The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-10-31
WINNING SUCCESS
in GRAND OPERA
Very FIRST Essential Is 81 Good Voice.
Then Come Hard Work and
Pleasing Presence.

By F'anchon Thompson. the new grand
icpera star.
There is nothing especially pleasant
In having to hold up ones own record il.
pubic edification.
But since it may be OF help TO some
american girls gladly give my views on
How TO be successful as a singer
was a child when I began TO sing in
Chicago with the Thomas Symphony Or
cheStra- At sixteen my voice was IN de-
1nand for concerts. and it makes me feel
creepy now to think OF all l was asked TO
do then, and of all that L did do so recis-
lessIy.
How l used that voice and how they
used it, Up and down. through the
most difficult intrieacies. / sang for all
l was worth and the notes came OUT
any old way at all
AT eighteen 1 began to study in Chi
caSo. At last friends advised me to 20
10 EarIs. Jean ana Edouard d j. Reazke.
Media and some others told me- to try
10 get SbrSlia, who had developed their
own voices, to undertake the cultivation OF
mine.
My voice had no training to soeak OF.
L knew no language except English;
hal 10 master the repertoire.
Bat I am from Chicago and remembers
ed our famous II will
| find that to succeed on the operatic
stage to-day q, woman must not only have
voice, but pleasing presence; and this Is
scarcely less important in concert work.
Audiences have come to demand good looks
as well as good singing.
Now, surprising girl has decided that
she is handsome enough. she must get
authoritative opinion DIS to her voice, and
If she has voice ard physique let her make
up her mind to work. The Importance OF
postponing all peasure-takiEg until one
has made place for ones self can never
Ut. too strongly impressed
Since L am asked to make myself serve.
in this. an example. 1 shall give an idea
OF how | organized my life as soon as [
grasped the problem. L rise at and i'm
niediateiy tramp off for an hours walk.
On my return. after tn cold bath. have
Il hearty substantial breakfast instead OF
the nonsensical singers nakeshift-the cof-
fee and roll, which cannot give adequate
sustenance-
From $40 until 1I:45 I exercise my voice.
go through dumb-bel breathing exercise
for chest development. study the roper
tore, either by reading music mentally or
by running over 1t at the piano-nevsr
attempting to sing it. however. before
competent master has been over it with
nee.
Three times week. from Il to /. the
special voice lessons: otherwise shop
ping or visits 10 museums.
III the afternoon. after luncheon-and
another substantial meal this must bel
receive my different teachers. First the
French teacher-every day. Then the ital-
ian teacher, or the German one in alter
alton three times q week each. On Ger
tain days teachers OF elocution and stage
work, and also the repertoire teacher.
with whom learn the principal operas.
Ar ) or $50 | generally go out. either on
foot or for d ride.
At night | am never unoccupied When
go TO the opera 1 must necessarily re-
tire late, so when stay at home L make
It up by retiring early, for singers need
plenty of rest. But I always manage 70
write my letters then. and 10 read. Par
ties and social functions must BE aban-
doned.