Page:Anecdotes of Great Musicians.djvu/130

118

In another sketch we have given Italio Campanini's experience as a soldier. After the war was over and the victorious army of Garibaldi was disbanded, this young Italian—for he was only fourteen when he went into the army—returned to his native town, and for two years worked in his father's blacksmith shop. But one night his voice attracted the attention of a connoisseur, and it was arranged that he should study singing with this gentleman in the evening, after his twelve hours at the forge were over. But let him tell the story in his own words:—

"I was with some companions one evening in a wine shop, when a band of strolling musicians came in. They played the Miserere from Verdi's 'Il Trovatore.' I and my companions sang the chorus. A little, weazened old man sat in one corner over a bottle of red wine. He listened to the chorus carelessly at first, and then with increasing attention. When the song was ended he rushed over to the table where we sat.

Which of you sang the tenor part?' he cried, excitedly.

It was Campanini—Italio Campanini,' some one said.

You?' the old man asked.

Yes, Signor, it was I.'

Where did you learn to sing?' the old man continued.

I have never learned,' I replied.

"The old man was Maestro Dall' Argini, a composer of local celebrity. He asked me to come to his house the next day. A number of well-known musicians were there. I sang for them—by ear, for I did not know a note—selections from Il Trovatore and 'La Somnambula.' The end of it all was that Dall' Argini offered to become my master, and the learned musicians decided that I must become an opera singer.