The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
Is Not Seriously iii and Gave
Concert at New Orleans
Monday
MUCH INDIGNATION
is MANIFESTED HERE
Il Think 1t Is an Outrage" Says Pres
ident of Music Study Club-Said to
Be Only Manifestation of the
Singers Temperament

Information indisputabv authentic was
conveyed to officers of the Music Study
club yesterday that Madame Melba was
not seriously i'll in New Orleans as re-
ported, that she gave concert there
Monday night. that she had cancelled no
engagement except Birmingham, and that
Birmingham was singled out to be the
example of Madame Melba's '.tempera-
ment'
Mrs Charles j. Sharpe, president OF
the Music Study club. who regretfully
sympathized with the indisposed artist
in an interview yesterday morning. when
informed yesterday of the fact that the
singer was not i'll. could not find words
to express her indignation as we'll as
amazement that Birmingham should be so
badly treated.
II think II is outrageous said Mrs.
Sharpe. Il have never known of such
an inexeusable performance. 1t is so in
defensible that cannot find words to
express my intense Indignation.
II was not informed until a short time
ago that the report of Nine. Melbas ill
ness was untrue. l relied upon the verac-
ity of those who were in communication
with Mr. Shelby and myself, but it ap-
pears that we have been wilfully mislead
had hoped that we would be spared
such humiliation. but it appears that
there was no truth in the messages sent
here, or at least not enough to warrant
Madame Melba in disappointing not only
Birmingham, but the most charming and
cultured people of this state.
'The only information that | have fur
ther is that her manager is to be here
tomorrow, and that he intends to settle
every account. | shall be one that will in
sist that every copper be paid in full,
and not one cent be taken from the legiti-
mate expense incurred in this affair.
81 was informed that the Melba man
agement desired to substitute to the peo-
Bauer, as compromise. 1t is entirely
possible that Bauer is an artist. but l do
not think we should accept any eompro-
mise from them under the circumstances.
The fact that Melba is not i'll in New
Orleans, and did not cancel any contract
except Birmingham, is enough to alb
solve us from considering any further
proposal from this source
"In connection with the appearance of
Ignace PaderewslSi, ! was informed yes
terday that his management announced
that he would certainly appear here
later"
Among practically all of the ladies of
Birmingham interested in music, there is
intense Indignation by reason of the Mel
ba cancellation. One well known lady,
who requested her name not be used, was
outspoken In her bitterness toward the
artist She related that once In London
she was to attend Melba concert. She
said that a vast throng of persons was
seated in the theatre expecting every
minute to witness the raising of the cur
tain, when suddenly it was announced
that the madame was indisposed and
would not appear The audience was dis
missed.
Il tell you" said the critic, 'Melba is
subject to moves of this kind that have
caused her managers and friends embar-
rassment on many occasions. | grant that
she is old in years and is nearing her
course as a singer, but she does not pos
sess license to trifle with the public as
she did in London and as she is doing
by disappointing her Birmingham audi
ence.
II recall that one time she became
angered because Caruso received slightly
more applause than she when they We're
appearing together, and In front of the
audience, but not so it could be seen, but
where Caruso couldn't help it she pinched
him until he almost screamed, and she
almost tore a piece of skin from his arm
/ was told this by friend who knows
Caruso intimately, and whose version OF
the affair | have heard substantiated time
and again.
MADAME Meba is no doubt arranging
to retire or she would not wantonly
flaunt in the face of music lovers of the
south such insults she has given BIZ
rl,,,a,