Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 November 1898 — The Value of a Voice. [ARTICLE]

The Value of a Voice.

The following anecdote is told of the celebrated baritone, M. Faure, who, on one occasion, was paid for his singing at the rate of a franc a note. One day while coming from rehearsal, he passed by M. Barbedienne’s establishment, on the Boulevard Polssonnlere, and, noticing a bronze statuette, he went in to laaulre its price. The principal himself came forward, and when he had given the required information, the conversation drifted to M. Faure’s own profession. “I should so like to hear you sing,” said M. Barbedienne, “not from the stage or from the concert platform, but for me alone. I see you have some music, in your hand. Come into my room and sing me one song. There is a piano.” “My notes are very dear under these circumstances,” replied M. Faure, laughing, as he followed the other. “How much?” M. Faure named his price. “I think we can manage that,” assented M. Barbedienne, as he comfortably ensconced himself in an arm-chair, prepared to lose not a sound. When the performance was over, M. Barbedienne gravely took the sheet of music and pored over it for a considerable time. Then he arose and as gravely called one of his assistants. “Pack up this statuette and send it to M. Faure’s address.” After which he turned to the singer: “If you’ll come to the cashier he will give you the difference. Please pay M. Faure 350 francs, and enter the sale of this statuette. Credit M. Faure with singing 475 notes at one franc each.”