The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-23

IKNEW I would find something in the
Pyrenees. The fashionable world,
= ever fleeing, hoped to hide itself amid
the chestnut shades and crystal torrents
OF these snow tipped mountain unknown
to the tourist.
But how hope to find a group Of Illus
trlous artists Of the past, world favor
ties of other days, men like Capoul, Pc
dro Gailhard, Albert Vaguet, matinee
idols of old? Voices that earned millions
sing to humble villagers in Luchon Vale.
Pedro Ballard used to be the director
Of the grand opera of Paris, and 20 years
ago he was the idol OF Coyent Garden aud
fences with his marvellous barytone voice.
Victor Capoul, the illustrious Capoul
was the most famous of all French light
opera tenors, as widely known in Amer
lea >as in France, and that before the
time of full page interviews, press agents
and artistic gossip. In those days they
took horses out of Capoul's carriage and
dragged him in triumph.
Capoul was SO popular that linked cuffs
date from him, and the flowing Capoul tie,
while laborers all over the world still
have a form of haircut a la caponl. To-
day he is 20 years old. completely retired.
but dresser than ever. His check suits
are beauties to behold
Albert yaguet was the Caruso of France
as recently as nine years ago. He had
an operation performed for removing the
tonsils; and, as he claims, an oversight of
the surgeon made it impossible for him
30 s,;,,s onl ri,i,,a1 bic oa roar
When vaguet left the stage with him
went his wife, great favorite with Paris
audiences. Possessing a pure and high
soprano voice of great strength, sweet
ness and suppleness. Mile. Julie Chretien
made a famous season in America with
the late Colonel Mapleson, and wealth and
fame were hers. She threw all aside to
follow Vaguet to his farm at Nay.
These celebrities OF former days are
now found, by a curious coincidence, in
a small area of earthly paradise, the
Vale of Luchon. And poor mountain viii
layers listen daily to operate airs and
brilliant bits of scenes sung with the fire
and Joy of old times by voices that earned
millions.
1t was at the villa of Pedro Gailhard,
in Luchon, that encountered them.
The villagers of Luchon, in the villa
concert hall, came in time to hear entire
scenes from opera, sung ty voices that
were famous the world over--the great
All Star Company of Hasbeens!
II built a villa in a mountain dell"
says Pedro yailhard. with grand old
friends upon a mimic stage ] get an
hours illusion. Yes, truly, hear the
call of the stage at times, unused to the
thought that my race is run.
"I have formed a singing society at
Toulouse and write songs for it. 1 study
and work with these young voices and
when l encounter one that seems a real
find l put all my services, all my enthus-
iasm to revivIfying in it my own spirit.
''Once in a while ! am persuaded to sing
for charity. 1 do not expect to be crit
icised as singer, only as an artist The
principal asset of the singer Is his voice,
and when the hairs turn gray the voice
loses it's freshness, and when it loses its
freshness 1t loses its charm.
..rhe exigencies of modern music tend
to produce artists OF greater finesse than
those of former days, The greatest dam
ger L can foresee is that melody may come
into disuse. But why be pessimistic?
America has great operate future. You
have already sent a great number of
magnificent women singers to Europe, and
only recently | heard voice that fairly
startled me by it's beauty, a young girl
named Perry And there is no gainsaying,
when America once gets under way. it Will
become the musical center of the world!'
Albert vaguet, in shooting jacket and
leather leggings, skinned fiat stones into
the little lake with moody air.
when you speak of me- said Vaguet.
you speak OF hasbeen. And as l am
in the prime of life it Is a heart breaking
admission. Today L am nothing but q
small land owner, who hunts and fishes
loves all sports, out whose soul refuses to
admit defeat, even when defeat is a posi-
tive certainty"
The unhappy man skinned another
stone.
''Only few years fame and glory were
mine for the asking. I lost 1t all in q
day. And were it not for the fate that l
had some small means that permitted me
to buy my property 1 would be starving,
for cannot even give lessons
mot that I lost my voice." he added
bitterly. My sorrcs is the more ex-