Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-20

pert master mechanic. My parents were opposed
to my desire to sing at every opportunity,
believing that it took my mind from my
work as mechanic. but managed to devote
my spare moments to hearing my own voice
and, being in the army young soldier
serving my military time. was often able to
sing to my comrades without interruption from
home.
One evening managed to get into theater
where a performance of Leoncavallos Il
Paglacci" was being given. Robinson, who
has sung at the Metropolitan Opera, sang
Tonic that night. and determined that on the
Accordingly applied to Robinson. who hav-
ing heard my voice, took me up and allowed
me to sing the next evening. Robinson told
me that | would be great singer some day:
which little compliment did not then affect me
much, for / did not know what fame meant and
desired nothing more than to be permitted to
sing
Two days later there a rehearsal for
other opera, and was singing with the rest of
the chorus solely by ear: for was as ignorant
of the technic of music a man who had never
sung or had never heard singing in his life.
While the rehearsal of the chorus was in prog
ress the chorus master suddenly turned angrily
toward me- where stood singing to nv hearts
content, but with the music held carelessly under
my arm. OF course l had made some errors.
Go by your music. Slezakl' shouted the
chorus master in great anger. as all the other
singers looked my way and caused me great
really seemed pity to me that anger should
find place in the same room with melody. That
conviction brought strength to me. and l re-
piled. looking him straight in the face
IF / could read my notes. Herr Chorus
Master. should not be singing in the same
room with you sirl'
How Sieefried Slew the Monster
-FOUR years had passed. and was married
My WIFE, who played sentimental dramatic
roles had shared success with me at Breslau
from which place secured furlough in order
to accept brief engagement at the Berlin
Royal Opera. Now. we had originally taken
quarters with a Silesian woman at Breslau
during our engagement at the opera there and
every day at the house of this terrible woman
had been day of terror to both my wife and
myself. In fact, nv poor wife was completely
subdued by this cratic landlady, who found
fault with everything about the house. every
thing that we did, and raved in manner truly
rehearsing in our rooms. But hers was the
only available lodgings we could find. and we
had, perforce. to remain there, especially since
it would have been impossible for to spare
the time to pack, move, and unpack our huge
theatrical wardrobe where we had barely time
to take our meals and secure some needed rest.
Finally. however came the day that we were
to leave Breslau. On every occasion that set
tied with the ogre below stairs there had been
d terrific scene which completely unnerved my
wife and me. No one could interiect word in
the conversation with our landlady, which was
always entirely one sided, and SO hit upon
novel plan to subdue Our ferocous tyrant for
once. / had returned from the theater and had
worn greatcoat over my Lohengrin armor cos
tune. l removed the coat and the armor and
provided myself with sword and shield. with a
helmet on my head. In nv left hand ! clutched
pocketbook containing the none with which
to settle up with our bad tempered landladv.
In my right clutched Siegfried's sword.