The Washington herald., 1910-11-20

opera singer of America, who IS az pres
ent starring in the Messrs. Shubert's re-
Yival OF THE Mikado." comes by her
talent naturally. for her mother. Nine.
Ann seheff Yaeger, was one Of the best
known prima donnas in German grand
opera. When she was three years old
little FRITZ was regarded as a prodigy
she sang so Well. Her wise mother, know
Ing that a prima donna was worth a
dozen child wonders, would not allow her
10 sing in public then, but at an early
age started TO train her voice Until she
was seventeen years old FRITZ Schefr
worked and worked constantly, for there
can be no success in grand opera without
a great deal of labor.
She made her professional debut as a
prima donna when she was seventeen
years old, appearing as Juliet In Gounod's
Romeo and Juliet" and scored an in
Simultaneous triumph. Her beauty. pi-
quancy and above all her hute-like voice,
Won everybody. and she became the rage
She received her musical training in
Germany. where she learned many roles.
and also received an excellent schooling
While she was undergoing this course.
Maurice Grau heard her and Immediately
determined she was just the singer he
wanted for the Metropolitan Grand Opera
Company OF which he was then the pre-
siding genius Accordingly he approached
the young woman and made her an offer
that staggered her. for he did not know
the great difference In the purchasing
power OF money between Germany and
America. She accepted his offer and APP
peared next season at the Metropolitan.
in New York in such roles as Musette IN
Ia Boheme." Media in II Pagliacci. 3"
and Cherubine in The Marriage OF FL
caro-" Her vivacity and apparent Joy In
living made her an instant favorite with
Metropolitan audiences, and during this
part of her career she stamped her indi-
viduality on the New York public, II was
at this time that writers began to attempt
to find adjectives 10 describe her She
was called "yiyaclous." ''piquant." FUN
OF verYe," ''chic," say and capricious ."
volatile" Their vocabulary was almost
exhausted Paderewski described her as
the little devil OF grand opera Her
most appealing work at this time was as
Musette. and the daring with which she
played the scene in the Cafe Memeus was
one Of her distinct achievements.
During this portion Of her career and
subsequently, when she appeared in light
opera, she was watched most diligently
by Mr.. Lee ShubeTt, who never missed
seeing her at least two or three times IN
each of her representations. The result
was that when the Messrs. Shubert de-
termined 20 give the grandest revival OF
THE Mikado" ever seen in America, the
role OF Yum-Yum was offered by M
Shubert 10 Nine. Scheff She accepted
and was enrolled as ShubeTt star. She
win continue in The Mikado" for few
weeks and about Christmas time will ap-
pear In a new musical version OF "'rrilby'
under the direction of the Shuberts.
''The Mikado" has always been a STEP
ping stone for the ambitious in comic
opera. Many are there to-day prominent
in opera and musical comedy who made
& Sullivan classic. When Nine. FRITZ
Scheff is seen here this week at the
Belasco I'm revival of The Mikado"
theatergOers VIII have an opportunity OF
observing young woman who has sud
denly sprung into the limelight by her
remarkable work as Pitti-Sing. The
young woman is Miss Hattye Fox. pro-
tege OF Nine. Schef. and pronounced one
Of the best who has ever essayed the
part of Pitti-Sing.
Miss Fox is no newcomer 10 light opera.
She has been through the long grind Of
stock opera companies and has played no
less than nifty parts in the old operas.
She has even played in some of the grand
operas. assuming the lighter parts II
was in a revival OF THE Gelsha" that
she first attracted the attention OF the
Messrs. Shubert. Her dancing, her pi-
quancy, and her wonderful personal mag
netism induced Mr. Lee Shubert TO make
her an offer. But that other astute man
ager. Daniel Y. Arthur. had also noticed
Miss Fox's work and had secured a con-
tract with her before Mr. Shubert could
make his offer. SO last year she appear
ed with Miss Marie Cahill. However,
this year when Mr.. Shubert was assem-
bling his remarkable company 10 sur
round Nine. Schef In the revival of "The
Mikado" he asked Mr.. Arthur for the
loan or Miss Fox, and the favor was
granted And so good has she made with
her managers and with her star that she
Is to have the principal ingenue part in
Nine Scheff's new production. tc be seen
about the first OF the year on Broadway.
Miss Fox's early training was received
mainly with the Stewart Opera Company,
OF which William G. Stewart was the
head.
Herbert S. Waterous, who Is the Pooh
Bah in Shubert's revival of 'The Mikado, -
which comes to the Belasco Theater next
Monday evening. is studying three foreign
languages in order that he may enter the
Held Of grand opera,
1T seems odd to be taking this hier in
grand opera" says Mr.. Waterous.
Hitherto 1 have appeared only In heavy
grand opera and more serious concert
work, but The Mikado' is too charming
an example of light music in its highest
estate 10 be disdained by any one. After
a season in the average musical comedy
II Is evident that the score becomes mad
dening 10 its Interpreter, but in the case
Of The Mikado IL is the reverse"
For two seasons Mr.. Waterous was
connected with the Metropolitan Opera
Company, appearing in Wagnerian roles.
He sang in Die Meistersinger." and also
the bassO part of Dpnner, the thunder
god, in the prologue TO "Des Reingold."
He was engaged by the Metropolitan dur
ing the administration OF Henri Conried.
He had Intended casting Mr. Waterous
for part in Italian opera when the
sudden change Of management caused
Mr.. Waterous to seek an engagement
elsewhere.
I have not abandoned my grand opera
ambition continued Mr. Waterous.
Just before the Pooh-Bah engagement I
had been singing a number of relies with
the AbOrn Opera Company When The
Mlkado' has run It's course I expect to
take up my Italian project I am going
particularly to learn the Italian language.
Although I have memorized roles in that