Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-01-24
PEGGY CENTER, FOR WHOM HAWAII HOPES MUCH

Peggy Center became Peg o. My
Heart" for all Honolulu last night
when she made her debut as a singer
before an audience such as has seldom
been equalled in the long and pietures'
que history of the famous old Hawaii.
an Opera House. 80.
AS the daughter of Hawaii bowed
and smiled out at her numberless
friends In the crowded auditorium and
began -hergopeHing number, the cor.
dial applause that had greeted her ap.
pearance on the stage died into in
tense silence. OF the many hundreds
not one but was waiting for the first
notes OF Peggy's song to tell whether
the young girl really has the vice 10
warrant the golden praises that have
been heaped upon her. And then the
graceful. wistful melody of Neyin's
"One Spring Morning" floated out
over the auditorium in such sweetness,
such purity of tone that Honolulu
breathed perfectly audible sigh of
admiring appreciation and waited
through minutes of keenest pleasure
to express itself in Burst after burst
of applause. 49,. Pc. ..-.-
In the wings there stood woman
who waited for Miss Center's opening
song perhaps with as much eagerness
as any irS the audience, but certainly
with entire confidence in Peggy's
ability to convince Honolulu that she
has future bright with promise. The
woman was Mime. Nellie Melba, world
famous prima donna, and she must at
that moment have thrown her own
strength and temperament across the
intervening space to her protege be-
fore the footlights. For as Miss Gen.
ter sang, the splendid training she
has received under the Australian
diva was revealed in every note,
every phrase, almost in every ges-
ture. Peggy has studied faithfully,
and In some ways she is most mar.
yelously like her teacher and sponsor.
Triumph for Media, Too =
II was a triumph last night for Nine.
Melba not less than for Peggy Center.
The encouragement and the training
Melba has given to Peggy have taken
the young Honolulu girl fast and far
along the road that leads to recogni-
ton in the musical world. Her i'm
provement in seven months at the
Melba conservatory in Melbourne is
startling, It is a splendid augury for
the future. She sang in English,
French and Italian, showing a good
command of language, lingual adapt
ability which is hopeful, and the be-
ginning of a concert repertoire.
While this is not the first time som6
Honolulans have heard Peggy, it is her
first professional appearance, her de-
but in the realm of song since she has
chosen it for her life-field.
The evening was one of diversified
program and of many pleasant little
events. To begin with, Miss Center's
friends crowded the Opera House to
Overlooking, and the boxes were liter
ally jaInmed, while several score
stood in the rear. Such an audience
Insured a reception of the warmest
cordiality, and while doubtless some
thing of an embarrassment to young
singer in her debut, could not but be
an inspiration throughout the even
ing. The ushers were all girl friends
of the singer And flowers in tremen-
dous quantities went over the foot
lights. including huge lels of many
flowers, typifying Honolulu's aloha
for its daughter.
Other Features Are Enjoyable
Mr. Edwin Ideler, violinist, was
never better than last night His
numbers were given with much feel
ing and technical excellence, particu-
larry wieniawski's Souvenir de Mos
cow" The accomplishments both for
the violin solos and for Miss Center
were adequately played by Miss Pearl