FROM COVENT GARDEN

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2206, 20 July 1914, Page 3

FROM COVENT GARDEN

LETTER FROM MISS ROSINA BUCKMANN PLEASES THE KING ; Writing from- London, to a friend in Wellington, under date June 12, Miss Kosina Buckmann, the talented singer, now at Covent Garden, says :— At last I liavo mi >aur to spare to tell you all about the good things 1 have been hearing and associating with recently. ■ I have had inuch work to do, but have been very happy with it all. I have done wonderfully well, and I often think of that conversation you had with me just before I left, when I was so afraid, and you. assured mo that I should be all. right. Well—lhave faced, it all, aud have '• come out quite well. At first I was a little worried, but fortunately I have been very lucky in meeting somo very dear ■ people, who have, encouraged and helped me. Madame • Melba has been an angel to mo. She introduced me to the manage--rneut at Covent Garden, and said all sorts of nice things about, me 7 . Then I sang to them, and had the good fortune to.be engaged both for the past German season (when "Parsifal" was produced for the first time in-England), and for. the present season. The production of "Parsifal" was a' very fine one, and I heard some great German artistes. I also had the honour of singing under the baton of. the great Mikisch, a charming man, possessing a beautiful, calm, and gentle personality, and' wonderful magnetism. I sang Helmwige, one of the Valkyrie maidens', and one. of -the flower maidens in "Parsifal." I have, worked very, hard at languages, for I have had to sing in three —German, French, and Italian. So you see I have not wasted my time. I have'simply loved this present- season, which opened with "La Boheme" on April 20. I sang the part of Muso'tta that night, to Madame Melba's Mimi. I was so nervous, just shook from head to foot, and could not really do my. best from sheer fright. Howevor, everyone said I did well; Madame was quite pleased. The King, who was present, told l'er that I was the host Musetta he had seen, and he was proud to know that I was a British subject. One or two of the papers were not altogether kind to me in their criticism. I hear-, that very often they are.not kind 1o newcomers, especially British ones,.but I don't mind; I hope' to win them ere ■ long. _ In fact, they have, most of thorn, criticised me favourably since. Melba was delighted with'me, the King liked .my performance, and the management have been pleased, so I am happy. Before Five Queans and Two Kings. Last Saturday was a wonderful night. The Opera House was packed; it was Melba's farewell before leaving^for Australia. Ag"iin the opera was 'T3oheme." [n the audience we had five Queens, two Kings, and many personages. The. artists included Caruso, Scotti, and Melba —I should say about the greatest in the world.' I shall never forget that night; it-was a revelation to me. Melba was glorious, and Caruso —well, words fail me. When one bears Caruso, one recognises'how very far above any other, tenor singer he is—he is'a giant among artists. His great, glorious voice, his wonderful singing, and his acting, are all something to be remembered. I am, oh, so proud to bo able to say I have sung and played in an' opera with Caruso. Then Scotti is a great, artist, too; and it tyas a delight to sing- with him; Madamo Melba, is loved over shall miss her. .The season finishes or July : 27, : 'rind I shall be playing'several'mora; ; parts. ■.' '.'" '.' " ..";,;," : ."."' ' ''. ,' ■''' Nearly..' I nearly played Mimi once. Wouldn't it have been jolly if I had? The prima donna, "Madame- Beliousioni had a cold, and I was-called'upon to, do it, and worked' all day at the part, and was ready, to go on at eight .o'clock, but, alas! the lady found she had voice enough at the last moment, and played the part, so I lost my chance. Madame Emmy Destini is one of my favourite sopranos; she is wonderful in, "Madame Butteifly." I an: hoping oliai I shall somfe'xime get an opportunity to play Sazuki to her Butterfly.' I wonder when I shall come to New Zealand again. Jt, is quite probable I shall go to America to sing in opera, but nothing is ' settled yet. If I do I shall certainly go to New Zealand for a little while. 1 am longing to see all my friends, and my people. I have a very warm spot in my heart for Wellington''; you were all so very.good to me. Please give my very kindest remembrances to all inquiring frionds. I have booked quite a lot of concerts for, the coming season, and am singing at the, Sheffiold Festival. Herr Galling, who is known ill Nelson, N.Z., is the conductor. I havo seen .quite a lot of Herr Lemmer, of Nelson; he is enjoying hearing all the operas ever so much. I seo.fiuite a number of New Zealanders. To talk to them makes me feel nearer home. I saw A. Van Staveren on several occasions, but unfortunately did not hear her sing." . k