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Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines a coloratura soprano as one who indulges in : "Florid ornaments, as runs, trills, or rapid passages in vocal music." The American Album of Familiar Music air-show defines one as: "Jean Dickenson, 23, 5'4", comely protegee of Lily Pons."
Both are correct in that they refer to Jean Dickenson, who is a coloratura soprano, who allows herself, ". . . . runs, trills or rapid jjassages in vocal music" on the Album, Sunday nights.
This attractive young girl — who has a crackerjack hackground of study here and abroad, operatic experience and considerable air work, including the romantic lead opposite Dick Powell on Holhnvood Hotel— \s often described as a "cosmopolitan," ever an awesome word. "Are you really a 'cosmopolitan?'" I shuddered as I asked.
She thought a minute before she answered. The interval gave me time to study this high-note singing sensation. Pretty ? Yes, if hazel eyes, a soft complexion and dark brown hair mean anything. Clothes? Over a slim "figger" she wore a hostess gown of cream-colored figured satin, a brooch in the shape of a jeweled orb, slipI)ers of white fur — the whole bringing up into a pleasing effect. This singer is not — and never will be — the ho r
sey, a yard-wide type of singer our fathers had to put up with — she weighs-in at 108.
"I'm afraid of that word 'cosmopolitan,' " she said, with something like a smile tangling itself up in her soft voice. "I know it's supposed to indicate a very smooth sort of individual but, actually, isn't a cosmopolitan just this side of a suave hobo?"
Since I leave definitions to the aforementioned Mr. Webster, who seems to be going places in that respect, I skipped the answer to this erudite question and went on to pry into her life.
"Well," she began, "I was born in Montreal, in 1913. My folks, at the time, were on their way from Alaska to India. I was .... Gilly! Gilly! Come here, sir!"
This loud interruption was addressed to a wild-eyed Scottish terrier who appeared, in part, from under the divan, with the remains of a satin slipper in his mouth. One look at his mistress' face gave him his cue and he took to cover again, turning miraculously in the narrow space at his disix)sal, so that his black tail projected, waving uncertainly.
"My dog, Gilly," she explained tersely, en route to dog and slipper. It took ])erhaps five seconds to recover both by means of the projecting portion and to address a few well-chosen words to the former. Gilly, it turned out, was .not named after the Scotch game-beaters, rather, the name is a contraction of two Scotch-Gaelic words meaning "handsome boy." Dejected at the moment, but undeniably handsome — low-shuig, excellent head (bangs parted, she ex])lained, because the vet says they are more masculine than straight bangs), good tail and a coat as black as the blackest coal — he was invited by his mistress to perform for me. But first they discussed what he was to do.
"(iilly," said Jean, "I would coimt it a great favor if