Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-03-17

II one may not near IetFaZZlnl, one
may hear Regina Vicarino and be re-
warded. II is a source OF wonder
where this apparently frail singer
gets the force to produce such won
derfuily clear, strong notes; how she
runs the scale with such apparent
ease and control
Off the stage Vicarino is as uncon-
scious of her power as a two-year old
child in pinnafores. When a reporter
for the Star-Bulletin found her in her
rooms In the Moana, she was deeply
engaged in sending out acknowledge
ments to those who had sent her
floral tributes.
Though very unlike the impulsive
Adaberto, Vicarino Is as sweet in her
own way. While her features, dark
hair and complexion are those of an
Italian, Vicarino insists upon being
put down as an American production.
II come by my dark hair and eyes
naturally" said she, 'for my mother
is Of French descent, and while father
was Swiss and grandfather and great
grandfather, we can trace our an
cestry way back to Italy"
Though none of the prima donna's
relatives are professional musicians,
both her father and mother sang In
the church choirs. When Vicarino was
seventeen she, like the. others, was
sent to music master. "At that
time," she said, my voice was small
but 1t kept getting bigger and bigger
and kept doing more tricks until final
ly decided to go into grand opera /
don't know what made me want to do
operas for though heard some good
singers | did not go to the opera very
much. Perhaps 1t was because liked
the arias which ! had sung with my
teacher"
Five years ago the little lady de-
cided to go to Italy though an uncle
who is practically the head of the
house advised her against any such
proceeding. None of your family has
ever had wonderful voice and Meth
er have you," were his encouraging
words.
Her Mind Made Up
Vicarino had Already made UP her
mind, however, and she and her
mother embarked for ITALY, the land
of great singers. 1t must have been
the enthusiasm Of youth that carried
her through, for when she went to
Italy she could net sbealr a word or
Italian She studied for six months
and learned five or six operas, then
started out looking for an engage.
ment. She finally met an agent from
the Island of Malta who, after hear
ing her sing once, signed a contract
for six months and in her own words.
at the magnificent salary of sixty
dollars a month" That was five years
ago and since that time she has
learned and sung twenty-one operas,
Learning an opera, understand. is very
different from learning drama; for
one must know the traditions con-
nected with the opera as well as the
opera itself.
After remaining in Italy year
Vicarino returned to America and
cince that time has sung mostly in
this company. She has played small
parts with the Metropolitan Company
but until a short time ago was not
very well known. Since she appeared
in California, however, her fame has
been sung from coast to coast. Sem
DITCH UtedIu uCT anu Hh0O u0T. udl
great prima donna fancied vicarino
because she says that the coloratura
sopranos are disappearing and as she
is one herself, she is interested in the
few that are left When she passes
on she wishes to bequeath her mantle
to one of the younger singers and has
already invited Vicarino to train with
her next summer. II Vicarino's voice
improves in the coming years as it
has in the past, who knows but the
mantle may fall on her young shout.
ders? All who have heard her in Ho-
nolulu will surely wish that it may.
II is well known that most grand
opera stars live for music. Not SO
Vicarino. or course music is the
greater part of her life but she is
keenly interested in everything about
her, and very much so in her hus-
band. for she is bride of but a year.
What do you, think of the Homo
lulu audiences in comparison with
those on the mainland?" she was
asked.
"They are more lenient, perhaps il
not quite so enthusiastic. Speaking
of enthusiastic audiences the Cubahs
are more demonstrative than any
people / have ever played before