The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-09-09

Every American girl who joins the
chorus of an opera company believes
she has the voice and talent of a great
artist. All she is waiting for IS a chance.
When she is not deceived as to her ca
pacfties She gets the chance-some time
says the New York World.
The legend that chorus girls never
get a step along the ladder, but live
and die old and toothless, at the last
still pounding away at the dreary en-
semble of the village maidem or the
! forest gypsy until death claims the op-
cratic puupet, is not true of the Ameri-
can young women.
Moreover, managers believe in pushing
talent ahead wherever it asserts itself.
If a siri has a good voice. a fetching
style, a pleasing personality, she may
find herself singing "Oh, yes" kind
heaven protect her,' or See the bright
stars how gayly shining." in unison with
half hundred other young women one
day-and presto! the next morning the
manager may say. with more or less as
sumed nonchalance:
Miss Slmpl1ins Tor Miss Flanagan or
Miss Eisenstein, a. the ase may be-, II
you know the role of Siebel tor Mihaela
or Cherubino or what noD ! am think
ing Of letting you have a try at it..
All, then you find out what stun your
little "Ah, yes-hai ha,-it is the noble
lord,'' chorister is made of.
If it's the right texture. strong of
fibre and with good staying qualities, my
little lady viii reply. demurely: 4 know
the whole score of dozen operas. Give
decide on
"When?" asks the astute impressario
whosis making a test of the metal before
him
This evening. this afternoon-now."
replies the little Yankee woman. And
there you have the secret Of the evolu-
ton OF the chorus girl TO the prima dom
ma.
The coming season Managers Grau and
Savage viii have four prima dounss in
their companies each of whom was a few
years ago q. chorus girl.
GRACE GOLDEN.
A few years ago a pretty eyed little
girl made application to Join the chorus
Of the italian Opera Company at the
Metropolitan Opera House. The young
aspirant told her story simply, Her
name. she said was Grace Golden. She
was born in New Harmony. Posey county,
Indiana. Her parents We're actors and
she had studied IN the Cincinnati Col
lege OF Music.
she was accepted for the chorus and
Immediately attracted the attention Of
the late Henry Abbey. who said one day,
There's future for that little Golden"
Almost Immediately she was selected
To play small parts. and il was seen that
she was an earnest student as we'll as
a talented singer. Encouraged hy her
advancement Miss Golden lived Sp8ring-
~ and diligently studied under Nine
Naretxek and Nine. Fursch-Madi.
From the beginning Miss Golden aimed
for grand opera and first roles. and as
she ould NOT seBre experience i'm the
Metropolitan company she joined the
Casino company. where she had a small
re. and was promoted the h-st week
s the position OF un3erstudy for lead
ing roles. Miss Golden VAS next heard
IN a mionr part in la Cigale" snd
afterwari made a success with Marie
Tempest in The Fencing Master
De Wolf Hopper heard her sing with
Miss Tempest and engaged her as prima
donna.
Miss Golden had now arrived and
was IN position to as for what she
wkanted Like a sensible girl. she cid
not attempt anything out OF her reach
and was content to climb the ladder Of
vocal fame one round at time. she