New-York tribune., 1909-11-28
OF NO MEAN CITIES.

Though Miss Allyn was born in Phila-
delphia and her parents now live in
Chicago. which city she therefore calls
home" she attended boarding school
and received SO much also of her musi-
cal education in New York that she feels
herself a New York girl. She studied
voice placement with the late William
Castle. the Chicago tenor. of whose work
she was a great admirer. OF this teacher
Miss Allyn says:
His voice was of the most beautiful
quality. and / felt that he would never
do any voice harm. for under no condi-
tions would he force. He did me a great
deal of good. and though I've studied a
great deal since I feel that he laid the
foundation for me In such a way that it
has never been necessary to change my
placement.
I'm New York / studied for two years
under Frau Professor Jaeger at the
Metropolitan Opera School, where I
learned roles and acting. SO that when I
came abroad a year ago 1 had only 20
learn my roles in German. sang last
winter a few guest appearances in Nu-
remberg, thinking TO sing there year
perhaps If I liked il before taking a
regular contract. But oh, if you ever
want TO have hard time Just 'volun-
teer somewhere in small place. You
have no standing in the company. and
are looked upon as a stranger and in
truder, and being American makes il
hard anyway. though you know the Ger
mans like us.
So i gave mp my idea Of volunteer
ing and was glad to get my regular en-
gagement in Berlin. where 1 have now
standing in the company. and where
there are more Americans and they are
better understood and where il is so al
together delightful to live and work. 1
work every day with my KapeImeister.
Lowe, who helped place me. In Chicago
they wonder why 1 want TO live away
from my lovely home and family and
friends. but the Operatic stage drew me
irresistibly. Mother wants me To go
home every summer. but the seasick
ness am subject TO would undo all the
good of the holiday. so I am planning to
Visit next year the performances at
Oberammergau and Bayreuth."
L asked how she had spent the last
summer. and she iaughingly answered:
"Oh. 1 learned To row scientifically i'm q
boat with sliding seat on the lake in
tine Thiergarten Uhe beautiful large mark
oi which Berlin has reason to be proudo
L took many walks i'm the country. too
You know. 1 believe beefsteak. milk and
eggs and fresh air are the best things a
singer can indulge in. Just now I am
having lesson every day. learning roles
as quickly as l can, and spending a great
deal OF time az the opera house. attend
ing rehearsals daytimes and perform
snces i'm the evenings. You know. one
has To grow into the work and live in il
as much as possible"
Helen Wetmore. a Boston woman. who
IN private life is Mrs Neumann- IL also
engaged at this opera house. In her
native city she studied with Mrs. Eta
Edwards. always looking toward an
operatlc career. as she had a colOratura
soprano voice of great promise. Mrs
Edwards placed" her voice. and Miss
Wetmore sang much In her operatic
class. She also went through the
dramatic version OF every operate role
she learned with Rachel Noah. the we'll
known actress. who played much with
Edwin Booth. in order 10 deveIop her
histrionic ability. She sang much in.
concert IN and around Boston. was SOLO
ISL IN the kek Street CONGREGATIONAL
church at Lowell Mass. and went ON
tour several times through the West and
south and Canada. The hast of her ca
haaian tours Was with Ellison Van