The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-09-04

opera company, figured very proni- | nently.
 When young girl of 15, this lovely | Annistonian, then residing in BIT
 mingham, went to Atlanta. to attend
 grand opera. Having been told by her l friends that some day she would be | able to do great things with her voice, she Inmediis'tely fastened her hopes upon the Metropolitan stage. | While her friends encouraged ca
 reer for her, many members of her family opposed the idea, The only | encouragement at home being re-
 ceived from her sister, Rose, the vio- | linist, and from an older brother, a l physician in the west The brother | also thought highly of the voice Of his pretty youAe sNter, and encour- aged her in studying ana looking tc the future with him to back her. He sent her to Atlanta. to hear the bril- | liant galaxy of musicians who ap- pear there in opera, and at that time | she met the chorus master of the Metropolitan, who on several momen- tous occasions figured in her career. Knowing that Mir. Otto Kahn would be in Atlanta at this time, this young girl wrote to him and asked him to hear her sing. He made an appoint
 ment to see her. but was called to New York before the time arrived. However, he wrote her that she was to meet one who would be of more l importance to her Mir. Setti, chorus master of the Metropolitan. She met him and received from him favorable
 comment on her voice, the advice that she must go on with her training and ] at some future time appear before him in New York.
 Time passed and the singer went on
 with her work, always under opposi- tion from her parents. and several
 brothers and sisters. In the mean time Dr. Fabian, who had been her guide and counsellor, died and only
 because 1t was his dying wish was she permitted to go to New York to pur-
 sue her studies. The two sisters.
 Rose and Mary. with little else but their talent and the courage of youth.
 departed for the east and the fulfill
 ment of their dreams. Upon arriv- ing In the metropolis, Mary. feeling that she was not ready to meet Mr.
 setti. although she had studied a
 number of years. had an interview
 With Rosa PonseiIe. who consented
 to hear her sing. and being interest,"
 ed took hsr to Mir. Romani, under
 whom sho studied for several years.
 ihioubu iNood onpoiiot tHe l girls met many charming people of
 the musical world. Upon one occa-
 sion, which happened to be n Hal
 loween party at the home of the great 1 Ponselle, Mary met again MT. sstti
 Late in the evening, seeing that Mr Setti was watching her and realizing
 that he was trying to place her among | those whom he had known, Miss
 Fabian went direct to him aHd snok $
 ts him in his native tonsus sayinsi You do not remember ms, do you?'
 "I cannot recall where I have seen
 you" said MT, Sstti. De ysu rsmsm- Der years ago in ths ssVth | littls ] girl who sang fer yeus" Thea as quick as flash caiHs sths Feniy, 'ph, yes, in Atlanta, Ga" The eeHxsrss- :
 tion that followed was regarding hef
 work, and again hs encouraged her
 This was the second time sine met the 1 great chorus masteS:
 After years of strussiss Rf msns
 kinds, but with perfect hope and con fidsHca, giviRs hsF time to her toic |
 culture, dramstie lessons, French, German and Italian, ths SeiaeR hour
 arrived whsn the lovely siasae fsss4