THAT CATERWAULING NOISE.

Evening Post, Volume XLV, Issue 94, 22 April 1893, Page 2 (Supplement)

THAT CATERWAULING NOISE.

The following story is told of the late Madame Tietjens in the Sunday Sun, which unhesitatingly vouches for its accuracy. Having been invited with Madame Trebelli to spend a few days at Worthing with Colonel Mapleson, her host one morniug proposed to drive the two ladies to Arundel, on purpose to inspect the beautiful church erected by the Duke of Norfolk. On entering the sacred edifice, the organist was haard practising Mendelssohn's " Hear my Prayer," playing the pedal parts while endeavouring to sing the melody. As he appeared tj be libouring under difficulties, Tietjens ascended the organ loft, and proffered hor assistance. Having gone through it with him, she commenced tottly to sing one of the well-known solos, but gradually the familiar charm of the music asserted itself, and, letting herself " go," she sang with all her wonderful sweetness and power. Ou its conclusion the old organist exclaimed, " What a lovely voice ! You are almost good enough for the profession. Iv fact 1 have heard few like you. Will you kindly sing it again for me?" She was about to comply, when tho beadle put in an appearance, and in peremptory tones, said, " The Duke objects to this sort of thing, and if you want to make that ' caterwauling ' noise, you must go into the street." Madame Tietjens rejoined her companions.