A NEW PRIMA DONNA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2650, 6 July 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

A NEW PRIMA DONNA.

Miss Sybil Sanderson:, a young Californian singer, made a successful debut at the Opera Coniique, in Paris, recently, in the first performance of Massenet's new opera, " Esclarmonde." The plot of the opera is a mystical and fantastic story a la " Lohengrin." Esclarmonde, the daughter of Phorcas, Emperor of Byzantium, rules the Spirits of the Air, and by their assistance, supported by the stalwart arm of Rolaud, saves her father's throne from the wiles and artifices of a wicked Saracen, Sarwegur, who is also a necromancer. It is hardly necessary to say that Esclarmonde, Roland, aud the Spirits of the Air ultimately triumph over the Saracen and the Spirits of Darkness. The music is described as somewhat Wagnerian in character, notwithstanding that the composer disclaims any such ideas or intentions. Speaking of the new opera and of Miss Sanderson's debut, the Times, correspondent says :—

" Never, so long as I can remember, has the struggle for admission to a first representation been keener or more sustained. I must premise that for some time there has been a great deal of conversation about the voice of Mdlle Sanderson, one of those young American singers who come to Europe with great natural aptitudes, and develop rapidly into accomplished artists under the training of the great teachers still to bu found in Paris. Her voice has no great volume, but it is of the utmost purity, and full of sweetness. She uses it with a facility and a certainty which are wonderful in such a young person at the commencement of her career. I heard her some years ago, on her arrival from America, and I had not seen her since until now. I was amazed at the progress she had made, especially when she entered on the two invocation scenes, which present great difficulties, and in which the voice rises to an extraordinary height. In the third act, when she had given with ease F sharp (the note Nilsson gave in the " Magic Flute'"), prolonging it with imperturbable confidence, and even passing itand ending in G sharp, I was struck with astonishment. What is most to be admired in Miss Sanderson is the way in which she performs this difficult port. Her attitudes are calm, full of dignity and self possession. The feelings she expresses are always just, and, whatever the situations, the artist remains true to nature. President Carnot, who attended at various times eave the signal for applause, and Miss Sanderson was recalled twice after each fall of tho curtain. Taskin, Bouvet, and Mdlle. Nardi were also applauded. Massenet was complimented by the President."