazy and
had an unfortunate liking for playing
practical Jokes on his fathers Gus
tonlers When an old woman broke
her last front tooth on little statue
of the Virgin Pietro had smuggled into
a loaf while 1t was baking his father
decided to resort to severe measures o!
repression
Plctro subsequently, limped out OF the
house and went tramping for month
By thu, end Of that time old Mascagni
bitterly repented Of his has;y though
justified treatment OF his m!sch!evous
son. When the police located the young
runaway he was told that any OF his
wishes regarding a career would be
assisted by his family and that never
never again would he be compelled &c
bend over the kneading trough or tc
stand in front Of the baking oven.
Il want TO be a lawyer Pietro de-
clared when he finally wrestled himself
free from the smothering embrace OF his
overjoyed parents.
"A lawyer you shall be-" the father
declared.
Pietro was young yet and had few
things To learn before beginning to read
law in earnest lie began to attend
school at the local lyceum and tor q
few months at least peace reigned In
the Mascagni family.
Then it happened that one OF the
ne.ghbors purchased a plano. Pietrc
began 10 neglect his home study and tc
spend more and more time listening &c
The ne.ghbor's playing. Very soon the
law lost all fascination for him and he
decided to become pianist.
The results Of one or two illusions
he made at the dinner table about the
charms OF q musical career were enough
10 convince him that his father would
once more resort to strenuous physical
treatment should he reveal his secret
pians. He then began to buy stacks OF
classical and legal text books which
were absolutely necessary to the con-
tinuation OF his studies. Papa Mas
cagni grumbled. but finally settled all
bills.
One day, however. q polite gentleman
came in and with profuse apologies an
nounced that he would like to collect q
little sum, now over due, for music
lessons given to Master Mascagni.
Music lessons? To my sonT'
Yes. signor. have had the honor
and pleasure OF teaching music to your
son for year
Hasn't he paid you in all that time?'
"Ele did pay me until last May. Only
| am n little short OF cash just now
and took the liberty"
When Pletro came homo a painful
explanation took place. II came out
that lie had entered into contract with
g book dealer by which the book dealer
rcpurchascd from him on rather ad-
,au'agcous terms the books Pietro
needed for his alleged legal studies
, Then things began 10 happen. Pietro
much the worse for wear. was gathered
"a by one OF his uncles. After his
battered features had recovered their
rpfmal expression he was sent TO the
Nhcrutini Institute. where the famous
Soffred!ni became his teacher.
For a couple Of years tho uncle hac
II" cause To regret his generosity
'opard his wayward nephew. The very
'rs' compositions OF the young music
etud"nt found recognition and were
r"rtormed at local festivals. A sym
ihony IN c minor. a kyrie written on the
OCCASION Of Cherubini's festival, a can
ls'a for voices and orchestra. and few
more compositions made pretty goo,
Glowing for boy Of l6
When IN 1850 he won first prize
'cr setting TO music Schiller's "Od'
:" Joy" which was used by Beethoven
for he chorus OF his ninth symphony.
count Florestano de I.ardei volunteere,
'u pay for the boys musical education
Hn'l he was rs,
T'tro Mescagni went then 10 stud,
~ tho Milan Conservatory OF Music
No IN the musical capital OF Italy Of
'9'ed too many temptations to the Splr
lt1 Young fellow, Time and time agaii
h's protector had TO rescue him frou
angry creditors and designing persons
of The tair sex. Ills early triumph;