THE STRANGE HISTORY OF ANASTASIA ROBINSON

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1675, 6 April 1904, Page 15

THE STRANGE HISTORY OF ANASTASIA ROBINSON

(By 8 Baricg-Gould, author of “Melialali,” etc.) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. It, Jiaa been the fortune, of not a few, actresses to have been taken from, the ■stage to wear a reaJl and not a fictitious coro.net. • Anastasia Robinson is the first whose name is so associated, in England. But she hardily attained to the fame that didl Lavinaa Fenton, snatched from the boards when performing in the first English Comic Opera, eventually to become Duchess of. Bolton. Of her there is a delightful portrait in the National Gallery. _ Next to liter comes the subject of this notice.. < . j Before we -deal with her, a few words must be given to the Italian opera in England. In the reign of Charles 11. the French style of music was i!n vogue in England. The merry "monarch could not abide the tedious, unmelodious contrapuntal exercises of the oldl Stuart school .of musicians; he would '. have melody, and he introduced his “four and twenty fiddlers, all of a row” from France, and would endure no 'music ' to which lie could not beat time, and which had not in it an air he could whistle. But in 1693, an advertisement in the ‘‘London Gazette” announced that aln Italian lady, recently arrived in. England, wouild give concerts in York Buildings- This Italian lady was Francesca M.argberita do l’Epme, the first Italian singer of any npte who had appeared in London. She came in company with a German musician named Greber; for which reason she was nicknamed “Greber’s Peg.” She wias a dark, ugly woman, but had a magnificent) voice, and was accomplished as a singer. She beam© the fashion., harvested a fortune, and in 1718 married Dir FepuGoh, who arranged the songs for the . Beggars’ Opera. Tire first Italian opera ever performed iin England was Arsinoe, on the 16th Jan., 1705, and that was given in the English words and by English performers, but Signora de 'l’Eipme sang her Italian songs before and after the opera. The next was Camilla performed in 1706, and' this was given in English/by the sarnie company. But now other Italian singers arrived and were engaged at. Drury Lane, and then the opera. of Camellia was performed partly in, English aaid partly in Italian, the hero-: ine’s role was taken by Mrs Tofts, and sung in Elngliish. whilst the part of the' hero was enacted by an Italian, Valen- : tin% in Ids native tongue. Very -soon this anomaly ceased, more Italians arrived, and English singers were only, allbwed to -sang, if they could do so in ■ Italian. The rage for this foreign music: was so great, that as Addison justly: complained, “our English music was quite rooted out.” There lived about this time a painstaking and competent miniature pain tier, Robinson by name, who belonged to a respectable Leicestershire family. Be had studied in Rome, could speak Itialiain fluently, -and he was, moreover, a musical .amateur. By his wife he had two daughters, Anastasia, and Margaret; and on her death, he married a young Roman Catholic lady, of the name of Lahei, by whom he had' a son and a third daughter. • Riobinsou was sufficiently successful in hia profession ,tjo be able to give his children a good education: and as he observed that Anastasia had an ear and voice for music, he placed her under

the instruction of Dr Crofts. At the saano time he planned that Margaret should! carry on his own business, which hie desired because his eyesight was failing, and he ooinsidered 1 that the daughter could execute the orders that came to liiinn. Bait Margart proved! restive. Her ambition was to become a public singer, and-as she was a head-strong individual!., it was found advisable to let her have her way; she was placed Hinder Bononcini and afterwards sent to France, but failed on her first appearance on the boards, owing to her nervousness, and for this she did not compensate by her personal lappearance ; she was of too diminutive a size to take any prominent parts in the opera. Happily, at this junction a Colonel Biawles stepped forward and offered his hand, heart and fortune, and Peg Robinson’s story ends with her cessation to a right to bear the name of Robinson. Anastasia, without so good an ear, and as brilliant parts as her sister, plodded ion,, to' qualify to become a public singer. • She received, lessons from Sandora, amd-ifeonii -'thie /?Biaa*wiess,” a . German singer" trained in Italy. When sufficiently taught "Anastasia appeared ait the concerts at Ydrk Buildings, where she not only sang but accompanied herself ion the harpisohord. Her success wjas great; although she was not aotur ajjly beautiful, stilll there was a great •charm about her face'; she had large blue eyes, and great modesty and simplicity, which disarmed hostile criticism. Her voice at first was a fine soprano, but without great range. It deepened gradually into a contralto. Front the airs written for her by Handel, and other composers, it would appear, not

