The Detroit times., 1909-12-16
AMER|CANs SHINE
IN GRAND OPERA
At Last Coming Into Their Own IN
Both America and Europe, De-
clares Miss Fox.

When Miss Blanche Hamilton Fox,
OF the National Grand Opera company.
was presented with a magnificent boa
Duet OF American beauty roses. Mon.
day evening, al the opening OF the
opern season in the Garrick theater.
she was never more surprised in her
life. for she did not think that she
knew a soul Ia the city OF Detroit.
When the flowers were handed 70
Nine. Frery by one OF The orchestra
men We supposed they were for ner,
until my name was discovered on the
envelope enclosing the donors card.
said Miss Fox. who is the only
American or English speaking member
q. the company Il was so excited 10
know the identity OF my unknown
friend and then came more agreeable
surprise than ever | recognized the
name and Handwriting OF the young
lady who sent them At once but | did
not know her home was IN Detroit.
have never met the young Lady
though | hope 20 this very day-and
vet we are quite good friends through
correspondence Our acquaintance
began In n curious way About three
Years ago when was singing IN Pisa
in italy. ] received a letter addresses
20 Miss Pond. and making inquiries
OF some Americans who were IN Pi.a
7 learned that Miss Pond was stay
Inc al Mentone. So forwarded the
letter 70 her With n note Of eNplara-
ton taa. -csrf-e my Italian stage name
OF Blanca Volpini really was an
American OF the prosaic cognomen or
Fox From that We exchanged let
ters az intervals but Il is some time
since last heard from her so my sur
arise aud pleasure was great 10 re-
ceiye those flowers with Miss Ponds
card attached and 20 know that De-
troit IS her home and that AZ last
will have the opportunity 10 meet one
who cheered me with her interesting
letters while | was over there in ltaiy
working hard"
Miss Florence Pond, ~ No so
Woodw ard.ave Is Miss Fox's unknown
vet cordial friend.
Miss Fox was born In Boston ana
received all her vocal training IN That
ritv but her operate debut was made
IN italy. in q small opera house ho'
FAR from Ni'an, and she has sung N
yaricus ovpra houses Of Italy for the
mast FOUR years She vas engaged ~
Ifalv for the pres3rt American tour
Of the National c0mpany and Is the
only non.Italian IN the company win
The exception az Nine. Frery Who is
q Belgian. French woman Miss roN
Is an attractive tyne OF the indepen-
dent talented American girl wh1 mas
won her way through sheer grit and
hard work.
Like all opera singers. whether
American or foreign my ambition i
IN sing al either Of tho grand opera
houseg In New Work or my NATIVE
Boston" said Miss Fox. mlsht
have had an opening in Boston TINS
wear but | wanted just such an eh'
rerience i'm repertoire as | nm having
with this company. and consider thAl
tho work VIII be Invaluable TO me-
ana am content To wait for the Ne"
York opportunity In 'his respe''
Americans az last are coming mo
,hs,r own in New York. and as Tor
r,rrone nearly every opera house IN
GERMAN. France and italy nave
American singers In the leading roioS
We arc nroving 10 them thai We are
not nation o. ,screech-whistles as
.hey used 70 call as.
Miss Foxs most important roe
during her STAY 81 Detroit VIII he
mat ~ Carmen I'm Bizet's opera 20 he
gwen Thursday evening