The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-10-02
Tells a Reporter About
Her Trip.
Why She Didn't Stay in Boston
Over Sunday.

Mne. Maroella Semhrioh, the worlds
greatest soprano singer, arrived In this
city on the late afternoon train from Hos-
ton Saturday snd she will be heard at the
Music Festival here "Wednesday evening.
This is the flrst time in her life that she
has been iu Maine. She IL accom-
anied by her husband. Prof. Herr STAN
gel Several maids are also In the party
co look after tine most minute detail cor
corning the com fort OF the famous prima
gonna.
When Mime. Sembrich and her husband
ahghted from the train at the Union
station they were met by Prof. Chapman
and Mrs. Chapman and Mr.. Albert S.
woodman, who is president of the Port.
land Festival Chorus. The party were ut
once driven to the almouth hotel, where
| a suite Of rooms on the first floor had
been set apart for the distinguished
guests.
Soon after arriving at the hotel a re-
porter of the TINES was received by the
famous singer. Nine Sembrieh is a
charming lady. She ia bright and viva
eious A person whose every manner is
beautiful. those who enjoy the siistinc-
ton of being her near friends must have
the same high regard and admiration for
her as do the thousands and thousands
of people on this continent and OF her
enraptured by her magnificent, almost
heavenly voice.
After the first few words OF greeting.
in which the famed songstreas who
speaks English auentIy. expressed her
pleasure at having arrived safely at last
In Portland, she said to TIMES report
or: "Oh. am so tired. You see that
we have been riding on the train nearly
all of today. At first thought that we
would go to Boston and spend sunday /;
but I do not like the air In Boston and
was little mite afraid that 1 might
| catch "a GOLD. So we only remained In
Boston long enough to take lunch this
noon. thought that 1t would be well
for us to get down to Portland right on
time for the festival"
"Did you have nice festival in wor-
oesterP'
"Oh, yes, indeed, very fine, very fine. Il
was splendid succsss.N The hall was
crowded with people and the audiences
were very enthusiastic. But they told
me that they IRE more enthusiastic
| down in Maine. Is that so, MIR. Chap
man2'
ooh, yes," answered MIR. Chapman,
who was standing near by. "We will go
wild over you and If the people knew
that you were hers. they would turn out
and give you great reception, You are
| the greatest singer in the world"
"Oh, thank ysu." replied Sembrioh.
You are so kind"
"We are going to give you serenade
this evening. All of the plans have been
arranged for 1t and we think that you
will enjoy it,"
"You had better not do that Mr..
| Chapman. The musicians must be so
tired"
Prof. Chapman assured her that the mu.
sicians would be delighted to honor her
with serenade, AS this was to be the
greatest musical event that has ever hap
pened in the history of the State of Maine.
Mime. Sembrich and her husband en-
Ing rooms and in the early evening spent
the time In their rooms resting.
Meanwhile Prof. Chapman had been
conducting one of mis- last rehsarsals pre-
paratory to the opening of the festival
tomorrow evening. This rehearsal took
place at the auditorium. After its con-
| clusion the members of the Maine SYM
phony orchestra, joined by Is members
Of the Boston Symphony ogchestra, pro.
oeeded to the Falmouth hotel, where they
were to serenade SeJubrich.
THE SERENADE.
the hotel from the auditorium at q
few minutes after ten o'clock and at
once met in the reception room where
the serenads was rendered. There were
90 pieces in the orchestra and under the
leadership of Prof. Chapman 1T played
the splendid strains of the Intermezzo
from the ballet Malta. This was received
with hearty applause and then Prof.
Chapman accompanied by Mrs. Chap
man. called upon Mime. Sembrich and
Prof. Stangel, who were waiting In their
suits.
The party of four soon appeared. the
prima donna leaning upon the arm Of
Prof. Chapman and Mira. Chapman upon
the arm Of Prof. Stangel. AS they en-
tered the reception room they were greet
ed with sheer upon cheer. Prof. Chap
man introduced Mime. Ssmbrich to the
delighted throng. saying. Ladies' and
gentlemen, ann PLEASED to extend to
you the GREATEST pleasure that you have
ever bad In your lifs." Mime. Sem hrich
received all with the utmoss courtesy and