The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-12-16
AMERICANS SHINE
IN GRAND OPERA
At Last Coming Into Their Own il
Both America and Europe, De-
clares Miss Fox.

! When Miss Blanche Hamilton Fox,
OF the National Grand Opera company,
was presented with a magnificent bou
quet OF American beauty roses, Mon
day evening, at the opening of the
opera season in the GarriCk theater,
she was never more surprised In her
life, for She did not think that she
knew soul in the city OF Detroit
when the flowers were handed 20
Nine Frery by one OF the orchestra
men we supposed they We're for hcr
/ until my name was discovered on the
envelope enclosing the donors card. q"
said Miss Fox. who IL the only
American or English speaking member
OF the company. II was so excited to
1 know the identity Of my unknown
friend and then came a more agreeable
surprise than ever. | recognized the
name and handwriting OF The young
lady who sent them al once but | did
not know her home was in Detroit. |
have mover met the Young lady
thcuEh hope 10 this very day-and
ye; we are quite good friends through
correspondence. our acquaintance
began in curious way. About three
years ago when ! was singing in Pisa
i'm italy. | received letter addressed
70 Miss Pond. and making inquiries
OF some Americans who were IN Pisa
II learned that a Miss Pond was stay.
ing ~ Montone. 81 | forwarded the
letter To hor With a note OF eXplana-
ton ,,c7;,'-e my Italian stage name
of Blanca Vclpini | really was an
American OF the prosaic cosnomen or
FOX. From that We exchanged let
ters NJ intervals bur Il is some time
since last heard from her. sn my sur
,r'sc and pleasure was great 10 re-
coivc those flowers with Miss Pond :
card attached and 60 know that De
troit /, her home and that AT last |
will have the opportunity 10 meet one
who chcered me With her interestln.
letters While was over there In ltalE
working hard"
Miss Florence Pond, Of No. 3fG
Woodward-ave is Miss Fox unknown
yet cordial friend.
Miss Fox was born in Boston and
received all her vocal training III tha'
ri.V but her ODeratic debut was made
IN Ualv. IN small opera house rot
FAR from Milan. and she has sung N
various opera houses 81 italy for m
INST four wears. She was engaged IN
italy for The present American tour
.ol The National company ana Is the
onlvsronItalian in the company with
the exception Of Nine. Frery. VINO IS
q BclGian-Trench woman MISS FOX
T. po attractive type of the indepsn-
dent talented American girl who mas
Won her way through sheer grit ana
hard work.
Like al opera singers. whether
american or foreign. my ambition ~
~ sing AT either OF the grand opera
houses IN New York or my ha,iV'
poston." zaid Mss Fox. might
have had on opening in Boston TINS
wear hut wanted Just such an ok
ueriencc in repertoire as am having
win this company. and consider that
tbe work wiu bc Invaluable 10 me-
and am content 20 wait for the New
York opportunity In this respo
Americans ~ last are coming !h''
,bcir own IN New York and as 'ot
rnrooc. nearly every opera house III
Cermauy. Franc" and italy nave
,ncri.au singers In the leading roles.
We ave proving 20 them that we are
not nation OF 'scrcech-"hlsties' ~
they used to call Ms
Miss Fox's most important roe
.dnriuc her stay IN Detroit Will oe
Tia; of Carmen iu Rizcts opera 10 p'
given Thursday evening