CHRISTINE NILSSON.

Otago Witness, Issue 1874, 21 October 1887, Page 33

CHRISTINE NILSSON.

Description of the Home and Surroundings of the Singer.

The home of Christine Nilsson in Ken--intrton court is one of the most luxurious honbomers in London. It may really be Inokcrl upon ™ her bridal bowor ' for PreVl'P reVl ' ously she occupied a house in Belgravia, which though very fine and expensive, was not half so charming as the beautiful nest in which the nightingale now reposes. I made one of the diva's company at her last reception, and pas-sod an hour or Uvo of that unalloyed Hijuyment which it. is occasionally ,/iv<')i us mortals to experience. The worldri'HOivwil .sonirsLress received me with en-if-ioUv/ and hospitable warmth al Ukj dour ollicr'dr.Lwin^ioom, an apartment crowded with artistic 'furniture, richly carved and Glided, embroidered draperies and an almost indescribable quantity of rare bibelots. Right well and happy does the celebrated sonjrstross look to-day in her dark blue gown o f satin-faced surah, made without train, high-neck and with the elbow sleeves which show to such advantage the white and shapely arms. She looks handsomer than she did a score of years ago when Cavanel painted that exquisite full-length of her as ••Ophelia," which hangs yonder. '• I was roune- and poor then," she says, stroking her now plump chucks, and by the useof the word ••poor" in t!"J sonse of " thin," showing how «rcat an inlluencj hf % r American, connection has had in forming her English speech ; for in Ei^'land " poor " and " lean " are not considered identical iv meaning. With a hearty admiration that has truth ringing in every syllable Christine speaks of her fondness for America, and her gratification in the knowledge that she is liked there. The fair Christine is now the Countess Cas.i de Miranda, and I was interested in the personality of her spouse. The Count is a slender man of middle age, of about Nilsson's own height, with dark complexion, and with eyes which require a circular, riinlesrf glass stuck in one of them only. Immeasurably proud, and naturally so, the good gentleman seems lo be fond of his renowned and Jasoinating wife ; and the pleasant little daughter, who has brought them together, flits°from one parent to the other, as joyous as ii bird in the sunshine. She is quite Spanish in her colouring, and though she has line, black eye 3, would scarcely be called a beauty. With the joy of happy motherhood and wifehood gleaming brightly from her sapphire eyes, Nilsson herself is a beauty, and her voice is the angel's prayer it ever was. — Correspondent St. Louis Eepublican.