OPERATIC STAR.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1336, 13 January 1912, Page 10

OPERATIC STAR.

AS GILDA IN "EEGOLETTO." Tlio discovery of a new star in the operatic world) Hiss Felicia Lyno, is hailed with rejoicing by the London press. Tho American soprano, who was recom> mended to Mr. Hammcrstein by Madame Melba, appears to bo an actress as well as a singer. The 'Telegraph" critio wrote of her first appearance as Gilda at Hammerstoin's Opera House last month i "In one sooond. Miss Felicia Lyno, a dobutanto here, stepped as Gilda straight into tho hearts of her largo public. What hor previous exporienoe has boen wo know not, savo that she' wasa pupil of Madamo Mathildo Marchesi, who in her time has surely 'trained' more operatio mes' than any other teacher. No pernicious pull's preliminary stood in her way. In any case, Miss Lyno, a petite, rather fragilo personage, has a voice of gold, clear as a bell throughout h compass extending with perfect ease to tho 10 in alt (as sho showed in 'Oaro Nome'), a stage presence that is quite charming, and an assurance that points to tho fact that she is an actress oi the type wo call born, and not made. With hor counten-' anco she acts as well as with her body and her voice—witness her ccstacy in the : iiie with the Duke in Act 2. With the voico of Melba-iike clarity and purity, . and the skill in its use of a Tetrazzini, it to bo wondered at that Saturday's audience waxed enthusiastic to an en- , tirely unusual degree, th°ir applause frequently limiting forth during the' actual' course of tho opera? The temperament) was there in abundance. So, too, the skill of tho singer and actress, and tho personal charm. Small wonder that Gilda was a ■ sympathetic cr.ature as represented by Miss Lyno." At -ding to tho "Chronicle," Miss Lyi performance gained ' largely from tho .1 . that her appearanco on the stage is so girlish and dainty, and that fiho'.ii' thus o v "' -to realiso tho role of the jest .'s you: ugh tor, as regards , hor appear; 1 ice. 'j. . ,11 its way, tended to heighten he effcct of her singing. M, Maurice lleiiaud ret .k! his success in his famous nlo of r, and tho Duko was the, new tenor. Mi . Orville Harrold. On the young prima donna's second appearance m tho part two or three nights later she received an ovation., . Round after round of applause greeted her from a house crowded from floor to ceiling. In t.lio Royal box sat tho ex-King of Portugal beating his palms together as enthusiastically .as the rest of tho autlionce. In another box was tho famous Mine. Albani, almost a countrywoman of the little American girl, smiling with delighted appreciation. On every side, in stalls and boxes, notable leaders of fashion and personages of society, and in tho upper circles the dense mass of tho musical public weie wild with cheering. At tho fall of each, curtain came a torrent of "Jjravou!" and the enthusiasm readied its v.ciiiln at tho end of tho opera. Everybody discussed the new singer; everybody'wanted to know all about lier, and wondered where sho had hidden bo long. Mine. Albani sent a most kindly message to Miss Lync, which was gTato'fully and almost tearfully appreciated. There wore many Americans in the house, and much delighted recognition of tho fact that tho now, but now famous, niglitingiilo, caioo from the groves of California. "She's American, I guess; we're there :'e, vt/u bet, was a loud exclamation in the stalls between tho acts, which evoked good-humoured acceptance by English neighbours,, A volley of handclap came from a nunerous TransAtlantic party, who ntarly filled a couple of rows of gents.