New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-09-28
Adelina Patti, Queen of Song,''
Dies i'm Her Castle at Wales
Famous Prima Donna Made
First and Last Public APP
pearances in America;
Her Voice Thrilled World

LONDON, Sept. e7.-Baroness Ceder-
strom, who as Adelina Patti had
career as prima donner which covered
span Of more than fifty years, died
today at her castle, Craig y Nos,
penycos, South Wales. She was in her
seventy-seventh year.
Nine. PATTI began as a singer at the
age Of seven in New York and her last
Public appearance was in America, on
the occasion of her last farewell tour
some fourteen years ago.
"The Queen of Song" as Adelina
Patti was called a million times in
fifty years, came Of two families of
singers. Her father was Salvatore
Patti, Sicil.an, who had some emf
hence as tenor singer, and also as
an operate manager. Her mother. also
g well known singer, was Caterina
Chiesa. who was first married to Fran
cesco Bari]li, and after his death to
Salvatore Patti. Her parents were both
Italians, but they Glanced to be living
in Madrid at the time OF her birth,
February 10, 1913. She received the
5sptismal names Of Adele Juana Maria,
but at an early age was called Adelina,
and thus WAS known through life.
When she was only five years old
her family came 70 New York, and her
father became for some time the man
sger of Italian opera here. She began
her mus.cal studies under the direc-
ton of her half-brother. Ettore Barilli,
and also OF Maurice Strakosch, whe
had married one OF her elder sisters.
Ae early as 1850, when she was seven
years old, she sang at public CON
cert in New York, under the direction
of Max Maretzek, and thereafter for
four or tivs years she frequently sang
under the management OF her
brother-in-law, Strakosch
Began Career at Seve,s
Speaking of her first concert, Nine.
Patti once said;
Il was then tiny girl of seven
fears. with a pale face and very, very
lack eyes, and next 10 singing my ia
yorite pestime was running down
broadway trundling 3 hoop. One of
Ike first memories have, next to that
Connected with NY hoop, is my stand
lng bchjnd the scenes and peering
through hole II the curtain while my
st.ther ana mother went through their
performance. The singers az they
came off the stage used to stoop down
and give ne toys and kisses. or fill my
pockets with bon bons.
Il was seven years old when the
opera Company OF which my father
and mother were members began to re-
turn So little money that l could 10
longer stand my fathers troubled face.
remember saying, Don't sell your
beautiful turquoise pin, papa. Let me
nclp You; | can sing we'll enough, and
will be & little prima dorna.' And
remember. too. my fathers eyes Till
ing with tears as he replied: no, little
one, what you say is impossibe' But
had made TIP my mind, nevertheless.
My mother had already given me les
''ftfRANy
little win her
Sang IA Toce" in Debut.
Il gave them al no peace until one
day IL was noised about that little
Adel'ns. the daughter Of Signor Patti,
was to sing Una Noce" and The Son
nanDu.a" 1T Nlbio's Garden. A pr INA
donna of seven summers said every
oody, and | am sure they must have
laughed. But it was no laughing mat
ter TO ne or 20 my father and mother,
although 7 VAS not bit nervous or
frightened, but, on the contrary, full
Of childish confidence.
u didn't care for much to eat that
evening but nobody paid any attention
10 my want OF appetite. | coaXed my
mother, and she braided my haic and
burned candles in those days. and
can still see myself looking for many
minutes into the mirror of my bed
room, with the heavy shadows behind
me, before We set out for the theatre
FROM time 10 time my father brought,
Feports to us in our dressing room OF
Tho appearance OF the house. 1t was
10. large audience.
"Btaya, Bravo" First Night.
AT O'clock the curtain went up,
and | came Oh. ! think everybody in
the house must have applauded, for,
besides having q great many friends
therc, it would have been hard OF
anybody not 10 have been interested
IN 50 young u cantatrice. They told
me- aiterward tnat from those first
notes nobody had any doubt that was
a success and a born prima donna
Ihiid as ! was, / felt sure that lie Bon
pieu was at my side
~ hen the curtain went down on
Oha 'occ' ! saw g great number OF