The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-14
MELBA'S ADVICE.
ssNo Girls in the World Like
American Girls"
So Says Famous Australian
Prima Donna Soprano.
RAN AWAY FROM HOME
Father Would Not Consent to
Her Pleas.
Did Not See Her Family for Is
Years.
RAN AWAY FROM HOME


The time has gone past when it is
considered a stigma on d woman's
good name to go on the stage. Socie-
ty, usually loath to give up any of its
cherished convictions. has at last come
to recognize the actress as part of the
great social world, and the credit for
this belongs to the actresses them
selves The stage is now a recognized
profession: actresses are received in
the most exclusive clubs and drawing
rooms, where their genius entities
them to consideration; and women
now conspicuous on the American
stage for their talents and business
ability, have united in their verdict
on the possibilities of the stage as
future career for the American girl
The American girl is the most
plucky girl in the whole world said
Madame Media in a coy little inter-
view in her private car. she seems
to be able to work under the most
trying circumstances. When I lived
in Paris I came across a number of
ambitious girls who had gone abroad
for the purpose of having their voices
cultivated
sOh!" exclaimed Madame AIelba in
her impulsive. enthusiastic way as she
talked on the possibilities of the
American girl on the stage, there. are
no girls in the whole world IKE the
American girls. know so much
about them; I admired them in Paris
when I watched them struggling !
against the most awful iSadvant- I
ages in their efforts to succeed The
American girls in Paris sometimes
starve SO they can pay money TO take
music lessons.
Numbers of young girls come to |
me and ask me to advise them ABOUT
going on the operate stage. L always
ask girl to sing for me before I give
her any advice. If she has voice
encourage her. Why shouldn't [? Il
know myself how it is to feel over /
powered with great ambitions and to
be obliged to stife them in a COM
monplace existence. 1t took years OF
the most bitter opposition before
overcame the prejudice or my 1aInlly
about the stage.
I was born in Melbourne, Austria
liza, and used to sing in concerts and
private theatricals. One day 1 hap
critics very much, and after that
was miserable. My father would not
listen to my pleas, so ran away from
home. I made my debut in grand
opera. in Brussels. For eighteen years
I did not see my family
Last year went back to the city
of my birth. but under what different
circumstances! was no longer the
poor little obscure singer, but an ac-
knowledged mistress Of the operate
stage. There were crowds awaiting
me when my train arrived at Mel
bourne; seven thousand I afterwards
heard. They shouted my name till
the streets fairly echoed with it.
'AIelba,' sNelba,' they called again and
again as I was driven to my fathers
house.
when I reached home a terrible
shock awaited me. The strain and
anxiety of waiting for me had been
old f-ff z
something in the dear old mans head
gave way. He could not say a word
for weeks, and when he finally re-
gained his memory he recognized me
and took me in his arms. Media, Mel
ba, my gifted child he exclaimed. It
was such a beautiful moment for me,
such a. triumph
mo, I never discourage talent when
see it." continued Madame MeIba
after this little depression. Come
here, Ada" and a sweet-faced young
girl came from the other end Of the
car to the great singers side. This
is Ada SassOli. I saw her first in
Paris. She played on the harp at the
conservatory there, and I heard her.
That child will be a great musician !
some day, ] said I would like to
have her with me- and so when her
mother consented I took her under
my wing She is going to be a great
celebrity some day"
Ada SassOH is now with Madame
Melba and makes her appearance on
all the concert engagements. The
public has approved of the great
singers discrimination and there is 5
every possibility that she viii justify
the prediction of Madame Melba
IF girl can work and has the tall
ent there is no reason why she should
not go on the stage" added Madame
Melba- But she must keep a cool
head. She must not be battered too
easily and she must never be satisfied 7
with herself. The woman who STAYS S
at home and lives the ordinary life of ]
wife and mother certainly is happier l
IN the long run than the great singer.
but she is usually a woman with no
great emotions. The woman with great
talent is made of different CLAW from
the ordinary woman. She can com
mand and sway thousands at will: the
world Is hers and in spite of the hard
snlps and disappointments there is
nothing else for the gifted woman N
DO but to go on the stage"