SHOWER OF FRANCS

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 20 June 1931, Page 9

SHOWER OF FRANCS

An Operatic Coup

X>EFORE the time for her second debut arrived Melba had become the favourite artist, of ' the British Court, although owing to her friendship with Queen Victoria, Madame Albani always remained the .favourite artiste of the Queen. With renewed vocal achievements and experience on the operatic stages, especially at Paris, Melba came and carried everything before her, writes Hugo Gorlitz in the "San Francisco Chronicle.” The Eoyal box was never empty when she sang, and no private party was given in society eireles at which the Prince of Wales, later King Edward, was expected' without the engagement of Melba at a fee never less than £SOO. She would have married Paderewski, but lie never asked her. Haddon Chambers, the famous Australian novelist, had a summer cottage, "The Quarry Wood Cottage,” at Marlow on the Thames, at which Melba was not only a frequent visitor, but a one-time lessee. This cottage was, for many a summer, the rendezvous of great artists, among them Paderewski and Nikiscli. One need not be surprised, therefore, if the • rumour got about that there might be an engagement between her and Paderewski! When the Manhattan Opera House, Xew York, showed visible signs of decadence, Oscar Haminerstein woke up to the fact that something big must be done t'o save the ruin. He quickly realised that only such a great attraction as Melba could save the situation. So Hammerstein went to Paris to secure Melba’s J services. v When he met Melba at her hotel in Paris ho said to her: "I’m out to do big things in opera. I am building the biggest and iinest opera house in the world and can’t do without you. I want you to come and sing.” She declined even after he offered her 1500 dollars a performance. Then commenced a verbal fencing match between Melba and Hammerstein. He raised his offer from 1500 dollars to 2000 dollars. Melba left, declaring: "If you offer me 20,000 dollars I shall still say no! ” For a month he called every six days, each time raising his offer by 500 dollars. Then Hammerstein decided on his coup. Melba was in her bath when Hammerstein came hammering at the bathroom door. Melba ,iust put her head through the opening of the door and shouted: "What do you want now?” "Never mind about that 3000 dollars I offered you last,” Hammerstein replied. "You are going to open in ‘Traviata ’ at the Manhattan Opera House! ” - To Melba’s astonishment he drew from his pocket a bundle of 1000-franc notes and began scattering them all over the carpet in her sit-ting-room. Melba was so surprised that she could not say anything. Before she could recall him Hammerstein had swept out of the room, shouting: "I can’t wait! I have to catch a train.” That 100,000 francs—in other words, 20,000 dollars—did the trick. None but a fool could refuse such an offer. So Melba rescued the Manhattan for tho time being. Melba left a large estate, for. besides her share of her father’s property, she earned a lot of money, and had her affairs managed by Alfred do Rothschild, the music-loving banker, who invested much of Melba’s money in the London Taxi Company, which alone gave her a fortune.