February 23, 1918 MUSICAL AMERICA 3

AN OPERATIC CHILD .'WHOSE DREAMS ·CAME TRUE

Claudia Muzio's Paper Dolls Were "Neddas" and "Toscas," and T o~day She Lives in the Air Castles She Built While Playing with Them Behind the Scenes-She Provides Her In­ terviewer with a Substantial Demonstration of Her Culi ~ nary Skill

OME day some bright writer, having S exhausted all other subjects for dis­ rcourse, will publish an essay on the es­ sential role which spaghetti plays in the operatic world. How important-these succulent strands are to the welfare and happiness of the Italian singer is well known to those who have made periodic excursions into such Bohemian haunts as Del Pezza's, Gio­ lito's, Gonfarone's, Maria's, Romano's or Guffanti's. · Spaghetti offers unlimited possibilities for discussion, because no two persons agree on the proper method of preparing it. For instance, there is Spaghetti Ca­ ruso, Spaghetti Scotti and Spaghetti de Luca. They are all wonderful, and they are all different. But in New York last week there was discovered by a mere newspaperman a ·new variety known as Mw>:io Spaghetti, which is to be distingui;;;hed from all other brands by the fact that the raw Pll.otos b1f Presa Illustrating B67"VVce product, as well as the steaming, fra­ Results of a Photographer's Visit to the Home of Claudia grant outcome of culinary manipulation, Muzio. The Upper Right Hand Picture Shows ·the all results from the ingenuity and skill Prima Donna and Her Mother, Mrs. Carlo Muzio. Be­ of , leading Italian so­ low She Is Revealed in the Role of Spaghetti Manufac­ prano of the Metropolitan House. turer "You can't get good ones now" (we forgot to explain that spaghetti, like with insidious and subtle allurement to hair, is plural in Italian) "on account of destruction. ~~~ the war,'' Miss Muzio observed; as we "Where I go-mama goes," is Miss Muzio's dictum. "One day at the opera ~·~~·~~·~ used our fork, windlass-like, wrapping a ho1,1se mama went through one entrance skein of. them ready for speedy consump­ and I through another. When the stage never refuse an invitation to a Muzio But Mr. Gatti tells me I must not go." tion. We had visions of the clothes-line and office people saw me alone there was luncheon. Miss Muzio has had but limited oppor­ great excitement. 'Where is mama?' they 2.30 P. M.-By taxi to the opera house tunities to sing in concerts because of in the rear of the Muzio apartment for an afternoon of rehe!lrsing. the rigors of operatic routine. But groaning under the weight of r aw spa­ shouted. Everyone pretended to look all around, in corners, to find mama,_. Soon 4.30 P. M.- Home agam. Coffee. where she has sung there has invariably ghetti hanging down two or three flights, 5 P. M.-More work at the piano with been an enthusiastic public response. In drying in the sun. But Mama Muzio­ she anpeared, and they all pretended to heave great sighs of relief!" Maestro Papi until dinner. . Detroit last October she sang before 3900 one of the dearest, sweetest_ operatic Then dinner and an evening of study persons and was immediately re-engaged. mothers in our acquaintance-spoiled the Miss Muzio pays a warm tribute to the memory of her father who was her con­ and reading until 10 P. M. To bed. Her concert in Washington was attended illusion by explaining that they were . It was suggested to Miss Muzio that by the President and Mrs. Wilson. made like noodles, and never left the stant mentor in operatic matters. They studied together, each helping the other, she would screen well; that she ought to Then she has sung at the morning kitchen until their prostrate forms were be in the "movies." musicales conducted by Arthur Judson placed upon the platter. so that to-day, at the age of twenty-four, the young soprano has an encylopredic "Yes, I would like that. You know, I in Philadelphia, with the New York Sym­ Having disposed of the local ~olor and love to act. Perhaps I shall next sum­ phony orchestra at Carnegie and JEolian atmosphere so essential to the introduc­ knowledge of operatic technique and traditions. mer, if I can't get back to Italy. You . Hall and at the Bagby Musicales. On tion of an interview, we shall now pro­ know, I am so anxious to see my poor, March 6 she sings in Baltimore and in ceed to a matter of more import-. At close range, and in her own home surroundings Miss Muzio has all the dear brother, who has been wounded May at the Ann Arbor Festival. Claudia Muzio. twice while doing service in the army. P. K . Before the regime of Gatti-Casazza ebullient spirit of a college girl on vaca­ stage affairs were managed at the Met­ tion. Care-free and enthusiastic, she is ropolitan by the late Carlo Muzio, and keen to enjoy all the unimportant things CAMPANINI'S BOSTON OPENING passports, permitting her to leave that the diminutive figure of his dark-eyed of life. How, then, the question sug­ country. At the outbreak of war Miss daughter playing 'behind the scenes of gests itself naturally, can she throw her­ Slocum was a vocal· student in Berlin the great opera house is well remem­ self with such realistic ardor into the , Brilliant Success Marks "" Perform­ and shortly after was offered an engage­ bered by many who haven't even the dis­ character of a and portray the ance-Raisa a Sensation ment at the ·Munich Opera .House. On depths of worldly experience so con• tinction of being old-timers. It was here ( B y T elegr aph to M USICAL A M ERICA) arriving in Munich to assume her duties that Claudia attended the operatic pri­ vincingly. Miss Slocum was notified by the author­ mary school. Her paper dolls were "That's .simple," she relates. "You BOSTON, Feb. 18.