Friday, February 19, 2021

February 19 - Adelina Patti (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

Adelina Patti (10 February 1843 – 27 September 1919) was one of the greatest coloratura sopranos of the the 19th century. Her voice was captured on primitive recordings late in her life.

[For last year's thoughts on Luigi Boccherini click here.]



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technical Difficulties 


In her prime, Patti demanded to be paid $5000 a night, in gold, before the performance…. Her contracts also insisted that while she was "free to attend all rehearsals, she was not obligated to attend any".  — Wikipedia



Patti in her prime,

   So we’re told,

Was always paid on time,

   And in gold.


Even so in spite of

  These dispersals

She chose to make light of

  Her rehearsals.


Read the critic’s pages:

  “She’s outstanding!

Worthy of the wages

  She’s commanding!”


Should we then rejoice

  And raise a cheer,

That her famous voice

 Is ours to hear?


Or it is true, we go 

  Unrewarded

When we get to know

  What she recorded?

 

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