"A NEW PATTI."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8666, 5 July 1906, Page 2

"A NEW PATTI."

ROMANTIC STORY OF A GIRL SINGER. It may be that in a sweet-faced, slen> der young girl now studying in Paris under the personal direction of M. Jean de Reezke the world has found a fitting successor to the incomparable Patti. Nothing in fiction can surpass the strange story of how a famous impresario discovered this girl, who lived in the poorer quarters of New York City. The impresario is Mr Rudolph Aronson, the New York manager. About three months ago a plainly-dressed man came into Mr Aroneon's office in New York and said that he would like Mr Aronson to hear his daughter sing. Accordingly, a slender slip of a girl, but of exceedingly prepossessing appearance, was ufihei'ed in. She was apparently not more than sixteen or seventeen years of age. She began to sing Gounod's " Aye Maria" with perfect confidence. Mr Aronson was overwhelmed \ftth amazement and delight. The voice was pure, rich, and sweet as a bird's notes, bub full of latent power. Mr Aronson 6aidj in telling a Press representative of hi© happy discovery, that he knew he had found a treasure, and he made the fullest inquiries about the young cantatrice. She had heard a gramophone playing a selection, Melba singing Gounod's " Aye Maria," and that was all the instruction she had had in that exquisite but difficult gem. M. DE RESZKE'S GENEROSITY. The impresario found himself in Paris shortly after this adventure, and straightway proceeded to 53, Rue de la Faisanderie, the residence of M. Jean de Reszke.. He told the great sdnger ■of the extraordinary voice possessed by the young New York girl. M. de Reszke was. so much interested. that he asked Mr Aronson to cable tocher to come over to Paris, generously offering to pay all the expenses of the trip. Mr Aronson accordingly cabled, and jVljss Vivienne Fidellee, accompanied by her mother, arrived in Paris ten days later. They were received with the greatest kindness by M. de Reszke, and a test took place. When she had finished the " Aye," Jean de Reszke sprang from the seat enthusiastic, and then and there undertook to train the young girl for two years free of all cost. Accordingly, Miss Vivienne Fidellee is now under the direct personal supervision of the great tenor. , Mies Fidellee was born in New York, and is of Franco-Italian descent.