The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-18
SONG BIRDS AND THEIR MATES.
The Welded Experiences of some of
the Popular Prima DOnnas.

From the Philadelphia Times.
Mrs. Armstrong is one Of the greatest of
modern prima donnas, although the world
has seldom heard Of hereunder that name.
She is Nine. Media ON the opera bills.
You were born in Australia" said the
great Marchest TO her one day, "and your
Christian name is Nellie; then why not
bourneI
The name caught the prima donna's fam
cy; she bore II from that hour and dropped
that of her husband. Her maiden name
had been Nellie Mitchell and her father
was an exporter of cavalry horses to In
dla. Melba Is to-day a dashing and fear
less horsewoman, an accomplishment that
, she owes TO her early experiences in riding
unbroken horses around and about her
fathers stock farm, which is not many
miles from Melbourne. She would ride
anything anywhere, and one of the results
OF her cross-eountry work was that a
neigh SDr by the name OF Armstrong fell
desperately IN love with her and finally
married her.
Armstrong was sheep-raiser and Melba
innocently supposed that he owned the
place he occupied. History does not say
whether or not he was responsible for her
mistaken supposition, but after their mar
riage she found out that he was merely
the representative of the rea4 owner. Arm
strong does not seem to have been a bad
sort of a fellow, and to this day he has the
sympathy and support OF his neighbors in
his family troubles; but Meiba was ambi-
tious and wanted more than he could give
her. SO II ended in their separation and
in her leaving Australia. Her going was
undoubtedly FASTENED by the lack of mus
ical sense and appreciation of Australians
In general Consequently, they hadn't the
least appreciation Of Melhas gorgeous
voice. They criticised It up and down and
around and across; said she sang too loud
iy and followed that up with the usua.
stock phrases of prejudiced criticism. All
Of which naturally Disguised Melba with
the place, and Australia lost. what the
world gained-a really great prma donna.
She has not been back. to- Australia nor
seen her husband In the ten or more years
that have passed since she left him. They
nave one child, a boy OF u, who is at
school N Great Britain, and Is award in
chancery. They are legally separated, and
Mr.. Armstrong lives quietly In Australia
while Melba sings herself more and more
into public favor and greatness.
Another prima donna husband who has
no part In his wife's success Is Mr.
Browne, the London stock broker, who
married Marie Brema. He Is very rich, and
possibly wish for with one exception-the
chance 10 win fame with her splendid
voice. This meant public appearance and
public notice, and her husband hated both
She was determined, after the manner
Of prima donnas. to have her own way
and TO get all the operate fame the world
Il. The inevitable result was a separa-
ton, under the terms Of which each 20
their own way without let or hindrance
from the other. He gives her a large an
lowance, which she can use as she pleases
free from the slightest restriction on his
part; while he gets out Of life whatever
pleasure his great wealth can bring him.
Mr. Ernest Gye is very differently plac-
ed as the husband, manager, press agent
general attendant and friend of his wife,
who Is known TO the world as Nine. Al
bani. Gye Is one Of four sons of the or
iginal owner of COvent Garden theater
London. He met Albani In that city, and
their marriage was undoubtedly a love
match. They are devoted 20 each other,
and he Is particularly efficient in shielding
her from the army Of simplctOns who
make life a burden 10 most prima donnas.
eye Is no drone, living on his wife's earn
ings and reputation. but, on the contrary.
he Is a shrewd, energetic and capable
business men, who Is very popular among
his friends.
Scalchrs husband Is a real italian count
whom she met ia her own country lie
is about i've feet square, more or less, rs
he is short and extremely broad. Scalchi
and he are inseparable, and he positively
refuses TO sign any contracts for her sing
ing that do not include n liberal allow |
ance for Count Lolli's expenses not TO |
mention her own and those OF her maid |
Sho treats Lolli pretty well but he onlv
down for, as Scalchi Is the banker OF the
firm and takes complete charge Of an re- |
ceipts. He has to be content with what |
might be called percentage Of what his |
wife extracts from her manager on the |
strength or MS name.
There Is another countess prima donna
Minnie Hauk. OF Carmen" fame She
married Count Wartegg. and there As no |
earthly question about his position with |
reference TO her business affairs. He mani
does u most mHsterfully, as the following |
Incident Of one season. when his wife was /
ainging under engagement TO Col Maple /
son, will show; This famous impressario |