only that her compass was small!, hut also that her powers of execution were not great., so that she owed her great success to the charming simplicity in her style of singing and the tenderness which she threw into her manner of delivery. Her success obtained for her engager ments to sing at various places. Her father now took a house in Goldensquare, in which lie established weekly concerts and assemblies. These speedily became fashionable, and the nobility who patronised music made a point, of attending. Anastasia’s dnassuming manner and gentle grace and ease, won for her friends among persons of high birth. The Duchess of Portland honoured 'her with a lasting friendship, and spoke of her as a lady who was “perfectly well-bred and admirably accomplished.” Among the patrons of music at the time was Charles Mond'aunt, Earl of Peterborough and Monmouth, born in 1658, who had been commander-in-chief of the allied forces ill Spain in the Wars of Succession, and is described by Macky as a “well-shaped, thin man, with a very brisk look.” If we may judge by his portrait by Dahl lie was -a handsiome man. This nobleman was passionately attached to music, and he had warmly patronised the Italian opera, and especially the exemplary singer, Margherita Durasitanti; whom Handel had engaged for the London stage. She wa,s a woman who maintained so high a standard in her private life., that, she was honoured by all. and when she became a mi other, ip 1721, the king himself consented to be godfather, and the princess and Lady Bruce to be godmothers to her babe. Anastasia Robinson was engaged for the Opera House in 1714. as a. coadjutor to Mairgherita Diirastanti, with a salary of £IOOO, and Snob emoluments as might arise from benefits and presents which were estimated as bringing in to her about as much more. Her first appearance at the Italian opera was in Oreso, the music of which was a pasticcio, or compilation from the works of various composers. She. next appeared, in the same season, in Arminio, an opera by an anonymous composer. Mrs Delauy, a contemporary, says—- “ Among a number of persons of dhst tinctiion who frequented Mr Roibinso'n’is house, and seemed to distinguish his daughter in a particular manner, were the Earl of Peterborough -and' General H —. The latter had shown a long attachment to her, and Ms attentions were so remarkable, that they seemed more than the effects of common politeness; and as he was a very agreeable man, and in good: circumstance®, lie. was favourably received, not doubting but. that his intentions were honourable. A declaration’ of a very contrary nature wia® treated' noth the contempt it deserved, though Mrs A. Robinson was very prepossessed in Ms favour.” Meanwhile, a rival to Margherit a Durastanti had arrived' in England. This was Fra.noisca Cbzzoni, a. native of 'Parma, who possessed more beauty than Durastanti. Popular favour turned towards Ouzzoni and the worthy bub plain Durascanti deemed it advisable to. beat a retreat. She took a formal farewell of the English nation, b'y singing on the stage the following song, written for fier by Pope, at the desire of Lord l Peterborough. “Generous gay, and gallant nation, Bold in arms and bright in arts; <> / Land secure from all invasion, All but Gupid’s’gentie darts! From your charms, O who would run ? Who would leave you for the sun? Happy soil, adieu, adieu! Let old charmers yield to new, In arms, in arts,. be still more shining; , All your joys be still All your tastes be still refining, AH your cares for ever ceasing; But let old charmers: yield to new; Happy sloil, adieu, adieu!” The brother of Dr Arbuthnot had married the half sister of Anastasia. A parody on the above appeared from Artmt,knot’s pen, sneering at the public predilection for foreign in. place of native talent. t • . . “Puppies whom I now am leaving, Merry sometimes, always mad, Who lavish most when debts are ©raving. Oh fool, on farce, and masquerade, Who would not from such bubbles ruin. And leave' such blessings for the sun P Happy soil, and simple crew, Let old sharpers yield to new, All your tastes be still refining; All your nonsense still more shining, Blessed in some Berenstadt or Bbuski, He more awkward, he more husky; And never Want, when these are lost us, Another Heidegger and Faustus. Happy soil, and simple crew. Let oldl sharpers yield to new I Bubbles a’ll, adieu! adien!” A year after the departure of Durastamiti, Anastasia also withdrew from the stage, in consequence: of a private marriage with ‘the Earl of Peterborough. This was in 1724, when he was aged sixty-six. as Swift describes him:—

