Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-04-23
Minnie Hauk-A Prima Donna nj
Home.


Home.
Resalind May, writing from New
York, thus gives her impressions of
Minnie Hauk:
But for one of those annual moves
which try the suffering souls of New
Workers, and cause one TO envy the
tramp whose worldly goods are com
prised within the limits of a cotton
handkerchief, | should have sent you
my opinion and impressions of Minnie
Hauk, with whom | had a very pleas
ant interview. just previous to her
departure for Europe.
The spacious parlor of her hotel
was filled with those elegant trihes
which indicate a lady's presence, but
the open piano and piles of music gave
evidence that an artists life is not a
holiday existence. But | had not long
to look about me, for the distinguished
singer, whose splendid European
career has reflected such honor on
America, her birth place, entered.
She looked the sprightly Carmen,
rather than the unsophisticated
Gretchen, though Just here l must
raise my voice against the fallacy of
supposing that she is one whit better
as Carmen, han as Gretchen or Leo
nora. She is as perfect and powerful
an actress in one as the other, al
though in TroyatOre-during the last
act especially-she finds, perhaps, a
fuller opportunity for an exhibition of
that passionate fire which evinces
alike the -depth of her nature and the
capabilities of her remarkable voice.
than in the two first named characters.
The recollection, indeed, of her superb
rendition of Miserere will be always
present with me, nor is it possible to
imagine anything grander or more
powerful than her impersonation as
she comes to the foot-lights and rails
ing her arm sings the phrase Lo
giuro."
Her costume also is most becoming
"a black velvet faced with satin, the
square cut corsage revealing the white
neck, which showed like snow. The
effect upon her audience was mag
netic, for she was enthusiastically re-
called and made to re-enact the
scene.
OF course she will probably not re-
visit America unless under NOR
friendly management, but brilliant
engagements await her in the cultured
and critical capitals of Europe. where
her name is a household word, and
where, as we know, she has been the
recipient of the highest honors.
l could not refrain from asking
some questions quite worthy of a
Yankee Though not a Yankee) re-
garding Campanini, whom | SO much
admire. Sometimes we have our
little differences of opinion at rehears-
ais, she said, but then he is very
pleasant. and we soon agree again"
| spoke of the last scene in Carmen.
where he stabs her, and | said Il
should think you would be really
afraid Of him, he seems so much in
earnest"
lie is in earnest" she replied
quickly, and | don't know but what
| am
II witnessed the performance on
-" | said, naming the day.
oh, yes" was the answer. g"
told him he didn't let me die Just as |
wanted to. He was a little too quick
in putting me down, but he said NV
satin dress was slippery"
Il suppose you often have an
amusing time when all is over" l re-
marked.
All, we are too tired to feel much
like fun" was the answer.
| have the promise that from time
to time | shall know something of her
European career, and | will take
pleasure in giving you the benefit of
what | may hear in the future of an
artist so truly great. Such a combi-
nation of gifts as she possesses is very
rare. Her voice, exceptional both in
quality and strength, would alone
e%ntitle her to a high position how
much more when to this is Joined a
pre-eminence as an actress which
would atone for vocal shortcomings if
such there were.