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Show ARIUSERlEMTSlI TONIGHT'S AMUSEMENTS. ORPHEUM Vaudeville. , GRAND West's Minstrels. LYRIC "Through the Lines." ' CHAMBER Or COMMERCE Free. AUDITORIUM Roller Skating. WASATCH RINK Roller Skating. 1 In an article In the current -number of the Broadway Magaslne, Elsie Lathrop. ' discussing; the interesting subject. "New York Girls Singing In Grand Opera," . makes some astounding; revelations In re- 1 gard to the barriers which were formerly placed before the American singer ambitious ambi-tious for a grand opera career. In writing of the career of Kleanora De Cisneros of the Manhattan Opera company, com-pany, Miss Lathrop says that this New ' York prima donna was a member of the Metropolitan Opera-house company under Maurice Grau, but was never given an opportunity op-portunity to appear in an Important role. "She had," said the writer, "on a. few hours' notice sung the role of Asucena to Kmma Eames' Leonora in 'Trovatore,' In Philadelphia, but notwithstanding her ' success In thin, Mr. Grau bad little confidence confi-dence In American singers, unless they ' .' bad long years of European experience. .", lie once told a young applicant: " 'If you had the most remarkable voice I had. ever heard, no matter how much . talent' you showed, I would not engage you for New York unless you had appeared ap-peared with success In Europe. Make an appearance there, no matter in how small a city, then come to me and I will see what I can do for you!' " That opinion has changed, however. Is Indicated by Miss Lathrop in her introduction. in-troduction. She says: "The term, 'American voice.' which was frequently hurled at us, especially by our English friends, as a reproach, has of recent re-cent years taken on a new meaning. One eminent French singing teacher of worldwide, world-wide, reputation. Mme. Marchesl, actually waxes furious over-the superiority 4whlch she cannot deny of the American girls' voices to those of her pupils of almost ev-Siry ev-Siry nationality. 1 "When Henry W. Savage inaugurated rls English Grand Opera company some rears ago, the American girl had her first ,eal chance to enter the grand opera field In her own country without having undergone un-dergone years of foreign experience; and since then her opportunities' nave steadily Increased, until now each season's list of artists for New York. numbers more and more Americans. It Is interesting to note that many of the young singers who first appeared with, the Savage company are . now valued members of foreign opera companies." Miss Lathrop's inquiry developed that the Empire State has contributed fifteen leading prima donnas to the world of grand opera. A majority of these are now singing in European art centers. Two, Harriet Behnee and Estelle Bloomfleld, are singing with the Savage forces in Puccini's "Madam Butterfly." although - Mr. Savage had to go to Europe to get them. Miss Behnee was singing with the Koyal Opera In Berlin and Miss Bloom-field Bloom-field was singing leading parts with the Royal Opera In Dresden. Five American prima donnas who gained their first recognition as members of the Savage Grand Opera company are now winning new laurels in Europe, while others are winning fame with those same organisations organisa-tions that formerly told the ambitious American girl to go to Europe and "get a reputation" before seeking the approval of an American audience. With the arrival of Nlett's performing dogs, the Orpheum bill proves to be an exceptionally strong one this week, now that it is in good running order. The dogs go through their stunts as though . they were to the manner bom. Patrice in her clever playlet "A New Tear's Dream." Is perhaps the hit of the bill, but the other oth-er acts are all so good that everybody Is apparently satisfied. West's minstrels, which have been pleasing pleas-ing large houses at the Grand theater the fore part of this week, end their local engagement en-gagement today with a matinee and evening even-ing performance. Lincoln J. Carter's "The New Fast Mall," the time-honored favorite and the peer of all melodramas, both of the new and old school, will appear at the Grand heater three nights and Saturday irmtl-. irmtl-. nee, starting Thursday. March 14. A Ajaroriger cast than ever Is with the at-raju-tion, and It is said that the varioua proles are played with a dash and vim that s would. do credit to a Belasco production. The Mississippi river steamboat race has rot been forgotten and the great train effects, ef-fects, together with the Niagara Falls scene In the last act are as eagerly looked forward to as when it made Its first tour of the United States. |