The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-23
ID MELDh UHIs
Greatest Of Sopranos to Appear
Tonight.
Audience of Over 5000 Will
See Her.
TAKES LONG WALKS.
Takes Jaunt of Several Miles
Every Morning.
Refuses to See Any One in
Topeka.
How She Lives While on Her
Car.

When Madame Melba steps before
the audience at the Auditorium tonight
1t will seem somewhat like meeting her
friends, although this is her first visit
here.
Melba has been a citizen of Topeka
for three days. Since coming to To-
peka she has walked and driven all
over the city and out into country.
and she is almost as familiar with its
streets and drives as are the oldest
fnhabitants.''
The first thing Melba did after arriv-
ing in Topeka Saturday was to take
walk of three miles. After that she
ordered carriage and spent the after
noon driving.
Sunday morning she arose early and
walked north from North Topeka into
the country. She returned and went
south on Kansas avenue as far as Six
teenth street and turned west and went
through the residence portion of the
city.
The remainder of the time she has
spent in her car. She is very fond of
books. and has a large library in the
car. Her books, together with the cur
rent magazines and periodicals furnish
material to pass away large por-
ton Of her time.
1t is practically impossible to get to
see Madame Melba. Sunday no less
than 25 persons tried TO get an OppOr-
tunity to see her at her car, but she
makes a rule that no one shall be
granted permission to see her there.
The servants will not even take callers
cards to her when presented at the
door. Melba is forced to make such 4
rule to protect herself from a curious
public.
The attendance at her concert tonight
will be above 3,000 Melba will sing in
Denver tomorrow night, and the Union
Pacific railroad is going to hold the
Overland Flyer, due here at o'clock,
until after the concert tonight, in order
that she may reach Denver tomorrow
afternoon. On that account the concert
will begin promptly at O'Clock. The
programme will last about two hours
and half.
The mention of Madame Melba's
name revives memories of many tales
told of her phenominal successes. 1t
cOnjureS up a vision Of a mere child in
gingham dresses washing dishes in her
mothers kitchen on ranch near the
city of Melbourne, Australia, and the
multitudinous experiences which she
encountered from that time until the
present day.
Melba's parents were well-to-do. Her
father was Scotch and her mother was
of Spanish descent. Her real name was
Nellie Mitchell, but when she began
appearing before the public she assum-
ed the name of Melba, a word derived,
or rather in imitation of the name OF
her native city of Melbourne
Melba was married in 1882 to Charles
Armstrong; son of Sir Andrew Arm
strong of London, England. She has
been divorced from her husband, who
is now living in Texas. Her son, who
is about twenty years old. frequently
fl
land with her when she returns in the
spring
When quite young, Melba learned to
play the piano, the organ at her church
and several other musical instruments
She was quite popular and her talent
for singing and playing were greatly
appreciated 1t was not until she was
about 18 years old that she really de-
cided to cultivate her voice. But she
was urged to do so by her friends, and
accordingly, she went to Paris, where |
she presented herself to Madame
Marchesi.
rather shy then, and it was with trem-
bling and fear that she appeared be- |
fore the noted instructor.
But [ quickly recovered my self |
possession" she says. land I sang as
well as ever. I thought my voice was |
in poor condition. and 1 dreaded her
verdict but Madame Marchesi took !
both my hands in hers and exclaimed, |
Some day you will be my greatest |
pupil if you will work and persevefe. J
1.-TWO years of study and work passed J
before made my debut in 1887 at the
Theater de la Monnaie, at Brussels |
During those two years OF study at
Paris, I worked day and night, as my
funds were by no means large"
Madame Melba's success was assured
from the time of her first appearance. |
There are few singers who attain the
heights to which she has climbed. There /
are many singers with every succeed |
ing generation. who are well-known
during their lifetime, but Melba's
name is one to live through centuries /
It is said she has perfect voice. What /
more may be said?
A great change has taken place in
Me1ba's circumstances since the time /
she so carefully watched the expendi- !
ture of her precious hoard while study |
ing in Paris. Her expenses every year /
now are enormous. She owns and main
tains two homes at London Her win |
ter home or town house is at No 30 |
Cumberland Place, in Hyde Park, Lon +
DON and her country home, or summer I
residence, is called Quarry Wood at I
Great Barlow on the River Tames, /
near London.
Both houses are large and are mag |
furnished and appointed The /
entire interior decorations of her town I
house We're designed by herself The /
decorat tionS are essentially French OF |
the Louis XIV period. The matter OF I
is notable. The electric /
lights are concealed in ingenious places
which make them partly hidden and |
provides light without the harsh glare
of the bright lights when exposed
The drawing room OF her town house
contains an almost priceless collection
Of gifts received from the royal leaders