The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-06
NORDICA GAVE A LESSON
One Topeka Woman Received Singing
Instruction in. Bath House.

A new Nordica story is told by Miss
Jessie Upton which demonstrates the
kindly nature of the great singer.
Last Sunday morning Miss Upton
was at bath house taking treat
ment for the injury she received some
months ago, and while there Madame
Nordica came for bath. through
the lady attendant, Nordica learned or
Miss Upton, of her serious accident,
and that she wa sa musician. She I'M
nediateIy became interested and ask
ed to meet the young lady. The at
tendant called Miss Upton, who was
lying down resting, saying madame
Wishe ed to talk to her. so she dressed
hurriedly and went into the waiting
room. When she was introduced TO
Madame Nordica, the warm grasp OF
the hand which was extended was SO
cordial and genuine, that Miss T1pton
says it Immediately took away all
timidity or embarrassment and she telt
as if they had been friends always and
that she could open up her heart TO
friend who was in full sympathy
After expressing the delightful pleas
ure of hearing the madame in con-
cert Friday evening, and having heard
her many times in concert and opera
Nordica said: st understand you are
a singer OF course Miss Tipton was
modest and replied that she was try
ing to be but that we were uhfortuhate
IN not having good teachers in the
west and that she had no one with
whom to study.
Miss Upton tells her experience as
fellows ~ s.......-.s ,..s... -,
eive manner. always so sweet, KIND
and gracious, full of deep interest,
which takes away all fear or embar-
rassnent, leaving one feeling that you
had known her always. she said, You
don't need a teacher. do you? Let me
hear YOU sing She quickly arose TO
her feet and was singing away, eX-
claiming. Now let me hear you; do IL
this way See how / do it; TINS way.
You have a fine voice. That q me
tone. do it again, now again. NO, not
that way. this way, this way, see? You
want to sing it this way, and 1mmedl-
ately we We're both singing an; an;
ah' UP and down the scale with all
fine might we had. When we had
finished Nordica exclaimed, Fine, fine,
do it again: now again: no. not that
way, this way: that's it; fine, do II
again, now again; beautiful. beautiful
tones. Now once more, that's 1t, try
IT again: make the tone this way and
before I realized it l was making those
beautiful piauissimo tones that are the
delight of all who hear Nordlca-
AFTER trying several times she cried
ont Beautiful. do it again. again, now
hold on to it: do it again, beautiful
beautiful tones so enthusiastically
That one could hardly do otherwise
than sing. Turning to her maid she
said, DO your hear II, 1ne ISL Z IT,
haautiful' For almost an hour we
worked, and then she told me to listen
TO what SIC had to say. Now. listen,
listen to what I say. Don't waste your
money on a teacher you don't need
teacher. Do you catch my meaning
YOU don't want a teacher. Save your
money. Now listen, when you have
nracticed what 1 have given you and
5erfected your tones. then 1 want you
fo 60 to New York to Madame
4, nf a fPq0h6r
New York city). Tell her 1 sent you,
and she will do the rest. But don't
waste your money on teacher: L
have given you all you need, now it IS
IN 10 YOU. Then 1 replied, I can un-
derstand what Marchesi meant when
@he said to Melba I have done all
can for you, it rests with you as to
your success That's it, that's it,
nave given you today just what
Mafchesi gave to Melba. Now it is
nm to YOU I do not expect to be in
the west again, may be never, but [
wish you success, and believe you will