Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-27

Lent arrives. But aside from the social
features of the operate season, the latter
of itself promises to be OF exceeding
interest.
Calye the divine will be the reigning
queen of the season, although that quick
tempered lady has no great love Tor
the New York society woman. TWO
years ago when the season was over she
asserted that she would never again sing
before a Gotham audience, or more
properly speaking. sing In the same cohi-
pany with Mrs. Story-Emma EameS
Emma Eames triumphed last year, al
though the managerial powers were ex'
erted in their utmost to induce the lovely
Calve to break her vow and sing with
the American songstress. Calves ulti'
matum. roughly speaking. was TO DIS
charge Emma Eames, and then she wouiu
sing. The management was opposed to
such drastic measures, even 10 secure
such wonderful drawing card as CAVE,
co the latter remained abroad during ths
season of 1S9i-'e5.
COMPLETE VICTORY.
Calves victory this year is complete.
She Ia in the company and Emma Eames
,s ont. The cause OF II all Is pretty
niece of feminine rivalry. or late years al
~ the great stars OF grand opera nave
suffered from an ambition TO SHINE IN the
world OF society.
Two wears ago Calve could not under
stand why Emma Eames should be biocen
tn social functions while she was lett u
the solitude Of her hotel. The seeming
neglect set her to thinking, and she ue-
cjded that her musical rival had carried
,be nrofessional war into private life
That was enough for the hot-headed
C,aIve Then, when Emma Eames gave a
racention to her society friends at the
waldorf and failed to send an invitation
to Calye there was no longer any con-
cea,ment OF the war. Both Melba anu
Nordica were drawn into 1t, and even
lean and Edouard de Reske and Piancon
suffered in the general upheavai.
while the women Of the smart set were
indifferent to Calve, the men raved over
her. Her Carmen nights drew the great
crowds of the year, and 1t promises 10 Do
the same this season. Her coquettish
s,i,.herv and her sinuous acting were
more powerful charmers than the artistic
beauty of her voice. 1t was the realism
~ her Carmen that made the women
turn a cold shoulder toward her. but IL
the men had had their way she would
have oueened IL socially as well as opera
tically. con c.p,,uN
What the financial inducement was that
brought the only Carmen here again Is
difficult to say. Two years ago her Zee
was $500 a performance. When this price
was made her wonderful drawing AT
fractions were undreamed OF, and she
nroyed a yeritablc gold mine. That same
wear Melba was given $1,000 a perform
ance. while Eames and Nordica were
both ranked financially above Calve, re-
ceiying 500 each. 1t is very probable that
CaIve this year will receive $500 a per-
Torrance, and perhaps considerably
more. Patti has frequently been paid
as much as 5000 for nights work. and
her minimum price for many years has
been 5000 OF course Calve or any other
living vocalist cannot expect to commanc
the sum paid to Patti
There will be thirteen weeks Of opera
this season, and Calve will appear at
least twice a week. AS she is certain
10 be the rage, she will have many op-
portunities of increasing her earnings b.
singing at the musicales Of swelldom.
All OF the great singers charge the same
price for singing in concert as they do
in opera Nordica is possible excep-
ton to this rule. having frequently sung
In concert for $500 while her operate
charge is 500. From this 1t can be seen
that the dreamy-faced Calve will proba-
bIy receive $4,000 for her season in New
York alone.
CONTRALTOS EARN LESS.
Contralto singers are paid considerably
less than sopranos. although finished
artists are much scarcer. Scalchi, VINO
will sing this year, has received various
sums. ranging from $500 to 500. for ar
operatic performance. Madame Marie
Rrema. whose superb contralto last sea
son won golden praise for her. will also
sing this year. Her charge Is about $500
q night.
Melba, always fascinating and happy.
has about completed book: which; be
aides containing much Of q biographical
nature. win deal mainly with voice pro
duction. BY this book she will do ner
hest 20 externse1ate several systems OF
voice culture, which she regards AZ ruin
Gus. She expects to make many enemies
rsiEius Of her book. she said: "xou