How Actresses Retain Their Voices.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XXI, 21 May 1904, Page 65

How Actresses Retain Their Voices.

Madame Patti’s declaration that she has always kept the window of her Toom open night and day, in order that the air might he fresh, and that she attributes her good health to this practice, has brought out an answer from Sarah Barnhardt, who had quite a different experience, and yet enjoys such health that her remarks on the subject are worthy of attention. “My way in life is exactly the opposite of Madame Patti’s,” the French actress said. “For she demands air, while T live always shut in. “I drive in a closed carriage to the theatre. Enthusiasm keeps me alive and well. The fatigue of the theatre delights instead of weakening me“I go to bed at three o’clock in the morning, and get up at nine o’clock. I

am for 12 hours in the theatre without the fresh air or the daylight. At Belle Isle, in the summer, I am continually in the open air. for even when I am in the house the windows are wide open.”

Most of the other celebrated women asked about their daily regime emphasise the importance of fresh air. Jane Hading found her greatest recreation in resting at her Neuilly villa, and in t ravel.

Yvette Guilbert, who has been an in valid for three years, and is, therefore, less of an authority on the subject than some of the others, recommends bathing as the best means of keeping in strength am I health.

“I sleep ten hours, and go to bed immediately on my return from the theatre, without stopping to take supper. The stupid part of the whole thing is that, in spite of all these rules, I look more than 17 but even if they don’t protect one against of the ravages of the vears. thev are at least worth trying”

Jean de Reszke’s usual mode of life resembles Mme. Bernhardt’s more than Adelina Patti’s, as he rarely goes out of the house, except when he steps into a tightly closed cab. He exercises in his apartments to keep his muscles hard, and in this way manages to control his figure and keep himself from growing too bulky. But when he goes to Poland in the summer his way of life is quite different. He is rarely indoors. He divides his time between his stables and his piano, which he has placed on a piazza in the summer, so that he may play and yet be in the open air. In the evening it is moved into the music-room.