The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-07-14
TIL Lice
.O1c11 Life
Says Singer
BY MARROW HALE
NEA Service Writer

Retirement means the beginning o.
an exacting new adventure to Ger
eldine Farrar.
Back at her handsome country
estate here after a spectacular thir-
ty-year career in grand opera, Miss
Farrar has no intention Of playing
an unfamiliar domestic role or be-
coming a. placid suburban matron
Am I going to keep house OF
cook? heavens mol I never
learned TO cook in my life and I'm
a terrible housekeeper. have one
of the best French cooks in the
world.
She has been with me fifteen
years, and if I spent the rest OF
my life trying I couldn't boil water
as well as she does. I've never liked
to sew or do any of the housewifey
things. To pretend any such inter-
est now would be a sham. ="
Determined to Retire
Such is the beginning of Miss
Farrar's declaration in independ-
ence from the stage where, be-
tween the ages of 10 and 40. she
has been an international figure.
And Miss Farrar insists that she
is forever through with the theater.
She even has disposed Of the cos
tunes she used in opera, and to-
ward which she had more than a
sentimental affection.
Admittedly a hopeless roman
tic" and intending to stay such,
Miss Farrar is planning more than
one pilgrimage to sections Of the
world where she has been before
as luminary of the operate world.
If necessary, she will travel incog-
nito so that she can sit back and
watch the whole show" without be-
ing disturbed"
The mere thought of such a re-
lease from past restraints and fears
brings a contented sigh.
Led Life of Denials
1t seems that a great artist is
trailed by an endless retinue of pre-
cautionary admonitions. The pre-
cious throat" is always guarded.
And Miss Farrar is a person Of
many interests, with a personality
that seems to become more vivid
with the years and a maturing
charm.
Her hair, simply waved, is strik-
Ing study in gray tones. Her girlisn
eyes are quite as animated as her
expressive and emotional gestures
You know" she went on, II can
even daub my face with powder if
want to. OF course, you have
heard how careful they are about
powder in the opera. It's taboo
because it gets up your nose"
Temporarily she will stay close
to her country place here because of
her elderly fathers state of health.
She keeps seven servants, most Of
whom have been with her many
years.
She's Always Busy
She has had the same manicur-
list for more than twenty years; the
two daughters of her old wigmaker
served her up to the moment she
left the stage and now looks after
her hairdressing; the same boot
maker looked after both her stage
and street shoes almost from the
day she made her first appearance
in New York.
Does she find retirement monot-
onous after so many years of &C
tivity? Miss Farrar laughs at the
idea. 1t seems there's something
doing every minute.
I've been in my New York place
as much as could" she says. I'll
give you an idea of just one weeks
program. I have a playmate.
She is wealthy and brilliant
woman bit older than myself, but
interested in much the same things
am. She is fine musician with
out being professional.
Thrilled by Illusions
Then, in season, I attend all the
symphonies and as many concerts
as 1 could crowd in. I even found
mycelf going to the opera-and I'm
going to the opera all over Europe.
I'm going to be one of the audi
ence and join in the shouting and
. applause and have a grand time
doing it. It's lots of fun sitting
back and watching the people you
know at work.
I'm movie fan. go to hun
dreds of movies. They are full of
beautiful women who appear to be-
lieve that acting consists of picking
up a cigaret, taking a few puffs
and turning around. Watch some of
the old-timers, like Marie Dressler
or Majorie Rambeau-and you'll see
some of the old fire; something
that's inside coming out.
BIames Modern Times
THE same thing is affecting
opera. We have lovely girls with
lovely voices. But they're all too
impatient now, it would seem. They
don't seem willing to spend the nee
eSsary years. OF course, you know
what happens. A good-looking girl
gets some overnight praise and the
talking pictures grab her up at a
tremendous salary. You can't blame
the girl. She wants money and
success and comfort. I'm not hlam-
ing anything or anybody-it's the
times" she said.
Following her first radio broad
cast recently, she arranged for two
or three more during the winter 10
round out" the 80 years that be-
gan when, as girl of 10, she tri-
umphed at Berlin premiere,
There may be few more concerts
hut lAa..nr. H. .-..n...,