The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-03-26
CAME TO HER
ASSISTANCE
Honolulu Man is
Prina, DOnna's
Backer.
.CHIVALRY IN
CHAMPIONSHIP
How ]. Q. Wood Entered a Fight
in Behalf Of American
Singer.

ing young collegian who made Honolulu
his home for many years, and who left
here to attend college, has now blossom
ed out as Journalist and the champion
of American prima donnas in Sunny
Italy J. Q. was always a lady's man,
here and elsewhere, and was a general
favorite il society circles. That he
should take up the pen in defense Of
the American girls who invade the coun-
born, is only natural.
| In the italian Gazette" published at
Florence, Italy, February 16, a journal
which circulates throughout Italy,
France and the Riviera" Is a fine ar
ticle from the versatile pen of !. O..
Wood, who signs himself as the Special
Correspondent from Modena, Italy. The
article is headed. "Enrichetta GODDARD,
an American, who had a notable debut
as Elsa in Iohengrin,' at Modena.'
The story Of the young songstress
shows the hardships which those of this
country have to contend with in attempt
ing to win plaudits from a foreign au-
dience. The critics were one and all of
a mind to ridicule her Interpretation of
the role, and did so, when Mr.. Wood, as
the Special Correspondent" jumped in
to the breach and wrote an article which
scored for the singer success not only
from a press standpoint but from those
who were inclined to take issue with her
merits.
Afr 70 hos
been written that many are called but
few are chosen Surely this is true of
foreigners who attempt to secure foot
hold on the operate stage of Italy. the
land of song. But in the case of Miss
GODDARD, the preparation for this test
had been well made. During four years
under the careful and able instruction
of her maestro. Arthur J. Hubbard of
Boston, strong foundation had been
laid. This study was supplemented by
two years work with the well-known
maestro, " Vannimi of Florence. When
the production was about to be given
over to the public, another artist was
chosen influenced by the biased Judg-
ment of the maestro of the orchestra,
GODDARD would not be allowed to sing, cow
ardly terrifying themselves with the shall
low excuse that her pronunciation was
faulty at times although they admitted
| that she possessed an unimpeachabie
voice and that her person was ideal for
Elsa
Such a bombshell thrown In the camp
of a well-equipped prima donna would
have caused CONSERVATION, but nothing
feazed this American girl: lawyer was
at once secured and suit filed for heavy
damages on the very day set for the de-
! but. This method Of attack proved ex-
ceptionally effective, and the impresario
! consented to allow Miss GODDARD to sing
! If the directors would withdraw their
objections. This most efficient body OF
] musical critics upon whom the public de-
! ponds for guidance, very reluctantly
4 agreed to give Miss GODDARD trial. With
the directors antagonistic, the impresa,
rio unfriendly because of the lawsuit. the
maestro of the orchestra intensely hos
tile and vindictive because he had beer
4 temporarily baked in his attempt tc
4 ruin the musical reputation OF defense
less artist. and with Miss GODDARD natur
ally not in a very encouraging physica
y condition due to such q severe menta
4 strain, yet In the face OF all these op
posing forces this determined Boston CIR
u
public to Judge between her and her crit
4 les The local papers call the contest {
4 battle, in which Miss GODDARD came of
& victorious, completely routing her enc
81 mics.
B "The excitement was intense when Ell
sa made her first entrance In answer L
4 the summons of the King. She wa
q gowned faultlessly and presented beau
\ tiful picture-sweet, modest. tall grace
4 full and dignified, an ideal Lisa. wav
Of admiration swept over the theGte
3 and many EXPLANATIONS of Bella" wer
y heard. Spontaneous apnlauee burst fort
= from the entire audience during an IN
& terval in her first song. showing that tn
b people appreciated the matchless pUr' t
and sympathetic quality in Miss God
9 ards voice. Her INTERPRETATION of Elsa
q dream was correct and artistic. In tn
difficult quintet and chorus at the end o
q the first act her high notes were clear
8 strong clean cut and nerfect1v true t
the key. As q reward for such excellen
work two curtain calls were given. A
soon as the curtain fell It was noticeahl
that the opposition wished to he heard
3 but It was Immediately overpowered h
the generous applause which followed
Z Bravo! Bene! Bisn continued until tn
audience became defiant in its desire #
8 be satisfied with the appearance of Elsa
The gallery gods were shouting an
3 in the city were standing in their hove
& vigorously applauding and CRYING Bra
8 var All was a Babel! Another NOR
8 dangerous enemy had arisen in the ter
or, who refused to leave his dressing
& room until the fmpresar'o compelled hir
Z to appear with Elsa before the curtain
& This was most critical time for in an
s other moment the audience would hav
s. shown its anger in no uncertain manner
and Miss GODDARD has the lmpresario {
thank for this narrow escape.
Just before the orchestra began IN
Il prelude to the last scene. the naestr
of the orchestra and the directors OF III
4 theater received taste Of the public
s. wrath. Down with the maestror Dow
I with the directors" cried the people
Then followed much kissing and whist
ling. With the last scene Miss GODDARD
:. debut came to an end"
J. Q. Wood IS from Boston and Mis-