The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-30


 appealed to by circulars signed "Froh- man," telling them 'how to become ar lists while you wait" Here is speci- men letter received by one young woman:
 Dear Miss -: How would you like to star at the head of one of our first class companies? We are now forming organizations to tower the country in standard and Shakespearean plays includ- ing condensed version of Romeo and Juliet Camille Madame K East Lyme, and Ten Nights in a Barroom The expense to you will be very light and I command the choicest time in all the first class houses-none other played. have made many stars and have seen none so promising as you, so what do you say? Just 5000 in cash will do the trick. Let me hear from you soon, as others will snap at the chance if you don't. Yours with admiration"
 The police are trying to locate the man. Usually foreign singers and actors give their views about America and its institutions when coming into this port for the first time Leo Slezak, the fla nous tenor, reversed the rule and wait ed until he was about to return to Europe when he said
 ''The American audiences are the most delightful to sing to in the world. They are responsive in every endeavor of the artist and are always liberal in extending recognition where it is deserved. But from my observations should say that the music lovers of this land have no patience with the charlatan, who is quickly discovered.
 But apart from the theatre, I like your country There is never any in- decision over here You think quick and act even quicker afterward. I go out in the street and a rushing person pushes me out of the way in spite of my 250 pounds.
 Then I go into a store to make a purchase and the clerk tells me what want before I have made selection. He thinks, decides and has my purchase wrapped up before I have my money ready. If I am not nasty he even helps me count it to hurry me along And very often these clerks sell me things which, when I get home, I find I did not need"
 Caruso, the famous singer. has re- turned to Italy. He has been absent from the opera house since February. He has lost 12 weeks of his engagement. The loss to him foots up s60,O00. The Met ropolitan Opera House must have also been a heavy loser. His appearance any night added s500O to the receipts.
 Defending their action in advancing or chestra stall prices from $5 to $6, the directors of the Metropolitan Opera House recently issued statement say ing in part
 .To give the performances measuring up to the standard now required neces- sitates the engagement of the most em- inent conductors, the training of well equipped orchestra composed of high class artists, a thoroughly drilled chorus of the best obtainable materials, mise en scene stage management and general accessories which will satisfy the most fastidious demands. and the employment of a large and highly trained corps of assistants in all branches of stage work. To respond to these demands the Met ropolitan Opera company has assembled a company which in number as well as in quality represents the highest stand ard prevailing in any operatic organ ization In the world. It is therefore to meet these additional expenses that a new scale has been determined on.
 The management announces that among the artists whose services have been retained are:
 Sopranos-Mesdames Bella Alten. Anna Case, Emmy Destinn, Geraldine Farrar Rita Fornia, Olive Fremstad, Johanna Gadski, Alma Gluck, Berta Morena, Alice Neilsen, Inga Oerner Bernice De Pas quail. Marie Rappold, Leonora Spraks and Rosina Van Dyk
 Mezzo Sopranos and Contraltos-Louisc Homer, Helen Mapleson, Jeanne Mau- bourg, Marie Matfeld, Lila Smelling, Henrette Wakefield and Florence Wick ham.
 The relations between the Metropolitan Opera company. Boston Opera company and Philadelphia-C Chicago Opera com pany will be continued, the exchange of artists having proved satisfactory to all.
 Fritzi Scheff- Fox, the gifted light opera singer, is going to locate at Big Stone Gap, Va, in the intervals between her engagements on the stage She, will build s50,000 house, the plans for which were prepared by George H. Gray of Louisville.
 They provided for structure of stone Nand stucco,. having frontage of 100 feet and depth of 57 feet, and containing 40 roorns. The interior will bn AnlAhed in hardwood and the house,