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A 1899 programme from the historic performance by Madame Adelina Patti concert held at the St Andrew's Halls, Granville Street, Glasgow. Madame Adelina Patti was probably the world's first 'Superstar' commanding fees of £1000 per performance. She toured the world and amassed a fortune in her lifetime. In 1883 New York impresario Colonel Mapleson was endeavouring to coax an extra performance from her; her contract stipulated that she be paid $5000 in gold for each performance, no later than twelve hours before curtain time! Such an amount was then a fortune and set a record which was unbroken for half a century. By the 1890's Adelina Patti was one of the most famous women in the world and certainly one of the highest paid. She was comfortable with people of all classes, from monarchs to kitchen maids and was universally liked. The local community held her in fond esteem. She would hang sachets of money, fruit and other gifts on her carriage for the poor, when she drove into Ystalyfera and other South Wales villages. She was also a great benefactor and supporter of local humanitarian charities. Property of Robert Pool