Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1882-06-01
METE0RIC MATERNA.
Pen and Ink Sketches OF the World Renowned Slng
er In Concert Costume and at
Her Hotel

Pen and Ink Sketches OF the World Renowned Slng.
er in Concert Costume and at
Her Hotel.
As the warbler of the Austrian court
assembled the steps leading to the stage
necks were stretched, eyes strained and
glasses levelled to take her all in at a
glance. But "here she comes was
changed for the explanatory "'Oh :"
when the last rutfie was fairly landed.
The costume was without any excep-
ton one of the most magnificent ever
shown on the Chicago stage. A long
court train cut square. was made of
heavy canary satin brocade, enriched
with large magnolia roses and bell
flowers. The train was lined with
yellow satin box-plaitings, the only
visible part Of which was a quilting of
white ruching. The onter surface being
entirely plain, hung in heavy folds,
beautiful in the quality of the material.
The front, consisting of white satin, was
draped with seven gathered fiounces of
real Brussels lace graduated from the
waist in V. Plain bodice of yellow
satin. with hip draperies, showed the
throat. which was encircled by bertha
of gold-beaded net crossed to the left.
A bouquet de corsage composed of
almOn-colored acacia buds, leaves and
wild locusts crossed at the belt, falling
at one side of the cascade and reaching
the bottom of the dress. Her plumD
white arms were partially covered BY
white kid gloves, one of which was Sc
cured by seven heavy gold bracelets of
different designs. On the other wrist
a little fortune was represented by
pair OF seal bracelets. Two large EN-
eralds were encircled and separated by
diamonds Of dazzling brilliancy; the
other, of dead gold had single rose
pink diamond wedged with double
row OF diamonds in low setting. From
q necklace of she'll pearls depended a
diamond medallion the size of silver
dollar. The corsage bouquet was
pinned on with a concentric rosettc of
the precious gems. The couture, com
posed OF short riDglets, had a cluster
of the dress flowers on the left side and
was further embellished by six orna-
ments of clover, star or rose design,
wrought in various sized solitaries. On
decorations, silver Maltese cross from
the Duke Ludwig. and a gold star and
crest from the Grand Duke of Mem
ingen; both hung from royal ribbons.
A $1,000 handkerchief and bunch of
lacqueminot roses occupied her hands.
over all this loneliness she threw a long
Bernhardt wrap Of golden tiusel bro
cade, lined with quilted Siciian satin
and heavily trimmed with real point
lace overhung with tassellated white
silk fringe.
Unlike most women of musical prom
inence Frau Amelia Friedrich Materna
does not lay any emphasis on inaccess-
ability. lnasmuch as she-takes little or
no interest in newspaper criticism, she
has no aversion to newspaper reporters,
and gives them audience and gracious
welcome when not already engaged. A
representative of the Herald called on
the Austrian singer whom he found oc-
cupylng a suite of rooms on the parlor
floor of the Grand Pacific. She had
just returned from drive and was hav-
ing tete-a-tete with her private secre-
tary, Mr.. Gebhardt, who also acts as
her interpreter, she being unable to
speak or understand a word Of English. |
In appearance, the prima donna might
readily pass for a French lady, having |
4 clear, dark complexion, hazel eyes |
md very black hair. Tall and mag
niiicent in figure, she is very imposing,
but retiring and sedate. Without being |
4 beauty, she has an exceedingly at |
ractive and captivating manner, while |
her engaging bearing and graceful |
are free and unstudied. Her |
eyes are large and lustrous and her
voice soft and musical. The whitest |
eeth glisten between full alluring lips,
which, with the fine shapely throat, |
promise most delicious tone. There |
5 nothing about her to convey
he idea of superiice. Her face is aglow
With health, her frame vigorous, and
he bright smiles of her countenance |
convey the impression of happiness and
'ontentment. She uses neither cos
nctics, powder nor false hair, her shoes
we're big enough to walk in and her
pilet simple, which her maid informed
Is is one of her characteristics. She
vas attired in a navy blue MORE trim
ned with shell ruching, pelisse of
navy blue broadcloth finished with hip
pockets and rundown collar tied
With a bow of blue ribbon. A bit of
'atent lace fell over large shspely
land ornamented with a seal ring of
turquoise encircled with q number of
mall diamonds. A pair OF solitaires
dashed from her ears and couple of
trings of seed pearl beads were tied
lose up under the chin.
In answer to several questions Nine.
daterna said she made her first appear
nee at the age oTseven, and has been
inging thirty-eight years, with COM
Daratively no interruption. Besides her
tile ny an important singer of the I'M
,erial Opera Of Vienna, she wears two
-one the medal and ribbon
i the Royal Bavaria, Ludwig, and the
'ther from the duke of Meiningen, the
ross and crest for art ard science. -
tYo 1ec,th