The Washington herald., 1916-02-06

for her debut in my studio' De seru-
rola resented and they fought"
AS for Nam 'selle. she has little to say.
From "Florodora" to the Metropolitan
Opera is a dizzy climb and it's possible
that her head reels a bit with altitude.
After her "Florodora" and her Wiz
ard Of OF" days. Ma'm'selle Anna played
a leading part in Baron Fiddlestcks" at
the Casino. While she was in Lower
Berth 49," in Chicago. in 1910. Willie
Thorner persuaded her TO leave the
musical comedy field and study for grand
opera under his instruction.
After four years with Thorner she
went abroad. studying with Jean de
Reszke. whom she left to appear in opera
in Italy and Spain.
AS "Goyescas" is to be sung in Span
ish the choice for the heroine naturally
fell to Lucrezia Bori. The Spanish prims
donna. however, felt indisposed. She
just wouldn't sing. and It's an Ill wind
that blows no operate aspirant any good
Therefore the opportunity given Mann
selle Anna to appear in the supreme role
Of the new opera by Enrique Grsnadoa,
to be produced for the first time on any
stage at the Metropolitan Opera House
soon.
Most prominent exponent OF Spanish
music, is Enrique Granados. More Of a
genius than Debussy he has been called;
better balanced than Richard Strauss, full
OF vigor as Giordano and Leoni and re-
pIete with sentiment as the Russians.
Moussorgsky and Borodine He was
born in Lerida and at the age OF eleven
entered the Paris Conservatory, where he
studied with Diemer. Faure and Mar
montel
"Goyescas" is series Of incidents
based upon the life of Goya, the Spanish
painter. 1t was composed by Granados
for the French Societe Rationale, to be
produced at the Grand Opera House IL
Paris, at the beginning OF the season %
1914. The war came along, however, and
unset all plans II happened that Giulio
Gatti-Casazza, general manager Of the
Metropolitan Opera Company, was in
paris when the march OF the German
armies crushed out for the time being the
artistic life Of the French capital, and he
arranged a conference with Granados
AS a result the world premiere. wit
messed in New York, was not only q
novelty Of novelties Spanish opera
sung in Spanish-but II was attended by
the composer himself. In crossing the
ocean to see his work performed. he fol-
lowed the example Of Humperdinck.
saint-Saens, Wolf-Ferrari. and Puccini,
who also attended first performances OF
their works before New York audiences.
An interesting sidN-light is thrown
upon the character OF the Spanish COM
noser by the story of concert in BARGE
iona at which he appeared almost at the
outset Of his career. He entered the hall.
timid, hesitant, yet dignifed and serious
Thunders of applause greeted him
Play something! Play something OF
YOUR own!" the audience shouted He
hesitated. There were other great ar
lists on the program. But at last be
walked timidly to the piano and PLAYED
what he modestly called a sketch for a
symphonic poem" The sketch was what
is since known as his famous symphonic
poem Dante" a masterpiece Of con-
trapuntal vigor, admirably executed.
And to supplement the knowledge
gained for her new role while singing at
the Royal Opera Of Madrid and elsewhere
in Spain, Andrea de Segurola has under
taken to complete the initiation Of Ma
m'selle into the intricacies Of Spanish
impersonauon.
Ma'm'selle is proud Of a medal pre-
sented her by the Queen Of Spain.
and of another from the infanta. And
she is more proud-she arfirms with All
the soft French and Spanish idioms
which years abroad have put into her
language-of the role she is going to
play in "Goyescas." And yet-weu.
isn't there always some sort Of defunct
fly in the ointment?
Back in other days, it seems, was a
wedding. The natural result Of a we'd
ding is a husband, and such continues
to linger along Nam selle's way of life.
Did he encourage your singing" she
was asked.
Never. never! He thought had no
voice"
The inQuisitive one hesitated and
plunged boldly in "Is he-er-pleased
Have you seen him recentlyf"
He is in Canada" replied Ma'm'selle,
''but we took tea together about two
months ago."