The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-04-07
INTERVIEW WITH SCHUSTER.
Brattleboro Singer Tells of His Career
on Opera Stage.

on Opera Stage.
William Schuster, basso cantante with
the Abon English grand opera company,
is a Brattleboro boy, therefore 1t was
great pleasure to him TO be able to sing IN
Springfield with the Aborn company. Al
though Mr.. Schuster has been a protes-
sional for several years it so happened that
he never before sang in Springfield. 1t
was an added pleasure to him that the
critics should write so enthusiastically Oh
his singing and he rather guessed that
after reading the encomiums IN the Spring
field newspapers folks up Brattleboro way
would consider he was some punkins,, so
10 sneak. Joking aside, however, MI
Schuster was very happy over the reeeP,
lion accorded to him by the Springheld
public. =, - h,a
In his boyhood days Mr.. Schuster had
not planned to become q, professional sins,
or As matter of fact he was very mucn
Of an athlete when a youth and II he had
zone to college he probably would nave
won distinction in athletic contests. Mr..
Schnster won quite reputation and many
nrizes as an amateur bicycle rider and ne
recalIs yiyidly coming down to Sprlngheid
IN 1881. with other members OF the Brat
tleboro Wheel club to attend the great
hicvcle tournament of that year. mat
was the wear when the star Engllshmen
were over here aAd he recalls seeing Dick
Howell walk or ride away with some VI
the fastest prizes. George NJ. iIanuee
was also the idol of all the wheelmeh lh
the Connecticut valley in that year anu M NJ
Snbn.ter saws it was great treat for the
hous " come to Springfield and see the
then fastest bicycle riders OF the World.
ur Schnster modestly said that although
he was rider of some note around bra.-
,Iohoro he didn't consider himself sum
c;entiv in the class of riders who took part
in tbe Springfield tournaments 10 ehIer 1iie
aces under Ducker's management, but ne
IA considerable riding at the smaller
meets which were then prevalent up ana
down the valley He has quite coilectlon
Of medals which were won by nm III coh'
tests on the bicycle track 49,. ,,t
1t was an accidental success tlai puo
him on the stage. lhere Was io.ai p,d
Santat;on of Pinafore in Brattleporo ana
NJ. Scbuster was cast for one OF the, parts.
His singing won such favor that local prlde
asSerted itself and people began to ADVISE
Inn IN 90 abroad and study. HIS fatner
was was, so fayorably inclined that he CONTRIB
uted toward the expenses OF foreign nus
o "' education. Mr.. Schuster, having saved
little money of his own earning, decided
to act upon the ADVICE Of his s,f friends nat ame
develop the wonderful voice Mrle end h Mary
Howe we're boy and girl piaymates an. anu
both studied abroad at the same .lnne
Those who are in middle lie VIII nave ~
success which Mary Howe made as SO,
prano soost at the mot p's. no ,si. ehum
~ ygr schuster's was Clifton Sherman,
G for several years managing c 'itor Of the
Ia Courant, who began newspaper
"p After returning from abroad Mr.. se SCI. Is
ter joined the chorus OF Id the and renamed
there there for several years, being advanced to
p rarts A change of policy att the Metro 5r
ppolitan caused him to seek new fields. Inc e
Valuable training and experience ne ha q
received gave him confidence and made 1t