Madame Belle Cole.

Evening Post, Volume XLVIII, Issue 29, 3 August 1894, Page 4

Madame Belle Cole.

In viow of the approaching visit to New Zealand of Madame Belle Cole, a few particulars concerning her career may bo of interest. An American by birth, Madame Cole displayed the possession of musical ability at a very early age, her firot instructor being her father, an amateur. Subsequently she underwent a course of training in New "Yqrk under Francis Gorlaoh and Madame Gage Courtney, [n 1883 Madame Colo, who had so far been singing soprano music, accepted an engagement as Oontfalto in Theodore '[liotnas' touring festival, and henceforth became a popular vocalist. Subsequently she appeared at varions musical festivals in New York, St. Lonis, San Francisco, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. During a short visit to England in the Jubilee year (1887) Sir Joseph Barnby, after hearing her sing, advised her to permanently remain there, and accordingly, though making occasional trips across the Atlantic, Madame Cole has considered London her home, and she has rapidly made her way into the front rank of English singers. Since 1889 the uif ted contvalto has taken part in nearly all the great musical events in the Old Country, and has on numerous occasions been commanded to sing before Her Majesty. She is -aid to have a powerful and pure contralto voice, to sing with intense feeling, earnestness, and expression, and to fully deserve her great popularity aa a ballad singer. Although Madame Belle Cole is the principal star, the other members of the company are all artists of London reputation. The first concert, as announced in our advertising columns, will take place at the Theatre Royal on Thursday, 9th inßt.