The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-06-08
(Copyrlgbt by J. B. Bowles)

T.ilmore's hand. and thus secured money ;
to study abroad. After few years u. |
grand opera in ST. Petersburg her
hater distinguished career in the cap
htais of Europe and in this country
twell known. In private lie she 10 ' |
Zoltan Dome)
! The singer who would have career
must begin almost in infancy, uncon-
,sciously. perhaps, at first, and directed
,oftentimes by the tender training ol
Ia 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, arr as
sumes the place of first Importance IN
ones life; if it does not, there Is ho
call to a career. But all this period
of preliminary training and hard work
lis but the preface TO the book winch
holds so many chapters.
When a young woman steps out on
the stage she emeTges from the pri-
vate schoolroom of the studio into the
.nublic one of the theater. There her
hardest lessons have to be learned, her
hardest battles fought Much may
present itself to her in light that Will
.disiIIusionize, but the beauty ana no.
.bility of her art will grow more strong
ly with her appreciation and prove DIT
once her supreme comfort and compen-
station for the unpleasant side OF
things.
Tn the making OF a prima donna
there is nothing more important than
recognizing an opportunity when II
arrives. The great chances are NOT
presented at the very outset.
One recollection comes to me very
wildly of an experience of my own.
When Mr.. Gilmore, then in the zenitn
of his success, offered me an engage
ment to tour in concert with his or
panization. many friends considered 1t
beneath the dignity of my position 10
sssing about the country with brass
band" as they put it. But l went
souietly 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
II had saved sufficient to fulfill my
mans and to go to Italy to make final
preparations for grand opera career
The darkest moments and the mos'
serious misgiyings are apt to precede
the hest success. After singing Elsa
in "Lohengrin' in America and Eng
land. I accepted the invitation of Nine
Wagner to create the role at the fes
,spiel performance in Baireuth. Tn
ordeal was a severe one, and days
.arduous study and rehearsal foliowe'
INV arrival there. Diversions wer
MANNED for me by the great com
poser's widow, and the member
of her family to tighten the strai
upon my mind and every faculty, bu
go where I might the great festspie
haus seemed to pursue me with II
shadow.
Oftener than once I was tempted
have my things packed and fee frol
the ordeal. But after wakeful nigh
of anxiety the morning hours woul
6nd me again preparing for the te
that had been decided upon. Whe
that test was over, the way had bee
naved for the study of the Brunnhilt
and Isolde, the final end and aim
those who would rightly claim the tit
of dramatic singers.
High ideals and high aims ma
out for one thorny path which CT
he trodden but step at a time WI
the end always in view, and the
VARYING rule to do to the best OF ont
novers and abilities the task that I
moment presents.
In the making of prima don
italy is the best field for training,
cause Of the great number OF theatt
IN small towns where opera is &C
.stantly presented. First, however,
fore a thought OF this debut In ope
the American girl who wishes to bt
prima donna must have undergone
thorough vocal training In her o
country. When the foundation is OF
laid comes the time to consider forei
study ana not before. During
earlier and vitality important per
of study of the many who come
cling to me, am sorcy to acknowle'
that there frequently appears an
patience on the part of the Ameri'
girl. gifted as she so often is,
a desire. to get there by short
..ome royal road, easier and smoot
than the beaten one.
The LITTLE king of Spain, when
first heard the expression royal r
20 learning" said mournfully: "Ple
lat us take some other way. for
royal way seems always the harde
unconsciously he spoke the trut
the royal way is the hardest. but
the o,,sy right way. And 1t saves
the weary retracing of many s.
10 long another path that for