blossom into genius through having the right
nurture. I shall watch this work from a distance, for I might be too
anxious if I allowed myself to be in the midst of the work. But this is
my dream, and I hope it will one day come true."

XV

=MARIA BARRIENTOS=

BE YOUR OWN CRITIC

It is often remarked that the world has grown far away from coloratura
singing; that what we want to-day is the singing actor, the dramatic
singer, who can portray passion--tear it to tatters if need be--but at
least throw into voice gesture and action all the conflicting emotions
which arise when depicting a modern dramatic character. It is said, with
much truth, composers do not write coloratura parts in these days, since
audiences do not care to listen to singers who stand in the middle of
the stage, merely to sing beautiful arias and tonal embroideries.
Therefore there are very few coloratura singers at present, since their
opportunities are so limited.

To the last objection it can be answered that audiences do still flock
to hear a great coloratura artist, for they know they will hear pure,
beautiful melodies when they listen to the old Italian operas. And
melody proves to be a magnet every time; it always touches the heart.

Again, the coloratura singer is not obliged to stand in the middle of
the stage, while she warbles beautiful tones, with seemingly little
regard for the role she is enacting. The coloratura singer, who is an
artist, can act as well as sing. Tetrazzini, as she moves about the
room, greeting her guests, as she does in _Traviata_ or _Lucia_, can at
the same time keep right on with her florid song, proving she can think
of both arts at once.

It is quite true there are not many coloratura singers of the first rank
to-day. When you have mentioned Galli-Curci, Tetrazzini, Barrientos, and
Frieda Hempel--the last is both lyric and coloratura--you have named all
the great ones who are known to us here in America. There are a couple
of younger artists, Garrison and Macbeth, who are rapidly gaining the
experience which will one day place them in the charmed circle.

[Illustration: MARIA BARRIENTOS]

Consider for an instant the three first named singers. They stand at the
very top of their profession; they are each and all great in their
chosen line, to which they are fitted by reason of their special vocal
gifts. Yet how absolutely different is each from the other! They cannot
even be compared. They all sing t