LOVING, YET LEAVING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7055, 17 February 1910, Page 4

LOVING, YET LEAVING

Madame Alelba on Wednesday, tho 9th inst., left Alclbourno for London. The brilliant artiste has arranged to open th© season of opera at Cbvent Garden by singing the part of Desdemona in Verdi's opera “ Otello. 5 ' During her recent concert tour Aladame Melba had her greatest sufccess, in the a Pkayor Scene " _ from ei Otello/' On th© eve of her departure the lady .who has advertised Australia in Europe for more than twenty. years issued the following message; —• ; , . “ Before leaving my native land ; I

feel that I should express my gratitude for the many kindncs-'cs I have received and for the honours that have been showered upon me. I3y the prodigality of their- tribute* the public have made acknowledgment an almost impossible task. During a tune of constant travel and exacting public duties some kind -attentions may ha to been forgotten. This message is intended to make amends for any omission. Dolievo mo. 1 take my leave in a deeply grateful spirit. “ Early in my school days, long before my aspirations to an artistic took definite shape, 1 pledged unyself fancifully to min a universal fame, and associate it proudly with the land of my birth. One of the conditions which that endeavour entailed, and still entails, is absence from Australia. Stilly I came back with eagerness when:the' dream of my childhood had been realised, X have come in confidence again and again since that memorable home-coming in 1902, only to ‘find'an. ever-increasing welcome.,- No success has .ever brought me greater happiness, than that which I associate with the generous' enthusiasm of the, Australian * people. I go now to resume my , activities' in the older world. -I. know notVwhcn I may return, but I shalTcomeVback one day. Then I, hope -to reunite my, wandering spirit and my- untravelled heart, which has always been in,Australia, ’’