Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-10-15
cMatters
All is Not Temperament
i'm the Lives of Singers

Manifestations Of so-called tempera-
ment hold second place to wit, humor
and unusual pranks in the lives of
great stars of the musical world, as
/ have known them, says Merle Armi-
tage in the Los Angeles Times. Most
ali great artists have a keen sense of
humor about everything under the sun,
except themselves. Perhaps it is the
same ego that gives them the courage
and belief in themselves to make a
career, that also distorts their vision
when it comes to themselves. How
ever, most of them are really charm
ing.
John Mccormack is a highly COM
plex individual. He is q collector and
connoisseur of fine v~iolins, of old mas
tiers and modern paintings; is a boxing
fan, a tennis player and a fine pianist,
in addition to being one OF the worlds
I great singers. His sense of humor is
great.
One night at dinner a man vas in
troduced to Mccormack just after the
noted tenor had returned from a hunt
ing trip, during which he walked many
miles. Mccormack, to make converse
ton. mentioned the length of this walk,
! saying that he was sore as a boil. The
| stranger tactlessly remarked that if
Mccormack would walk that far every
day, he would "soon get down to my
size!'' Yes, responded the singer"
and l would probably sing like you do,
too"
Mary's Manuel.
Mary Garden has a reputation for
| doing the unusual, and for having a
terrific temper. ] have never known
her to lose her temper unless there
! was ample cause for it. But she has
wit. A very few years ago on a long
concert tour she turned every ap-
pearance into gala affairs, and some
thing unusual happened every night
she sang. She played the game for
all it was worth. Babies were kissed
in the best political style. Programs
and photographs were autographed By
the score.
One night in Indianapolis where, g:
usual, the house was packed to suffo'
cation, we both noticed two empty
seats in the front row, and commented
on 1t. I assured her they were sold
Half way through the concert two
men took these seats while Garden wa:
singing, she walked to the side of tbs
stage nearest to the late corners ant
asked with a smile What detained
you gentlemen? ?" No one but a vaude
Vile performer could have gotten away
with 1t. But Garden did it and theI
liked it hugely.
In Tulsa, Okla, it was raining pitch
forks when we arrived there. Garder
hurried to her hotel, and we hearC
nothing from her all day. About
o'clock / knocked on her door and tolC
her / wished to introduce a reporter
| She answered that she was in hel
bath, but that If we would come into
her living room she would talk to us
through the bathroom door. Amid
sounds of splasbing, the reporter got
his answers.
Have you a message for the people
| of Tulsa 2" the reporter inquired. Mary
| remembering the rain outside, shouted
an epigram that was used next morn.
ing on the front page. Tell them
Mary said, ito trust in God, but keeT
their feet dry"
Ruffo Meant Well.
Titta Ruffo is q genial soul, be.
sides being one OF the greatest sing.
ing actors today. He hears many
young aspirants who think they car
sing, and to all he gives friendly ad
vice. Not speaking English, he wanted
to give a personal touch to an inter
view with a particularly talented
youth. As the happy young singer
was leaving, after having talked witt
the great Ruffo through an %interpretel
when Ruffo grasped his hand in
friendly fashion and said, How d.
you do! How do you do! Ruffo il
one of the highest priced singers il
the world and with his money sup
ports many charitable institutions
both in America and Italy. To hi
friends he is a prince of a gentleman
CALI Curci is what Americans woul,
call a good sport. At a concert which
we handled at Notre Dame, Ind, al
Abandoned gymnasium was used. and