Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-02-15

told my fine teacher. He said he would
doctor me- However, thought differently,
and we parted. Then I went to Nine. Della
Valle one Of Lamperti's exponents. With
her remained en- years, appearing after
year and half as Amina In "Sonnambula," !"
in which part lyric sopranos usually make
their debut In Italy. So, equipped with
Lamperti's cadence and the role of Amina
pretty well drilled into my head, started
for my first attempt on the stage. On my
arrival at the town where i was to sing my
manager had to take me around to the gen.
tlemen Of the syndicate, who were so afraid
l was tall, as In that case would hardly
do for Amina.
However, / was just right, they said, and
the rehearsals went on. The eventful night
arrived. ! was not nervous-not /. was
too much of a child. got through Won
derfully, and many were the "bravas"
heard over the house. The tenor made a
failure Poor fellow, they would hiss him
In one recitative and applaud me In the
next. don't think l could go through
such a trying scene now, but did then
with all the coolness imaginable. Ny first
season over, returned to Milan for more
study. Then had to leave Italy, my health
not being good, but returned there again
and studied, this time with Lamperti and
Brambilla. Then again was obliged to
leave. London-besutiful, smoky, dingy,
delightful, dirty London--was my next rest
ing place, where It Is as impossible to see
manager as 1t is to see the Prince of Wales,
even with a telegram from Sir Augustus
Harris In my hand, telling me to call.
couldn't see him. The clerks or door boys,
or whatever they are called, are too-what
shall say-freshi 1t is their business to
tell lies, and they do it beautifully.
In New York a manager never knows
you. II you were to call five times day,
they would still wear that blank look Of:
who are your Don't fatter yourself you
are anything" l met a comedian once
who told me he went to see manager and
was requested to call again, which he did.
On appearing the second time he went up
TO the manager, expecting, OF course, rec
ognition. But, mol The blank stare met
him, and he heard: "Who are your
What do you wantW Turning Oh his
heel, he said: "Oh, nothing. just called
in 10 see the pictures" and sauntered over
to examine the many beauties who adorned
the walls. believe he got an engagement
out Of it.
London suits me as little as Italy, and
after short stay there l departed for the
land of freedom and equality. but not In
New York did / rest my weary feet. Out
into the west we went, my mother and 1.
While out there the late lamented Emma
Abbott engaged me for her company In the
capacity Of prima donna. There my 40
quaintance with the stage proper began,
and must confess my feelings were not all
Of delight. Dearl What q hard time had
OF IL, with not one TO say an encouraging or
kind wordi Most persons would have given
up, but not l. / fought II out, and never
shall forget my first season in America.
Perhaps my trials were really not so
great, but TO me they seemed mountains.
Since then, Of course, have been in many
companies and have sung many different
roles, but that first season l never like TO
recall or think OF. So beware, you who are
crazy TO go on the stagel 1t u not half y }
nice a. IL looks when you ait In the orch, 4s-
ira, with your best or even your scond 'oest
fellow, and admire what you see. Uldeed
tits all unreal, even TO those sws et love
scenes. Most likely they hate eap n other.
Don't be In hurry to throw gyay YOUR
"bestest best" for the hollow mor kerry of the
stage unless indeed you are 9iucaied and
have the taleut TO be something. Y.
NINA BEgTISb -HUMPHRYs.