The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-02

To those who heard Madame Cornne Rider-Kelsey in her splendid solo work at the music festival her personality was decidedly interesting. but 1t is when one meets her socially that her real charm inanifests itself.
 When I called the morning after hear Ing her sing she entered with futtering little apology for being late. and telling of her fatigue after the strenuous times she had passed through the day before in getting Into Birmingham. When her more youthful appearance off the stage was commented upon she said: Possibly the grave. sedate look that you suggest was due to my fatigue never was so tired in my life as last night" Madame Kelsey is rather slight, little woman, but withal there Is evident robust mess that explains the resonance and vol anne of her voice.
 We chatted for some time in one of the parlors at the hotel and the musical at mosphere during the pleasant little mo- ments that we spent together was quite potent-Mr. Gustaf Holmquist, the big basso, and one of his friends, practicing a new aria to be sung in Oberlin little later, in the Turkish room adjoining. The two big voices filled the rooms, first one carrying the melody and then the other, while at intervals MT. Holmquist would appear between the portieres and an his perfectly charming manner apologize for the disturbance and offer to stop.
 Madame Kelseys story of her education in music was one to make Americans rather proud. She has never had a for egn teacher, and never indorsed the popular notion that to succeed one must be educated abroad. Her music masters were all Americans and all her study was done in this country with the exception of a period spent in Germany when she had an American instructor. the husband of Anita Rio. Tt is really the American teachers, in many instances" she re- marked, who have attained such rank in Germany, can afford to be exclusive and are commanding the largest prices for their lessons
 Have you even sung in opera. Madame Welsey?'
 My experience in opera is lim- tied. to say the least,P was her reply A"I never thought 1 would care for 1t, aand when l went into it it was simply Hbecause it was thrust upon me. I made ga success of it, but when I found it didn't Esuit me left it and now have no thought 4of ever returning to it."
 "Why did you not like it?i asked member of the Treble C1ef club who was also calling upon Madame Kelsey. ! hV an cir .I never imagined l could care for the life of an opera singer-it is not normal, and I am one of those women who find their greatest happiness in their home and children. My life. as it is of course, does not approach the state of things which l consider ideal, but at the same time, try to have it come just as near 51hat as possible It is so difficult for woman to retain her womanlness, her fineness and become a great opera singer. She really belongs to the public and her affairs are all well known before they actually happen; indeed. whether they happen or not
 .'Yes. l was impressed with that the other evening"" I said, when some one remarked after Madame Eames concert that she had been married three times. It was something of a shock and as Flames has been rather an idol with me I investigated the question through the new encyclopedia of American musicians. which is quite accurate, and found that truly enough she had been married only 10 the artist, Julian Story So here was another case of gross injustice. But, have you heard the rumor of Madame Flames engagement to De Gogorza?" I questioned. Are they really to be mar red next week."
 T certainly don't think so," was her response Indeed, l know it can't be true becanse-Gogorza is already married and there has been no divorce"
 Yes" she went on. many times opera singers feel that they must be kept before the public at all hazards, no matter what sensation Is made public, whether they like the publicity or not. and as a con sequence people have very distorted idea of them well as of the people of the stage. Geraldine Farrar, for example When the story of her engagement to some person entirely out of the question appeared I said: Gracious, that ought to be corrected. It is unjust and untrue.' Dear, me- she said, T doing every thing l can to encourage the report. A for its not being true, what difference does that make? To keep people talkin--that is the point So this gives you an idea of my objection to opera. As I said, I had three months experience in opera was in England and this Is the way 1t came about. I was there resting for a while last year with party of friends I sang at a drawing-room recital and a friend of a manager at Covent Garden became very enthusiastic oyer my voice sDo you sing in opera?' he asked me I told him had never done so Would you consider an engagement? T didn't think would-had no aspirations in that direction However, he persuaded me to sing for them at Coven Garden. and here again my voice pleased decidedly I explained that I knew no opera and had never acted, but despite that l was made an offer In the meantime my friend waited without walking the floor in the