RECEPTION TO MADAME CALVE

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 806, 2 May 1910, Page 3

RECEPTION TO MADAME CALVE

Madame Calvo ma'do hor first public appoarance in Melbourne (eays the "Argus") at a reception give in,lier honour at the Molbourne Town Hall by Madame Pigeonneau, wiftr of the consul of France. Long before 3 o'clock an enormous • crowd gathered round the Swanston Street entrance, for everyone was anxious to get a glimpso of the distinguished lady. Inside tho hall ovcry seat in tho galleries and below was occupied. Elaborate preparations had been made in the shape of decorations. Tho staircase leading from the street to tho hall was hung with festoons of yellow roses and foliage, and the organ loft was arranged with palms, ferns, and roses, surmounted by a golden arch bearing tho inscription "Welcome to Cake.

At half-past 3 o'clock tiie guest of honour arrived, accompanied by her friend and secretary, Miss Pudney. Madame Pigeonneau met them at the entrance, and presented Madame Calve with a posy of crimson carnations. Mr. Tait then escorted the party to t'lie dais, and immediately a formal reception of tho guests began. Standing m tho qcntro of a group of ladies, Madame Calvo was a most distinguished iigure. She is decidedly tall, and tho long lines of her soft black draperies gave her dignity almost contradicted by her laughing eyes and animated expression. That she was intensely interested in all tlioso that came to be presented wa.l evident, and at first she bravely shook hands with everyone who passed the dais. But, after a while, the heat, which most people found rather pleasant, became too much for madamo. "Mon Dieu!" she gasped, sinking back in her chair. "C'est affreux." Miss Pudney came to her rescue with a small fan, aiid Mr. Tait rushed off for a more effectual., one. For a time Madame simply bowed from her chair, but she came to her feet again to greet Mr. Amies Beaumont. After another effort to stand and ' shako hands Madame finally gave up, and shortly after 4 o'clock she retired.

Madamo Calve's gown was primarily of soft black satin, *ut on princess lines. This was veiled with soft ninon, embroidered with tiny cut black jet beads, a touch of dull gold being introduced at tho corsage and foot bolder. Over this was worn along coat of unlined black fisher net, with bordering of hand-worked Oriental ornamentation in soft pastel shades. ' A. distinct feature of the toilette was that tho collarless bodice was cut a little lower at the neck than wo are accustomed to see in Auitralia for out-of-door wear. A black chip hat' lined with pale blue and :swathed with navy and dark bluo.net, completed the toilette. Miss Pudney, •who is a close friend of Madame Calve, is a New Zealand girl, but she has lived "in Paris for some years. Although she is not a member of the concert company, she has a fine contralto voice, which lias been well trained. She helps Madame on the occasions when it is necessary for English to be spoken.