The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-10-17
The PR|MA DONNA.
Peep Behind the Scenes
of the Lyrics.
How the Leading Artistes OF ar
Opera Company Go Through
Their Daily Routine.

Curiosity keeps pace with the ad-
vancement OF civilization. II seems TO
be a natural element carried along
with the growth OF enlightenment: II
is contagious. and consequently the
whole human race Is afflicted one way /
or another. The spark. however.
seems to be imbued more strongly on
the feminine gender than the genus |
man. The stage has ever been a mi |
crocosm. within itself. Its mysteries
have a fascination that Is simply un-
comfortable. OF the life OF an opera
singer the outside world knows really
but little. but what little they do know
is planted on fertile soil. and. needless
to say, growing daily bigger and big
ger. bearing a flower called In Latin
''curiositas." Perhaps II the amateur
song birds were aware OF the toll al
lotted to the career of n professional
prima donna (of the Boston Lyric
| Opera Company. for instancel, there
would not be so many operate aspir-
ants in the field or at home begging
papa Ito send them to Italy" to study.
that they may become great prima
donnas in the near future. Hard work
is the chilling rock ahead that has
been the means OF killing many an am
bition.
1t is said that the duties OF an opera
singer are never finished: IL is one un-
ceasing round OF labor day after day.
without any stopping-off place for n
long rest. In the morning she must
be up with the lark for n long walk To
keep her digestion in perfect order and
her physical power strong and vigor-
Gus. so that the arduous task of sing
ing an opera can be borne with vigor
and strength. without the strain upon
the system becoming evident by
pumping, as they say in operate
, lore. After the matutinal peregrina-
ton a light breakfast comes in order:
then a half-hour for the perusal OF the
morning paper to keep in touch with
the topic of the times, and then tive
hours OF vocal exercises, which mus
never be neglected, winding up will
fifteen minutes devotion to calisthen
les: then comes the rehearsal. usual,
taking about four hours. followed by :
light lunch: then n carriage drive
another walk. or the receiving o
friends; n nap for an hour and din
ner. n drive to the theater. ten min
J. utes IN the chair OF Mons. Anatole l.
Mouet. the Boston Lyric peruquier. q
hairdresser, and then to- her dressing
room, where the maid has already lai
out the costume which she Is to- wea
for that nights performance. Sh
looks II all over to- see that II Is all COT
rect and then. with n sigh Of regret
especially If tights are worn. for the
= are the common nuiSanceS with prtm
donnas-commences to- put them on
Her face makeup comes next in orde
When she Ia about half through wit
this necessary attention. the scrapiu
, sound OF the violins can be heard froi
- beneath the stage. and the callboy vel
= out: Fifteen minutesi" The time 500
passes. The constant hum and fiutt'
4 before the curtain announces the rap
u assembling of the audience. and Il
i rush of the stagehands and the merI
4 laughter of the chorus girl around Il
u wings tells only too plainly that
II o'clock Is drawing near. Three RAJ
Il are suddenly heard on the stage; q
81 orchestra has commenced the overtu
81 and like clockwork everyone Is in the
II places. n smile OF recognition pass
q around. the curtain goes up. the Choir
y is singing the opening song. and
I prima donna stands ready. prepar
Fl for the nights ordeal-happy. full
81 ambition. and joyous. The music c
II is sounded. she Is on the stage. $
FL hears the applause OF welcome tn
81 greets her entrance. and with {
III sound" she feels amply repaid for
81 trials and tribulations she has und'
al gone during the day preparing for
al NIGHTS nerformance