The Washington herald., 1910-03-06

MISS IOHiNNE FARMER.
This came after untiring efforts on her
part to obtain a musical education. Miss
Parker herself kept silence upon the sub
jet until a short while ago. This op-
portunity Is the result OF a hearing eb-
tanned on The stage OF the Metropolitan
Opera House last Easter Monday. when
she sang for the impTessrio. Mr.. Henry
Russell. and several operate directors.
A short time before she had sung the
"connaistu" from ''Mignon. for Mr..
Enrico Caruso. an honor and an ordeal
that required much courage.
Tells of Her Plans.
It was in the Knickerbocker Hotel last
Monday week. at luncheon, that Miss
Parker was seen in animated conversa-
ton with Antonio Scott. an old friend
OF hers. while at the next table sal
Caruso and a party. Her slender girlish
figure. clad in deep mourning: her bright
face so Italian in colorlng. brings In
stantly to mind Lima Cavalier, TO whom
she might easily be a younger sister.
When she was stopped in the hotel cor
ridor after her luncheon and asked for a
few words about her work she produced
a heavy. square music portfolio.
Feel that" she said laughingly.
Yes I'm really studying at last. thanks
10 the incest, the most wonderful gentle
man in the whole world. But. do you
think there are any words in any Ian
guage 10 express properly what I feel
about studying with Ternina? It is the
greatest honor one could receive to be
under this great artiste's direction; the
greatest happiness TO come In contact
with her exquisite nature. How little did
think seven years ago, when first
came TO New York, and used to stand
night after night TO hear this greatest
Of Brunhildes and Toscas that one
day I would really know her. Il often
seems to me like a dream, and I seldom
look at her during lesson. for when /
think OF her genius and her infinite pa
thence. my throat closes up and cannot
make a sound.
Admirer of Farrar.
YES: all the singers are lovely TO me. F"
said Miss Parker. in reply to a question
81 know a great many. Living as / do
in the midst Of a musical colony. / daily
rub shoulders with great artists. and it
is inspiring to see them at rehearsal in
the Metropolitan-they all work so hard.
The greater the artist, the harder he
works; but. of course. you know that
Our Farrar? Yes: I'm mad about her.
too. Such a lovely voice. such a face,
such fire!
NO: no plans" said Miss Parker. an
swering query, except to keep right on
studying and hoping. If possible. 1 want
to go to Europe this summer and stay
until Fraulein Ternina returns
Now, 1 must go. There is a terrible
piano teacher waiting for me, Of whom I
am, as the proverbial American school,
boy says. scared to death. You know,
1 have played accomplishments for lots
OF great singers-just socially, OF course;
but discovered when 1 really began to
study piano / couldn't play at all Sar-
castle? One day he asked me if I would
mind occasionally playing the left hand
with the right. Wasn't that q blow?
But he is doing me worlds OF good, let
me tell you
"Au revoir-and thank yor. Every one
is so kind. / ought to h able to sing
some day. But for Mr.. Herndon Nor
sell. in Washington. ] would never have
had the courage to try. sang for him
one day, and he encouraged me and
helped me more than I can ever say at
a time when my voice sounded hopeless
to me. and 1 was very H."
With this information, Miss Parker took
Up her portfolio of books. italian. Ger
man, French; Czerny, Beethoven, Boch-
koltz, Falconi, &c. and departed.