The Mapleson Memoirs, vol II

eral of my leading artists were also invited. The steam pinnace was sent on shore to take us on board. After visiting the ship and receiving all possible

2 a week each, and it was therefore impossible that any music could be given during the luncheon. Not even "God Save the Queen" could be played. The captain, in lieu of communicating this to the admiral, informed me of

hore who had deserted the ship, and yet be unable to send a boat's crew to bring

ion. Considerable doubt was felt, however, as to the probable result of this venture, and many declared that their purses and patience had been so tho

alpers." The auctioneer notified that the choice of every single seat in the house would be offered on sale. Upon the drop curtain were colossal diagrams of the different portions of the house, and as

f seat and were in addition to

t all to the auctioneer and the public. The proscenium boxes reached 240 dollars premium for the five n

, which was accordingly marked off, and a ticket handed to him by which he could obtain the seat selected on payment at the box office. Numbers o

umbers who had placed themselves in line never intended purchasing tickets, but waited there only for the purpose of selling their places. An order was thereupon issued by the police calling upon those nearest the office to produce their

tti had chosen for her benefit La Traviata; which, however, was changed at the requ

enses seemed to be leaving me. I could not make out what it was. The Hotel rocked three inches one way and then three inches another; the plates and knives and forks jumping off on to the floor, whilst my money was rolling in all

frightened

, but

of," he said, handing me a card, on which I found this insc

d, although this hotel is six stories high, with open corridors looking into the main courtyard the length of the entire building, it is wound round the

been developed that she at once ascribed the earthquake to Gerster's evil i

out the night, with money in their hands, to ensure the possession of even standing room, whilst thousands who, in their impecuniosity, could not hope to cross the threshold of the musical V

oors were not to be thrown open until six hours afterwards. A line was formed down Mission and Third Street, extending almost to Mar

ll his men, the crowd quite overpowering them. The 17 nights' performances produc

had issued 60 bogus tickets for the opening night alone, and this caused all the confusion and wrangling. They were proved to have made a p

rived in due course at Salt Lake City on Tuesday evening, where Mdme. Patti dressed in her own railway car, which afterwards conveyed her to the conc

ns made to receive the great songstress. A special line of railway had been laid down from the regular main line of Salt Lake City to the Tabernacle, and on it the special train ran without a hitch up to the

als, four coaches for the chorus and orchestra, four sleeping cars, including the extra boudoir cars, La Traviata, La Sonnambula, and Semiramide, also the Lycoming, my own private car, followed by the car of Adelina Patti. The inha

of heavy silk damask, the walls and ceilings covered with gilded tapestry, the lamps of rolled gold, the furniture throughout upholstered with silk damask of the most beautiful material. The drawing-room was of white and gold, and the ceiling displayed several figures painted by Parisian artists of eminence. The woodwork was

anions of the Diva is the famous, world-renowned parrot, which has mastered several words and sentences in French and English. On Patti whistling a particular tune, the bird imitates her exactly.

llowing Sunday, when I received telegraphic news of the sad state Cincinnati was in. The riots had assumed terrible proportions, the streets were full of barricades, the g

been destroyed by fire, as well as the gaol; and the struggle had already been on for over three days. I therefore teleg

ng which we produced Romeo and Juliet, with Patti and Nicolini, and gave performances of Elisir d'Amore, followed by Semiramide, in which I was glad to be able to reinstate Sc

orning. She decided to go on board the day previously, but as it was Friday she drove about the city until

he whole of the Patti benefit receipts at the suit of the Bank of the Metropolis. This bank had discounted a joint note of guarantee which t

ess, to do so. The stockholders had really acted for the preservation of their own property, my own means having been already swamped in the undertaking. I worked as economically as I possibly could to achieve the purpose for which their assi

n recognition of the energy and skill with which, through unheard-of difficulties, I had at last conducted my season to a successful issue. All, however, tha

But as I still had an agreement with the Academy, I did not enter into the negotiation, explaining my inability

he very night of Patti's benefit to lay hands on all my r

amps. In vain did I remonstrate with the Directors, urging that if they were dissatisfied with my management they could easily set me at liberty from my next year's lease, which would be a great saving to them, inasmuch as by its terms they had to find the theatre for m

rs could wait no longer, they now

ing everything into the Nilsson Hall adjoining the Academy, of which I held the lease, whilst other assistants ma

pplication to him, nor, in fact, to any of his friends who had guaranteed the payment of the advance made on their joint bond; and he

een caused by two individuals who were unwilling to honour their own signatures. All this turmoil and fuss, however, had given new encouragement to the rival directors,

flower devices sent by my friends of New York, Philadelphia, and Boston. One piece was five feet in height; another consisted of a large crown of roses supported on four rounded arms of metal, covered with vines and blossoms

n board; and, to tell the truth, I was very glad to get out