The sun., 1903-09-13

Scarcely n steamer arrives here now
without bringing as passenger some
American musician who IL returning nome
to enjoy the fruits of the years spent abroad
In study.
II may be that the musician is singer, a
pianist or a violinist He or she may have
more or less talent and be qualified for the
profession in view. Yet il is sad to relate
that almost the same fate lies in store Tor
all of them. In few cases does the success
achieved ever correspond to the expecta-
tions.
Last winter there was benefit concert
at the Metropolitan Opera House. Back
OF the scenes sat young American pianist
who had returned from Europe year be-
fore, heralded by the customary accounts
Of her triumphs abroad. Her tired-!ook-
ing mother sat near her, holding shawl.
One of the Metropoltan's great singers
was taking part in the concert, but the
little player was getting nothing for what
she did beyond the glory of an appearance
in distinguished company.
poor little thing!" said the conductor
Of the orchestra, who was walking up and
down the stage during the interm'ssion.
"She's an example of hundred more OF
her kind
-She's been abroad for five years spend
ing all the money that her friends and
family could raise Then she comes back
here, and by pulling all the wires possible,
she may be kept going for n year or two.
Then like all the others, she drops out OF
sight
This conduct or happened to be an Ameri-
can and he has come into contact with
more of these young musicians than the
average leader. He has seen many OF
these cases.
Il conldnt count on the fingers Of both
hands, he Went on to say. the young
musicians, men and women, who have come
back here with every kind Of recommended
ton for success during the last five years.
and have never been heard Of after few
appearances. 1t is unfortunate, but true
Any person moderately familiar with the
names that appear on programmes during
the musical season knows this to be fact
There is not season that does not bring
our its regular crop Of new performers,
who have returned here after a period OF
study and possibly short public career
abroad. Few of these ever remain per-
manent features Of the concert stage.
1t is necessary to take only one typical
case to show the disappointment that lies
in store for many Of these unfortunate
Americans who might have found success
in other professions.-at least as much
SUCCESS without the preliminary work and
expense.
Six years ago church choir in a Western
town contained soprano so much better
than the usual volunteer singer that her
fame spread throughout the entire region.
II rsaohod as far as Chicago and a Chicago
choirmaster went to her home to engage
her.
The girl was in the big Western city for
two years. Then the idea Of appearing in
grand opera came to her,
You'd be as great as Emma Eames."
her teacher said to her, If you'd only study
with me for year or two more. Then If
you want to you might 60 to Europe. But
you study here with me. Then I'll send
you to the right woman in Paris.
She followed his advice. Her family
raked and scraped money enough for her to
60 to Europe. several members of the con-
gregaton Clipped in and by the time she
was to sail she had enough money to stay
In Paris for year and the assurances of
the family that enough more would be forth
coming to keep her there another year
She knew what self sacrifice was involved
IN that promise.
She set sail with her letter of int roduc-
tion to teacher and the po,sa that came
from the confidence she was to be the
American prima donna of the future. She
OF course never realized how many hun
drcds before her had started On the sane
journey with the same hopes. She was
full of confidence in her skill as singer
For hadn't her teacher said to her:
You know all about the rudiments oi
singing and more than that, my dear, your
vyce is well placed and yourtrill is as good
aS anybody's. You've a cantabile that
wonderful
All want you to go abroad for is tc
study the languages, get some tye fol
the operatic sage and know the man ayers
over there. In every other way, you re
ready to step on the stage now"
Wasn't that enough to give anv CIR
confdencep
Luckily this girl went 10 Il teacher wh,
was a help and not drawback to her sh,
did not have the experience of many Amcr
cans who go to charlatans thar ruin wha,
ever voice they may have.
The greatest evidence of This teacher
ability was that She told the copfiden
young pupil from Chicago that it woulc
take her much longer to get ready for tn,
stage than she had any idea Of She die
not tell her this all at once. She let the IN
formation out gradually, being pruden
woman, with no desire Of losing IA pupil,
SO the two years dragged themselves ou
to three. Illness covered delay OF severa
months and the family was struggling a
home to make the remittances regularly.
The church people grew tired Of giv,n,
without hearing OF some likely return. A.
their contributions were scant. FINAL
the time came for the debut. The difficult
then was TO find some manager eager 70
new talent
Let it be recorded now, as means O
understanding what comes later in Tn
American career, that she had one O
the brilliant high soprano voices SO com
mon among American women 1t ha,
not developed under teaching Nor wa
the girl musical herself Above all, sh
lacked the Intelligence without which n
singer can succeed unless she has phe
honlsnal natural powers.