The Mapleson Memoirs, 1848-1888 Volume Ii Part 7

The following account of Patti's _debut_, which appeared in the New York Herald, of November 25th, 1859, will be read with interest:--

"DeBUT OF MISS PATTI.

"A young lady, not yet seventeen, almost an American by birth, having arrived here when an infant, belonging to an Italian family which has been fruitful of good artists, sang last night the favourite _role_ of _debutantes_, 'Lucia di Lammermoor.'

"Whether it is from the natural sympathy with the forlorn _fiancee_ of the Master of Ravenswood which is infused into the female breast with Donizetti's tender music, or from a clever inspiration that to be unhappy and pretty is a sure pa.s.sport to the affections of an audience, we cannot say. Certain it is, however, that the aspirants for the ovations, the triumphs, the glories, that await a successful prima donna almost always select this opera for their preliminary dash at the laurels. The music affords a fine opportunity to show the quality and cultivation of the soprano voice, and it is so familiar as to provoke comparison with first-rate artists, and provoke the severest criticisms by the most rigid recognized tests.

"All these were duly and thoroughly applied to Miss Adelina Patti a day or two since by a very critical audience at what was called a show rehearsal. It was then ascertained that Miss Patti had a fine voice, and that she knew how to sing. The artists and amateurs were in raptures.

This was a certificate to the public, who do not nowadays put their faith in managers' announcements, unless they are endorsed. With an off-night and an opera worn to bits, the public interest in Miss Patti's _debut_ was so great as to bring together a very large audience, rather more popular than usual, but still numbering the best-known _habitues_ and most critical amateurs. The _debutante_ was received politely but cordially--an indication that there was not a strong claque, which was a relief. Her appearance was that of a very young lady, _pet.i.te_ and interesting, with just a tinge of schoolroom in her manner. She was apparently self-possessed, but not self-a.s.sured.

"After the first few bars of recitative, she launched boldly into the cavatina--one of the most difficult pieces of the opera. This she sang perfectly, displaying a thorough Italian method and a high soprano voice, fresh and full and even throughout. In the succeeding cabaletta, which was brilliantly executed, Miss Patti took the high note E flat, above the line, with the greatest ease. In this cabaletta we noticed a tendency to show off vocal gifts which may be just a little out of place. The introduction of variations not written by the composer is only pardonable in an artist who has already a.s.sured her position. In the duet with the tenor (Brignoli) and with the baritone (Ferri), and the mad scene, Miss Patti sang with sympathetic tenderness--a rare gift in one so young--and increased the enthusiasm of the audience to a positive _furore_, which was demonstrated in the usual way--recalls, bouquets, wreaths, etc., etc. The horticultural business was more extensive than usual.

"Of course we speak to-day only of Miss Patti's qualifications as a singer. Acting she has yet to learn; but artists, like poets, are born, not made. The mere _convenances_ of the stage will come of themselves.

She is already pretty well acquainted with them. So far as her voice, skill, method, and execution are concerned, we are simply recording the unanimous opinion of the public when we p.r.o.nounce the _debut_ of Miss Patti a grand success.

"Everyone predicts a career for this young artist, and who knows but the managers may find in her their long-looked-for sensation?"

On repeating the character two days afterwards, said the same paper, "the prima donna was twice called before the curtain, and the stage was literally covered with the flowers thrown before her. The success of this artist, educated and reared amongst us, with all the vocal gifts of an Italian, and all the cleverness of a Yankee girl, is made. Everybody talked of her, wondering who and what she is, where she has been, and so on.

"She was brought out at the Academy to save the season. The manager had a good Company, plenty of fine artists, everything required for fine performances, but the great outside public, always thirsting for something new, wanted a sensation.

"They have it in 'Little Patti,' who not only pleases the connoisseurs and is the special favourite of the fair, but who has all the material for a great popular pet."

The jubilee performance was a brilliant success. At the close of the opera, after the usual number of recalls, accompanied by bouquets, etc., the curtain rose, and at the rear of the stage was an immense American eagle about to soar, beneath which was the word "Patti," and over it "1859-1884." The band of the 7th Regiment approached the footlights, and the musicians played a march that Cappa, the bandmaster, had composed in honour of Mdme. Patti twenty-five years before. Patti walked up to him, and said, with a choking voice: "I thank you for your kindness from the bottom of my heart."

