MELBA AND TETTRAZINI.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 11231, 21 March 1908, Page 2 (Supplement)

MELBA AND TETTRAZINI.

Tettrazini and her phenomenal triumphs as a colorature soprano has naturally led to many speculations concerning Mine. Melba, who has reigned so brilliantly in this domain of vocal art, right up to the time of her departure for-Aus-tralia. last year. Here is a specimen of American comment from a New York journal : — "How operatic stars cast their shadows before them, is illustrated in the Co'vent Garden case of Tettrazini. The real success of that lady with our 1 English cousins has given much food for speculation to those who; watch closely the playing of the operatic game. Several persons directly interested have made moves recently which will change the appearance of the board radically during the next twelve months or so. The question that has been not yet satisfactorily answered is this: 'Did Nellie Melba leave London and hie herself to Australia because Tettrazint was engaged for Covent Garden, and is Melba staying away from New York because Tettrazini is coming here?' The point is of vital importance in the circles directly affected, for it opens up many side thoughts and vistas. How was it possible for Tettrazini to get to Covent Garden with Melba a heavy stockholder and practical dictator at that Opera, musically and socially'/ Having sung there for four weeks, how was it possible for Tettrazini to secure the contract she has just signed for next year and two more seasons after that at Covent Garden? Both -in London and New York Tettrazini's roles are Lucia, TVaviata, Gilda, and all the other pet figures of the colorature repertory — in other words the parts that Melba has hitherto has made peculiarly her own. And the last named diva now cables from Australia that she. will stay there all winter! Do these signs portend the practical retirement or elimination of Melba from the field of grand opera If she withdraws now, while yet she has voice, she will break al) traditions and accomplish the most wonderful achievement ever accredited to any prima donna: It is said, that she never quite recovered from the shock of .singing in San Francisco some years ago and waking up' next morning, to find' headlines reading ; 'Our Own Tettrazini Better Than Melba.' Then and there the peerless Nellie vowed — and this is the most exclusive news of all — that she would clear the field as soon as Tettrazini rearheiT London and New York. All this makes our townsmen even more eager to hear Hamnierstein'.s newest" songbird warble her £600 per night roundelays next month. I wonder, by the way, what is being said by the bird on Nellie's hat?" < Mr John Lemmone, Mme. Melba's Australian manager, has returned to Sydney. Speaking to a representative of the Daily Telegraph, he states that Melba. will return to Australia in March of next year to make the comprehensive tour of the Commonwealth she could not on her present visit entertain doing. The renowned artist, on her way to England, will, in pursuance of her Australian grand opera project, make a call at Naples to lay the foundation of this enterprise, which, it may be remembered, includes the services of the experienced conductor of the San Carlo Opera Company. Signor Caruso is contemplated as the principal tfenor, but this will depend largely upori the' time and place the famous singer decides upon for this prolonged holiday.