The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-04-07

easy for him to obtain engagements. lie
sang in grand opera and in light opera
md finally drifted to San Francisco where
he was located for many years as leading
baritone of the Tivoi opera company
which had on its roster many noted sing.
ers. Nine. Tetrazzini sang with the Ilvoll
company for several seasons before New
York ever heard of her She had rather
sensational experiences while on the coast.
The company had an extensive roper.
toire. Operas were sung that patrons OIL
the opera in New York today have never
heard and hardly know even by name.
Operas such as l-ucrezla Borgia fideilo,
Una Balla Maschera, Ernani and many
others of the earlier operas were in the
Tiyoli's repertoire Had it not been Tor
the earthquake Mr.. Schuster probably
would have remained on the coast indefn-
itelv but that catastrophe brought about
the abandonment of grand opera. HIS
experience there gave him a WIDE roper
tore of parts. The fact that he has
voice OF so adaptable range enables him to
sing as heavy a part as Mephistopheles
one night and one of SO high range as Val
entine the following night. lie has also
sung many buffo roles. One in which he
took particular delight was the Shenf oil
Nottingham (Barnabee's favorite role) IN
Robin Hood. Mr.. Schuster gave, an adj
mirable exemplification OF his abilities as
a buffo comedian in Martha
One of Mr.. Schuster's most intimate
friends and one to whom he owes much
as a singer, is Emil Fischer, who was Tor,
merly one of the big singers in grand
opera. Although man OF % years, Herr
Fischer still has voice mellow and deep
of tone. Whenever Mr. Schuster IS IN
New York he makes it point to call upon
his old friend. He says it is treat to
hear the veteran troll out the music with
all his old.time vigor. Owing to the fact
that his hair is white Mr.. Schuster is gen,
erally known in the profession as "old
Bill Schuster' but he is far from being
old in years. He is comparatively young
man, but the fact that he has had so mueh
experience in grand opera has caused nm
to be regarded as something OF veteran
So few singers are willing to take proper
care of their voices that their career IS
comparatively short one Mr.. Schuster
saws that his voice was never in better con-
diiion. He expects if he retains his
health that the next 10 years of his HE
will be the best of his career as PROBES,
sional singer. He cites the case OF his ola
instructor in Germany, one OF the tinest
of baritones. who at 60 years OF age mad
a voice of marvellous purity and huency
of tone. He could go on and sing any role
no matter how exacting, without impair
ment of his strength or voice. That Is
the advantage of a basso cantante voice,
that it withstands better the wear ana
tear of continuous singing and mello"s
with advancing years. 49,.
Last season Mr.. Schuster was for time
in vaudeville with a one-act musical play,
The Patriot. for which the late Julian
Edwards DIV composed the music. 1t received
was siu Of Of SO high grade that it played only
the larger cities, being also too expensive
production for the road. 1t is possible
that the Aborns may put on The Patriot
as a curtain raiser for some OF the shorter
operas in their repertoire. Springfield
Union.