Omaha daily bee., 1906-09-23


e-<D the Daily Consular and Trade
Resort II more Of our oonsuls would take
the same pains to ascertain and publish
musical conditions American girls wsuld
not encounter unexpected and tragic con-
ditions, and become stranded in the capi-
tolls Of Europe The article applies to all
large cities. The gist Of the thing is the
good sense It contains. The moral to stu
dents, Don't go of half cooked"
Consul Dunning OF Milan writes in detail
about the dangers that beset strangers
who 20 TO Milan for the purpose OF pur-
suing musical studies, particularly vocal.
He presents the difficulties in dark colors.
and warns his country women against go
ing to Italy unless guided by their own
teachers and with a full belief that their
career cannot be achieved in any other
way. The consul says girls should know
just what they want. should arrange care
fully and under the best advice about
boarding. lodging. etc. No GIRL should go
to Milan before she has taken every pre-
caution to inform herself upon every sub
ject connected with her stay as a student
In that city. Consul Dunnings report b IN
response TO number of Inquiries concern
ing conditions surrounding American music
students in that city. He writes. In part:
Milan continues to be the center o. vocal
music instruction in Europe. While the
influence OF La Scala 10 by no means what
1t used to be- on account of the compare
there, the quality OF ' the orchessra stiii
renders Il the most noteworthy opera house
In the world; while II Is only In Milan
to work herself into intimate touch with
the managers and impresarfi on whom her
future depends In so great degree.
The consuis first advice 20 the American
girl considering a course OF music instruc-
ton abroad il. Don't come. II she per
sists In coming in spite OF that she should
give some serious consideration to the
counsel Of those who, being on the ground
and viewing II impartiAliy. can tell heI
something to her advantage. Assuming
that the girl Is so ambitious and earnest
and has been SO encouraged by her home
teachers that she is bound to get the for
eign training. she ought first to aequsini
herself with every detail OF the life she II
about 20 enter before sailing or even pre-
pairing to san from the United States
She ought FIRST to be sure OF her voice
either that It Is operate both In quaht,
and dimensions or that II is fitted for lyriS
singing In a degree sufficiently important
10 render desirable a foreign finish 70 hei
American instruction. In this she ough
TO be guided solely by her own teachers a.
home who have watched her work and un
derstand her temperament The kind wordl
OF enthusiastic friends should not be Al
lowed q hearing In tho making up OF Thu
decision The whole operation should b.
= cold-blooded estimate. with everything
IN the shape Of q reasonable doubt throw1
in favor Of the stay-at-heme side OF tn.
casa
Having decided that she has something
In her throat and temperament which cai
not ee developed In the United States. tn.
student should place herself In touch wfti
people who know Milan She should nni
out all about the city and It's people tn
conditions and costs Of living. the way o
getting there. the methods OF music In
struction. the climate. and 30 on Besides
she should not buy her steamer tickle
until she has soen and talked with som
other woman who has been stvdying Il
Milan long enough to know what she 1
talking about when shs describes the situA
ton The moment she determines on com
ing to Italy she should begin the study o
italian. which Is . dinicult language q
every sense Of the phrase. and can not b
picked up" - not inoonzidsrabse mum
Der OF enthusiasts have fondly expected