WHAT GREAT SINGERS HAVE TO SACRIFICE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7203, 14 September 1901, Page 3

WHAT GREAT SINGERS HAVE TO SACRIFICE.

To bs a great singer requires many sacrifices. Melba never allows herself any sweets, although she is passionately fond of sweet .things. _ Sembrich eschews pastries, but confesses to a frequent and intense longing for things of this kind. Nordica, while. she does not absolutely taboo all sweets and rich dishes, has allowed herself little indulgence in such things since she became ai singer. Almost all singers remain indoors in the morning, either resting or practising, and do not go out until after two o'olock. Wine must ba avoided. Calve once declared that she was pining to sit down to a big, rich, hearty dinner, where she could just eat what she wanted, without ever having to think about consequences, ot having anyone remind her that she bad a voice. Plancon is almost ascetic in his mode of life. He does not smoke, is temperate- in his eating, and the only drinking he indulges in is an- occasional glass of champagne and mineral water when his throat btc. omes dry from singing. • % atti has (sacrificed everything to her talent! ' " I owe the preservation of my voice to the fact that I never allow myself to forget that 1 am a singer," she said. "It is often inconvenient, but it is the penalty I must pay for a great gift." Jean de Reszke is another example of what careful living will do to aid the singer in keeping his voice. He lives quietly and temperately. He never indulges in food or drink that could prove injurious to him. He spends his summer vacation^ in. Poland, where he lives in the open air, and takes a great deal of exercise.. J&mma Eames is very strict about her diet, and her daily life is laid out by rules, from which she seldom diverges, no matter how great (the temptation. She never sees anyone, cjr reads any letters or telegrams the day she is to sing, either at a matinee or an evening performance, \ and «he never accepts any invitation for the evening before. Every day, no matter how disagreeable tht weather, she goes for a walk.