MADAME TETRAZZINI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17633, 20 November 1920, Page 2 (Supplement)

MADAME TETRAZZINI.

RELATIONS | WITH | SECRETARY. ; ; : Considerable sensation|has been caused in Italy by proceedings brought against j Madame Luisa Tetrazzini, the famous I prima donna, and her secretary, Umberto Tato. - They, were - sued in a Milan court on a charge of misconduct, plaintiff being the secretary's 'wife, who also accused her husband-of deserting her ,and her child five years ago. She demanded from him and the prima "dorma. £15,000 as damages. ' Madame-Tetrazzini did not appear, being ill, but her solicitor emphatically denied the charge- Several witnesses, "giving evidence io the 'presence of a crowded court, t6ld very interesting stories of the love romance, of the singer and her .employee. It- was stated | that Madams' Tetrazzini met' Tato when she .was 45 and he less; than - 30. - He v. as i engaged as her secretary after they "had. undertaken some | pleasure trips; Among the witnesses., was a policeman, an ex-secretary of Madame Tetrazzi-ii. and ; Sogliano; a - cook, who declared that' defendants used to live as husband and wife.' Tato denied the charge of misconduct. His wife attended the court. The Public Prosecutor asked < the court to sentence Madame Tetrazzini and .Tato to three and six months' imprisonment* respectively, but the magistrate dismissed the case owing to a. legal flaw in"the procedure. He recommended *. Tato. however ' - ito return to his iamDy. "" ' '