MELBA INTERVIEWD.

Evening Star, Issue 14034, 15 April 1909, Page 4

MELBA INTERVIEWD.

;■'•: A GREAT OPERA SCHEME. COVENT GARDEN P.JSPRODUCTION, CONCERNING CARUSO. [By Cam. Boy.] A call on' Madame Melba. in her sittingroom at the Grand Hotel this morning, made in company with her Airetralasian director, Mr John Lemmone, caused the reflection that Nature had dealt kindly ijuth the diva since her previous visit to the Dominion. Though Madame, when walking, limped slightly as the result of an accident on the boat after leaving Hobart, it seemed hard to realise that it was six years since the writer had previously in this City had a short chat with her on the occasion of her first visit to Dunedjn. Madame was enraptured with her overland trip from Invereargill, and enthused about Waihola Lake, which was in its most placid state. She had not failed to notice that Dunedin had built a magnificent railway station, and hoped that this first "impression" of the City might be taken as a general indication of its soliditv and prospeiily.

It was 3 a miracle that she had escaped with a sprained ankle when stepping down the stairway on the Melbourne steamer. There was a big sea on at the time, and the consequences of a similar fall twelve times out of the baker's dozen would be very serious. Everyone on the steamer was most attentive, and the stewardess, in the absence of a medical man, had rendered invaluable first aid. Yes, Madame had noticed the cable message published last evening concerning Caruso, but she was- inclined to think that the report was exaggerated. He had been working very bard, ami required a rest, but probably three months' spell would be found to bo nearer the mark than two years' absence from the stage. She had frequently 6ung with Caruso. Asked concerning her reported revisit to Australasia at the head of a grand opera company, Madame warmed up to the subject, and showed that the project was deep in her heart. "T have a great scheme in my mind," she said, "but whetlier I shall be able to carry it to a successful issue I don't know. I want to give grand opera in the colonies as good and as complete as it can be witnessed at Covent Garden. Of course, it would be a gigantic success, but unless I can get a guarantee the undertaking would be too stupendous. Another difficulty would be the buildings—the present theatres would not be large enough. My great ambition is to let Australians see opera done exactly as it is presented in Covent Garden. I shall be able to tell you more- on this subject six months hence, when I have gone more thoroughly into the question."

Asked whetlier any steps had been taken to give concrete form to her dream, Madame replied that when in Xew York recently she had discussed the matter with Mr Hamrnerstein. They were agreed that none of the theatres were large enough, and that possibly the Exhibition Building in Melbourne would suit, and she had said to him: " You build the theatres- and I will choose the artistes." The interviewer ventured the remark that the scheme was a bold one, and sounded somewhat Utopian. Was it really seriously meant?

Before a reply could be given Mr Lemmone stepped into the breach with the assurance: "If Madame makes up her mind to do a thing it is invariably done. In her lexicon, to quote Shakespeare, 'there is no such word as fail.' It is characteristic of her to always see a thing out once she takes it in hand." '" The ' scheme' is no new toy of mine," continued Madame. "When on my way Home from Australia two years ago I discussed it in Naples with De Sana, the then leading Italian impresario. De Sana, it may interest your readers to know, had at this time given three or four seasons at Covent Garden, where I have sung for him. We practically had fixed matters up, but alas ! he died a' week later from paralysis. Thus the realisation of my ' ambition ' got a temporary set-back. I have still hopes that in about two years' time, after my present contracts have expired, the opera scheme will be carried out." Her future engagements? Well, she was due at. Covent Garden for an opera season on May 16; in September she had to leave for Canada and America, to fulfil engagements till February; in March the English provinces would claim her attention; and in May another season at Covent Garden. Yes, "Call Boy" might say that August or September, 1911. would, she hoped, witness the production under her management of grand opera in Melbourne or Sydney. Would Madame like to pass a, remark before the interview closed ? •' Yes, just this: I have beard some very nice voices in Invereargill. It is extraordinary the good voices there are in this beautiful land of the South. Its climate must resemble that of Italy, because you hear the same sort of rich voice." The diva was finally asked whether she would like to give my lady readers an idea of her gown for that night's concert, and she replied quiazingly that I had not told her what the Garrison Hall was like. By this she meant that she always dressed according to the coloring in the hall. She never allowed her own dress to clash with that in the building. In Tasmania the other day she had to purchase some green drugget for the front of the stage after a visit to the hall, and fix it up herself with tacks! A pleasant ten-minutes' chat was brought to a conclusion by the reminder that the carriage awaited to take Madame to the Garrison Hall. "Don't forget to say," were her parting words, "that I fully appreciate the honor done me at the railway station on my arrival, and by the Liedertafel subsequently."