New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-16
YOUNG AMERICAN GIRLS IN ITALY

h Miss Ken gg IN The Ne1c Yorl Herald
presume you found Italy overrun with
young American girls who provided with slender
purses and daphonous voices. but who expect to as
tonish the world with their operate bnllancy /"
Yes, am sorry to say that found hundreds and
hundreds hun. there and among that number many
tracted 10 them by their piteous letters asking
to see what could be done for thcIn The affairs
discovered was something terrible. cannot go into
true state of affairs in musical circles in Italy no which
talk with them, investigate the truth Of what thew
sei ana then made an INVESTIGATION of the
TO enighten my seI further on certain points The
sum Of oney bdnr u SGss !" ay Tt9 o small
ye on mere p'ttance that the best for
genns and dramatic talent by merely breathing in the
4almy air Of Italy she finds when she goes there
Iansca education than her purse win allow. but she
wiring cheerful and encouraging letters home fear
1renaS ana family MI recall her and struggling for very
trends have told her that abe will be another Patti or
with fond delnsion and ambition at and with
duh dread of the reality aud cnacity OF desparing
the last that is p@ous to witness. Years have come
Of the masters. each Of whom has dsnsh roi her
for while and then kindly babe her 60 home;
Mary under fascinating deluson and she seeks those
I'm" VIII Du1y up nei hopes sue falls into the hands of
worse III she fluids herself penniiess in Milan Now
am about TO say say as truth after the most caref
pesuga"l OF Iaes AZ rule the poor girl finds in the
and say that she Il 100 often upon by certain
pnlous set Of men iniesting these cities who viii all i'm
tnelr power undel promise OF engagements 10 lead her
away where her associations will be snch that win
he morally destroyed. Even if che has good. but not
great voice she probably public appearance
except under two condltons-she buy her way i'm
or she must submit to the demands Influential
friends "f the management whose word is law nj the
theatres This IL plain speaking hut ten YOU my in
vestsa"ns, the stories and tears Of girls
To NE III Italy ana told mo ther sad tales made me
vow that would open my mouth ana speak OF this
through the land when home. / would say TO
mothers whose young daughters leaving home with
dclisive dreams Of sunny days IN Italy, and easy
path to success Keep yOur daughter home unless
you can give her protection in wachfu friends and an
independent income. say to you, Mothers thai you
are sending your daughters into temptation that YOU
moi appreciate The, will bc tried and tempted as you
cannot Imagine. My Investigations 10 Italy have led
me TO believe your daughters 20 abroad: that
we nave good masters here. think IL entirely
sary Tor thelr ordinary musical education When that
is finished then send tnem to Italy short period TO
receive the finishing touches, and to learn roles
anu then TO return Before they you will have
covered whether thcir voices VIII warrant that Italian
trip Generally you eau see for yourself that it
less undertaking. But do not think thai merit
Will open the stage doors Of Italian opera houses II
VIII not And say this to you the o more
than one, more than hIty American girls whom / saw
there, as many OF whom as could sent their homes
i'm m