She was afterwards recalled innumerable times, and on reappearing she brought on with her Mdme. Scalchi. At the close of the opera a carriage with four milk-white steeds which I had arranged for was standing to convey its precious burthen to her hotel. Following this we had 100 torch-bearers, for the most part admirers and supporters of the opera.

Mounted police were on each side of Patti's carriage. At the end of the procession was a waggon full of people letting off Roman candles and large basins of powder, which, when ignited, made the streets and sky look most brilliant. The route was up Broadway to Twenty-third Street, and thence up Madison Avenue to Patti's hotel.

I on this occasion was to have taken the command of the troops as brigadier. My horse, however, never reached me. It was found impossible to get it through the crowd. This did not prevent the ill.u.s.trated papers from representing me on horseback, and in a highly military att.i.tude.

Later on two other bands arrived, and took their stations under Patti's windows. This terminated the festivities in honour of the twenty-fifth anniversary of her first appearance on the American operatic stage.

I may here mention that, as a matter of fact, Adelina Patti did not make her first appearance on the American stage in 1859. I find, too, that she sang at Niblo's Saloon in 1855, and subjoin the programme of one of her concerts given in that year:--

GRAND VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL CONCERT, IN AID OF THE _Hebrew Benevolent Societies_, AT NIBLO'S SALOON, On Tuesday Evening, Feb. 27th, 1855.

The management announces that MRS. STUART, in consequence of the severe indisposition of her mother, will not be able to fulfil her engagement this evening; also, that MME. COMETANT cannot appear in consequence of her severe indisposition. The management have much pleasure in announcing that the services

of SIGNORINA ADELINA PATTI

Have been secured, in connection with whom the following artistes have volunteered:--

SIGNOR BERNARDI, SIGNOR RAPETTI, HERR CHARLES WELS, T. FRANKLIN Ba.s.sFORD, MR. SANDERSON.

PROGRAMME:

PART FIRST.

1 Grand Duet, on "William Tell," Piano and Violin--Mr. Rapetti and Mr. Wels _Osborne_ and _De Beriot_

2 Grand Cavatina, of Norma, Casta Diva--Signa. Adelina Patti _Bellini_

3 "La Cha.s.se du jeune Henri," Overture for Piano--Mr. Ba.s.sford _Gottschalk_

4 Aria, from "Don Sebastian"--Sig. Bernardi _Donizetti_

5 Ballad, "Home, Sweet Home"--Signa. Adelina Patti _Bishop_

6 Grand Duo concertando on airs of "Norma," for Two Pianos--Messrs.

Wels and Ba.s.sford _Wels_

PART SECOND.

1 "Coronation March," from the Prophet, arranged and performed by Mr. Sanderson, his First Appearance in public _Meyerbeer_

2 Aria, from the Opera _Le Chalet_--Sig. Bernardi _Adam_

3 {a. The Eolian Harp} Composed and performed by _C. Wels_ {b. Triumphal March}

4 Jenny Lind's Echo Song--Signa. Adelina Patti _Eckert_

5 Violin Solo, from _La Sonnambula_ _Sig. Rapetti_

6 Grand Fantasia, for Two Pianos, performed by Messrs. Ba.s.sford and Wels, composed by _T. Franklin Ba.s.sford_

Conductor Mr. Charles Wels.

The Two Grand Prize Pianos, used on this occasion, are from the Music Stores of Messrs. Ba.s.sford and Brower, and are for sale at 603, Broadway.

Doors open at 7 o'clock. To commence at 8 o'clock.

TICKETS ONE DOLLAR

To be had at the Music Store of Messrs. Hall and Son, Ba.s.sford and Brower, 603, Broadway, and Scharfenberg and Louis, and at the door.

Going still further back, I may add that Adelina Patti made her very first appearance on the operatic stage in 1850, at Tripler's Hall, New York; where she sang and acted both. She was seven years old at the time.

The season continued until the latter part of December.