A SINGER'S ROMANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 184, 25 July 1908, Page 3

A SINGER'S ROMANCE.

One of the most remarkable sutftessI es of the present oiiera season at Movent Warden has been achieved b; :,liss lul.vlh Walker in (lie dillieiill role of Isolde. Eight years ago she was a contralto, but during the past eighteim months she has been developing her voice, so that she is now able to undertake the greatest soprano parts in the modern repertoire.

I was born,"' said iliss Walker to an interviewer, '-at Uopwell, .New York, in 1870. My parents were not musical. A reverse ut fortune prompted tlioiu to prepare mo for earning my own living. What was J fitted for, was the question. Well, they sent me to Home, ami eventually 1 graduated there lor the teaching profession. 1 was then seventeen. 1 soon outatned an nv.puiutiucnl, and very happy was i -a being able to earn just enough to I keep myself. It was it bit of a struggle at first, but 1 was proud of my independence, and hoped for better times. On Sundays I sang in a church choir, and it was there that a friend suggested 1 should do something with"in;, voice. 'Why not become a professional singer'!' 'flu: idea seemed jolly, because .1 thought the life would be a round of luxury and ease—l realise now that it is not so enchanting, U|ut; how was I, a poor teacher, to obtain money for tuition and for the bread and butter 1 wanted during the years of study. Well, a good fairy came along and phu l,00t)dol at my disposal. Then was I able to throw up my appointment, and 1 went right awav to Dresden. Luckily, I found there a teacher who took a' great interest in me, and who trained me, as I now' know, in the best possible manner. 81ie made a feature of working on what is known as the middle register, and I gradually 1 increased the range of my [

voice both up and down." "For two years I was with her, and then came a shock. I had spent all my ! money! What could 1 do? ] thought I I was prolTcient enough to go on the operatic stage, but she advised me to continue with her for another two years. But how was I to live and pay for my lessons? Then a few iulluential .c----quniiitiinccs in Dresden who had heard me sing, signed an appeal to an American millioniare, asking him to help me with a loan to enable me to go on with my studies. Three weeks later that generous man sent me a cheque. I made my debut at the Vienna Operahouse as a contralto, and remained there seven years.

"During this period I had the honor of singing at many Court functions.! ana once 1 sang In the German Emperor, who, in I lie course of some much appreciated compliments, said i had a voice of rcmarkublc range, which might lie utilised for soprano parts. The idea hud never struck me that I might attempt something else, but 1 accepted his advice, and in continuing my studies I was able in time to increase my range, which now extends to nearly four octaves. Then came an engagement "for America from Mr Conried, and u.reelly . got to New lork I had the gratification of returning to the millionaire the monev he had lent me. Need I add lie was somewhat surprised. And now - am back in London after eight years' absence, and find I am still remembered. The London public is certainly a faithful and loyal public. But apart from all this operatic work. I am glad to be here I again to go round your shops. You Londoners hardly appreciate them, thensize, or their goods on sale. Hut a visitor, a woman, and an American as well—though I am now a bit of a cosmopolitan—revels in looking at the windows and sometimes going inside to buy the tempting wares. And it is a doubled pleasure to one like myself who has had to struggle for many years to make both ends meet." '