New-York tribune., 1922-06-25
Death Comes TO
Opera Singer Once
MeIba's PrOteSee

operatic stage as "Parkina,' at the
Cracmor Saniiarium, Colorado Springs.
on June 10. Nine. Parkina's operate
career was cut short by illness more
than ten years ago. She spent some
time at Phipps Santarium. Denver
later moving 20 Cragmor.
Born in Kansas City. she FIRST at
,racted attention when at the age Of
fifteen she sang at a high school en-
tertainmont at the Coates Thcatcr. She
had already been studying with the
late Mrs. W. G. Layton. a pupil Of
Lamperti and successful singing
teacher in Kansas City. Her pupils
singing impressed q musical critic who
attended this performance, and this re-
suited in word Of cpmmendation
which fired tho young girls ambition
with hopes OF future career.
Two years later she appeared at n
concert in the Academy Of Music and
her success confirmed the encourag-
ing aspect OF her first appearance. Her
teacher wished her 70 study with Nine.
Marchcsi. and Nine. Nordica, on one
OF her Western journeys. also urged
the young girl 20 90 abroad. Means
were found for the voyage and to pro-
vide for the expenses Of her tuition.
After six months in Nine. Marches's
studio. Nine. Parkina was advanced
to the operatic class and she soon at
tractcd attention at class concerts.
According 70 The Kansas City Star"
her first important success was made
/ on the occasion Of Nine. Marchesi's
jubilee, when she sang with several Of
the famous teachers best known pu-
pills. who were already filling engage
ments in European opera houses. In
recent review Of her brief career the
same journal commented as follows:
"The interest she aroused at that time
brought her numerous concert engage.
mcnts. Later she signed a contract
with the Opera Comiquc, and it was
there that she made her debut in the
title role Of Lakmc.'
Later Parkina went 20 London, whore
she was most cordially received. Nine.
Melba, who had determined that she
should sing with her at Covent Garden
in the regular spring season, planned
a good introduction for her. Every
where the new singer appeared she was
received with the most gracious cor
diality and often with much cnthusi-
! asm. Her engagements included pri-
vate house recitals as well as the most
formal concert appearances. She sang
before King Edward and was compli-
mented by his majesty.
At Covent Garden she sang the roles
Of Musette in LA Boh6me," Michaela in
Carmen Siebel in Faust" and she
also sang Saint-Saens's Helene" As a
result Of her successes in these parts
she made n three years contract with
the Covent Garden management, al
though released temporarily 20 make a
six weeks concert tour OF Australia. The
acceptance OF the Australian offer made
il possible for Miss Parkina TO visit her
old home.
Parkina's greatest artistic glory WAS
her singing in London. when she made
one Of the big quartet in LA Boheme," :"
Melba, Caruso and Scott being the
other three.
But no other event in her short career
was so afectionately recalled as that
homecoming night in Kansas City.
January I. 1905. when she sang TO the
capacity Of the entire Convention Hall
and shared honors with Melba. Il was
TO have been Mclba's recital. but the
great soprano willingly offered TO share
the program with Parkina when il was
learned that the young singer would
be in the city at that time.
Not only did Parkina share in the
program and the honors. but Melba
even played her accompaniments and
sang IN a duet with her 1t was a
great night for both singers and for
the big, friendly audience. Following
the recital little dinner was given,
and on this intimate occasion Mclba ex-
pressed great pride. called Parkina her
petite Melba' and told how she had
insisted that she change her name from
Parkinson to Parkina.