The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-11

Instruction in Singing from Her Not Altogether
m Agreeable Ordeal

an Agreeable Ordeal.
In tho musical world OF Europe no teacher
stands higher than Nine. Marchesi, and yet a
first interview with her is an ordeal TO be
dreaded. She may tell you with almost brutal
frankness that your cherished vocal projects are
thin as air bubbles and that you had better turn
your attention to cooking. Or, with one unusual
CLEAN of her gray eyes and one sudden indrawn
breath, making her thin lips still thinner, she
may tell you that you are destined to lift the
heart OF tho world in immortal song and wear
the laurels Of q great lyric career. Again she
may tell you with the same blunt severity that
you have no looks at all for the stage, and after
you have been accepted as a pupil you are still
subjected to her merciless severity.
To be taught by Nine. Marchesi is not to have
the luxury OF an individual lesson, an hours
good, cosey. comfortable time all to yourself.
BY no means. That is not her plan. You are
taught in class. You are thus introduced at
once to an audience. You thus have IN oppor-
tunity of conquerine stage fright. You are
thus submitted TO the criticism of others. Not
only your voice, but your manners, your gait.
your way of holding your hands are studied.
From head to foot you are scrutinized. A small
platform is in the centre Of Msrchesi's salon,
where tho pupil stands and recites Tor sings) her
lesson. The class sit around the room and
criticise. The pupil has to face not only
tho class, but the audience includes
often the first musicians of the world.
How does n sensitive woman bear the gun-fire
OF Mmc. Mnrchesi's criticism, her ridicule, her
sarcasm and severity Ono day one of the class
, was having her fifteen minutes of lesson before
n crowded room. Marchesi was in o sardonic
humor that morning. Her remarks were bril-.
liant. hut more cutting than n Damascus blade.
! The audience felt that a climax was coming 1t
came. The girls lip began to tremblo as
Marchesi's commentary sparkled and cut and
sparkled again. Her lip trombled more and
more. The agitation gained upon her whole
body, till she shook like n willow in the wind.
Poor dear! the other pupils held their breath.
The room was silent as a tomb. You could hear
Marchesi's watch tick in her pocket. Still the
pupil strove to bring out the tone that those
severe lips of Marchesi had commanded. At last
the voice rolled out. Tho tone gained upon tho
room. The voice stopped; -, .
You sing ike ii fool!' literally Missed
Marchesi. and the storm broke.
Tho girl burst into tears. Her sobs. coming
the pupils dared TO rush forward with comfort
or handkerchief. The girl threw the sheet OF
hands; Then. dGshinE the tears away from her
face, she stopped down. gathered up the scat
tered music, tore it into shreds. tossed it to every
stage. All felt 1t was over with her forever. so
far as lessons with Marchesi were concerned.
and more than one heart uched for her.
"Ha, ha!' laughed Marchesi. rising delight
eddy from the piano. rubbing her hands to-
gcther, md walking. or rather stalking. males,
tiCally through the room. and up and down, and
again seating herself at the plano. "Ha, hal
that girl will sing! She has the grand fire. She
is dramatic; She has the fine passion of the
devil And the girl came back the next day
and won Marchesi's braves and hand -clapping.
Upon another occasion Marchcsi sat in judg-
ment upon u pupils hands as she stood upon
the platform.
Now, don't put UP your lip like a baby" she
says. III / tell you that / never saw such u
BOBBY! You're rs awkward IA n country clown.
Look at your hands! just look at them dangling
u1 witch n1 y ON a I poie, Ma mG Is 4 ' poiiG' .b bec co;p wtia,u,nJE
sottcning u little; "if | do not tell you. ana ch6re,
of these things now while you are in my salon,