The St. Louis Republic., 1901-11-10
Miss Sandelin Says Signor Abram.
off PrOmis d Opera House and
Gave a Hall.
CONTRACT is NOW BROKEN.
Abramotf Alleges That He Has
Not Been Paid for Vocal
Lessons and Has Insti-
tuted Suit for S755.

San Francisco Nov. 9.-Signor Abramoff
found his Trilby in the handsome person
ality and sumptuous cOntralto of AIss Par
askova Sandelin of Mill Valley. The good
signcr prospered like the tabled Svengali
OF Du Maurier until n beer han broke the
spell and contract.
You shall sing never woman sang be-
fore" said Abramoff. "and when you open
your velvet throat and the golden notes
pour forth, all the world will pause its
breath and listen"
There was hypnotism in his talk and mu-
sic in his method, and Miss Sandelln be
came the faithful pupil of a famous master.
For two years she studied with the former
basso Of Covent Garden of the Metz opo.itdn
Opera-house and of the Tivol. And her
voice grew richer and rounder and rarer
with every lesson. until Svengalis dream
was near come true. Then came moment
of pain and pride for the Trilby of Mil
Il can no longer affoard to pay for my
lessons" she said. $50 l must discontinue
them.
Round grew the eye and stout the protest
of the master. What cared he for the soul
less ring of gold when the art of the world
and the voice of the century were at stake.
Let pay be forgot. he said. and the vocal
culture go Just as before. Was il not
enough for any man TO have the honor and
glory Of trainins that priceless organ? But,
of course. If Miss Sandelin insisted on be-
coming great in a thoroughly businesslike
manner. she might sign a eontract.
Miss Sandelin signed. All IL eX5cte1 was
that she should pay $4,000 to AbramOff be-
fore listening to the overtures OF any other
Svengali: that she should give to m one
quarter of all moneys earned by herself on
the concert or operate or any other stage;
that in the event of a European tour un-
der the management of her teacher he
should receive 10 per cent Of her salary:
that f she married man who did not like
this sort of contract the husband could
get out of 1t only by paying $3.50 for every
lesson given.
These and a few minor clauses. such q
the payment of 800 for singing in public
without the consent Of the signOr. were the
conditions under which Miss Sandelin cul
tivatad the chest tone, the top note and
the middle register. In return Abramof
pledged his reputation as a vocal hypnotist
that the opera-houses of all Europe would
open their casts for his protege.
We'll. / worked harder than ever, says
Miss Sandelin. and he made a Trilby of
me sure enough. / sang Ben Bolt in the
Frawley's production OF 'Trilby.' Then
sing with himself and Miss Wing in n scene
from Romeo and Juliet l was the Ro-
meo. But the atmosphere OF malt and
smoke went against me. He had promised
an opera-house and he gave me beer hall.
When he went East he wanted me to go
along with him; but l didn't want any
more beer halls. so | stayed behind Be-
sides. he had agreed to pay my expenses
and those of female companion whenever
We should leave for the East Before he
started he told me to find 500 for my own
travelling expenses, and l refused to go.
Now his attorneys are suing me for ts55
for 3o2 lessons, at $50 per lesson. Let
them sue
Il know there was some sort of an agree
ment between Abramoff and his pupil" sa d
Manager Fischer, because / remember
mas the great voice. l wish she would
come back to me-"