The Edison phonograph monthly (Jan-Dec 1910)

10 Edison Phonograph Monthly, Sept., 1910 New Grand Opera Talent The names of four artists new to the Grand Opera catalog appear in the November Supplement. Although as yet unheard in this country, they have built up most enviable reputations in the cradle of the operatic art, Europe, where they stand in the highest rank of their profession. Two at least of the number — Lucrezia Bori and Carolina Longone-White — will be heard in this country during the coming season, and as their brilliant careers across the water will insure them a warm welcome from American operatic lovers it follows that in their Records the Edison trade is given a positive asset. This is particularly true because of the fact that they are both exclusive Edison artists and can be heard on none but Edison Records. The near approach of the operatic season makes the question of talent one of consuming interest to the Jobber and Dealer who study to cater to the diverse tastes of their patrons. They recognize in this branch of the Phonograph business an avenue of direct appeal to a fast-growing portion of the public who are only mildly interested in the popular class of music, but are confirmed devotees of the operatic art. We shall do all in our power to enable such enterprising representatives to cater to this class of trade and submit the November Supplement as evidence of what may be expected in future additions to the catalog during the course of the operatic season. A brief insight into the respective careers of these artists will give an idea of the ability of each. Lucrezia Bori, a native of Spain, has had so meteoric a career that it is barely important to go back any further than her recent great Paris success as the heroine of Puccini's "Manon Lescaut." It may be said that the glory of the season, which began so auspiciously, rested on this girlishly sweet artiste. It is a well-known fact that those most interested in the fate not only of this opera but of the entire season were truly a most anxious lot, for not until the dress rehearsal did this ingenious little woman fully disclose her conception of her part. No longer thereafter was anxiety depicted on their faces; and where they met, and where they spoke, they but chanted the same refrain on the day of the first performance — "Wait until this evening!" To say that Mile. Bori achieved an immediate and great success is merely repeating what all the papers proclaimed to the world the next morning, but what was not so strongly emphasized is the fact that to the opera loving peoples there has been given another truly great artiste, — a sweet, charming little girl, but a consummate actress having a voice of the finest timbre and schooling. Mile. Bori has been engaged to sing exclusively for the National Phonograph Company, and the lovers of operatic numbers will delight in the beautiful Records she has made. In this country, where she will appear at the Metropolitan Opera House, Mile. Bori is fated to make a deep impression, for nowhere else is true art so well understood. Madame Carolina Longone-White to America is as yet almost unknown, but in Italy it needs but the mention of her name to open up a flood of eulogy. American by birth, Madame White is possessed of regal beauty, inclining more toward the Italian type, but unmistakably one of the most beautiful of women. This would almost suffice to insure her a great welcome in this country, where she is engaged to sing in Chicago, Philadelphia and New York, but, child of fortune that she is in this one respect, she has had showered on her other great gifts. Her voice of great brilliancy, beautiful quality and excellent training has the power to stir every fibre of one's body. Brilliant in person, brilliant in voice, Madame White is also a great actress. Her successes in "Aida," "Herodiade," "Iris" and "Madame Butterfly"— to mention but a few operas of her repertoire— have put her in the foremost rank of our grand opera artistes. Whenever she has appeared on the stage of one of Italy's great opera houses she has at once achieved a great personal and artistic success, and America, with its everready welcome to its aspiring and successful daughters, will add another name to the already long list of exceptional artistes it has produced, and be proud of this singer possessed of so many great gifts. Madame White sings exclusively for the National Phonograph Company, and her acquisition to the list of our artists will be a continual pleasure to the Phonograph public, and especially to those who will have the great good fortune of seeing and hearing Madame White personally. Selma Kurz has been for years the great favorite of the Imperial Opera House of Vienna; and not alone of Vienna, for all Europe knows her and has recognized her as one of the few great colorature sopranos. Her name has frequently been mentioned as that of the logical successor of the ever popular and beloved Madame Sembrich. The National Phonograph Company, in presenting the work of Mile. Kurz, is complying with