New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-16
OPINIONS OF A PRLHA DONNA.


HER FAVogITE oPFRAs-wHAT EUROPE DEMANDS OF
TIE LEADING LADY-THE SINGERS PLANS FOR
THE FUTURE.
"Why have you been here in your own country so
little since you made your debut p TRIBUNE re-
porter asked Minnie IIauk recently.
Principally because of my success in Europe" re-
piled the prima donna, and the fact that could
not sing here in the operas which prefer This time
my agreement with Mr. Mapleson is such that | have
reason to rejoice at the opportunity of singing here
besides the pleasure it affords me to be back in my
old home. My countrymen have never had chance
to see me in my best parts. You know l was
little more than child when l sang
my first season here in 1869, and when
came back three years ago the only operas in
which appeared were | believe, Carmen The
Barber and Faust Now in the European capt.
tails, where have spent the last ten years. the audi
onces appreciate most the versatility displayed in
the performance OF large number and variety
of parts. II isn't enough, over there, that prima
donna sings the music of her part. don't believe
in artists who, either through negligence or inabl-
ity, sing what they set down to sing, and omit
to dress and act the person they trying to rep
present would have done. Now in Europe one gets
an opportunity TO learn new parts, and to become
identified with them. It's much greater satisfac-
ton to an artist than to sing over and over again
the Cloyng melodies of 'SOnnambula and Lucia
forever"
(which are your best parts in yOuI iudgmcntW
"My most decided successes in Europe have al
ways been made in Carmen Lohengrin, Herman
Goctz's opera. Tho Tanning of the Shrew "The Fly
ing Dutchman" and 'Aliuon' I've created the part
Of Nmoa IN several European capitals and have
sung il over a hundred times. One Of the reasons
why remained abroad last season was because |
told Mr. Maplcson that ! would not come to this
country again without singing IN these operas. He
said ne could not guarantee Then production.
This season, IL is understood that shall appear in
most OF my iavoTtc parts, INCLUDING Esd IN Io-
hcuin Santa IN the Flying DuiChmaE, catherine
i'm The Tanning OF he Shrrw,' and ScilGin LAfri-
caiur.' make my debut next week in J. hcngIu,'
and | am glad OF it, Eisq j. q part love
10 sing. studied II with Hans Richter. tine c"le-
brat ii conductor of the Imperial Opera House in
Vienna. and who conducted the performances mt the
great Bayrruth festival. ! have no little pride in
knowing that was always a tayorie Elsa OF Rich
Il, Herman Goc,ls opera sure to be brought ont
hcrci"
.'Thcrc il no doubt Of it whatever although Of
course can't tell exactly when. hc- parts have
been distributed, the costumes BOUGHT and rrhrar-
sails begun Icr.3tcd th' character Of catherine IN
German, in Eugn,h and shall Ice the FIRST TO sing n
i'm Italian and think The Tanning OF the ShreW
will become % grca. attraction here
"Wucr. have you sung IA the three years since
.'Oh. il would take n long time to tell you The
name, of Jll tine places. \ GOOD deaf OF the time
,rtuJ lu London, singing 40 the opening Seasons oi
Her N.ir-ty'-. al,u.aug ON English opera. In tn"
winter month, sang ln nearly cycrycltN of Central
Eutop- from Amsterdam 10 Naples, from Berlin 10
NIrr.'
You must have met MANY American singers
abroad-Ni-s GrI.Uoli, Juch, Duraud, II llogg, Tor
iuStlucc-tril .ur something about thrm.'
" 1 heard SOME of them Miss Juch Is very
gifted young artist. / am glad Mr. Mqplcson WIS
fortunate enough to- engage her. nave not
heard Mis-, Gu,Nold or Miss Kellogg. | believe
the lu.tcr's Carmen Is very line performance. But
don't ask me- please. 10 critcIsr other singers. II
seem, 10 have become the fashion with som" singers
to taik about their ,tcraTtlSs, even their up"rnrN
for publication. wituout even admitting HAT thry
have. been u q great measure theIroWn teacher, and
, originals of the characters which they have cop
led. let the public judge for itsri.
"NIi YOU remain long IA Amcucaf' 49,,
e. think not beyond this winter. hal much ann
Guilty nm freeing my self from contract, Ia sing ~ Vi
emma and Berlin. uut Va4vcry anNlou,i" come oacA
to me- United state, under favorable circumstances
/ r.ar,, however. that | shall moi b" able
Ia appclr with the ncw German opera IN London,
whore | might have sung IN Tristan and Isolde
and 'Fidrliu.' | believe the invitation winch had
to Ion the company rI<Inatcd with Herr Wagner.
| shall spend next winter IN Berlin aud vienna;
nj least the Crown Prince OF Germany, my oil pro-
tector gave me HINT 70 hat effect. have e great
many friend, ia Germany and besides ! delight 10
sing the works of the German composers N the
original language