Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1884-05-18
AafernA interviewed.

There could be nothing heartier or more
whole-soul led than the greeting with which
Frau Materna welcomed me when l called
on her a few mornings since. Her sim
plicity of manner was such as one may
always find allied with true greatne- 5.
There is an atmosphere of goodness about
the woman that impresses one at once
She exhales it. She seems brim full and
running oyer with sunshine; she laughs
it, speaks it. l do4't believe Materna
could wilfully wound the heart OF anyone
Mime. Friedrich, the sister in-law, who
first received me, was quite busy among
leave Sunday. She is an English woman
and as Frau Materae can speak few
words only of English, her sister in-law
acts as interpreter for her when speaking
with peTsons unable to speak German.
did not have to gait long, and pretty soon
a rustic and a CHEEKY voice speaking En-
glish with a strong foreign aceeat an
nounced the artists entrance. There was
no conventionality or strain in the beam.
ing face or the earnest grasp received.
feel it yet. How different from the cold
studied politeness one meets nowadays
everywhere.
The room was cosy, and here and there
adorned with flowers. As soon as was
seated 1 said, 'Now, madame, 1 wan,
you to tell me something you have never
tod anyone eise," at which both she and
her sister laughed most merrily. AIaterna
understands English pretty well; that is
until it is spoken rapidly, then the most
perplexed, helpless look spreads over hel
face, and she turns at once to Nine Fried
rich fer the translation. She said in reply
to my request aboyei az don't know how
T n mid do fhat Il Il,
already" AS soon as l alluded to hel
coming visit to Memphis in June she
wondered if it would not be very warm "
said that sometimes the weather
that far South that early in June was
as pleasant as in New York" and then j
went on to say: 'If you find the sun too
genial for comfort, you will it least see
flowers in profusion," at which she ex.
claimed, clapping her hands with delight
"Oh, how love flowers" Her sister in.
dorsed it by "Yes, indeed, she loves
flowers next to her art" Herr Friedrich
came in during my call a gentleman oi
fine manners and pleasant speech.
Materna reiterated her admiration fol
America and the people of the North and
East, and looks forward with intense salts
faction to coming back to New York some
time not far off, to appear in opera. She
has no children, the void being filled by
the mythical creations Of which she is the
divine representative.
She asked me if | was not to come te
Memphis in June. When / answered
"No, shall return later on" it was sim
ply delicious to see the change from tht
brightness of day to the most somber O
expressions her face underwent, and heal
her "Ahi ahi that is terrible" in the
saddest and most hopeless tone imagin
able.
If one says anything complimentary t.
her, she is as quick to ''tank you" ovel
and over again as if that was new
thing in her experience, and what
she never expected to receive again
Always grateful and appreciative, people
love Materna wherever she goes. 1t is
pity that more of her profession do no
share that shining but rare Ia:t OF char
acter.
While We were speaking Of POWERS ant
other friendly Offerings, Materna suddenl,
| arose Sla went over to get from chair, il
enc corner of the room, an exquisit,
white satin sofa pillow, resting in a box
presented to the artist by Mrs. Schirmer
vile OF the music-dealer Embroideres
in crimson silk are two bars of Eaasi
| that Siegtried sings, while heioW, in Ser
man, are the words. ''Ths world shall b
happy, Brnnehside lives
No chila Gould have been happier owe
s new toy than Frau Materna was xitl
that lovely gilt.
II you'd be impossible to remember al
/ that was said, and as tie table was thel
| laid ready for their MONDAY meal,
shortened my call in consequence,
| wanted to say much more, or rather,
wanted Materns to say more. As she speak
but little more French than English, an,
l know but two expressions in German
"Vergiss mein NIGHT" and CUTE Naoht 4,
mein Herziges Kind''-it is easily seen
with the aid even of sn interpreter, wha
difficulties stood in the way of smootl
conversation.
One thing apropos of Frau Materna'
kind and generous expressions of siste
artists. As Nilsson WAS to sing that ss IA
night alluded to the fact, remarkins
~What rare treat to hear two such sing
ers on the same evening" to which Ma
terna naiyely reioined, ayes, two prim