The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-04-05

either those OF the advanced italian writ
ers or the works of the German or Rus
sian composers
oNE-THIRD AMERICAN.
OF the ninety chorus singers two-thirds
at least are Italians. and with the exception
OF three or four OF German nationality all
the others are Americans. They have been
selected for their repertoire experience by
Signor Nepoti. who has been i've years with
the Grau Opera Company
He IL still In charge Of the chorus in the
Covent Garden opera and was formerly the
conductor Of the opera at La Scala in
Milan.
II would rather" said an American girl.
be a page in grand opera at the Metro
poItan than the leading lady in 4 theatrical
production"
IF more American girls said another.
knew how pleasant a life we lead. there
would be many recruits to our company"
One OF the Italians remarked that
American girls should study repertotre-
They are so bright and quick. They would
soon acquire a valuable education"
The o~pera-house." said another chorster.
seems TO be a magnet. attracting all who
once taste its destinations 10 return yearly
to a resumption Of duty OF which one never
grows fatigued-"
Among the singers are Mrs Christine
Egener and her daughter wfiheimina. The
latter Is called. .the Baby" for she f. the
youngest member Of the company. Mr..
Egener came to America from Holland
when the late Anton SeidI was conducting
the German operas She Is perfect in ninety
operas and she could sing tn n OF them
without rehearsal.
She Is proud Of her daughter. whom. when
an infant. she carried in her arms to the
rehearsals and performances
In that way her daughter became 50
familiar with the scores that she Is now
competent to sing In thirty operas
HER WORK SINCE CHILDHOOD.
Miss Olmi Is one OF the Italian sopranos
She Is a native OF Turin. and has been for
the last six years with the Grau Company
She has a repertoire of sixty operas
She says there are only two places N
the Metropolitan opera-houss and the other
Is Covent Garden
Nine. YaIetti Is one of the leading con
~traltos. She has been engaged In chorus
work since she was IA years Of age.
Nine. MichieH has been for more than
thirty years d valued member Of the opera
chorus. She speaks English. french and
Italian. and Is letter perfect IN eighty
operas.
Nine. Maria Colombo a been fifteen
years in the chorus. She has a repertoire OF
twenty operas. Her favorite operas are
Aida and "Lohengrin-" 1-
Miss Juliette Roslyn Is an American and
boasts OF q pedigree OF musicians -
She Is a granddaughter Of the late Claude
Grafula and a daughter of C w. wernig.
both of whom were well known In connec-
ton with the organization Of the fsmots
band OF the Seventh Regiment. N G. NJ 2
She Is perfectly familiar with the scores
Of fifty operas.
Miss Ellen Dors came from Sweden %
Join the chorus Her early experiences With
opera companies began in Stockholm. h
is conversant with the music OF fifty operes.
Miss VIctorine Rodney has been connected
with the Grau Opera Company for eight
seasons. She IS perfectly familiar with
thirty-five operas She studied music IN
Montreal at the Notre Dame Convent. and
sang in church choirs there and elsewheZs
while she was studying for the stage "a.
She q q wonderful inguist and able TO
converse Guently In many languages.