Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1925-12-17
AMERICAN GIRLS
IN GRAND OPERA
SUCCESS or TWO MIDWESTERN
GIRLS MAKES THEM GENDER
ELIAS OF GRAND OPERA"
LIZ PAUL ROBINSON


For years Europe has supplied the
great Metropolitan Opera in New
York City with its most superb
voices. This was true not only OF the
stellar roles, but also of the chorus,
which was composed almost to a voice
OF artists from Italy, Russia, Hungary
and other Continental countries.
This condition did not exist be-
cause it was the Metropolitan policy
to exclude American singers, not that
The conductors Disseminated against
cur native talent, but was in great
measure due to our unappreclativa at
titude toward our own voices of prom
Use. We were all laboring under the
impression that foreigners are mere
gifted, and are born with better vocal
equipment.
Then, too, the very mention of the
metropolitan" sends a thrill of awe
into every ambitious voice in Ameri-
ca, for the great temple of music has
long stood for the very best and finest
in ultra-quality opera.
Within its venerable walls, Caruso
sang his greatest roles, and the golden
throated Mccormick scores his tri-
umphs. The silvery voices of CALI
Curci, Shuman-Heink and Farrar have
made it's audiences critical. The peer
less Russian of whom noted author
ity once said, Don't die until you
have heard Chaliapin ,'still holds
the great Metropolitan throngs spell
bound, with his marvellous voice.
But the old order changeth, and the
bubble of tradition has broken.
Before many pages have been torn
from the calendar the great Metro
politan will resound with the golden
tones of two 100-per cent American
voices-Miss Marion Talley and Miss
Mary Lewis-the Missouri Valley
songbirds.
Miss Talley has been hailed as a
vocal prodigy, since she was heard
singing to her dolls in Nevada, Miss
ouri, her birthtown. When her father,
telegraph operator for western
railroad took Marion to Kansas City
she attracted the interest of Mrs. M
K. Powell, music critic, on the Kan
sas City Star, and other prominent
people there. 1t is to them that the
most of the credit is due for Miss Tai
ly's success, for they sponsored a
benefit concert that Melted the hand
some sum of $4,000. 1t was this mon
ey given from the hearts of her fell
low statespeople that made her Met
ropolitan contract a possibility.
With all her hometown folks wish
ing her luck, Miss Tally departed fol
New York, accompanied by hel
mother. She gained an addition with
the Metropolitan and they pronounced
her voice remarkable, but not mature
Remember, she was but fifteen, hard
ly more than a child.
There are but few instances on rec
ord where singers have made their de
but at such a tender age. Adelina Pa
til is one of them. She bowed to hel
first audience when but sixteen, anC
coincidental, the vehicle upon that oc
casion was Lucia" which is Miss
Talleys favorite opera.
Then followed a trip to Europe
where she studied under the best Ital
ian masters to be- found. When asked
about European study without which
it is supposed to be impossible tt
succeed, Miss Talley said: II didnt
find the teachers over there all they
were cracked up to be. All the grea
ones are over here"
Upon her return to America she
was Immediately signed by the Metro
politan Opera Company. The directors
expect to cast Miss Talley in lead
ing operate role within the. near fut
ure Probably this season.
Her success leaves Miss Talley un
assuming, quiet and as much in love
with the details of life as when she
was just Marion to her friends in Kar
sas City. She can bake, loves to keeI
house and do the busting, but cares
nothing about the boys. She says sc
herself.
Mary Lewis, another girl from the