The Original of Trilby.

Hastings Standard, Issue 162, 3 November 1896, Page 4

The Original of Trilby.

If tli 'iv ever was an original Trilby O'Ferrall. Mine. Anna Bishop, it is thought ('says the London San), must have been she. This famous singer. In-,i-ii in Loudon nf I' lvnch parents, made ho in and conquered tlif whole musical world in the cnsmtig wars. She married Sir Henry Bishop. the celebrated composer, and in 111 went to America, under the direction of Bochsn. the harpist. whns,. influence over lu rv.'.is regarded as irre-si-tib!e. 'i'hes-' data. \\v ;."!'-an fr.un an ;■ id;' by Alb .' L. IVrkes in an Americati Maga/.ine. and also the following statement (plot- d from Frederick Lysler, a. well-known manager, who was business head of Mine. J'.ishop's company in an Australian tour. Mr Lvster savs : '-The book of ' Trilby,' and the play as produc. d by Manager A. M. [';;h:i"r, seem to he founded on the farcer of Anna Bishop, for Svengali is imply an exaggerated presentation of Bochsa. her musical director, while the Madame of the story is a replica of Li/./.ie I'helan. il> <7/.0///»w>' u , the very shadow of tie' <jr:-at artist for nearly 10 years. The relations between the .-inger and the harpist were pun ly professional yet his will dominated li. r evcrv action. lie rehearsed her songs in the strictest privacy, and when illness prevented. B:>cbsa'.s presence at general rehearsals Mine. Bishop would also remain away leaving me to rehearse the band without her. On these occasions some of the clever instrumentalists would remark, ' Bishop's brain arc sickabed.' Although Bochsa's influence over the prima donna was evidently paramount, I n"ver saw him descend to the slightest familarities. He was her maestro, her friend, her guide, ami nothing more, while she was almost childlike in her meek submission and dependence upon him. Personal ly she was a sw<ct. amiable woman, apparently without individual will power, and without even the faintest sense of ambition. She sang and ax-ted because she was told to do so, seemingly ,as if in a prolonged dream. Lven \ when pitteil by Bochsa against Jenny j Litid she appeared to take no interest 1 in the rivalry, lint obeyed and trusted | to Bochsa and the management for the 1 rest."