New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-11
AM going 70 tell how, when and
where saw Giuseppe Verdi TO-
u ct .;ue and when and where

for the last
nyrinr the winter Of 1889 found
.rs.lf in Genoa for the purpose of
.rr.uing my education. l must at once
nit however, that frequented as
,.,ls as possible the Royal Naval High
c.tool at which | had been duly in
,.,;hed as student, and as much as
..yIs the Carlo Feiice and the Po-
mo.ra. the Genovese theatres devoted
- operatic performances. 1t is beyond
m doubt that the observations made
IA impressions received in these two
.seatres proved much more profitable
,han the instruction impaired by my
sn;nent Official professors
was living with family friends in
80 Palazzo Doria. the very palazzo
,bieh sheltered Giuseppe Verdi, who,
80 IS we'll known. was accustomed, with
S;ypora Giuseppina, his wife, to pass
.hs months from November to the end
- AprH in Genoa, occupying a large
.,.rtnent on the first floor. which OH
a,e side looks out upon the Piazza
Principe and the Port and on the other
,se railroad and the hills.
In that period my tendencies and mu-
steal tastes had been strongly directed
toward Magnetism, a fact largely due
70 q sojourn l made in Bologna, the
Italian citadel Of Futurism. The Nag-
rerians Of those days were uncompro-
,,isiug TO an incredible degree. l. is
,lsimed that this is an inevitable ne
,sssitv for the adopts Of new religions
which otherwise could never succeed in
firmly roofing themselves. So it always
Willie. True it is. we blasphemed sacri-
lsgiously. and | recall having expressed
rvself with regard TO the Holy Fathers
q Italian opera, from Cimarosa to
Verdi. opinions such that il is with diff
fe1ltv that | shall succeed in purging
rvself of the offence in the Day OF
Judgment and for which to-day ] still
irolore the pardon Of those Sainted
Spirits.
In spite Of my Magnetism and M
lofty dsdain for the music Of other
times. and in spite Of the fact that l
declared myself not even appeased by
the modern treatment which "Otello'
had lust received-!n spite of all this
I was dying with the desire TO see
Verdi. whom / had never seen and whom
in nv heart really worshipped. But
Verdi did not appear and l was con
.fnuallv more and more consumed with
Impotence.
Although | was living, as ! said,
under the same roof, the idea OF being
presented TO him or permitted to enter
his apartment was not even to be CON
s:dered. The Maestro, by nature dis
tspt and far from sociable, received
only an occasional old friend and
svoided making new acquaintance. Be-
sides. he could count absolutely upon
The devotion. discipline and incorrupti-
tijity Of his servants and of the porter
Of the Palazzo Dora. An ugly Geno-
ysse reply it was that the latter made
70 me one day. when, taking courage
and showing him a five-franc piece,
made bold 70 ask him il l might have
moments view % the apartment OF the
Maestro. who. knew, was absent. Nat
granv. 7 did not 90 20 the place 70
Ef..h this stern, severe guardian had
consigned me. but continued TO watch
end wait in the nope that the long
sough. occasion would present itself.
PEI Boccoi had been for two months
IL the Palszzo Doria and had not seen
the Maestro even at distance. Tr1ly
tie yery depth Of ill-luck!
recall a mild afternoon, Frightened
b the winter sun. Coming out of the
,ehool. then. Is now. opposite the Pa
l.zzo Doris, noticed that the windows
Of the Verdi apartment, almost always
e.osel. were now wide open. An IDEA
occurred 20 re. ran home, got pair
Z opera glasses, hurried outside and
elinbcd the stairway, which to-day
'aiak has disappeared. but which a.
lat time arose at the side Of the
Piazza Principe and led 70 the Lsgac-
Go. Reaching 3 good position, / put
tie glssges 70 ny eyes and boldly d.
reeted them toward Z window when
yss d.s,inruished by certain yellow
e.rtains. was adjusting the Lenses
rhcr / heard sonorous Toice eH-
GAIN "Paisan!" Crude fellow!") and
"a fash the window was closed with q
lang b. one Of those terrible servants.
Heaven. In spite Of my uncornpromis-
.ag Wagnerirm--of questionable sin
fer.ty perhaps because Of IT, after
al granted me q compensation. few
dsys after this reception a. the win
Syx, On An afternoon far from bright
ard eheery. az was returning home
.ld about 20 open the iron door Of
.e ported near the porter's lodge, and
sile I was thinking Of something very
,ferent. behold, in front Of me on the
o.bsr side Of the grating, Verdi In per
ssBi
by hear. gave a bound. Confused
and stunned, pulled the door toward
me and, drawing back, took OF my hat
aas waited in ceremonious attitude for
ne Maestro 70 pass. No che! Inc
5iss,tfo. with a severe look, bru'que
aoysment and manner that seemed
- ssy. What IL all this nonsense
ascs ne 20 before him, and "ithoo'
paying the least attention 70 my saIu-