Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-03
Melba-Eames-sanderson and Ella Russell {

Melba-Eames-s -sanderson and Ella Russell
aF THE NUMEROUS successors of
Patti, Mme Meba seems to have
" more fully met the requirements
than any other artist (soprano) now be-
fore the musical public of the world.
In many ways she has exceeded them'
for her voice is fuller, richer, more
powerful than PATHS voice ever was
and she has the same easy vocalizaton
and marvellous spontaneity that consti-
tuted the great charm in Pattfs sing
ing. Melba is the daughter of
wealthy citizen of Melbourne in Aus
tralia, and in That city-from which sne
takes her stage name-Nellie Mltcheii
was born In 1866. There was much mu-
steal talent in the family, but II was
exercised for their own enjoyment oIly,
for they were of Scotch Presbyterian
descent and the idea of the stage was
extremely Objectionable to them. Melpa
was given every advantage in the stuuy
of the violin, harp and piano, but her
voice was the last talent for her 10 cur
tivate, although singing was always
her chief delight
T., 1SS3 Miss Mitchell married a Cap
tain Armstrong, but the marriage was
not happy one, and when ner 1ather
shortly aftsrward was appointed COM
missioner from Australia to the COLO
NAL exhibition in London she went WIN
him to enter upon study TOT musical
career. She then went to Paris, Where
at one of Marchesi's receptions sne
sang. creating a furore. The manager
of the Brussels opera house heard ner,
offered her an engagement, ana aIter
nine months of training and hard study
she made her debut-her f1rst appear
ance being in Brussels In 18S7-and the
following year her Partisan debut was
successfully accomplished. She was
rapturously received, and at once founu
herself classed among the great singers
Of the century. Her career in europe
and in America was succession OF
triumphs Her voice Is rich, sympa-
thetic and powerful and she can be
compared with any artist as to fexi-
bility and brilliancy, and her trills ana
cadenzas are accomplished and given
with the marvellous ease which belongs
to a naturally gifted singer. Melba Is
not a great actress; she is stiff and
cold: but she holds her audience en-
tranced with her marvellous yocaliza-
tion, and her greatest triumphs have
always been in those operas wnlcn
make the smallest demands upon the
dramatic powers OF the singer. Ade-
lima Patti could not sing In Wagnerian
open, and was too wise to ever attempt
IT. Melba, advised by her friends, once
appeared as Brunhilde, but was a fall
ure, and never attempted any Wagner
ian role. Perhaps the most severe Or
deal through which Melba had to pass
was in 1898, when she made her DEBUT
in Milan. The Milanese are very jeal-
Gus of their independence of opinion,
and while they will accept leniently
beginner. the artist whose reputation
has been gained out of Italy is likely
to fare badly at their hands. When 1t
was announced that Melba was to sing
at Milan feeling hostile to her at once
made itself manifest. Stories went
forth, when she arrived and rehearsals
began, that her voice was like steam
whistle, and everything that could con-
tribute toward failure was done.
Critics and musicians did their best to
keep out OF the way and avoid an intro
duction, and Melba was pestered with
anonymous letters making threats of
various kinds. This so unnerved the
prima donna she decided to acquaint
the prefect of the police with the details