Middletown transcript., 1896-09-26
The Opera
Singer

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fT((JVlN young opera
IRE. M&U singer.
fNE, WfM Five or 81.
Wtt.INT years ago sh
Hl- was singing il
MzNS an obscure choi
GJE.S in an obscur
New-England church. Nature hai
endowed her with strong physique, ,
heavy voice. rich in some of its notes
but not especially sweet, and the en-
ergy which alone make success possibI'
to the moderately gifted.
She decided to come abroad anl
study. The scheme seemed crazy ont
for young girl SO poor and alone; but
with sublime faith 10 her own power
to bend circumstances to her viii, she
made her plans.
Dissemination overcomes many OBJ.
stacles. She sailed from America will
a very light purse, coming direct te
Germany. She didn't understand 9
word Of the language, and one of the
first things she did was to engage q
teacher and alsoa a "German exchange
that is, some one to speak German to
her in exchange for English conversa-
tion.
Then began years of hard work, en-
bittered at times by poverty Of the
most abject kind. Often her best gown
would be out at elbows, the shoes upon
her feet merely rags. Discouragement
must have often overshadowed her, but
she kept steadfastly to her purpose,
and that was to make the most Of her
voice.
soften while we were lying in bed
asleep B. would be up studying Ger
man, or preparing her lessons. Yes,
before daylight many morning she'd
have a candle burning, while she
mastered some German poem or soDg."
said girl-friend who knew her inti-
mately.
Opera had not seemed within the
possibilities when she first came over.
She had only hoped to make an oratorio
and concert singer, but as her voice
developed and gained in her power and
richness she was encouraged TO go Oh
the stage.
SIT is the place for you," said her
teacher. "You would be very silly not
to do so.'
1t was tn is same teacher who has,
by the way trained many famous sim
gers, that said to her on her first appli-
cation:
"Take that thing from your neck
and never put it on again."
'Why hot2" inquired Miss g., in
some astonishment, as she unwound
the simple little fur collar from her
throat.
sBecause it is very bad for you. II
is foolish for any one to mufie up the
throat in fur. 1t only makes them
more susceptible to cole, and it is GER
tainlY very unsafe for singer, very"
One may easily tell Of the outward
events of an apprenticeship to toll and
but who can go below the sur
face and even falntly express the effect
upon the struggler. It is to this girls
credit that she did not become embit-
tered or lose her childlike bopefulness
and faith in ultimate success. 1t was
wonderfully interesting to see the de-
velopment of the artist. The traditions
Of stern New England ancestry held
her fast when she first came to Europe,
and it was a good thing for her,, else
the new life might have been too intox-
icating, might have swept her away
from her true balance.
It was hard upon that New England
Of hers. 1t yielded very re-
luctantly to the demands of art. The
German observance of Sunday is very
different from the English or Ameri-
can. Here they 60 to church in the
and then give up the remain
der of the day to holiday making or to
work. It is usual to see a thrifty frau
sitting in a concert garden with her
or crocheting, and / don't
know but they take ito the opera
with them on Sunday evening. Sunday
work and pleasure had to be realized
and accepted by the New-England girl,
and from being an observer she finally
became participator. 1t was ineyit-
able. An opera singer must play her
part on Sunday night as well as Mon
day night If her contract calls for It.
During her student days she often had
opportunity to sing in concert, and
necessity made it easy.
It was in the midst OF her student
life that all her money gave out. She
hadn't even enough to keep herself in
food and necessary clothes,
81 remember she came and told me
one night she hadn't anything for her
breakfast next morning, and no money
10 buy even bread, = said friend. s.I
had spent all my money also, and was
waiting for remittance from America.
It was late but I slipped down to the
dining room. Everything had been
put away and locked up, except some
butter. I took that, and she laughed
In great glee when she saw my spoils.
She could always see the humorous