The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-09-14

name OF Smith and Sousa or Victor Her
bert. until she Is known a bit here. and
up 10 few weeks ago she was known In
musical circles and by reputation only.
This vaudeville tour is practically for the
purpose or making her name mean some
thing 10 theatregoers"
| BY this time we had reached madame's 8
room. and gentle knock by Mr. Curtis
brought the response, Come In" Push
Ing open the door ! saw Madame Slapofr-
ski looking absurdly small In pretty
Japanese kimona, her makeup having
been removed. Her maid thoughtfuly
threw light silk shawl over her
shoulders. as she saw that madame In
tended TO chat for while before pro-
ceeding 70 dress for the street. Noticing
| the attention, 1 said, after acknowledge z
Mr.. Curtis introduction. Isn't II some
thing OF a trouble 20 take care OF such a
| big voice?'
Yes. / have TO be pretty careful" she
| said. with a merry smile. "But I am
naturally robust and rarely take cold.
But my throat prevents me from having
an automobile, I had some rides my
| first week In this country and wanted one
Immediately, but Mr.. Curtis advises me
not 20 because OF the danger for colds -
This Is your first visit 10 American" /
| asked.
Yes, I've only been here a few
weeks. but like IL so well that l want
| to stay. and l shall at least for a while.
I've been In Australia for n long time.
and in Hawai and Honolulu. Then I
was In England with the Carl Rosa
| Opera company for several years. In
/ fact I've been almost everywhere In civ
ilized countries. but think like Amer
lea best OF all. after England. my own
| country"
you are English? queried. my
curiosity getting the better OF me.
by birth. yes All! You. too, are
wondering about my name Everyone
does-in fact, Mr.. Curtis has been Sc
riously thinking OF changing IL 10 my
maiden name-Sapoffsh was given 10
me by my husband. Herr Slapofrski. a
well known conductor in England-which
was Florence Nelson. You should hear
some OF the Jokes that are made out OF
Slapoffski. and the way bell boys wait
ers, and" she added mischievously,
sometimes. newspaper people.
II felt just a bit timid about ven-
| turing for the first time in America with
| Russian name. when the sympathies
Of the people. and my own. too are so
strongly with the Japanese. Do you
know. terrible thing happened 10 me
! just before / left misunderstanding OF
the Japanese reminded me OF Il. Some
years ago when / sang in Russia before
tho czar, japanese diplomat was pre-
sented TO me. and. after paying me some
pretty compliments. he asked me TO ac-
Dept as token OF his admiration a little
ring which he took from his finger. II
was a quaint little thing. bearing a
| rather unique inscription OF good luck in
Japanese, but IL didn't seem 10 be OF
especial value. I have number OF
rings-more than I can ever wear at a
tfv,an x.yha
very fine maid / had In Australia who
refused 10 come 10 America with me
gave her. as a little keepsake. the little
ring given TO me by my Japanese ad-
mirer whom I had met at the Russian
court. A few weeks afterwards. / men
toned the incident 10 Mr.. Curtis and
learned that the man who had given the
ring 10 me was one Of Japans greatest
generals. I feel awfully sorry that
haven't the ring and my attempts to
trace my maid have been In vain but
the minute I get back TO Austria
mean to get II II I have TO search high
and low"
I murmured my sympathy, but decided
that Ia far rather have one OF the
sparkling gems she was then wearing
than a plain Japanese ring. but then
tastes are different. and I daresay mine
are plebian. anyway. You have sung
only grand opera, Madame?" / inquired
"Oh. dear, no. made my debut in
'Trovntore.' and later sang Marguerite
in Faust Then came Elsie in 'Lohen-
grim Mignon--in fact. I've sung every
thing from Tannhauser TO The Fortune
Teller don't know which I like best.
They say II Is rare TO find anyone who
can sing Elsie and also Mignon, but
seem to feel both roles when am sing
ing them, so that they are not exceed
insly difficult I have repertoire of
~ operas. which I stand ready to sing
at an hours notice"
What method do you use7'' asked
Tho simple one OF Manuel Garcia. the
worlds greatest teacher. refer TO the
elder Garcia, not the younger one I
am proud to call myself a pupil Of the
famous old man, who. taught Jenny Lind
and Melba." Her eyes wandered away
from mine, and following them I saw,
In a prominent place on her make up
table a picture OF the famous songstress,
inscribed MY dear little friend, Lille
siapoffsh. from her devoted. Nellie
Melba." Returning to the subject, Mad
anne Slapoffsk resumed Just thinki
Dear old Mr. Garcia was 90 years old
last March. He only teaches a bit now,
but he hopes. he says. TO give lesson
on his Tooth birthday. after which he
will retire forever. Isn't that marvellous
vitality?'
In speaking OF her old music master.
Nine Slapoffski's beautiful speaking
voice. which was a positive delight 10
listen to- had grown very low and ten
der. tribute 10 the gratitude and af-
fection she doubtless feels for him. I
felt that / was OBTAINING the brilliant
prima donna. and so rose TO take my
leave. saying / feared ! might have In
terrupted her In her dressing II always
dress slowly" she said. and while my
maid gets me ready for the street / do
my practising"
Don't you disturb. or at least can't
you be heard In the audience. over the
performance7' i asked. remembering the
volume of her voice mo, indeed" she
said. with a pleasant smile. II always
practise with closed mouth. thing
Garcia taught me. IL saves physical ex-
ertion wonderfully and" with a humor-
Ous twinkla I'm her aVaa s'it rnaLao v,,~