Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-20

After her italian debut, April 80,
1879, engagements followed fairly quick
ly in st. Petersburg, Russia; 8 in the
Grand Opera House of Paris, France; in
the Academy of Music In New York,
and in London. She sang for six sea-
sons with the De Reszkes, and during
her association with the Metropolitan
Opera Co., during the latter half of the
nineties, she was a mamber of that
dazzling list of stars that included Sem
brich, Melba, Calve, Schumann Heink,
Jean and Edouard de Reszke, Maurel
Campanari, Plancon and Bispham. She
was acknowledged mistress of all the
Italian opera roles, especially those of
Verdi's works, and also became particu-
larly noted for her singing of Wag-
merriam operas. Two outstanding events
during her operate career in America,
her native land, were her singing of
the title role in LA Gioconda," which
was given as the opening opera for the
Boston Opera House, and another ap-
pearance when she was presented by
admirers with a tiara of 233 diamonds.
In the Fall of 1918 Nine. Nordica
began q tour across the country, bril-
liantly successful, clear to the Pacific
Coast, where she sailed for Honolulu
and met with an ovation there. Then
on TO Australia, where she became i'll,
Uut TCluScQ 10 0TCdk COIllEdCIS 4OI Lille
much-needed rest. Nordica developed
pneumonia, and was detained on
Thursday Island until March IA, 1914.
She then continued her journey. to
Batavia, Java, but died there May TO-
1t is planned by the association, organ
lied by the Pennington Chamber of
Commerce, to restore the birthplace of
Nordica, completely refurnishing it with
her family's things and other articles
81 I~N frI - lN,.s.. L.
mains to a tomb near her birthplace.
be the greatest dramatic soprano, even
in that period of many great singers.
She not only had wonderful natural
voice but also she had charm of per-
sonality, rare dramatic gift, and the
most essential capacity for concen-
trated, patient study.
Baker Paints Prina Donna.
Mr. Baker, then q very young artist,
yet already having attained measure
of fame, painted the portrait from
which the above photograph was snap
ped, beginning 1t in December, 1910, in
Boston. He also had SittingS for 1t in
New York and at Deal Beach. The size
of the painting is 42Sl by SO inches
1t was exhibited at the Boston Opera
House In 1912. The showing was by
invitation of Henry Russell.
Other paintings the Washington art
ist made of Nordica are Nordica as
Isolde 1.-TWO sittings only, So by "a
ncheS) and as Brunnhilde (made from
small sketches made from life. with the
singer in costume, at Deal Beach, In
1911, her coachman holding her horse
90 by SO inches. There also were por-
traits of John O'Neill, the famous
singing maestro; of George w. Young,
husband Of Nordica, and of Mrs. j. LIE
Roy Atwell. wife OF the famous come
dian and stepdaughter to Nordica.
Mr.. Baker mentions several incidents
that show the modeSty and earneStness
of the singer. She used to get quite
disguised with her head-tones when
practicing, and would walk back and
forth from the piano, practicing vocal
exercises. She would say, why is it
that cannot get them when almost
every 2-cent artist CAM" She also
said at dinner one night that only once