"AN IDOL OF THE PUBLIC"

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1394, 21 March 1912, Page 7

"AN IDOL OF THE PUBLIC"

MISS ADELAIDE VAN STAVEREN.

There are many in Wellington and other parts of the Dominion who will be delighted to hear of tho success Miss Adelaide Van Staveren, daughter of the Rev. H. Van Staveren, of Wellington, has been achieving in the grand opera in Italy, where she has been studying for over two years. It will be remembered that a few weeks ago it was reported that Miss Van Staveren had made a successful debut at Fossano (a city near Milan). Since then . letters have been received by Mrs. Van Staveren from her talented daughter. Ono encloses a letter written by Signor John Ughetti, Director of tho Orchestra at Fossano, to Signor Bettinelli (Miss Van Stavercn's master in Milan). The following is a literal translation of the epistle:—

. "Fossana, January 27, 1912. "Worthy Signor Maestro Bettinelli— "I am happy to be able to verify that the Signorina Adelaide Van Staveren interpreted tho part of Azuceua in the opera 'II Trovatoro' by me directed here in Fossano in manner unsurpassable. So .much so as to becomo at once the idol of the Fossano public; adding also that sho took the place of another artist whom it was not easy to surpass (the other girl had sung already six performances before me, and had a very fine voice aud eight years' stage experience). Permit me to offer to you my compliments as unfortunately wc do not often get debutantes on the place of action so perfectly sure of their part musically or artistically. Receive therefore my congratulations and happy always to bo able to recommond your pupils to impressario and hoping to give myself the honour of calling on you when I arrive in Milan. —Yours, etc., J. Ughetti, Director of Orchestra."

Then, there is a letter from Signer Ponzio (impressario) to Maestro Bettinelli, of which the following is a literal translation:—

"Fossano, January 30. "Worthy Signer Maestro Bettinelli— "Excuse the disturbance which I occasion you with the present letter, but I feel myself in duty bound to thank you for having recommended to me the Signorina Adelaide Van Staveren (mezzosoprano) your pupil who in this theatre 'Sociale di Fossano' obtained the greatest success of the carnival season, howover great a difficulty she had to surmount in taking the place of another Azucona, very good. who sang •\zncena before the said Adelaide Van Staveren. T now set in liberty the said artist ■ and hoping at some, future occasion to have the honour to be able to cingaso again the said distinguished artist in fomo theatre worthy of her oTeat talent.—Believe me, Guisenpc Ponzio."

To this quaint translation Miss Van Staveren appends the footnote—"l might add. these letters sound very much more flowery in Italian. The language lends itself better to praise." Such • has been Miss Van Staveren's success that Riceordi, the Milan impressario, has engaged her to sincr in opera at the Dalveine Opera House, Milan, during next season (which commences in September). One of the operas in which she is to appear will bo Wagner's "The Valkyries." Prior to leaving for Italy Miss Van Staveren was the pupil in Wellington of Mr. Alfred Hill who will bo pleased to learn of his pupil's success in "the land of song."