MDLLE TREBELLI INTERVIEWED.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1290, 19 November 1896, Page 10

MDLLE TREBELLI INTERVIEWED.

Of all the singers who of late years have ventured from the musical centres of the Old World to win fresh laurels in Antipodean fields, none perhaps lias come with more certain assurances of success than Mdlle. Trebelli. The daughter of the world-famed Madame Trebelli, Mdlle. Trebelli has inherited her vocal powers, and these, perfected by early and unremitting study, have placed her in the front rank of European concert singers, To a charming personality the young cantatrice adds a frank and unaffected manner, and in conversation with our representative, although freely confessing her distaste for that modern species of inquisition—the formal interviewer — responded readily to the enquiries of the inquisitor with relation to her career [as a singer.

“ I was horn in Paris,” said Mdlle. Trebelli, “ but first studied singing under Charles Santley, afterwards, by his advice, returning to my native city for the purpose of continuing my studies in vocalisation and florid music with Wartel. Crossing to England again I made my debut at St. James’ Hall, London, and, although having commenced my public career, still continued with Santley in order to perfect myself in oratorio work. After singing for some time both in London and the provinces I made my first Continental tour, since when I have appeared in Holland, Poland, Russia and Italy. I next went to America, and sang at all the great festivals in one season—Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Columbus, Springfield, Pittsfield and Boston —appearing in the lastmentioned city with the famous Symphony Orchestra. Cincinnati, continued Mdlle. Trebelli, is a highly musical city, where .biennial festivals are held on the same scale as the Handel Festivals in London, a special pride being taken hi the production of new or little-known works. I was engaged for the soprano role in the performance of two acts of Rubinstein’s opera, “ Moses,” and I can assure you that I found the music much more difficult and trying than any of Wagner’s works. The hall in which the festivals are held has seating accommodation for 7000 people, and is built entirely in wood. When you go to Cincinnati this building is pointed out as one of the oldest in the town, and when natural curiosity prompts you to enquire its age, you are told 12 years.

“ Quite antique, isn’t it ?” said Mdlle. Trebelli, with a silvery laugh. “After touring America I journeyed in the early part of last year to South. Africa, intending to stay there for a brief season, which eventually extended over seven months. Luring that time I sang in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Kimberley, Grain, imstown, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth and other large towns; of course, including Durban and Capetown. After giving eight concerts in Johannesburg, I was brought back 1200 miles for a benefit concert tendered me by the ladies of the city, which proved an enormous success, and a similar compliment was subsequently tendered me at Bloemfontein.

“ South Africa,” said Mdlle. Trebelli, enthusiastically, “is a paradise. Life there is so easy and the people so hospitable that one cannot help falling in love with the place and its customs. Leaving South Africa, I came to Australia—but, there, I daresay you know all about that.” “What music do you prefer singing?” asked the scribe nervously, knowing full well that he was trotting out a good old stock question.

“ There, I was sure you would ask that,” said Mdlle. Trebelli laughing heartily, “ but I cannot answer it, for I like ail styles of music, providing the music is good.”

Mdilo. Trcbelli thinks the Australasian climate peculiarly adapted to the production of good voices.