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
On our arriving at Shelbourne Hotel the police found themselves
powerless to cope with the multitude. But we had been accompanied by a
young man, who, standing on the carriage step, had repeatedly addressed
Mdlle. Titiens both in German and in French, telling her that she had
"nothing to fear." On arriving at the door of the Shelbourne he gave a
shrill whistle as a call for volunteer special constables, when a
passage was at once cleared. It being a wet night the enthusiasts around
us made a carpet for Titiens to walk on by throwing their coats on to
the pavement. The crowd remained opposite the hotel for over an hour,
during which time repeated calls were made for a song. But the gas of
Mdlle. Titiens's sitting-room had been turned low, and the blinds being
drawn down she hoped it might appear that she had retired for the night.
Shortly afterwards, however, a deputation came up accompanied by one of
the chief constables, stating that if madame could not disperse the
crowd the consequences would be very serious, as it refused to move. She
at last felt compelled to go to the window of her hotel, when, after
entreating for silence, she addressed the crowd in these words: "I will
sing you 'The Last Rose of Summer' provided you promise to go home
immediately afterwards like mice."
And sure enough they did, for at the conclusion of the song the crowd
melted away in dead silence, not one person being left.
The inspector afterwards remarked to Mdlle. Titiens that if ever a
revolution broke out in Ireland they would send over for her to quell
it.
During the stay of my Opera Company at Dublin I allowed some of the
principal artists to sing in various churches for charitable purposes.
Mdlle. Titiens's services were sought for far and wide, and she was
always ready to devote her Sunday, which was the only day of rest she
had during the week, to the cause of charity. On one occasion I
recollect her singing in a poor neighbourhood near Thomas Street, when
many persons actually stooped to kiss the ground where she had trodden.
She was held in the highest esteem by the clergy.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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