The Jasper news., 1907-06-06
Copyright by J. B. Bowles.)

Copyright by J. B. Bowies)
mime. Nordica's first appearance in
public was when at 10 years of age she
iang as Lillian Norton in the choir of a
,hurch in Boston. Later she sang with
Iilmore's band, and thus secured money
20 study abroad. After few years IN
italy she made her first great success In IN
ater distinguished career in the cap
tails of Europe and in this country is
we'll known. In private life she Is Nine.
loltan Dome.)
The singer who would have career
must begin almost in infancy, uncon-
sciously, perhaps, at first, and directed
oftentimes by the tender training OF
a far-seeing mother, as was my own
good fortune. Later, as the years ad-
vance and the aim and end of things
became more surely recognized, art as
sumes the place of first Importance in
ones life; if it does not, there Is no
call to career. But all this period
of preliminary training and hard work
is but the preface 10 the book which
holds SO many chapters.
When young woman steps out on
the stage she emerges from the pri-
vate schoolroom of the studio into the
public one of the theater, There her
hardest lessons have to be learned, her
hardest battles fought. Much may
present itself to her i'll light that will
disllusionize, but the beauty and no.
bility of her art will grow more strong
ly with her appreciation and prove at
once her supreme comfort and compen-
sation for the unpleasant side of
things.
In the making of prima donna
here is nothing more important than
recognizing an opportunity When 1t
arrives. The great chances are not
presented at the very outset.
One recollection comes to me very
vividly of an experience OF my own.
When Mr.. Gilmore, then in the zenith
Of his success, offered me an engage
ment to tour in concert with his Or
ganization, many friends considered it
beneath the dignity of my position to
sing about the country with brass
band,' as they put it. But l 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 II
[ had saved sufficient to fulfill my
plans and to go to Italy to make final
preparations for a grand opera career
| The darkest moments and the mos
serious misgivings ire apt to precede
| The best success. After singing Elsa
In "Lohengrin" in America ~End Eng.
land, | accepted the invitation of Nine
| Wagner to create the role at the fes
spiel performance in Baireuth. The
ordeal was a severe one, and days O.
arduous study and rehearsal followed
my arrival there. Diversions wert
planned for mo by the great com
poser's widow, and the members
of her family to tighten the strait
upon my mind and every faculty, bu
go where | might the great festspiel
haus seemed to pursue me with it
shadow
Oftener than once | was tempted t.
have my things. packed and fee from
the ordeal. But alter wakeful night
| of anxiety the morning hours woult
find me again preparing for the tes
that had been decided upon. Whel
that test was over, the way had bee
paved for the study Of the Brunnhild
and Isolde, the final end and aim O
those who would rightly claim the It'll
of dramatic singers
High ideals and high aims mar
out for one thorny path which ca
be trodden but step at time wit
the end always in view, and the un
varying rule to do TO the best of one
powers and abilities the task that tn
moment presents.
-
In the making of a prima DOM
Italy is the best field for training, be
cause of the great number of theater
in small towns where opera is cor
stantly presented. First, however, be
fore a thought of this debut in oper;
the American girl who wishes to be
prima donna must have undergone
thorough vocal training in her ow
country. When the foundation Is ono
laid comes the time to consider foreig
study and not before. During til
earlier and vitality important perio
of stlty of the many who come I
| 40 aly ,,yl, IL.