MADAME ARABELLA GODDARD.

Evening Star, Issue 3637, 19 October 1874, Page 3

MADAME ARABELLA GODDARD.

The followimg remarks are by “ Octave,” who writes in the ‘ Weekly Times ’:— Sitting in the front row of the stalls a,t the Opera Bouse, I anxiously awaited the ap-‘ Eearance of the great pianists, with whom I. ad been acquainted, by report, since. I began to read, but whom I had never seen in thd flesh. Well do I remember, when an , inhfihitant of the far north, a child o! the wilderness, reading accounts of her success in the * Illustrated London News.’ How little did I then think that I would witnrss this lady’s performance in the great Opera House of Melbourne. But hush ! the rustling in the house has ceased—expectation stands on tip. toe. Two or teree supers come out and nervously arrange chairs, disarrange them I sholud say. A side door opens, and an awk-, ward looking gentleman in the usual ilj. lotting dress copies forth leading a fine-look-ing wbinhn attired in yellow mlk, trimmed with lace, A very handsbme woman truly ; but one whom J could’nt say I liked. A* regal looking woman, and one whose every aetion shbws the extent of her self-apprecia-tion and self-sufficiehcy. There 1 is much clapping of hands , and stamping of feet, and the proud artiste stoops unwillingly to notice it. -That bow seems to say “ Thank you for* nothing ; the applause of a benighted, halfsavage people is of no moment to me, who am Queen of Artistes. I would rather you were silent listeners and thanked Heaven I have deigned to visit this far off Gentile land.” Interpreting her bow in this way, of course 1 at once formed an unfavorable impression of Madame Goddard, for 1 held that theatrical’s; should always behave lowly and reverently to those who pay them. Indeed I almost felt induced to hiss. Bub the moment the great artiste touched the piano ; became her slave. I have heard the pianoforte spoken of as a miniature band, but never did I, realise , the truth of that observation until I heard Madame Goddard play. She makes the piano an orchestra. The manner in which she plays a -variety of | different but agreeing melodies and harmonies at the same time is thoroughly inexplicable. I left the Opera House firmly convinced that I had heard what in all probability I will never hear again, but at the same time I must j|ay that 1 still held to my opinion that Madbme Goddard is pleasing only aa an artiste. When she steps out of that role, I cease to admire her.-