Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-21

Harmonious were the notes that fell
on the ears of that audience gathered
recently in Covent Garden TO hear the
world famous Melba in her farewell
concert, and harmonious as well are
the comments appearing in the press
of this country, where she was so
we'll known and loved, as from coast
to coast the paeans of praise arise for
a great artist.
"Melba has sung TO her last and
largest audience; for in addition to the
thousa nds who packed Covent Garden,
Including the King and Queen. there
were 100000 potential radio
hearers" says the Philadelphia Public
Ledger, as it records of this artist
that "a London public, always loyal to
old favorites. long ago crowned her a
queen of song. On this farewell oc-
casion." continues this paper. they
paid tribute TO woman who has
given lavishly of her rare lyric en-
dowment to the relief of suffering In
the work of the Red Cross the world
around, and whose name Is a house
hold word wherever musical art
means anything" That this farewell
appearance of Dame Nellie Melba
was as great a triumph for her as her
first appearance in that noted hall of
music" Is the opinion of the Water
town Daily Times. which declares
that "Melba, though of Australian
birth, may be considered as an inter
nationalist; whatever country she In
vaded she conquered with the power
of her voice. All the honors that
come to the musical art have been
given her. Her voice is imprisoned
forever on records and her memory
will long be kept by those who heard
her in person." Continuing, the
Times recalls with pleasure that
though America cannot claim Melba
as a native daughter, she was resi-
dent of our country for some time,
making frequent tours from coast 10
coast"
"Forty wears behind the footlights
in some of the most exacting roles Is
a record that will stand in the history
of opera" declares the Atlantic CITY
Evening Union. which states further
that Melbas position as one of the
queens of song is una sSailable and
nothing can mar it. She has given
delight to hundreds of thousands OF
listeners. and still to he able to thrill
audiences at the age of 60 is feat
that few of her rivals will surpass,"
concludes this journal.
Perhaps the most gratifying fea-
ture of the event was the fact that 1t
was not a 'benefit' for one whose
powers were waning or whose
purse was slender comments the
Kansas City Journal. as it notes that
"Melba leaves the stage while her
artistic sun is high in the heavens,
though she has attained her 67th
year, an age when vocal powers might
we'll be expected to show the erosion
of the years. But her concert seems
to have been as successful artistically
as 1t was from every other point Of
view." continues this paper. as 1t
pictures the final curtain falling ION
one who honored the field in which
she had been conspicuous for four
decades and amid the universal
plaudits of millions of admirers. y
The San Francisco Bulletin adds
it's recognition and applause.
saying: "A great artist becomes an
institution. and somehow institutions
are strengthened rather than weak
ened by the passing of the years.
Even when the voice has become
thinner and no longer sure of itself.
there will be tones recalling its earlier
glory. and in these an audience will
live again those moments Of ecstasy
when all the world seemed young and
full of song"