-The Chicago Opera ities that she would not be permitted to Neddas, Ai'das and Santuzzas. She sang don't have to be a worldly woman to Company inaugurated its local season to­ sing and at the same time her passport her way through life, dreaming of the know how a worldly woman would act in night with a brilliantly successful per­ was revoked. Through the American days when she would-do exactly what certain situations. Then one has all the formance of " Aida." in the consul-general at Zurich, Miss Slocum's she is doing to-day! literature of the ages to draw upon for title role, Cyrena Van Gordon as Am­ father endeavored to find the reason for "Isn't it disconcerting to have had all precedent! When I am on the stage I neris, Forrest Lamont as Rhadames and the action of the Bavarian authorities, your dreams come true?" we inquired. am, indeed, a different sort of Muzio as Amonasro were en­ but was simply notified that his daugh­ "Ah, no; there is so much to be done. than I am in my own home." thusiastically applauded. . Miss Raisa ter was under suspicion. Miss Slocum In operatic life one's real dreams ar e For the thousands of "young girls out won a genuine triumph, especially a~ter will return shortly to the United States. never quite realized. Outsiders do not West" who entertain a curiosity· as to the Nile scene, when she received a sen­ know how much hard work each new suc­ the daily routine of an opera singer sational ovation. Mr. Rimini was a close cess means. Sometimes I would like to here is Miss Muzio's program for on~ second in the audience's favor. Boston is Witherspoon to Give Postponed Recital forget it· all and to live like other folks; day, the accuracy of which is vouched evidently enthusiastic over the season by ior by Blanche Freedman, who sees that Campanini's company. W. H. LucE. Herbert Witherspoon and Florence go to the theater, to parties, out for Hinkle-Witherspoon, who were unable drives and to have a good time generally. the newspapers are supplied with the vital statistics of the prima donna's to give their joint recital on Feb. 14 "Nowadays when I make an exception A Wedding and a Divorc~ in the Haensel on account of illness, will be heard at to the rule and perhaps go to the theater career: & Jones Flock JEolian Hall on the afternoon of Feb. all of my friendly advisers get excited 7.30 A.M.- Arises. Bath. Light break­ 28. Their program, which has been and say to me, 'What! You at the thea­ fast. Not without its touch of humor was made with great care, is. almo_st exclu­ ter! Suppose you should catch cold!' 8.30 A. M.-Telephone call from the the incide11t of the two t elegrams which sively of novelties, although many of the And.when I stay home to avoid catching opera house: "How is our prima donna recently came to the Haensel & Jones numbers are old as regards date of com­ colds other friendly advisers scolfl me to-day?" (This happens every day and offices practically simultaneously- the position. The singers will be heard in with 'Why don't you get out more? What shows that lar ge corporations do have one reading, "Was married this after­ duets and solos from and in you need is a change-more life, more a conscience.) ' noon," Christine Miller; and the other, groups of songs. air!' But I decide by staying · home, 8.35 A. M.-At the piano, rehearsing "Received my divorce this afternoon," here, with mama. It is serious business. new roles and brushing up on the old Ethel Leginska. One must always be ready for the tele­ ones until It was erroneously announced in last phone call·that means rehearsals. 11 A. M.- In the kitchen; planning the week's issue of MUSICAL AMERICA that Mama Muzio agrees. Her's is the duty day's meals and helping to prepare American Singer Ge.ts German Passport the New York recital of Martha Atwood­ to see that Claudia shall not be subjected them. Blanche Slocum of Chicago, a singer, Baker would take place in )Eolian Hall to the draughts that bring sore throats, 1 P. M.-Luncheon at home with one who . has been practically a prisoner in on March 1. The correct da~ i$ March or to .more tangible perils that beckon or more fortunate fellow artiata, who Germany, has succeeded in obtaining her 21. .,..L- 1· -·