Shower of Bouquets

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 374, 7 June 1928, Page 14

Shower of Bouquets

TOTI DAL MONTE’S SUCCESS A TREMENDOUS OVATION “Toti Dal Monte’s room at Menziies’ Hotel must look like an autumn bower to-day,” states the Melbourne “Herald.” “She left His Majesty’s Theatre in her taxi after the first performance of the ‘Barber of Seville’ last evening, literally packed in flowers.” Six of the bouquets—fragrant clusters of pink and crimson carnations and roses—must have given the singer a special thrill of pleasure. They had been showered on her from the two top boxes in a burst of enthusiasm, after her magnificent singing in the last act. Held against her lovely almond green taffeta and velvet frock, they struck an effective colour note.

Toti’s tremendous ovation was more than just a tribute to a great singer. It contained all the warmth and affection one gives to an old friend. Most of the bouquets were sent up by friends she had made during her visits to Australia. Groups of enthusiastic friends followed the prima donna to her dress-ing-room, their excited chatter and congratulations mingling; with the bewildered “yap-yap” of Titina, Toti’s diminutive toy terrier. In one of the groups was Benno Moiseiwitch, the pianist, in another Commendatore Grossardi, the Italian Consul, who was responsible for one of the lovely floral baskets. It was nearly twenty to twelve before the singer made her way to her taxi, only to be greeted by another group of enthusiasts who had waited patiently for a glimpse of her before catching the last trams and trains.