The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-06-27
nY LILLIAN NoRpIcA.

fCopyright, 1906, by Joseph E. Bowles,
 Mime. Nordicas first appearance m public was when at Is years or age sns sang as Lillian Norton in the cnolf or a church in Boston. Later she sang with Giinlore's band, and thus secured money to study abroad. Alter rev years in Italy she made her first great success in grand opera at St. Peters- burg. Her later distinguished career in the capitals of Europe and in this country is well known. In prlvdte life she Is Mime. Zoltan Dome.J
 The singer who would have a career must begin almost in infancy, uncon- sciously, perhaps, at first, and directed oftentimes by the tender training or a far-seeing mother, as was my own good fortune Later, as the years advance and the aim ana end of things became more surely recognized, art assumes the place of first importance in ones life; if 1t does not, there IS no call to a career But all thie period of pre- lirninary training and hard work is but the preface to the book which hoFds so many chapters.
 When & young woman steps out on the stage she energes from the private z. echoolroom of the studio into the pub lie one of the theatcr. There her hard est lessons have to be siearned, her hardest battles fought Much may
 
 will disillusionizo, but the b9auty and nobility of her art will grow more strongly with her appreciation and prove at once her supreme comfort and compensation for the unpleasant side of things.
 In the making of a urima donna there is nothing more important than recognizing an opportunity when 1t ar rives. The great chances are not pre- scented at the very outset.
 One recollection comes to me very yiydly Of n experience S of t5a my zSTpb o%9 of his success, offered me an engage ment to tour in concert with his or ganization. many friends considered 1t beneath the dignity of my position to "slng about the country with brass band" as they put it, But went quietly ahead and accepted the oppor- tunity. The tour extended not only throughout America but Great Britain and finally to Paris. At the end of 1t I had saved sufficient to fulfill my plans and to go to Italy to make final preparations for grand opera career.
 The darkest moments and the most serious misRlvinRs ars apt to precede the best success. After singing Elsa in 'Lohengrin" in America and Eng land, I accepted the invitation of Mme Wagner to create the role at the Test spiel performance in Baireuth. The ordeal was a severe one. and days of arduous study and rhearsal followed my arrival there Diversions were planned for me by the great com poser's widow. and the members of her family to Tighten the strain upon my mind and every faculty, but go where I might the great festspiel- haus seemed to pursue me with its shadow.
 oftener than once was tempted 10 have my things packed and flee from the ordeal. But after wakeful nights of anxiety the morning hours would ind me again preparing for the test that had been decided upon. When that test was over, the way had been paved for the study of the Brunnhilde and Isolde, the final end and aim of those who would rightly claim the title Of dramatic singers.
 High ideals and high aims mark out for one thorny path which can be trodden but a step at a time with the end always in view, and the un- varying rule to do to the best of ones powers and abilities the task that the moment presents.
 A%%
 In the making of a prirna donna Italy is the best field for training, be- cause of the great number of theaters in small towns where opera Is con- stantly presented. First however. be- fore a thought of this debut in opera, the American girl who wishes to be prima donna must have undergone d thorough vocal training in her own country. When the foundation ss once laid comes the time to consider foreign study and not before. During the earlier and vitally important period of study of the many who come to sing to me. am sorry to acknowledge that there frequently appears an im- patience on the part of the American girl. gifted as she 70 often Is, and a desire to get there by short cut. some royal road, easier and smoother than the beaten one.
 The little king of Srain. when he first heard the expression royal road to learning" said mournfully; Please let us take some other way, for the royal way seems always the hardest"
 Unconsciously he spoke the truth the royal way is the hardest, but it is the only right way. And 1t saves us the weary retracting of many steps made along another path that for the time had seemed a pleasanter one.
 The earlier that most important les son of think for yourself is learned the earlier will you arrive at the des- tination where you would be. Use your own mind, do not rely on some one else to supply you with thoughts. h. quire Into what you are doing, know the why and wherefore. That in It.