The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-07-30
HOOSIER PRIMA DONNA
MARGARET REID's SUCCESS i
GRAND OPERA IN LONDON.
Her Career Dates from the Day Sig.
vianesi Heard Her Singing in
Her steamer Stateroom.
Julian Ralph-s London Letter in Boston

Julian Raloh's London Letter in Boston
Globe.
Margaret Reid. the young American pri-
ma donna, who surprised her native land
and herself by her unexpected debut in
grand opera at the Metropolitan opera
house In New York, three seasons ago and
who won instantaneous success. is now
charming London by her successes in
grand opera, in concert and at swell So
cial soirees-
Up 10 three winters ago it had always
been a prime essential that an American
singer should first secure a European in
dorsement before her native land would
accept her as an operate star of first mag
nitude, worthy TO hold the stage with for
eign artists. Especially was the diploma
of a successful season at Covent Garden
q necessity. Miss Reid is this season one
of the CORPS of prime dome at the Covent
Garden royal opera, and her engagement
Is directly due to the prestige she gained
in her native land
In the fall of 1891 Miss Reid was crossing
the Atlantic on her way home for a visit,
after several years of study in Paris. On
board the same steamship was the noted
conductor Vianesi. who was going to New
York to direct the season Of grand opera
ut the Metropolitan. Miss Reid did not
know vianesi was aboard. and of course
the great conductor was entirely oblivious
of the existence of the American girl One
afternoon Miss Reid was in her stateroom
singing softly TO herself some snatches OF
French song. when a mans voice called
from the adjoining room. asking her. in
French. to sing louder and sing more
Ard or course MISS fSeld stoppeu dlto-
gether-
door. She opened the door and the own
er of the voice was there He bowed. apol-
cgized. explained that he was a musician,
and asked would not Miss Reid sing the
same song and permit him TO accompany
more Miss Reid sang to the stranger &C
compartments. neither knowing the
Others name. a delightful bit of informally
and impropriety possible only on an At
lantic steamship.
Sig. vianesi, for. of course. he was the
stranger musician. was much pleased with
Miss Reds voice. He arranged that she
should sing the first number at the usual
ship concert. and practically took her un-
der his wing from that time
He made arrangements TO assist her In
her musical education while she remained
In New York. and did the very great deal
that such a man could do to help Miss Reid
In the cultivation of her art. Finally he de-
cided that she ought to sing at the Met
dreamed of by the opera management and
or course Vianesi was frankly discouraged
in his project. Miss Reid had never APP
2Cd III aAAL tac1 49, ia al
the Metropolitan with such liked stars as
that company Is always exclusively made
up OF was declared TO be altogether too big
q risk 10 take.
Vianesi had Miss Reid sing 10 Mr.. Grau,
and the manager frankly admitted her ex>
~cellence as a singer. but as frankly de-
clined TO take the risk of what she might
do or fail to do as a prima dopna.
Then vianesi went quietly 10 work and
schooled Miss Reid in the singing of oper-
attic parts and in all the details OF stage
department.. He particularly desired &c
produce at the Metropolitan that season
Ambrose Thomas's Hamlet" but the
expenses of preparation and the possibility
of nonsuccess. Vianesi carefully tUtored
Miss Reid IN the role OF Ophelia and bided
his time Finally the management con-
scented to produce Hamlet" and Miss Van
Zandt was cast for Ophelia. The great La
de Reszke was to be the king.
The performance was 10 be on Feb. 10
1892. and IL was expected TO be a big mu-
steal event in New York. Early on the
morning OF that day word was brought "a
Mr.. Grau that Miss Van Zandt was i'll and
could not possibly sing the part of OphelIa,
The management promptly gave orders to
change the bill
This was the chance Vianesi had waited
and hoped for. He had sent for Miss Reid
to be present and he told the management
that she was entirely capable 10 sing and
do justice 10 the part of Ophelia. The
proposition was treated as preposterous.
Then vianesi had Miss Reid sing the
famous mad seem Lssaile and De Reszke
and other members OF the cast being pres
The management agreed that she sang
II superbly. but the risk was too great.
3heu Lasalle came 70 the rescue and de-