The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-04-25
Ky DOLLY
DALRYMPLE

N who was America's leading tenor. To- day. Orville Harrolds sensational suc- cess las. season at the Metropolitan Opera as Rodolfo in 'Boheme" and as Farsifal there is none whatever. It is a case almost of Harold first and the rest nowhere. Of course, by American tenor is meant one born and raised in this country, and the tenor with the romantic name and the handsome pres cnce is purely a native product, and N hat is more he received his musical, education in this country, Neverthe-i less, he has sung in England before enthusiastic audiences, and his appear = ances with oscar Hammersteins com- fany at the London opera House was ere of the big events of them usicaI season some seven 4 ears ago. Since then Oryille Harold has sung with the Metropolitan Opera Company in New, | York, as well as over the United States, and his appearance with the Society," of American Singers in New York a couple of years ago showed that his voice had gained enormously in teauty and power, while his complete control of his resources surprised and delighted his hearers. MT. Gatti-Cas-i saga heard him and offered him flat tering engagement. and he is now ons fl the prime musical favorites of the metropolis"
 Madame Florence Easton, the prm& donna soprano of the scotti Opera Com pany, had the good fortune to be allotted. by the eminent judge of the operatic capabiity, Mr. Gatti-Casazza to some Of the most difficult and trying roles in the whole domain of grand opera, and she has well sustained his reputation for man- agerial aeumen. During the 19l9-i9o season at the Metropolitan, New York;. Florence Easton has among others sung the leading soprano role of Rezia in "Oberon" and Kundry in "Parsifal," both of them supreme tests of the ability of a dramatic soprano. Her superb singing of the difficult aria, ocean, Thop Mighty Monster in the former, and of Wagner'5 sustained vocal phrases calling for in- tense dramatic expressiveness, was ae- claimed by the leading critic of New York She also sang several other lead- ing roles in manner which brought her fresh laurels
 Florence Easton was born in Micoies- boro, England but went with her family to Canada as very small child. She commenced the study of music at To- ronto and at the age of 10 made her first public appearance, not as-a vocalist, bas as a pianist. Later she returned to England and continued her studies at the | Royal Academy of Music London, where I.she discovered that she had a voice well | worthy of cultivation. Later she want to Paris to continue her vocal work. studying under eminent teachers. Having made successful concert debut, appear ! ing at Covent Garden. the home of the 1 royal opera she married Francis Maclen- nan. the tenor, and Came to the United States with her husband. She was en- gagged to appear with Henry Savage Company. and made her first appearance here in the role of Gilda in Rigoletto, ! with most encouraging success. She Eas | subsequently, engaged with her husband to appear at the Royal Opera. in Ber.n. l where she sang with great success lead- ing roles in Aida Butterfly which she will. sing here; "Boheme,' Faust ana other operas in the repertory, Fol- lowing this memorable engagement Miss Easton returned to London, where she created at Covent Garden the chief so- prano role in the Ricordi prize opera, The Angelus." She also sang Sieglnds in "Valkyrie,n Eva in "Meistersinger' and the title role in Richard Strauss' opera, "Elektar. After another engage ment in Germany she returned to the United States to sing leading dramatic roles with the Chicago Opera Company and with the Socety-of American Sing CTS. She was heard with the latter ore ganizaton by MT. Gatti-Cassaza and engaged by him to appear at the Metro- poitan, making her debut as Santuzza in 'sCavilera Rusticana.' Since then she has added success to success. until l now she is one of the principal attractions of New York S leading opera hprse