The age-herald., 1901-10-20
CHAT WITH MISS TALON;
 HER MUSICAL STUDIES
How This Pretty Birmingham Girl Has Ascended tile Ladder Her Experiences in Dresden With 0rgen,
 the Celebrated Teacher

1 ipate with eagerness her future trlnmps | in her chosen work.
 As a Musical Center. Speaking of Dresden as musical cen- ter and the privileges enjoyed by resi- dents there it was recently my pleasure to attend the Royal Opera house in that city. The opera given was Der 1 Prophet" Meyerbeer's beautiful and dramatic work.
 l Schumann- Heink who Is soon to de- light a Birmingham audience, took the 1 leading role as 'FIdes." It is a magnifi- | cent opera and was grandiy staged. Every part was well performed and one instinctively felt that nothing had been spared to make the entire perform ance perfect artistic success. The part of Schumann- Heink as the mother of Johann gave great scope for her dram attic ability as well as opportunity for her marvellous voice. Her singing was, of course, the treat of the evening, and she was encored again and again. At the close of the performance she responded to the encores with such winning grace and enthusiasm that each person fol- lowed her upturned face. thinking no doubt that her gracious smiles were di- rected to the occupants of the Royal Box. On the contrary away up in the gallery stood two young girls who were applaud ing most raptuously, while Schurnann- Heink one of Germany's greatest sing CTS. was lowing in acknowledgement and kissing her hand to these two American girls. Evidently they were fayorites with their teacher, for she returned no less than eight times In answer to their applause. while the audience already risen to It's feet looked on in apprecia- tion of their enthusiasm.
 Wauner,s Oneras.
 Schumann-Hein also plays the part of one of the Rhine maidens in the first of the Ring series of Wagners operas. In Dresden the Rhine gold Is magnificently staged; and the Rhine maidens naturally look as if they were swimming around in the water so perfect Is the Illusion. A good story was told us of Schumann- Heink while playing this part one even ing. The three Rhine maidens are sta- toned on gigantic wheel that revolves slowly and so gives the impression of the movement of the maidens while swimming. Something got wrong with the mechanism of the wheel andd Schu- mann-Heink was left away up in the air. The humor of the situation touched her and she exclaimed: Now isn't this a pretty fix, for the mother of eight chill dren to be in?'
 Our Musical Favorites.
 Birmingham has great reasons to be proud of its daughters who have achieved reputation and position in the musical world and that in each instance, by reason of inherent energy and deter imitation in addition to splendid talent The list is a long one. First, of course comes Miss Carrie Bridewell in the meas ure of success already attained. But a very close second is the career of Miss Ethel Houston, who after serious study abroad is now taking one of the leading parts in the Castle Square Opera Com pany in New York. This company sings grand opera in English and after the season in New York will tour the leading l cities in the North and West. l Miss Houston and her work in the op- | cratic world has been written about and praised most enthusiastically the past few months and only a couple of weeks ago the following couplet appeared in Judge, under the title, Judges Favor- ites:
 Ethel Houston Du Ere. | They sought in tho Southland, they made you their choice
 They found a sweet girl of glorious voice
 contralto, that sounds the rich depths 1 of tone-mystery,
 l Recalling the rarest contraltos of history. 1 Therefore, in your name this prediction | we'll dare:
 l bright star Is rising from out Castle Square.