The morning call., 1893-05-28
sYBIL sANDERSON.

Sybi Sanderson, daughter OF the laie Judge
5anderson, was born IN Sacramento. CAL, and
was educated in San Francisco.
She was always of dramatic turn of mind,
and from her earliest childhood her greatest
delight was 10 be allowed to diess up aud play
at acting.
AS Sybil grew older she became convinced
that her voice would make her famous. Nc
on, however encouraged her in the idea. She
sang at a few musicaes under the direction OF
Henry Heyman and her San Francisco musi-
clans, but her family strongly objected to hel
adopting singing is anything more than mere
amuSem ut.
Iu the end, however, her determination tri.
umphed, and her mother accompanied her to
Paris TO purs lie her studies in tile conservatory
there. Admission 10 the Paris conservatory Is
by no means easy, especially for foreigner, as
there are always many more applicants than
there are vacancies. Without any influence.
however, Miss anderson was at once ac-
cepIed on the strength OF her marvellous upper
notes alone.
After wo king for some months in the con-
servaIory an incident occurred that had great
effect upon her after career. Massenet, the
wel-known French composer, was invited by
some musical friends to hear the young Ameri-
can girl.
Miss Sanderson was singing when Massener
arrived, and he paused at tile door to listen, ex-
claiming when she had finished, "Ths is the
voice" Just as Wagner sought for his ideal
OF BruEhilde so he was seeking for woman
and voice to satisfy the requirements of The
title role in his "Manon." The prma donna
who had cremated the part was dead. and 'Ma-
nom had fallen into disuse for want of work
ing exponent.
1t was an unheard-of thing for Massenet to
give singing lessons, but having found the
voice he wanted he determined TO train ii him-
self. For this purpose Miss Sanderson with
drew from The conservatory and received in
structions from this famous composer.
Later Marchesi gave her sume lessons also,
but the real credit OF the young Californian 3
artistic singing is not due to Madame Marchesi.
but TO Massenet. Ii was Massenel who taught
her Interpretation, too, IN order that the actress
might carry out the composers ideal of the
various characters.
so delighted was the master with his pupips
progress that ne wrote an opera, "Esclar-
mohde." TO make her debut in, aud it was de-
cided to produce ii at the Opera Comque
People unacquanted with music Ia France
are apt 10 translate. "ODera comique' by
''comc opera" In justice to Miss Sander
sou it must be stated that no greater error
could be made. Comic opera or opera bouffe
Is far removed from grand opera, whereas
opera comlque Is the nearest possible relation
to it.
Blzeps Carmen" for instance, can be played
Ell her as op IA comique or grand opera. The
greatest artists have reformed at the Paris
Opera Comique aud In many cases the season 5
there have been better than those at the Grand
OIefa-house.
At The time of Miss Sanderson's debut things
had not been going well. financially, at the
Opera COmique, but the management decided
TO stake heavily on the success OF "EscIar.
monde" and of the new prlma donna. good
support was secured, and dresses and scenery
that ast0hished even Paris wer ordered
As an instance of the confidence entertained
In The success of the young American debutante,
1t may be mentioned that one of the gorgeous