Omaha daily bee., 1900-12-02

diurnal treat Miss MarguePita Sylvia, who
has worked her way from the ranks by pure
pluck and hard work, has SO far established
herself In Omaha that she feels assured
OF q large and kindly disposed audience
whenever It is her pleasure to appear.
Although she has found warm place in
the public heart as a sweet-voiced singer
and clever actress, the more charming part
OF her is reserved only for the few who
know her personally. For though the first
twenty years Of her life were spent In
Belgium she is thoroughly an American
girl at heart and during her brief stay OF
four years here has converted herself into
cis-Atlantic product OF the best type.
She has all the enthusiasm, ambition and
self reliance as we'll as the beauty, which
set apart the women on this side Of the
water from their less free and gifted sisters
In the older countries.
Until was 20 years old" said Miss
sylvia, In her impulsive way, Il never took
o step from home without being accom-
Innied by relative or governess. Some
times my sister and ! would persuade the
attendant to walk a block behind and then
We would play we were alone and walk
proudly aong the avenue. No one ever
dreamed of It girl Of good family working
for a living. Young women were supposed
to desire nothing more than to live idly in
their little circle until their parents should
say, Here is a man rich and noble enough
for our daughter, and then she Is con-
yentiohally married.
Many OF my relatives are very deyout
Catholics and several are in the Car
mtlito converts, SO that there was gen
eral CONSERVATION when / could bear no
longer to have every ambition and active
impulse smothered and when | announced
that | was going out into the world. When
they learned that was studying for the
stage | was given up as beyond redemp-
tion. | went back to Brussels last sum
mer for the first time In four years and
found all my girl friends married and scat
tered, some In Russia, some In Paris.
THE place did not look like home to me
and | was glad to get back to New York,
for | love everything American and only
regret that | was not born here. In Bel
gium the men are more polite, perhaps;
they hurry to open door or TO recover
q handkerchief, but they may offer you
some covert insult the next minute. Amer
leans are less given to such little courte-
sizes, but you know that they feel for one
a real respect which is n far higher com
pliment. Then the Belgians have such mar
row, petite minds; they are not broad
and strong like Americans.
"You wish to know OF my first effort
before l had learned the language? 1t
was in London, where my mother had ac-
companied me. had attended the musical
conservatory at Brussels and at a recital
In London w. S. Gilbert noticed my voice
and was later good enough to persuade
my mother to allow me trial in opera.
To see whether 1t would be any use he
hirnself ho orf ~
lion and / did the best l could with the
Galatea. Although / did not know the
meaning OF half the words ! had studied
the part faithfully and managed to please
him.
Then l went to New York and finally
got an engagement as Carmen. That opera
means more 10 me than any other and only
hope some day to be able to go back to 1t.
1t was so we'll suited to my voice and there
is such a chance to put ones best work into
1t. l do not feel so about the Princess
Chic"
The engagement which has afforded the
most real pleasure to Miss Sylvia was that
with Alice Nielsen In THE Fortune Teller
She speaks OF Miss Nielsen in the most en-
thusastic way as an artist without Jealousy
and woman Of the most lovabe personal
pany," said Miss sylvia. Miss Nielsen made
my life very happy. often she has taken me
forcibly and thrust me out before the cur
tain. You know what an impulsive little
thing she is? / do not think The Singing
Girl Is as good an opera as The Fortune
Teller but II really gives more chance for
Miss Nielsen tc show the merit OF her voice.
I was so attached to Miss Nielsen that
would probably never have left her company
II she had not insisted upon my going into
larger work"
Although Miss Sylvia has been en- tour for
nine weeks her voice shows not the least In
dication Of wear and tear. She has sung
often in nine performances a week and
on last Sunday had the hrst whole days
rest for six weeks. Her part, In addition,
is particularly heavy. In order to meet the
constant strain OF her work Miss sylvia
takes exceptional care OF herself. 1t is her
invariable habit to go at once to her hotel
after the opera and she does not venture
outdoors when the weather Is favorable.
Her only outdoor recreation Is horseback
riding and this she has been obliged to
give up for the winter.
II Is this conscientious endeavor which
has brought Miss sylvia her success and
she does not regret giving UP play in the
furtherance of her art. II don't mind hav-
Ing to work hard" said Miss SYLVIA giving
an involuntary glimpse Of her ambition and
energy, because feel that each perform
ance advances one just a little; don't you
think so?" Her tour will continue until
May, when she will have her play days all
In heap
my idea OF good time is not like that
OF some other stage people," said Miss
Sylvia; II enjoy most of all going out into
the country where there are plenty OF
cows and dogs and horses, and simply going
on larks with my friends"
When the professional interviewer came
to himself at the end OF his visit he felt
with some dismay that he had forgotten
his mission. He had not even taken q
mental note and had asked none OF the
questions which he had prepared against
his coming. Miss Sylva's manner had
nothing in common with that of other prima
donnas he had met There had been u
friendllness in her greeting and genuine
ness in ter hospitality that had thrown
him of his guard. He managed TO remark
however, that now that the princess has
won our hearts it Is but her bounden duty
to come often to claim them. Miss sylvia
expressed the warmest appreciation of he,
nawHTT'S