The evening times., 1898-09-06
TRH, La, La,
La, La, La!
Candidates for Lyric Fame
and a Suffering Impresario.
Amateur Song Birds Allowed to
Marble Free of Charge Before
Jury of Musical Critics.


self TO the stage door of the American
Theater in New York. where the Castle
Square Opera Company is rehearsing
and demands the testing of her voice.
which. incidentally, is always equal to
Pastfs.
Tuesday is set aside by the manager
as a special day of the week, and
O'Clock the hour when they are allowed
to have "a go'' at it. The stage is clear
ed piano is rolled down toward the
footIights. at which the theater accom-
panist seats himself. Benches and chairs
are provided in abundance for the would
be stars and chorus aspirants, who are
ushered in. called up in turn-and the
agony begins.
OF course, many young people of both
sexes are heard who have excellent
voices, and obtain by their abilities en-
viable success, but. unfortunately. there
are others. and this story mainly relates
to them. To begin with. says a writer
in the New York Herald. there is the
girl with her ''mommer." and of the
many types she commands first atten-
ton. "Mommer" has placed herself and
her embryo Melba close to the row of
seats reserved for the gentlemen of the
jury. She fixes them with baleful
glare. and they, seeming the inevitable
row, and desirous of Kidding themselves
of the infiiction at the earliest possible
moment, call upon the young woman TO
open the ball" The accompanist smiles
sweetly and meekly suggests a scale.
Stuff and nonsensei comes quick as
flash. Daughter, give EN- your arrier.'
Daughter does, and for the space of ten
minutes the atmosphere is penetrated by
a series of complicated howls, which al
ternate with moaning hisses pitched in a
confidential key. terrific Shrek accom-
panied by facial contortion which proves
too much for one member of the jury,
and the vocal wrestling bout is at
end Mother smilingly advances to sign
the contract, but Is instead told that her
daughters voice is not big enough for
grand opera"
Il don't have TO have you tell me that
my daughter amt a screech owl. Not
good enough for your chorus? Why, she
has had more offers than the sticks you
here ever had | wouldn't let her sing at
all in your company; but do you think
for a moment that l am going to have
her galliya nting all over this country
with every Tom. Dick and Harry of
manager? No, street 1 want her where
/ can see that she gets her rights. Yes,
l know you have more to try, although
ia think they'd have some one around
/ this place that knew their business. I'll
see the manager Oh, he won't see me
IN his private Office? Well you can tell
him for me that he won't see me In his
| theater, either. He's just out one bar
! gain matiIfe' seat for the entire season"
| Then. glaring at the crowd as she deliv-
| ers this parting shot "a la the curse OF
Rome she swoops down upon her
/ daughter and stalks majestically from
! the place.
My amt she sassy chirrups a di-
| minutive bit of humanity, who is evil
! IDENTIFY no stranger to farce comedy. She
| is invited TO essay the trial, and steps
/ forward tugging at a letter fastened in
! her belt. 1t is addressed to the stage
| manager and proves to be a fattering
| recommendation from some individual,
| unkncYn TO the management, although
he addresses Mr.. Temple in familiar
| terms.
You don't know him." exclaims the
| ''primy donny. Well he knows you all
: right. He's great friend of a gentleman
! friend of mine, and said he'd fix me with
the Castle Square Sing? Well. I'm no
primy donny. but | can fake all right all
| right. I'm real clever with my feet and
| l make up great. You can't phase me iii
Jump in and play any old thing. Got u
he able To sing in grand opera? That's
| funny. You don't have to act 10 be a
| leading woman. You don't know that
guy al all? always told Charley that
| his friend was lobster. Well. I'll see
| You again. Anything turns up in my
| line just address me care of the dramatic
| papers. Day-day."
The jury's quiet smile over the Incl
| dent is interrupted by the voice of a port
| ly blonde. whose silk skirts rustic and
| stage jewels flash as she hurries down
| the aisle. The fact that another app l.
| cant is about to begin the prelude to
song matters not at all To the newest ar
rival. Gentlemen, you have been wait-
ing for me. l must apologize. but l have
been singing in some social affairs at the
Beach and l have just rushed away.
| Il received the letter from the manage
ment making this special appointment at
| two. Puuctuality is not one of my vir-
tues. but you'll excuse me. Dear Patti
used to say, Dearie, this will be your
! ruin some day She's so sweet, | un-
| derstand that YOU need leading man
very badly. It's quite concession Of
mine to give up my concert work. Posi-
bly couldn't stand the steady, but one
of those poor things. my understuly. You
know, might alternate
But. my dear madam" interposed
Music Director LieSegang, "our cast of
principals is quite filled. This commu-
| nication was III regard TO a chorus posi-
| ton.
why. the very idea of thinking that
| I'd go in d choruSl You haven't heard of
me? I'm not accountable for your pro-
vinicalism. II may be some satisfaction
| to you to know that this whim your
part has lost TO you for all time the SER
vices of a singer popular in every town
| of any size in this country
The accompanist, to bring the clamor Il
an end. has again struck the opening
chords of the song placed on the music
rack. A little woman plainly garbed il
} a simple cotton dress is nervously clasp
ing and uncIa sping her hands and mois
tenng her lips while she waits for tbs
, cue note. AT first the voice is husky anC
tremulous. but before the verse is ended
; it has gained in strength and rings GU
sweet and true. She has evidently scored
a point, for the jury requests her to sins
} another verse. She complies. and is theT
} asked to talk about herself She eX
! plains that she is studying, and wOuit
like TO add something to her small re
) sources, but most of.all would like to ac
| quire the experience to be gained in tax
ing part in the presentations of the be.s
musical works. She is totally withou
) experience, but feels confident that sh
would learn quickly.
They explain to her that her dutie
| would leave small time for either study o
} | recreation. She must report at half pas
8 every morning during the season TO lear
the general business of the next produc
ton. At half past II the musical directo
} would demand her attention for anothe
two hours One hour for lunch, then tw
I hours again with the stage manager. A
I half past I back at the theater. wher
5 she must remain until the curtain drops
: at II o'clock, and during this time sh
would be Obliged to change her wig an
costume and makeup al least three o
four times Dressed and on the street a
half past IL, with possibly half a doze
| different pieces of music to have perfec