The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-18

His friend, however. persisted that his
opinion was not colored by friendship, and
finally in response TO the continued be-
secchlng OF his roommate. Alvarez went
tp Prof A. De Martini. a vel known In
structor. who at once confirmed his friend .
opinion. The young man Immediately gave
up his instrumental work TO devote MIN
self to the culture OF his voice. His thor
ough musical training made II possible for
him TO advance very rapidly, 20 that
long course in the conservatory was not
necessary. Under the vocal instruction his
chest began TO expand. and soon all evil
dences OF bronchial affection disappeared.
He first intended to engage In comic opera.
Then. as his voice improved and developed,
the desire for grand opera was born, and
two years later he made his first appear
ancC in Faust" The sincerity and ear
nestnes- which marked his early efforts
soon attracted uncommon attention to him
and ir A short time he was engaged as
the leading tenor for the Grand Opera in
Paris at a salary which had never been
paid In France since the foundation of the
Academy of Music by the Grand Rot AL
though Alvarez has held this nigh posi-
ton for eight years, the management has
given him leaves OF absence at various in
teryals to sing in other cities in Europe
and America.
Once while on tour he sang before the
amusement that the hey said prayers on
his beads almost throughout the entire OPP
era. At the close. however. he honored
him by creating him an officer OF the Nj
chan Iftika, which carries with It a hand
some decoration and many privileges.
Up to the present time Alvarez has SUNG
in forty-hve grand operas. in eleven OF
which he has created parts. Notwithstand
ing his many honors and his greaLsuccess
artistically and financially. Alvarez re-
mains very much an ordinary human be-
Ing. He has no hobbies no capricious ideas
and Is approachable at all times excepting
but for few hours before he sings. II
has not taken long for him TO gain the en-
viable reputation OF being one Of the most
modest and unassuming singers ever heard
in New York. Music lovers and opera
patrons who have met him are charmed
not only by his agreeable personality
but by the evidence Of democracy and
freedom from affection Of any sort A re-
cent acquaintance. speaking NJ these
traits said: I'm private life he is one Of
the most unprofassonal of professionals
| have ever met" This is all the more rc-
markable from the fact that in Paris, the
chief tenor OF the opera and the aeknowl-
edged star of the company, Is lionized by
the entire city. Apart from his appear
ancc on the stage at the Metropolitan OPP
era house. Alvarez has made no bid for
hero worship since his arrival. on the con-
trary he has shrunk from going on ex-
hibltion or frequeuting places where ne
might he TOO conspicuous to the general
public. His apartments at Fouret's were
chosen i'm preference to a suite I'm larger
more elaborate hosiery up town. as his
mode OF life there is no more exclusive
than that of n prosperous business man.
With the exception of a light luncheon ia
his room on the day that he Is 10 sing
he takes his meals in the main dining
room at the regular hours, accompanied
by his wife mother and little daughter,
Yvonne. When friends or acuuantances
Join him his manner becomes most agree
able and cordial. even toward those who
have Just been introduced to him, with
no slgn of reserve. and when stories are
In order he has one appropriate TO the oc-
casion on the tin Of his tongue invariably
bright enough TO cause hearty laughter
among the listeners. only when the opera
Is discussed does he show a dissemination
to express himself. and II forced TO speak
he has only words Of commentator to
offer. but for himself or his work nothing
His favorite exercise is walking A few
days ago he strolod from the hotel TO
Brooklyn. spending nearly an hour on the
bridge, He il fond of sightseeing. and Is
especially interested in the tall buildings
OF New York and Philadelphia.