The Mapleson Memoirs, 1848-1888, vol IMapleson, James Henry
History
The Mapleson Memoirs, 1848-1888, vol I
Mapleson, James Henry
Opera -- England -- London; Opera -- United States
Prior to the close of the London season of 1864 Giuglini signed an
engagement for St. Petersburg, receiving a very large honorarium for his
services. Regarding himself as the only representative of "Faust," he
had not taken the precaution of stipulating for his appearance in this,
or, indeed, any other part in his _répertoire_. On his arrival he was
much mortified to find the Covent Garden artists, of whom there were
several, always working and intriguing together; and to Giuglini's great
dismay the part of "Faust" was assigned to Signor Tamberlik; Patti being
the "Margherita" and Nantier Didiée the "Siebel." Now passed some two or
three weeks before Giuglini could obtain a _début_. One afternoon, about
three o'clock, he was informed by the intendant that he was called upon
to perform the _rôle_ of "Faust," Tamberlik being taken suddenly ill.
This was indeed good news, and he set about arranging his costumes and
looking over the music. Towards six o'clock he heard it rumoured that
Madame Patti would be too indisposed to sing the _rôle_ of "Margherita,"
and that he would have to appear with some _débutante_.
This thoroughly unnerved him, and he himself became indisposed, which he
at once notified to the intendant. At the advice of some friends he was
induced to take a walk, and pay a visit to some acquaintances to spend
the evening.
About ten o'clock the door was rudely opened without any warning, and an
_employé_ entered, accompanied by two officials, one of whom politely
raised his hat and said, "Signor Giuglini, I believe?" to which the
Signor replied that he was Giuglini. They thereupon immediately left.
Nothing more was heard of this matter until about a fortnight
afterwards. It being pay day for the principal artists, that afternoon
the Imperial Treasurer called at Giuglini's house with a roll of rouble
notes, requesting him to sign the receipt for his month's pay, which
Giuglini at once did. But on leaving, the treasurer begged to draw his
attention to the notes, as a deduction of £150 had been made from his
monthly stipend in consequence of his having left the house on the day
he was reported to be indisposed. He got into a towering fit of rage,
requesting the balance to be handed to him, as he was allowed certain
days of indisposition according to the terms of his contract. The
treasurer replied that according to the provisions of that clause he
should have remained at home in his house on the day of his reported
illness. The arguments became very warm, and Giuglini, in a fit of rage,
threw the whole bundle of rouble notes into the stove, which was then
burning; and from that moment his reason seemed to have left him.
On the termination of my spring concert tour in 1865 we began a season
of opera in the beginning of March at Dublin, Giuglini promising to join
us at the conclusion of his St. Petersburg engagement, which ended about
that time.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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