Reminiscences of the Opera

urn:iso:std:iso:639:ed-3:eng

223-4

text excerpt

On the repetition of the opera of "Linda," on the Monday following, a public notice appeared, placarded in all parts of the house, stating that at a late hour Mr. Sims Reeves had refused to sing the part of Carlo, and that Signor Gardoni had undertaken, "at a very brief notice," to supply his place. The change was not greatly to be regretted, for the popularity of Gardoni aided him, and he sang his best. On the morrow, there appeared in all the principal daily prints a long letter from Mr. Sims Beeves, protesting against the interpretation given to his refusal, and asserting that he had only accepted an engagement at Her Majesty's Theatre on the express stipulation that he should be cast for the part of Edgardo in the "Lucia," and other principal tenor parts; and that finding he was not to sing in a forthcoming representation of the first named opera, he considered his contract annulled, and himself at liberty to withdraw. To this communication a firm denial was given in another letter from Mr. Balfe, the conductor, in which that gentleman affirmed that no such stipulation had ever been made — an affirmation he was able to maintain, inasmuch as he himself had signed the contract made with Mr. Reeves; and that moreover the coveted part could not have been promised to him, it having been in the possession of Signor Gardoni six weeks before the engagement of the English vocalist.

On the repetition of the opera of "Linda," on the Monday following, a public notice appeared, placarded in all parts of the house, stating that at a late hour Mr. Sims Reeves had refused to sing the part of Carlo, and that Signor Gardoni had undertaken, "at a very brief notice," to supply his place. The change was not greatly to be regretted, for the popularity of Gardoni aided him, and he sang his best. On the morrow, there appeared in all the principal daily prints a long letter from Mr. Sims Beeves, protesting against the interpretation given to his refusal, and asserting that he had only accepted an engagement at Her Majesty's Theatre on the express stipulation that he should be cast for the part of Edgardo in the "Lucia," and other principal tenor parts; and that finding he was not to sing in a forthcoming representation of the first named opera, he considered his contract annulled, and himself at liberty to withdraw. To this communication a firm denial was given in another letter from Mr. Balfe, the conductor, in which that gentleman affirmed that no such stipulation had ever been made — an affirmation he was able to maintain, inasmuch as he himself had signed the contract made with Mr. Reeves; and that moreover the coveted part could not have been promised to him, it having been in the possession of Signor Gardoni six weeks before the engagement of the English vocalist.

excerpt from 'Reminiscences of the Opera' pp. 223-4 (244 words)

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