The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-07-16
G N MA EAM Es.
Life, Genius and Career Of the Maine
Prima Donna.
tHarper's weekly.l

THarper's Weekly.l
The debut of Miss Emma Eames, the new
American prima donna, has been literally
the great event Of the musical season in
Paris this year. Within few weeks her
name has become famous. while her splen-
did voice and perfect method have estab.
lshed her artistic reputation on basis Of
absolute solidity. Miss Eames Is an artist
who owes everything to her art and to her
will, and nothing to intrigue, influence or
fayortism. The story Of her life is as sim
pie and radiant as the lady herself.
Miss Eames was born at Boston. Her
mother, who is distinguished amateur mu-
sician, was the first to discover that Emma
was gifted with tie rare treasure of a voice.
and the first to train that voice with the care
that it deserved. Then Mrs. Eames brought
her daughter to Paris, and placed her In the
hands of that distinguished teacher. Ma
dame Marchesi, In whose school she made
very rapid progress. Thanks to her mothers
intelligent care, her voice had never been de-
formed nor strained; 1t had no "holes" In it,
to use professional familiar term; 1t need.
ed only to be developed and brought out
After period Of study at Madame Mar.
chests school, Miss Eames, being ready TO
begin the great battle Of her professional ca
reer, went to Brussels, hoping to make de-
but at the Theatre de la Monnaie. The OPP
portunity did not present itself; several
times Miss Eames might have made a debut
in an understudy. but the eminent director
of the Conservatoire of Brussels, M. Geva-
ert, dissuaded her. You have voice and
TALENT" NJ Gevaert used to say to her, ''to
give you the first place in your profession
You must make your debut as prima donns
and not otherwise. IL you begin as an un
derstudy you will remain an understudy."
The next experience was an engagement al
800 month at the Opera Comique at Paris
Month after month Miss Eames waited
learning now this opera and now that one
working all the the time, and chafng with
impatience, but no chance OF singing was
given her. Finally, after propositions hac
been made to her from the Grand Opera, BY
dint Of perseverance, earnest argument, anC
sheer power Of will, Miss Eames obtained
the cancelling OF her contract at the Opera
Comique, and signed an engagement will
the Grand Opera, which was kept secret un
til the moment Of her debut The circum
stances of this debut are doubtless fresh In
the memory OF our readers. Patti had ere
ated at the Opera Gounod's Romeo ct JUL
ette. and sang the role for short season
Then, through protection and influence, q
certain Mademoisele Darclee sang the role
of Juliette, but so badly that there was al
Outcry and demand for new Juliette
Then Miss Eames made her debut, one ol
the most completely triumphant that We
have seen. The freshness and power OF hei
voice were equalled by the excellence Of her
method and the extreme sensitiveness OF heI
acting. As for her beauty, there was hut one
opinion here, indeed, was the ideal Jullette
The next morning the critics were all en-
thusiastic in their praise, and Miss Eamel
was i'm nediately adopted as q charming lido
by the Partisan musical public.
In Miss Eames there are two distinct per
sonages, the woman and the artist. The ar
tist belongs to the public and to the theatre
the woman lives entirely al0of from thl
the theatre, and all that Is connected will
the stage and things stacy. Our picture
ed with the lilial elegance OF Vatican
figures, very simple and 1.-THE In all he
movements, having In her presence and h
her walk something Of the imposing rhythm
and flowing line of the suave mar %adens lens, wn. h
the other hand. Is quite modern, both In thu
features and in the yivacity Of the expires
sion; it Is a beautiful American head, fine
pure and delicate in aspect, clean cut like .
cameo, and crowned with wayy mass ol
crisp brown hair. Miss Eames's eyes are
blue-gray: her complexion has the clearness
and freshness of virginia. youth; her expires
sion, while full Of will and strength OF char
acter, is still that of a maiden who might re
peat every morning the prayer that the
ancients used to address to Venus, "God
kldul tlltib may nOthAhS that 70 hDb aeAOO
able. and say nothing that will give dis
pleasure"
Miss Eames lives very modestly with he
mother in a simple fiat in the Rue Boisslere
Her engagement at the Opera, at present a
least Is more glorious than remunerative-i
phenomenon due to the inexperience OF thl
debutante and to the smartness Of the mana
gers. Time, however, will soon modify thi
state of affairs. Miss Eames Is about Il
make her second debut as Marguerite II
Faust. She will then sing Sigura, and mex
year she viii create at Paris the role of Des
demona in Verdi's Othello. In Miss Eame'
sitting-room are two photographs which shl
prizes very highly as souvenirs and land
marks in her career. One is photograph o
the director of the Conservatoire Of Brus
sells, with this inscription; "A Mile. Eames
a que IL predit le plus bel ayenir, son affec
tueusement deyoue. Grevaert, Mai, 1888.
The other is photograph of the author O.
Faust, with these words written upon 1t; "A
ma eharmante petite Juliette Eames. Ch
Gounod. Is Mars, 1889 Debut POpera.
THEODORE CHILD.