The Wichita daily eagle., 1903-11-01

should be a musician landsman of Mel
ba. Wichita is a wonder, and that is no
mistake
After jotting down few thoughts that
I did not wish to forget I bethought my
self of the conversation and asked
Mrs Walden, what did you mean by
saying students can hardly afford at
tending concerts of a high ORDER did
you mean on account of the price?'
Exactly 1 am not speaking generally,
for / have students amply able to pay
the highest price. but there are many
who are not able, for many of moderate
means study in hopes of putting it to
some use in order to bring them some
returns"
DO you consider the prices high?"
.Wen, no. OF course, We are not ac-
customed to high prices, but first-class
artists come high. When we consider the
great expense Of bringing them, adver-
tisements. etc, and that the manager
should have something for his share We
cannot complain. True, one can hear
Nine. Melba in New York city for one
dollar. but one would have to climb to
the fifth story OF the Metropolitan ana
then perhaps only get standing room. not
to speak of that we would have to travel
to New York city TO even do that.
Where our seats are 500 and 800
the same location at the Metropolitan
would cost more than double"
l had heard some one say that they
would not mind the prices if it was 20
be a Melba recital, that they did ,lot
care for the other company thrown an.
I so expressed myself whereupon Mrs.
Walden answered:
Dear. me. people are hard to please.
dare say Nine Melba arranged her COM
pany with the thought and hope of some
thing 10 please every body
Il have not heard sigma Sasolli.
the harpist. but am confident that she
is a meritorious artist or she would not
have been chosen by Nine. Melba-
Van Hoose has been New York's lead
ing tenor for several years. I heard him
last season in both concert and oritorio
and consider him an artist Of merit. lie
sings in q flowing style with good ex-i
preston. not Gayare or a Tomangno.
but one exceedingly pleasing
The Baritone has received fiattering
notices. and the accompanist. feel sure.
Is worthy to be one OF the company; but
aside from that l understand Nine. Melha
is To appear four times on the program
That means four encores and that would
almost be a Meiba recital in itself. and
know there Will be a good many that
Will not object 10 heave the rest Of the
company thrownsn. as you expressed it
You think then. that Nine. Melba's
coming will enthuse wichitas people to
the extent that they viii turn out as
they do occasionally"
Il certainly do. for Nine. Melba is =
mOusly known. I think. 10 most everyone.
As far as I osn remember wichita people
have done themselves proud and have
shown themselves spRreciative % great
u usicai events when they were sufsici-
entity informed. I rather think standing
room VIII be at premium. as 7 have
heard a number are coming from the
cities
4 think so. myself. said. thsn
thanked Mrs Walden for the time she
had SO graciously allotted me and tried 70
utter a few complimentary remarks,
which she resented BY saying:
Now, don't. doa't ycu viii spoil all
II you put many such fattery. I very
much dislike compliments Just state
facts and allow me TO caution you 30
not misQGote ne would not hare