New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-27
VIEWS OF ANN SWINBURNE
Young Singer, Poets Great
Niece, Has Concert Ambitions.

II is probably known by few that
great-niece Of the author OF "AtaIanta in
Calydon" and OF Poems and Ballads"
Is Broadway's youngest and latest light
opera star.
Those who have attended a performance
OF Lehar's THE Count of Luxembourg
at the New Amsterdam Theatre have
seen enter upon the stage a slim slip OF a
girl with great brown eyes and bearing
whose easy grace has In It a distinction
very foreign TO the usual queen OF the
lighter footlights. The girl is Miss Ann
Swinburne. whose great-uncle was none
other than England's master Of the music
OF verse. Algernon Charles Swinburne.
Miss Swinburne In appearance might be
one OF the poets own daughters OF
dreams and OF Stories" rather than one of
New York's latest queens Of light and
song. There is nothing in her TO suggest
the theatre, as the theatre is generally
known. an impression that was strongly
borne in upon a Tribune representative
who called upon her the other day In
West 69th street. in the home Of DR.. and
Mrs. Judd. where she is living
Yes" said Miss Swnburne, in opening
the conversation, Il am great-niece of
the poet Swinburne although l never saw
him | was on my way with my mother
10 visit him when he died, and | have
regretted greatly not seeing him. Two
years ago. however | visited his sister
in London, which was the first time l
ever met any of my fathers family.
my father was born and educated in
England, but after becoming a barrIster
he took a tour through the United
States, and while In Portland, Ore, met
my. mother and married her. His family
wished him to return to England, and
when he refused 1t caused an estrange-
ment, and for that reason 1t was not until
recently that 1 knew his family. My
father, however, succeeded in his new
home, and at the time OF his. retirement
from active life he was judge Of the Su-
preme Court OF Oregon.
After 1 had completed my schoolwork
in the West / was sent to New York TO
finishing school. and II was then that
determined to study music. My family
did not oppose this. but when told them
was going on the stage they objected
strenuously. But II they had a will, so
had /. and / secured the girls part I'm
The Climax Then / went to Germany,
where / studied singing for a year, re-
turning to America to sing In the re-
yiyaI Of Robin Hood BY this time my
father had become reconciled, and now
that / have finally landed at least some
portion OF success all Is forgiven. So, as
The Count is a success and the critics
have been very kind and my parents are
satisfied why. 1 am the happiest girl In
New York."
And the enthusiasm OF her tone and
the sparkle of her eyes seemed to indi-
cate that she was not exagserating.
81 intend to make light opera my ca
reer." Miss Swinburne continued, "for
think there is a great future for it-that
is, for light opera that Is really light
opera and not hodge-podge Of bad
music and worse comedy. I believe that
the American public wishes something
better than it has generally been given
and the success of such works as The
Chocolate Soldier. The Merry Widow
and The Count OF Luxembourg confirms
me in this opinion. For light opera Is
real art, and one that can be made very
beautiful Mr.. Dippel has asked me to
sing Gretel in 'Hansel and Greter with
the Chicago Opera Company. but though
grand opera has its appeal to me, | pre-
fer to stay In the field l have chosen.
I'm Europe there are opera houses de-
voted entirely to lighter music. and the
works of Strauss, Suppe. Offenbach, Lehar
and Lecoca are on the bills continually |
There Is a report that next season the
Century Theatre will house light opera |
company under the direction Of the Metro
nolitan Opera Company. and II such is the |
case II will fill long felt want
But do you know have another am
hilton? / want TO be also concert sing
err Kurt SCHNEIDER has recently set sew
ersl OF my great-uncle's songs to music
and he wishes me to sing them