MISS ANNIS MONTAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 92, 19 April 1892, Page 5

MISS ANNIS MONTAGUE.

AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW,

Mis* Ann is Montague, tho brightest' star

it, the Montacjue-Turner Opera Company*

was interviewed at the Prince Arthur Hotel by a Star reporter this morning, by ar ratigerntsnfc with that most enterprising of advance agents, Mr Duncan McCalluir. Tho interview took place in n large and airy sitting room, which has been soft apart for Miss Montague's use, and the interviewer wna most cordially welcomed. Miss Annie Aiontaguo is a young lady of most vivacious temperament, brJEfflfui of life and humour, captivating fr* manner, and possessed of a iund of an«sfdofce that makes her a most highly interesting conversationalist. With so many at)tractive qualities in private life, one OS£* easily understand that with her graas vocal and dramatic talent sho should be one of the greatest favourites on trw operatic stage. "Am I to'bo put upon my oath ?" Miss Montague asked, smilingly, and the query having been replied to in the negative, the celebrated vocalist proceeded.

Well, I was born ab Honolulu—of peer but honest parents—that's the usual thing, is it not '!

Yes, but it does nob convey much in formation, doe 3it ? Your father-

Well, my father was a clergyman, and caino to Honolulu from Danbury, Connecticut. My father and mother were the first missionaries who were sent to tha Sandwich Islands, and there I wa? born.

Then you are of Hawaiian birth, and I presume you speak the native language? Yes, I was educated in Honolulu till 1 was of the age of hfteen, and I speak the Hawaiian language. 1 can make tha Maori? understand me too, speaking in tho Hawaiian dialect (and Miss Montague proceeded to relate an incident in proof of this fact!. 1 was on board a steamer on which were some gentlemen homeward-bound from New Zaaland. My sister and rayself were discussing the peculiarities of cur passengers in the Hawaiian tongue, when I observed a peculiar expression on the faca of one of our fellow passengers. Later oa the captain asked me to be introduced to this gentleman, and then I learnt tbafc be, being acquainted with the Maori language, understood every word we had said. Wo laughed heartily over the incident. Then y O u have been in New Zealand before?

Yes ; wo were in New Zealand in ISS3, and did splendid business.

V\ ill j T ou kindly explain how you were attracted to the stage 1

Certainly. I always had a strong attraction towards it. 1 have taken my mother's name of Juliet Montague. My mother was a beautiful reader, aid read a great deal to us. My musical fcnlenb is inherited from my grandmother, and also from my mother. My mother was, moreover, a highly-educated woman, and I have her to thank for much of the love that I now have for the drama.

I .presume you completed your musics! education on the Continent?

I had gone from Honolulu to B&lbimcra on a visit to my uncle, Mr Honry Stockbridge, a ver} 7 eminent lawyer. He heard me sing, and insisted upon undertaking at hi? own expense my musical education. Hβ took me to Paris himself, and I studied there for four years. Your masters ? I was under the celebrated WarfcelJ, a German by birth, but graduated intbeFrench school,and wasastudent under the celebrated tenor Mario, I was also under Nils?on and Irebelli Bettina, England's great contralto. I made my debut in Paris at the Rossini theatre, my master singing with mo for the iirsb time. Then I roade an engagement, by cablo, with tha Kollog'tT Opera Company. Then I had two years with Mari Rossi in Italian opera, an-I then I sang with Emma Abbott. Then my husband formed the present MontagusTurner Opera Company.

You were married, then, recently?

Yes, we were married at Honolulu in 1880, and King Kalakaua was present ati the ceremony.

The Company was formed in Sydney, waa it not?

Ye?, in Sydney, ten years ago ("And," Mr McCalluminterjected, "istheomylegitimate English opera company that has met with continuous success in the colonies.")

We have travelled all through America, Miss Turner added ; had four years in America and four years in Australia. We. have jnst finished a season in Sjdney. At Brisbane we played two seasons within the space of six months, and had packed houses every night,

You open in " Maritana,"l understaad?

Yes, that is Mr McCallum's choice. '•' Maritana " he regards as tbe most popular opera here.

I suppose you have your favourite operas '!

Oh, yes, there's " Lucie cle Lariimormooiy' "Mignon," Marguerite in "Faust," 1 and "Leonora :" these are my four favourite; operas, and 1 hope to appear in sacU of them here.

(Jan you recollect in which opera you made your debut ?

Yes, it \va3 in " Les Huguenots," in tho part of the Queen, and it was the raosL difficult role. 1 ever played. 1 have a repertoire of over 3? roles, but tho four operas I have mentioned are my favourites.

Are you fond of ballad singing ?

Yes, very, but I am more fond cf tragic opera than anything else. I never wiil forget a lesson that Kilsson gave mo. I was singing in my master's rooms, whon asked me to sing the " Last Rose' of Summer." My master had made me put in many variations in the sscor.d verse. Nilsson stopped mo. She said, " Montague, when you sing tx ballad, the moie simply you sing it the mora eilective you can make it. You have a chance for all that iilagree work and execution in Italian music, but when you sing a ballad sing it as tho words exprass it." I have never forgotten that lessor*. Your voice register is— My voice is nearly three octaves from F to E flat, and my voice is much broader than if. used to be, and softer.

Soini , l'urfcher conversation followed concernui-- the passage on "he Mararoa, which appears to have boen rather stormy, but. concerning the attendance ana cemferb of the vessel AJiss Montague spoke in tlio highest praise, and the interview terminated with mutual acknowledgments.