The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-07-15
CALvE AND QUEEN VICTORIA.
The Singers Description Of Her Visit ia
windser-The Olcen EnJeys Music.

windsor-The 0ucen Enjoys Music.
Nine. Calve cared more for Windsor Castle
than Fanchon Thompson did. but abe had
greater opportunities to Judge OF Its attrao-
lions. for she stopped there over night. III l
had been dying" abe said when she was telling
Of her experiences at Windsor. Il should have
come over from Paris all the same to sing to her
Majesty. for I had promised. and kept my
word. as you see. but I arm very tired after nay
long American season. To my great regret.
I shall be obliged 10 give UP the rest OF my
London engagements. l must have perfect
rest. and I think I shall 60 10 Scotland. Now
we will talk about the visit 10 Windsor. which
again this time was 80 delightful" Nine.
Cnlve has Q deep admiration for the Queen.
She has been several times to Windsor. where
she Is . great ~favorite; but she 10 always struck
by the charming simplicity and comfort Of the
royal household. Her dressing room was
closs TO tho Waterloo chamber. which had been
transformed for the occasion into a theatre.
The royal dais. Immediately facing the stage.
was provided with chairs for the Queen and
royal family. -The Queen looked remark
ably we'll" said Nine. Calve and seemed to
enjoy the music thoroughly. She Ia a wonderful
woman, your Queen. and she understands and
loves good music"
To the remark that this was not the fyst time
Nine. Calvs had sung In Carmen" by roya
command at Windsor. the prima donna replied
that the opera was evidently afavorite with her
Majesty, who on a former occasion was so
delighted with the realism OF her imperson-
alton that she requested Countess Valda Glei-
chen TO mako q bust Of Calve In that particular
role. Tho singer herself. however. will not W
to any favorite role. Il love them ALL" she
exclaimed. You see. l always first study the
character Of the heroine ! impersonate. |
spent two months In Seville when ! was studying
Carmen, for instance, and devoted much time
to watching the factory girls with their lovers.
and I tried to take In their view OF love. with all
its southern deroenese. Jealousy. sorrow and
brutality. And a. for Santana. I studied tina
char during the five years ] spent In Italy"
At the end OF the performance. which wen
without a hitch. the Lord Chamberlain came
to request Nine. Calves presence. The Queen.
In her own gracious manner, thanked the queen
of song for the great pleasure she had given
her. in fact. her Majesty said many kind
things to me as she gave me this portrait,
adorned with her autograph" and Nine. Calve
led me to the piano where II stood framed hand
somely In q folding screen Of purple velvet and
gold. but that ls not all. for the Queen also
placed In my hand this pendant. Is II not
~lovelyp" holding II up for me to admire. A.
II hung from a slender chain at her neck-a
fine very large sapphire. surrounded by dia-
monds. when We reached our apartments,
a maid Of honor appeared with q message
from her Majesty. who hoped that We were
not too tired and that We should sleep well.
Her Majesty requested me to remalnh her guest
until the next afternoon. AZ she wished to see
me again with my two friends at / o'clock.
In the morning a royal carriage was placed
at my disposal and we went for a lovely drive
In the Park and to see some friends OF mine
who live near Windsor" At I o'clock the three
ladies' wer ushered into the Queens drawing
room. where sat her Majesty, Princess Christian
and Princess Victoria Eugene OF Battenberg.
Nine. Calve sang several Of the quaint folk
songs OF her native Aveyron, which her Ma
jesty very much enjoyed. These were fol-
lowed by a pretty song by CASTOR de Folk
and then Nine. CalvS sang "L1nvocation,"
by Guy d'Hardelot. In which she was accom-
panied by the composer,
"The Queen said the song was very pretty,
and asked me to present the composer TO her.
After thus spending a delightful half hour or
more. We took leave OF her Ma esty. who said
she hoped to hear me in Faust next time.
A maid Of honor came once more on behalf
Of her royal mistress to thank me again for
the pleasure I had given her. and to hear
whether there was any other part OF the castle
We should like to see. Refreshments were
ordered for US, and then We we're driven TO
the station"