New-York tribune., 1912-08-11

HER DEBUT IN PARIS
Bessie Abott, Who Is to Sing in
"Robin Hood" Had Luck
at Start.

will be notable musical event for many
reasons. AS grand opera prima donna
Miss Abott has been one Of the most feted
and celebrated American singers who ever
captured the hearts Of Partisan theatre
goers. She now plans to remain In light
opera. the intention Of the De Koven
Opera Company, which produces Robin
Hood" being to place her at the head Of
the Opera Comique. which Is to have Its
home, when established, at the Century
Theatre. The Metropolitan Grand Opera
House will cooperate In the organization
OF the Opera Comique. which will be mod.
elled upon the lines Of the Paris house
of the same name. The full details will
be announced when Reginald de Koven
returns from Europe with contracts for
singers and composers
Miss Abott's success will beat fresh
hope into the pulses OF the thousand-odd
young Americans who are drudgins away
in European musical centres with only tbs
vaguest prospects for future success Yet.
on the other hand, q review OF Miss
Abotts successful career adds It's mite
of Encouragement TO the painful lessons
learned through the failure Of thousands.
Miss Abott, gifted with voice Of remark.
. able quality and so we'll trained that
| her technique is judged nearly havless
received her chance to display her ability
at so early an age only by virtue Of =
| lucky series Of accidents.
1t is probable that had not Jean Do
Reszke heard her sing at society enter.
| tainment in London she might not have
1 10
| afterward- IL Is probable that Co
quelin had not made her acouaintance on
shipboard and interested himself In her
she might not have had the training under
| Tidele. koenig and Capoul, high In the
| councils OF the Paris National Opera. that
| served her In such good stead later on.
| Had not Jean de Reszke again, and
through him, Gailhard, the famous direc.
tor Of the Paris Opera, persisted in they
| belief in tho young womane capabilities
under trying circumstances, her debut
| might not have been made under auspices
so favorable that she became information.
ally famous overnight
| Twelve years ago Bessie Aoott. than
known by her real name. Bessie PickenA
| was engaged in the uncertain but highly
lucrative work OF providing entertain.
ment for men and women OF social dis
t'nction. She and her twin sister. Jessie
were singing at private concerts and ex'
| elusive house parties. While they came
| OF one OF the best known families IN
| America, the Pickenses OF South Caro-
lima, who have supplied the country with
more than their share Of governors, Sen
ators and ambassadors. their particular
branch OF the family had suffered fnau'
cial reverses and depended more or less
upon the talented sisters for support
The girls were much IN demand, and on
one occasion, at least. their engagements
took them TO London.
AT a fashionable musical IN London
Jean de Reszke was among the guests.
| He was charmed with BessIe's voice, and
| urgently advocated that she should try
! for an operate career. Considering the
/ financial status OF the family, the ex-
pense entailed in preparation seemed
, very formidable. but upon NJ. de ResIkes
persistent advice the step was hnauy
taken. Miss Abott. or rather MISS PICK
ems, who had begun her musical training
under very capable Instructor, Nine
Ashforth. OF New York. determined TO de-
! vote herself exclusively TO grand opera
At this point Coquclin came upon tne
scene. He made easy the way for tn's
talented young American 10 SIP rsn'
into a prominent place in the opera !"
Paris. For three years she studied under
the supervision OF the very able ins'luo'
tors connected with this great INSTITUTION
and on November 81. 1901. Miss Apotb
stln Pickens. placed her signature 70
contract by which the Paris Opera c&Iied
upon her services.
The mamie OF Pickens. however, was
clumsy one for Frenchmen TO haha'e
At tie advice OF NJ. Gailhard, director o.
the Opera, the young debutants adop'eo
her mothers maiden name Of Aoooss
In circulating the announcements OF tns
Young Americans first appearah~
careless printer rechristened ner on
more, omitting the supernuous b 50 tns.
Elizabeth Pickens became Bessie Ap0'
for all time "a.
Miss Abott's debut was announced '''
the night Of December O. She w1
sing Jul!ette. and the role OF Romeo "'
assigned TO one Of the leading tenoIs o.
the Institution. This tenor. however u'
tected to the attention showered upon e'
fair debutante At the last moment ~
refused to take part In performsnce
which a young unknown was 70 DC INV
central attraction. 80 that another 'enV',
young man suffering from orohen,''
troubles, had to be routed out OF SICK
bed 70 take the part. Thus her success
was severely jeopardized. Yet IL nu'
be said that even under ideal conaiuoh'
her triumph could not have been mo''
complete From Juliettes opening az"
Miss Abott had the audience at her iee'
It is seldom that the Paris opera mas
been the scene of an ovation so unan'
nous, so pleasing and perhaps 50 un'
expected.
The critics did their share In maiSins
the young woman instantaneousiy ts
nous They not only granted her ras,
promise, they credited her with actua'
achievement From the day OF her aeo1'
the great critic in Paris has made u n's
especial business to sing her praises 'i'
Abott became rage and the news =.
her success hoated to all corners OF '"'
world. A
After this brilliant debut Jean de hesSn'
again took his protegee In hand. for
eral seasons the tenor and MISS Aoo'.
were more frequently associated win o"s
another on Partisan opera bills thah az
other singers. When Jean de Reszke 'ov"
his leave Of the stage he did so as hon.s.
with Bessie Abott once more AZ "'
Juliette. :,
A, intarestip1 uttIe story Is told VI