The Washington herald., 1909-07-11
MOTHERHOOD Us. ART
Interesting Discussion Results from Views Ex-
pressed by Noted Prin1a Donna.

wives and mothers? N0t II they wish 70
rtnain leaders In art"
A burst Of silvery laughter pealed
through the dressing-r0om Of the ope a
house as the question was asked and an
swered by Miss Mary Garden, The noted
prima donna Speaking for singers. Miss
Garden emphaticaily declared that 10
prima donna should become q mother
while pursuing her career, says The Phila-
6elphia North American
"a woman who travels about singing or
acting. who undertakes engagements in
various cities: goes from New York one
night, 20 Boston the next, and then TO
Philadelphia, Chicago. or St Louis, does
not have time TO care for children. And
when one serves ART she cannot divide
her attention Art is a Jealous mistress;
she demands absolute fealty."
Miss Garden, IN her opinion, backs
Nine. Olive Fremstad who raised a new
discussion OF the question some time ago
as 70 whether women who strive for emil
nence IN artistic careers might properly
1 become mothers. Nine. Fremstad brought
storm OF disapproval upon her head
I
shame for opera singers 20 have large
families" adding that no woman who
! serves art can divide her attention with
/ offspring.
/ IN reply 10 Nine. Fremstad's declara-
/ tion, Nine. Louise Homer produced her
/ answer-two lovely twins. 20 whom she
/ IS the mC2s @evoted Of mothers. Nine
/ -EeInk can cap the reply with
I a family OF eight IN refutatiOn OF the
/ statement. Nine. Rejane. the noted
/ French actress, can prove by her chill
/ dren that success IN art does not inter
l fere with duties as the head of a happy
! home. Nine. Gadsld can show a charm
( ing ffteen-year-old daughter. while Mrs.
/ Forbes Robertson and Henrietta Cros-
man, on the dramatic stage, are mothers
I Of attractive children.
/ On the other hand Il IS true such art
lists as Lima Cavalier. Miss Geraldine
\ Farrar. Countess Maria Labia, Nine.
Trentini and others are not mothers
Are they. therefore, greater artistsr
Opposed TO Children.
Miss Garden had Just come running
from the stage after the last act OF The
/ JugzIer o. Notre Dame" Painting. she
sank on the chair Fl her dressing-r
When the question was asked her reply
promptly came with a peal OF laughter.
/ Certainly. she thought that s singer O.
| great woman actress should not have
/ children
For one thing" she said. motherhood
presupposes attention Take ne. for ex-
Z ample. I am continually busy during a
[ season, going from city 10 city. some
times within a single week. Now. what
/ tine would I have 70 care for a child
/ None; none, indeed
NO woman on the stage has the time
20 care for a child And II she has not
The time. would Il be fair 10 bring one
into the world and neglect III No. no,
Another reason IS this: A woman who
sings OF acts must give herself. her time
her life 20 her art Il must possess her;
/ it IS a Jealous mistress. She could not ar
u ford 20 divide her attention with a child
N II she wishes 70 become q vile and
mother, let her give up art When
T marry shall retire"
Miss Garden spoke earnestly. Hei
hands were folded on her knees. Lean
ing forward, she added:
when one gives herself 90 the creation
u OF parts such as I have IN 'IEais' and
/ 'Salome' she cannot have time 20 thinR
OF rearing a child. Il IS impossible. The
I true artist while striving for further
i achievements. cannot AFFORD 20 become 8
4 mother"
i This brought up the question as 20 wha,
she deemed the most honorable and won
n derful thing. the bringing % a child inty
the world or the creation Of a part IN the
opera or drama The prima donna paused
1 before replying. then she said
TO me. from the standpoint Of an art
iI ist, the creation Of such characters is the
.
diflCuit- Most women can become moth
ers Il they viii. all cannot become great
b artists.
The creation % such parts as That's
y and 'Salome' is a Joy. 7 devoted my
thought and time 70 study. yet felt az
exalJatiOn In the work. That was crea-
tion-just as the writing or a great poem
Il a great book. the painting Of & great pic
ture. is creation Those are children o.
the brain. For them the artist must otter
n sacrifice parenthOOd."
N When Nine. Fremstad raised a new dis
n cussiou Of the problem a short tine ago
she said she deplored the fact that an
\ prirna donna should desire Al once 10 lows
\ art and children.
Art must absorb a great artist,
mind" she said; 1T must occupy every
y moment OF the time. All nay thought.
she added. speaking for herself. is taker
Up by my work. and II had a child II
would be a lonely. Uncared-for creature
n The Mother OF Twins.
Nine. Fremstad's assertion brought ar
I immediate response from Nine. Louis'
Il Homer, OF exquisite voice.
The answer was a picture o. charmins
twin babies-bright-eyed ruddy-cheeke,
little ones. OF whom the mother spoke
with pride. They don't look neglected
do they2" she asked, and the dark-eyed
! sweet-voiced singer smiled.
Nine. Homer is the mother q tvC
i other children. a boy OF six and a girl O,
4 thirteen. The prima donna IS perhaps one
Z oC the most old-fashioned mothers among
L singers. She nurses her babies herself
4 She still dresses. undresses. and cares 70
her children. Each morning she break
! fGsts with Louise. and walks part Of tht
way with the daughter 20 her school
Returning home through the park
Nine. Homer lives In New York City
she takes Master sydney out for a walk
Every summer Nine. Homer and hel
p children go away for a vacation. and feV
families enjoy a more delightful outing
As a mother the prima donna is mos
devoted. I see more Of my children thar
z many sOcie-y women" declared Nine
u Homer. and there is no reason that q
81 singer should not We sing twice or. al
the most. three times q week and wher
] we are al rehearsals the children art
naturally at school Ny devotion 20 tht
children precIudes my giving much time
10 society. of course. as my music and
ny family III my life and satisfy me-,
Most notable among women singers who
have large families Nine. Schumann.
geink boasts of eight children Recently
SIZE rnnl- ont her final Naturalization pa