The San Francisco call., 1904-09-18

himi would like to sing him-some-
times 1 think all the time. But he
was a cruel man. Imagine, for the
colorature soprano he has written not
one part! He has totally neglected
us. Et mon Dieu, it is not ones fault
to be born a coloratures singer! Only
that 1 have some dramatic character
in my voice / should never have been
able to sing any of the Wagner music.
Imaginel"-this with much light, ele-
giant gesture, much of sudden, whim-
sical altogether charming byplay of
the eyes.
From the neglectful Wagner we got
back to the Amsterdam Opera-house
and then, casually, Miss Francisco re-
marked that Queen Wilhelmina is be-
ginning to take interest in the national
music
AS refuge from"
"Ah, those are all lies," the singer
interrupted. Queen Wilhelmina's hus-
band is the most charming man imag-
Unable. They are perfectly happy to-
gether. I-have sung at the palace fire.
quently-both at The Hague and the
Loo-and they seemed always to be en-
tirely happy. Yes. The Queen-she's
not very musical, but very intelligent
asked me about a singing method. I
am, you know, Marchesi pupil, and,
Of course, recommended her. She liked
it and wrote to thank me afterward."
With whom did you study here, Miss
Francisca?'
With old Madame Fabbri," she re-
piled, 'but not for very long. After
ward a little in New York and then
Paris and Marchesi"
Your tone tells me what you think
Of Marchesi." 1 said here. 1t was like
Mr.. Bellows when he speaks of Mrs
Potter.
"One can only speak of people as one
finds them," the singer said, with her
gentle sweetness. "Marchesi was like
a mother to me-"
And she is the best teacher in all the
world?"
For me-" Francisco sweetly insisted.
'I know many American girls go over
there and do not like her. But they
are the kind that are trying to become
prima donnas and have good time at
the same time. You cannot do that,
you know. was with Marchesi for
three years and half and it was Just
that much Of steady inspiration. Let
me show you her photograph" and
once again 1 had the pleasure of look
ing at that witty. cynical, clever, irreg-
ular old face. the left corner of the
mouth lowered for an epigram, the
right lifted a little in anticipatory en-
joyment of it.
you study in class with her, don't
you?"
If you are not a millionaire" Fran
cisca smiled, land If you are in ear
nest. She has three kinds Of classes.
Every one goes into the first, the be-
ginners, no matter how much they
know. There are usually from ten to
twelve students in a class Then there
are the concert and operatic classes
into which you go according to your
desire. Each pupil gets an Individual
twenty or twenty-five minutes-she is
not particular to time If she is inter
ested in you-and then of course one
has all the benefit Of the criticism of
the others work.
And for this how much?"
For this. twice a week. 1t is Just
about 300 francs
Should you advise an American girl
to study in Parish"
Not IT," Francisco said, with more
emphasis than she had yet permitted
to appear above the soft surface of
her manner. mot If she can remain at
home and find a good husband. The
life, after you have won your way, is
so hard, and it is so hard to win that
way. There are so many thousands
of girls there and the American, with
all her little savings sometimes, finds
hundreds of voices, temperaments.
physiques, all so much more splendid
than her own, that 1t means the cruel
est of disillusions to her. Come, yes.
il you have extraordinary voice and
plenty of money Money, money,
money"
"Unpleasant~
Utterly true. 1t is almost impos-
sfble TO make voiIr wav even with ex