MUSIC AND METHOD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 48, 12 March 1903, Page 3

MUSIC AND METHOD.

AN INTERVIEW WITH MELBk. HER OPJNFON OF OTHER SINGE ES . kn interesting interview with Madame Melbi appears io bhc curreut nuinbor of the " Triad." No audience, it seems, cotrtea up to d German one io the dita's estimation for sympathy and critical Appreciation ; nevertheless the Las a pood woid for tbe audience to ithonl elie Bang in Nciv Zealand, Soins bints on v ice prodUciioii and training which Madatne M lba coi.fided to tbe interdewer will bB read with interest ry vocalists. "In talking of method in singinjj Madame toll's roe tbafc she tilwaVs stngn !n practising from .F sharp to D or E flat in ' altissimo ' Boftly, but in tbe middle register from F above middle Cto F an octave higher; she always nses tbe full volume of h- r Voice. ' And again, "in regard to breathing. Madame believes in being natural, as in singing, but most people had to be taught for many years to sing and breathe naturally-." Melfea believes in using as much L «f tile lulltgs as possible in breathinp, and to tiilr) end not only must tho intercostal muscles be used Id respiration- but al o Ibb dlapuragih, lhe breathing should l'<J haSrur;, noticeable. fclelba herelf utujied under the celebrated Movohesi, but did nyt follow the Jatter?s method in i!s vjijtirety, prei'eViiug fo work but variouspoints Jn vcice production for herßelf aad in her own way. Iq other wordß, she usoo her brains as well as her voice, Uarchosi is now over ( Jgbty, and Madame Melba knowa of no othtr teacher in Europe who can be called preal; Neitlufc has she Conic across any young singers who gi7e ptoniipo of equalling the loading artists of to-day. She " <lobb not think touch of Amy Castles Vehabco of developj in.* ittto a pbeat vocalist." Ada Cvotr- ; ley J 6 voico wins her approval, .although she condsiders jfc inferior to CLara Bnlfr's. The verdict regarding the latter Is enrphalic. though, deddscly iolnnt-" A God-g;-ca. Voice, but no brains." Melba warns young a-.pir.ints to vocal fa ma againbfc seeking to gain a f oting in tbe Old World without tho assistance of a fairly long purse. For a needy,, pi tist it fa a hearl-bie&kinir ania iivell nigh .bopelebs struggle, ,for recognition comes but 310771y. if at all. In tbe coarse of the interview Machine ' Melba admitted the authenticity of a story which had been frequently told re- j garding her firßt appearance as a vocalist, ! at the age of elovtn. After the concert, to the story rans, she had eagerly sought out her girl chum, a.Dd asked her what she thought of the ilia verdict of tbe, little c'rilic. was as crnnhiug as it -was unexpected—" 0, Nellie ilitchell I saw your petticoat I" '