Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-12-30
A PRIMA DONNA.
HOW Miss Emma Abbott Talks
and Lives In Private.

0hu A4tFeb HI EElt&tcs
One Of the most exquisitely penned
passages of the many written by the
author of "Daniel Deronda," is where
the sisters of Hans regard with horror
the prospect of learning that their idol,
Deronda, is like other men; that he
shaves himself and uses bootjacks. Ills
50, ever so. The world does not like 10
see its kings and queens without their
regal robes. A warrior is commonplace
when he has put off his gallant trap.
pings and bright armor; the mocking-
bird or nightingale fitting by in silence
would scarce provoke passing glance
Few indeed would follow them to their
nests.
But there is human song. bird whose
notes of sweetness fell last night like
celestial music on the ears of her Nash
vile audience, who, in her inner life,
pipes as soft and sweet notes as when
the glare OF the footlights falls on her
face. Have you not heard the story of
that early struggle? Many have heard
her sing, few of the world have heard
her talk. A Union representative was
accorded that pleasure yesterday after.
noon. Miss Abbott met her caller with
the easy cultured manner of lady and
with the instructive delicacy of true
woman, turned the interview into
friendly call, chatting to the reporter
with an abandon, and yet reserve, that
| was charming.
agTh;s ksrSa - eba oc;J sT NJ,
TO depart from the recognized order and
and open here with heavy opera. You
know the rule is, comic, light and the
heavy last. What do like best! love
it all, for give up to the spirit of what
l am singing. enjoy the fun and kick
up of light parts as much as child
does game of romps; and then it rests
my throat. Oh! You don't know what
care have to exercise. See those quilts
up over the windows apd the transom,
and that hot fire? l am regular sala-
mandar. l enjoy exercise in the open
air. but q draught l must carefully
avoid. l ascribe a great deal of my
success to the care have taken of my
voice. as l have thus been enabled to
master trills and handle notes which
would otherwise have been beyond me.
'Let ME tell you queer thing about
our profession. l have known women
to enter my company with decidedly
weak lungs, and they improve wonder
fully. would say to any one so afflict-
ed: Attend eight performances and three
rehearsals a week; rush around the
country; eat just about what you get
land we get horrid stuff sometimes); it
will do you good"
Then the lady broke into a merry
laugh.
''Don't you often feel like resenting
the unjust criticisms that are som stimes
made, Miss Abbott?"
"Now. let me tell you. When l was
young girl in Paris I worshipped
Patti; thought that would be su-
premely happy if could only kiss the
hem of her garments. l thought she
was queen-an empress--and, when l
learned to know her, was surprised to
find her such sweet, lovable woman.
Irecolleot how indignant l was over
malignant attack on her in ore of the
papers. 1t kept me awake for three
nights, and when l met her and spoke
of it she laughed and said:
NVuyS ouuu, nave uot bccu w. GU
will get used to such things
Sand 80 have; but cannot help
being provoked sometimes"
"One of the greatest compliments
that ever had was by the composer,
Charles Gounod, after he had heard me
sing. He wrote on my score: 'Voix,
juste, claire, lumineuse e'gale, bien
timbree.' l keep that under lock and
key, aud guard it religiously. I love
grand music, but, oh, when want to
touch the hearts Of those l sing to, to
play upon the chords in the human
breast that only vibrate under natures
touch, sing Home, Sweet Home or
The Last Rose of Summer, or BLISS
Forever Past feel it, myself, is the
truth-the secret of why can thrill my
audience. l feel this way when 60
out to sing-that must conquer my au.
dience or they will conquer me; it is
battle-no quarter shown. II one trem.
bles, weeps, feels afraid, one is gone. !
must win by my soul in my throat, or
lose all."-Nashvlle American.