The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-10-20
MELBl BACK FROM
AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Thousands of Miles Travelled by
People Who Wished to
Hear Her Sing
DIVA MAKES DISCOVERY
Young Man Singing in I'M
proinptu Concert Discloses
Voice
DIVA MAKES DISCOVERY
LONDON, Oct. 10.

LONOON, OCt. ~
Madame Media. the world famed prssna
donna. has Just arrived in London after
her successful Australian grand opera
tour, which opened at Sydney on Sep
tember 2. 1911. Though the ordinary
prices we're trebled. thousands OF people
had to be turned away from the Austria
liam theaters nightly.
Madame Melba yesterday related some
interesting incidents Of the tour. 1T was
nothing but . succession OF tr!um phs.'
she said. THE people began to assemble
at dawn for the early doors OF the even
ing performances. At Melbourne the
crowd began TO assemble rs early as
o'clock In the morning for the perform
ancs 1t $50 In the evening.
Diva Makes o Discovery
1T vas . bitterly cold day. and at
o'clock. when there were upward Of a
thousand persons waiting. the manage
nent had not the heart to keep the peo-
pie out in the cold any longer. and threw
open the gallery doors. I had piano
sent up 70 the gallery. and the audience
arranged an impromptu concert. ] list
ened to that concert-and was rewarded.
Two important discoveries were made.
one being an exceptionally fine tenor
voice. The young man II now being
specially trained. and II my opinion
Counts for anything, London win hear
and applaud him ~ ! heard and applaud
ed him under such strange circum-
stances"
During one performance huge bouquet
was lowered from the gallery to the stage
by . strinA
1T was one Of the creates: moments in
my life.'' declared the distinguished
singer. when that huge garland OF now
ers fell into my hands 1t was the trib-
ute Of the poorest people in that vast
audience OF nearly 500. but valued II
most"
Asked what Vas the most striking fea-
fure OF her tour, Nine. Melba replied that
Il was the personal sacrifices made BY
many people to hear her. I was told OF
many cases where people had Travelled AL
night in order TO reach the sheater. One
case In particular was that Of woman
II believe she had turned eo-who trar-
eled from Thursday island to Sydney.
distance Of lido miles. Imagine her dfsap-
pc.ntment when on reaching her goal she
found that all the seats had been booked
weeks ahead. However. am glad to
say was able to hnd q seat for the old
woman after all. I was also told about
people who had travelled as many az so0o
miles to hear my voice"
Composition Of Chorus
One interesting feature OF the perform
ancex in Australia was the competition or
the chorus. The girls, for the most part.
we're Of the shopkeeping ciass. every one
of whom was conversant with grand
opera.
OF a certain walter Raleigh episode"
Nine. Melba speaks With keen pleasure
I'VE we're at BalIarat, and on leaving the
theater at the close OF the performances
found my way checked owing to mud.
rain having fallen heavily all day.
young girl took on her coat and spread It
over The mud in order that should not
so.! my satin shoes. Such II Australian
chivalry.''
Nine Melba one day tried to race An
express train in her motorcar for dis
lance Of 80 miles. The roads became 20
bad that the idea had to be abandoned.
Nine Aelba IL q stout opponent OF the
Sunday opening Of theaters- I think II
would be bad" she Gays. Every one
must have day Of rest am glad to De
back once again in London" she con-
eluded. ITO appreciate London you must
be away from IL for q time"