Evening journal., 1913-03-06
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
AFamOuS Conductors Opin-
ion of CarIOtta Patti
BY holland

BY Holland
Luigi Arditi was from 1878 10 1856
the leading conductor OF grand opera
given by the Maplcson companies i'm
the United States He was an ex-
tremcly interesting personality.
There was something almost comical
about his appearance in the conduc
tors chair for he was little man
with a large head Of shining badness.
That great bald object became fa-
miliar TO those who freauented the
opera during the eight years Of Ar
diu's conductorship. He was very
graceful conductor. able almost to
make his baton speak, for there were
certain peculiarities Of movement Of
the wand which every one Of the
singers recognized as perfectly as
though the little ebony sceptre actu.
ally spoke
Arditi had gained great reputa-
tion before he came to the United
States as conductor of the Mapleson
company He had I'm fact, been con-
ductor of the first performance OF
opera In the new Academy of Music
in New York city, in Fourteenth
street
Arditi had already written an opera,
which was a dramatization of Feni-
moro Cooper's novel "The Spy This
opera was produced for the first time
upon the Academy Of Music stage.
His reputation as the composer Of
the famous waltz song, III Baccio,
which he wrote for the great Italian
soprano Piccolomini had made his
name a household word in musical
circles IN the United States. He was
also known as the favorite conductor
Of Adelina Patti, whose father and
mother he knew when Patti was an
infant
I'm 1882 Arditl was the conductor OF
grand opera performances which were
given for q few weeks at Washington
He was then past sixty wears OF age
and, although gray Of beard and mus
tache. in other respects gave no sign
that he was approaching the youth oil
old age.
I met Arditi in the most informal
manner at his hotel I'm Washington.
found him modest without any self
consciousness. and apparently very
glad TO talk reminiscontly In the
course Of conversation ] vcntured to
ask Arditi If he would be willing TO
tell me who. in his view. was the
greatest singer OF whom no had any
knowledge
"If YOU will permit me to leave
out OF my "reminiscences the great ar
lists who are now singing under my
conductorshp I will answer your
question. with this understanding
that I do not wish in any way to
make reference to the great singers
who are now with me. will tell YOU
Who ! think was and is the most won
derful singer ! ever knew.
"She is Carlotla Patti She Il
about two years older than her sister
Adelina. She is a very beautiful wo-
man. somewhat stouter than Adelina,
/ but with tho same large lustrous dark
eyes and beautiful hair that Adelina
possesses.
81 once tried Carlotta PATHS voice
70 test the range J found that she
could sing with perfect clearness and
wonderful brlliancy of tone as higl
as G sharp In alt If YOU do not
know what that means will say tina,
| G sharp in alt is the highest note
that I have ever known a singer TO
take easily. naturally and with per
foct purity Of tone Her range was
about two octaves and half, ana
every note was of perfect purity. She
sang without the slightest apparent
effort. Her sister Adolina has always
been very proud OF Carlotta, and OF
course Carlotta roioicos in the FAME
of Adelina
81 have now told you who. in my
opinion, is the greatest singer ever
known among women"
"But." said 7, IF Carlotta Patti has
the marvellous voice of which you
speak and the attractive personality
TO which YOU have alluded why has
she not appeared like her sister Ade-
lima i'm opera? For her success would
undoubtedly be as great
"Ah," sighed Arditi. there was one
fatal limitation to Carlotta's appear
ance in opera; but for that she would
have been equally renowned with her
sister"
did not venture TO ask what that
Limitation was, but Arditi in sad tones
and with a solemn expression in his
eyes continued. "Carlotta Patti is
lame
Copyright, 1913 by e. J. Edwards
All rights .reserved)
! Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell OF
Senator COnklin's Real Opinion oil