Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-08
HOPE GLENN'S STORY.
A Pittsburg Girl Who has Achieved
Fame as q Vocalist.
HER BRILLIANT CAREER ABROAD.
The Trials Of Poor Aspirant for Operatic
HOnors.
A. TRIP WITH CHRISTINE NILSSON

many years OF my life which nave spent
in Europe, have never for moment for
gotten that my real home lies across the
Atlantic. Had 1 ever been tempted to do so
the splendid welcome which I met with in
all parts, when I made my first public ap-
pearance in the United States SOME five
years ago, would be in itself lasting claim
on my affection. As it is, feel encouraged
to hope that some Of my old friends may
still remember me well enough to be inter-
ested in the following slight sketch of my
professional career in England, which I
have been asked to write.
Though 1 was actually born at Pittsburg,
it is to Iowa City that all my childish
reeollections refer, for there my family
lived during all my early years. How
ever managed to possess myself of voice
out in the Wild West, really cannot say;
none of my relations were ever in the mu-
steal line, and certainly in those days there
were no musical advantages to be enjoyed
in the town of Iowa. Even as quite
small child remember being much In re-
quest for my vocal capacities at school
treats and other juvenile festivities, and at
the age of 10 my parents were urgently re-
quested to allow me to join our church
choir, where I enjoyed the honor of singing
the alto part all by myself. Though it had
never occurred to me personally, imagine
my voice must have been rather exception
ally strong for ehild's, for in recent
work of his on the voice, Sir Morell
Mackenzie--that kind and faithful friend to
all singers-quotes my case as an example
of voice suffering no injury from constant
use in early childhood.
It was great shock to my people when 1
first announced my aspirations toward
professional career, and it was only after
prolonged struggle Of years duration that
won the day so far as to be allowed to
settle in Chicago under the care of the
well-known teacher, Frederick Root. En-
couraged by him subsequently crossed the
ocean and studied for a year under Nine.
Viardot-G Garcia, in Paris, and then at Milan
under Lamperti, where it so happened that
! fell in with my two compstriots, Miss
Van Zandt and Nine. Guilia Valda. I,
too, at that time aspired to the operatic
stage, and on the completion of my training
accepted an engagement to sing for
season at the new Opera House in Malta,
which was successfully carried out. But it
must be remembered that was literally
alone in Europe, without friends or protect
ors Of any sort. was dismayed at the i'm
mense difficulties and dangers which inevi-
tably hamper q young artist on the operatic
stage, and, changing my plans, 1 came to
London determined to devote myself to ora
torio and concert singing.
POOR GIRLS STRUGGLES.
At this point the real struggle of my life
began, and If dwell upon 1t little, it is
only that feel American girls should know
what they must be prepared for when they
hurry over to Europe in the expectation of
making an easy and rapid fortune. Unless
girl has balance at her bankers to draw
upon, professional career is by no means
all wine and walnuts, as the saying goes. in
dts earlier stages, even when success awaits
one later on. At the moment OF my arrival
in London my father was ruined by the
treachery of a business colleague, and was
left with barely the traditional half-erown
in my pocket. Since that day have
depended on no one but myself. For
tunately, besides voice, was lucky
enough to possess two essentials to success
good health and kind friends, and with their
help struggled through the first years. Ny
earliest friend in England was the great
conductor Sir Julius Benedict, the lament
ed friend and adviser of SO many musicians.
After hearing my voice. he strongly advised
me to persevere in my career if I could
count on remittances om'home, warning
me that it took three years to make repu-
tation in England as coneert-singer.
Almost the next day heard of my fathers
misfortune, but I determined, nevertheless,
to stick to my work.
Another piece of encouragement, which
like to look back upon, came to me about
that time from America from our great con-
tralto, Annie Louise Carey. She sent me
present and wrote: "Come home and I'll
give you my shoes and my blessing"
'NOne OF the most powerful as well as one of
the kindest of my musical friends has been
and indeed still is-Sir Arthur Sullivan,
In recent times have often had the pleasure
Of singing in his great dramatic cantata
1.-THE Golden Legend, while Sir Arthur
himself has conducted. Another old friend
is Sir Charles Halle, who, by means of his
wonderful orchestra, which he has con-
Quoted and managed for so many years, has
turned Manchester into one of the most
musical centert OF England. Here have
had considerable successes, and am always
happy to return there
The serious musical public in England
have great prediction for oratorios, and
have sung all the well-known ones, the
"Elijah, "''Messiah," "St. Paul." "Sam-
son" etc., both in London and in all the
large provincial towns. But, besides that,
i have sung al concerts OF ali sorts, O0Ln
public ones, such as the Monday popular
concerts at the st. James Hall. an engage
ment ut which is considered almost sine
qua non of success in the musical world,
and also at private houses. On these latter
occasions have sung before various mem
bers of
THE ROYAL FAMILY.
Among other well-known houses where I
have appeared, 1 may mention those OF the
Earl of Cadogan, the Rothschilds, Sir
Thomas Lucas, the Cavendish Bentfncks,
DR.. William Playfair, the Blumenthals and
at Grosvenor House, the residence Of the
Duke of Westminster, which contains one
OF the most sumptuous picture galleries and
music rooms in London. Some of the most
charming Of parties in the select musical
and artistic world are given by Mr.. Hamil-
ton Aide, the well-known critic and novelist
and "man about town." IN his delightfully."-
furnished rooms in Queen Anne's mansions
One of my most delightful professional
"reminiscences is connected with the visit Of
the great Able List to this country, visit
which unhappily proved to have been be-
yond his strength. His first reception took
place at Sydenham at the really palatial
residence Of Mr.. LyttIeton, of the great
music-publishing firm of Novello, and him.
self an enthusiastio lover of music The