A SINGER'S MEMORIES

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15230, 5 May 1923, Page 3

A SINGER'S MEMORIES

STORIES BY WIARCHESI. There is something good in every page of the "Singer's Pilgrimage," inwhich Mine. Blanche Marches! reviews a long career in the art of teaching singing in the method, inherited through her parents from the founder) of the Garcia "dynasty." .who took the; llrst opera company from Europe to/ the United States. | "Go where the masters arc, is Mmo. Marchesi's adieu to aspirants "But, alas! the great masters arc not attracted to England, for when they are here they are not treated wilnj distinction by the music world or society. . , ~ .1 Paderewski said to her: "I find that the way to, keep on having successes here is" to disappear from time to time." After singing before Queen vic- ; toria, Mme. Marches! was told by the Duchess of Connaught: "The Queen has been made so happy by your songs now what can I do to make, you happy?" To which the singer answered: "Oh, that is very simple. I would like to hold a King of England on my knee." • It was arranged at the "most delightful tea party," which included "Prince Edward, about two and a half, Prince Albert, 16 months —in a high chair—and Princess Mary on the knees of her nurse." She recalls a delightful story about the present Prince of WaJcs. He| was asked: "What will you do when you are King?" and he answered—quite a little mile he was—" When I am King there will be in my country no sin, no bearing reins for horses, and no puppies' tails cut." Paul's Food-taster. Patti insisted on tne adoration due to a queen of song even in retirement at Graig-y-Nos. It was the custom in coming to the house of the diva to bring a large bouquet in a cardboard box similar to a hat-box. At dinner M. Nicollni tasted the food put- on the plate destined for, Patti, and, after having tasted, declared solemnly every time, "You can eat it." As a matter of personal experience Mme. Marchcsi states: The studies of the British child, and girl especially arc absolutely inadequate in the public schools. They learn practically nothing. Her conclusion is: The British woman student is lazy;—let us say that terrible word, spiritually lazy—wants the easiest work, the easiest earning, is content with a small salary, with week-ends and tea parties. . . Glory and fame are words that do not lure the students of yesterday and to-day in England. After saying that "the greatest voice that has come from a national institution is Clara Butt's," Mme, Marchcsi continues: "As long as I taught in London only I hardly ever met phenomenal voices. But since I have visited Manchester . . I have been confronted with such a wealth of British voices that I cry for those long years in which I devoted all my energies to London only." At Derby, Mme. Marchesi states, "among thirty voices tried, two only were mediocre, 25 were excellent, and three so phenomenal that if they work they will stir the world."'