MELBA AND THE KAISER

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 71, 18 December 1918, Page 5

MELBA AND THE KAISER

INTERVIEW IN THE ROYAL SALON

THE IMPERIAL PORCUPINE

The foci that King George has cabled to Dame Nellie Melba requesting her presence in London (presumably to take part in the peace celebrations) recalls r tne diva's interview with; the dethroned King of the Huns, who is now "resting m Holland. The Damo was in Berlin appearing na Lucia in "Lucia di Lammermoor, when she received'a command to appear jn tne Koyal box. . Many bewildering instructions were given by- the Kaiser's envoy regarding what she must and must not do m pie Imperial presence.' He warned her that the Kaiser had a strong objection to perfume/and that she must not on any account carry a scented handkerchief. Her maid found 'her a handkerchief tresli from tho laundry, and a pair of gloves without any sachet-powder fragrance about them, and eventually she was conducted to the salon adjoining the Royal box, where the Kaiser and Kaisenn were "The°Kaiser-was very friendly at first,"' confided Dnrao Melba, in relating the incident, "and chatted quite amiably tor two or three minutes.. Then he said, .1 think the sextet was taken too quickly. "I.thought I had better be tactful with the brute, so I made no reply, and continued my conversation wihi tfte Kaiserin. He was determined, however, to throw down the gauntlet. 'Madame I said that the sextet was taken too quickly.' _ .. . "I heard Your Majesty," I replied, outwardly calm,> but inwardly furious at hiji impertinence. , "You do not think so?" he queried in his best autocratic manner. "No,, Your Majesty, I do not agree with vou." . "That settled it. He straightened himself, drew his heels together as if he were on military, parade, and inarclieii out of the room," clicking his fingers as a signal for the Kaiserin to follow, bue scuttled after him like a frightened lien, and that was the last I saw of the Royal Pa "ln marked contrast to his arrogance," continued. Dame Melba. was the Kingly courtesy of the aged Austrian Emperor, Franz Josef. His Majesty was unable to attend my performances in Vienna, but he sent a message by Prince Lichtensstein inviting mo to sing at Budapest. T asked if His Majesty was aware that I did not aing in German, but the Prince assured me that 1 might sing in any language I desired. Arrangements were hurriedly made, and I duly appeared, the famous Richter conducting the orchestra. ..

"For this appearance the Emperor appointed me Kaiser Kaiserlichen Kammersaengerin, (court singer to his Imperial Majesty}.' "This meant that I had the privilege of singing privately to tho Emperor. Knowing Austria so well, I can never believe that its people hate the British. I regard'as one of the most treasured possessions a document givon me by the Emperor of Austria with'the Eoyai seal attached. !

"Another crowned head with a charming personality was the King of Saxony, who canib to hem , me sing at Leipsig. In response to his command I left the stage to talk with' him during one of tho . intervals. We chatted some time, when lie suddenly realised that all eye? were directed to the Royal box: •

■ "These people aro looking at us as if wo were lions in si (.ago,", he remarked, in rather a resentful tone. .Then his face lighted up with a charming smile as he added, "but we are tho lions this ecening."

' Then Madame told an amusing story of King Oscar, the lost King to rule in iNonvoy and Sweden • before these countries separated. His Majesty selected the programme, choosing scenes from "Borneo and Juliet," "Lohengrin," "Lucid." and "Faust." After the performance King Oscar conferred a decoration upon the. Australian linger. At her request His Majesty pinned the Order on her corsage, remarking at the same tinvf tint lie believed in the old superstition that pins ent friendehijj He warded off Hin evii spell by kissing her on both cheeks and i- vowing eternal friendship. Nearly ii year later a scared butler knocked at her boudoir door in Paris. "Madame! Madame! A man nearly seven ieet high has called. He says he is the King of.Norway and Sweden. I am sure he is a lunatic." The next moment Madame and King Oscar were exchanging friendly greetings. Uanie Nellie leaves by the Niagara on January 7 for England, and does not expect to return to Australia for many years. She will make Paris her headquarters.