Page:Anecdotes of Great Musicians.djvu/65

Rh Rossini's opera, to-night, you have but to add to the uproar which will be raised."

"Very well," was the answer, "you may depend on my being there."

That night the theater was rilled to overflowing to hear that popular opera of Rossini's, "The Barber of Seville." At first all seemed to go well. The singers who took the parts of Almavira and Figaro were warmly welcomed, for they were two native favorites.

But now Rosina comes on, and immediately several whistles are heard in various parts of the house, without waiting for the leader's signal. Madame Alboni advanced to the front of the stage, and, holding out her whistle, said:—

"Gentlemen, we must not hiss me, but the cavatina. You have commenced too soon."

The whole audience at once saw through the affair and broke into hearty applause, and before the close of the opera she had received a dozen recalls.

When the manager expressed his surprise at her knowledge of the conspiracy against her, she said: "My dear sir, it is here as in politics—you must lead the movement or else be swept away."  

The following, told of Empress Catherine of Russia, shows that queens may be just, as well as quick-tempered or spiteful. It is said that at one time the music teacher of the Empress, Paesiello, a celebrated composer, was the cause of jealousy on the part of a certain marshal. Perhaps it was caused by many favors shown the musician by the queen, who appreciated his worth and talent. At any rate, the marshal became so angered as to give Paesiello a blow, which was returned with such good interest and vigor that the military officer was the surprised recipient of a sound drubbing.

Hastening off to the Empress he made complaint that