alk along the street, then it has become a part of me; then I can
feel I know it."

"Mme. Homer holds the banner at the Metropolitan, for rapid memorizing,"
said her husband. "On one occasion, when _Das Rheingold_ was announced
for an evening performance, the Fricka was suddenly indisposed and
unable to appear. Early in the afternoon, the Director came to Mme.
Homer, begging her to do the part, as otherwise he would be forced to
close the house that night. A singer had tried all forenoon to learn the
role, but had now given it up as impossible. Mme. Homer consented. She
started in at three o'clock and worked till six, went on in the evening,
sang the part without rehearsal, and acquitted herself with credit. This
record has never been surpassed at the Metropolitan." "I knew the other
Frickas of the Ring," said Madame, "but had never learned the one in the
_Rheingold_; it is full of short phrases and difficult to remember, but
I came through all right. I may add, as you ask, that perhaps _Orfeo_ is
my favorite role, one of the most beautiful works we have."

VOCAL MASTERY

"What do I understand by Vocal Mastery? The words explain themselves.
The singer must master all difficulties of technic, of tone production,
so as to be able to express the thought of the composer, and the meaning
of the music."

"Don't forget that the singer must have a musical nature," added Mr.
Homer, "for without this true vocal mastery is impossible."

XI

=GIOVANNI MARTINELLI=

"LET US HAVE PLENTY OF OPERA IN AMERICA"

Said the Professor: "How well I remember the first time I heard
Martinelli. We were traveling in Italy that summer, and had arrived in
Verona rather late in the afternoon. The city seemed full of people,
with many strangers, and we could not at first secure accommodations at
the hotel. Inquiring the cause, the answer was: 'Does not the signer
know that to-day is one holiday, and to-night, in the Amphitheater,
_Aida_ will be sung, under the stars.' We finally secured rooms, and of
course heard the opera that night. Young Martinelli was the Rhadames,
and I shall never forget how splendidly his voice rang out over those
vast spaces of the Arena. It was a most unusual experience to hear that
music sung in the open--'under the stars,' and it was unforgettable."

[Illustration: GIOVANNI MARTINELLI]

Giovanni Martinelli, who has been for several years one of the leading
tenors at the Metropolitan Opera House, New Yo