Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-17
BE PRESTON WRIGHT.

NE evening e, Ing. at s, social E 2ahsc
woman, Amelia CALI, sang
~ the Caro- Nome" from
"Rigoletto" with such eX-
quisite beauty she moved the com.
pany to enthusiastic applause. The
performance was remarkable -
worthy of a professional.
In the company was Signor
Colucci, conductor of the opera at
Trani/ in the south Of Italy. He con-
sidered the singer and her voice with
mingled emotions.
He felt the delight of one who has
stumbled upon a talent Of the first
order, together with the pleased CRATE
fulnesS of one who has encountered
a great difficulty.
The season was at hand without his
having been able to obtain a Gilda
for 'Rigoletto." The opera at TRAM
was small so that Colucci could not
afford expensive principals. On the
other hand his audiences would not
listen to inferior voices. Until now
he had found no one who seemed
likely to provide him with a worth
while voice at low price.
Amid a buzz of conversation FOL
lowing an encore. he made his way TO
Signorina Calls side.
You have a great future" he told
the vocalist, who was but 20 then.
How would you like to come to TRAM
and sing in opera"
This is how the great soprano now
known to the world as Nine. Amelia
Galli-Curci obtained her first operate
engagement At TRAM, although she
was paid but 900 lire about 500 for
two-month engagement, she sang as
though she were an importation from
one Of the leading theaters. She was
an immediate sensation. 1t was ap-
parent that a great new Gtlda had
appeared upon the scene.
The immediate result was that with
the record of her success in mind, the
Young star went TO Signor Morichtni,
manager of the Costanzi Theater in
Rome-one Of the most important In
Italy-and asked a hearing.
Somehow impressed, he granted the
request Again her Caro- Nome" en-
gagged her on the spot at what seemed
a. fabulous salary of 500 lire a month.
The way was opened to a career
that has made her world figure.
Strangely enough, Galli-Curct was
not intended as a child to become a
vocalist. At five she showed unusual
talent on the piano. Enrico CALI, her
father, an amateur musician, and
her mother encouraged her to career
as a pianist She rewarded them In
her sixteenth year by winning the gold
medal of the Conservatory of Milan.
The Calls had their "at homes
each Friday evening. To these came
persons interested like themselves in
art, music and literature. And
among these was Pietro Mascagni, the
composer.
One night Mascagni sat at the
piano with Signorina Amelia, whose
career he had watched with interest,
tinged with pleasure when she won
the gold medal of the conservatory.
They were discussing BellinfS "Pu-
1itani," an opera of the fiorid type.
The score was before them and as
he wandered through it, playing a
bit here and a bit there, the composer
gave voice to comments and critt-
cisms that delighted and inspired his
l6-year-old protege.
After a time they came TO the ron
deau Amelia loved this refrain. To-
night, as Mascagni started to play II,
she felt an impulse to sing.
Z was seized by the mood she
said afterward. land l told myself, I
am going to sing out loud"
Her distinguished accompanist
opened his eyes wide as he heard her.
At the finish he turned to her with
an exclamation.
My dear GIRL" he said: You were
born for singing. Why don't you be-
gin a vocal career"
Amelita, her father and mother
we're astounded.
NJ voice seemed too small, the
Yes continued AIascasni, 1T is
small but the quality. is fine. And