“A skeleton in outward figure, His meagre corpse, the ugh full of vigour. Would halt behind hiffl. were it bigger.” And Pope, in a .letter to Swift, says of him—“No body could be more wasted!, no isioul can be more alive.” The Earl had been married to Cany, daughter of Sir Alexander Fraser but she had died in 1709. In 1723 Anastasia .Robinson appeared in the Opera of Grise'lda, or the Patient Grisel, alnd it was in tins part, that —so it was believed —.she completed her conquest over the stout heart of the Earl of Peterborough. There was, indeed., as was proved! by the sequel, a certain similarity in the situations of that onaraoter, and the subsequent life of Anastasia. Gris, eld a., a country girl of mean birth, captivates the heart of a great noble, who marries her, and then degrades her in the public estimation., to restore her to his favour and her rightful position in the end. Sir John Hawkins, in his “History of Mulsio,”' says that Anastasia presided over Peterborough House and the Earl’s table, though she never lived under the same roof with him. He. was visited at his house by all the wits and literati elf has time, including Pope, Swift, Lock© and many others. It was more than surmised! that the sweet lady at his table was his wife, but owing to the violent temper and caprice of the Earl, none ventured to speak of her or address her as such, in his presence. In her own modest house she held musical parties, ait which Bononcini, Martini. To A. Dr Greene, and the most eminent musicians of that time attended and these concerts were frequented by the best society, for so convinced was the world that she was really the Earl’s wife, that they made no scruple in calling on her and cultivating her society. In one of his capricious moods in 1735, .when he ana' she were at Bath in the pump-room, in a distinct- and loud voice he ordered his servant to announce, “Lady \Peterborough’s carriage . waits.” Every l-ady of rank immediately rose, and congratulated the declared Countess, who stood trembling, changing colour, and in a flutter of joy. ** Mrs Delauy continues in her account-: —“His haughty spirit- was still reluctant t-o making the declaration that would have -done justice to so worthy a cliaract,er as the person to whom lie- was now united;; and! indeed his uncontrollable temper and ingh opinion of his own actions made him a very awful husband, ill suited to Lady Peterborough’s good sense, amiable temper and delicate sentiments. She was a Roman Catholic,, but never gave offence t-o. those of ,a contrary (opinion, though very strict in what she thought her duty! Her excellent. principles and •fortitude; of mind support,edl her through many severe trials in her conjugal state.” Her brothel', a priest, resided with her. “At bust, he {the Earl) prevailed on himself .to, do her justice instigated, it is supposed, by his bad state, of health, which obliged him to seek another climate, alnd she absolutely refused to go with him, unless lie declared his marriage. Her attendance on him in his illness nearly cost her her life. “He appointed a day for all his nearest relatives to meet him at the apartment over the; gateway of St-. James’s Palace, belonging to Mr Poyntz, who was married tio. Lord Peterborough’s niece, and at that time preceptor to PrinCe William, afterwards Duke of Oulm-berland!. He also appointed Lady Peterborough to be there at _thc same time. When they were all assembled 1 , lie began a most eloquent oration, enumerating all the virtues and perfections of Mris A. Robinson, and the rectitude of her conduct during bus long acquaintance with her, for which he acknowledged his great obligation .and l sincere attachment, declaring he was determined to do her that justice which he ought to have done long ago of presenting her to all his family as his wife. “He spoke this harangue with so much energy, and in partis so pathetically, that Lady Peterborough, not, being apprised of -his intentions, fainted away in the midst of the company. “After Lord Peterborough’s death, she lived a very retired life, chiefly at Mount B-evis, and was seldom .prevailed on to leave that habitation but by the Duchess of Portland, who Was, always happy to have her company at Bulstrode, when she could obtain it, and often visited her at her own. house.” >

Mount Be vis is near Southampton, Lord Peterborough alludes to it in some of his letters as “the wild romantic cottage where I pass my time,” “my Blenheim.” Many fine trees, no doubt of his planting, remained till lately in the grounds, but most of them have teen cut down, as contractors and builders have invaded the estate, and: havei converted iit into a vulgar collection of small houses, called Be vis Town. Mrs Deliainy adds., in conclusion: — “Among Lord Peterborough’s papers, she found-his memoirs, written b ! y himself, in which he declared lie had been, guilty of such actions would have reflected very much upon his character, for which reason she burnt them. This, howener, contributed to complete the excellency of her principle, though it did not fail to give offence t«. the various inquirers after anecdotes o‘ so remarkable a. character as that of the Earl of Peterborough.” Lord 1 Peterboric- igh’s declaration of Li?, marriage took pla >e in 1735. and b A dried

at- Lisbon the .same year. Lady Peterborough died in 1750. Anastasia Robinson’s voice is said to have been a contralto of smpll ccmpraV and it does not seem that her powers of execution were great. Her success was. due to her style of singing, which was the quality of her mind, purity and simplicity. ;