Maillard's This picture shows their chocolate factory in 1902
From http://www.nytstore.com/ProdDetail.aspx?prodId=2497 An 1885 description of the Madison Square Theatre season states: "The season ended with a few weeks of Our Society, since Richard Mansfield was bringing Prince Karl to New York for the summer. During the summer ladies in the audience were served gratis with ices from Maillard's, just a few steps from the theatre, at the corner of Broadway and 24th Street. Old-time memories cause us to wonder if there has ever been ice cream so rich and delicious as that of Maillard, wondrous caterer for connoisseurs." Source: http://mysite.verizon.net/vze85s68/madsq.htm Ironically, in 1912 Louis Camille Maillard, a prominent French chemist investigated the "Maillard reactions" between amino acids and reducing sugars that lead to browning and production of innumerable flavor ingredients, as in chocolate and ice cream. |
Farrar and Scotti The Met had just finished a gruelling 18-day Midwestern tour that went to Chicago, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Milwaukee, performing from a repertoire of Aida, Madama Butterfly, Tannhauser, La Boheme, Tosca, I Pagliacci, and Hansel and Gretel. Farrar or Scotti appeared in all of the operas except Aida, and both appeared together on this trip in Butterfly, Pagliacci, and Hansel. This ended the Met season until November, so they no doubt were celebrating. Source: Metropolitan Opera database.
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New Topic Angelo Asti was a French artist who died in 1903. He was known for distinctively styled portraits of pretty women. The images were also sold as postcards, and then as a "pretty girl" calendar. That 1904 calendar sold 1.5 million copies in the U.S.
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Sat Apr 27
Started the cleaning up at 8. as I want to go to the recital of Nilssen-Stone's pupils. It was simply fine. All the voices (I heard about six) were beautifully placed and of lovely quality. But one thing depressed me. It was when a hopelessly stupid-looking, fat German girl, got up and sang "Elsa's Traum'' with a heavenly voice and perfect method. Oh it does seem that voices are wrongly distributed; for there was that voice, simply created for the grand opera stage, given to a girl who couldn't possibly have a success unless she sang behind a screen. Ahim\'{e}! Had a lesson with Mrs. C. in the P.M. It's the same old story; voice not forward, and so I can't play with it on the lips as I should be able to. In the evening, Frank Sovak came over and we had such fun.
Sun Apr 28
Mother very bad indeed in the morning and quite normal in the P.M. and quite gay after supper. Oh the mystery of it! A hard day at church. Miss McGrew has an awful cold and I was amazed to hear her voice ring out as beautifully as ever. Her attack on the high notes is as soft as velvet. What would I not give for such voice placing. Much to my surprise Mr. D. called for me in the P.M. and we came home to supper. I have been disgusted with him ever since that last stupid letter, so acted a little coolly. After supper, Lottie, Annie H. and Rose Kut. called and we had such a jolly evening. The girls are simply bubbling over with their plans for Europe and we all told funny stories, and even Mother laughed so heartily that you would never believe her the same person.
Mon Apr 29
Did harmony for three hours this morning; oh such a hard lesson on altered and mixed chords; till, finally my head was swimming. I had the satisfaction, however, of being told that the exercises were very melodious. Had a lesson "Traviata'' and once more realized that the smiling mouth brings the tones forward immediately. But the grand event of the day was meeting Schindler and going to Maillard's for cream. We had a delightful chat, as gossippy as could be; and it seemed almost uncanny that the very second he was telling me that Scotti was very attentive to Geraldine Farrar those two individuals should walk in. Such a coincidence! Schindler was very nice and jolly and I felt as if it were only a week since I had last seen him instead of months.
Tues Apr 30
Went down to Krehbiel lecture as Mrs. Aldrich sang. She did some Hungarian folksongs delightfully. She is bound to make her mark in the world for she is so richly endowed with intelligence, charm and voice. Ella and I lunched downstairs very heartily on stuffed eggs and whole wheat sandwiches. We had heaps of fun. Miss De Bow and I, after Ital. less. went up to hear Ger. Farrar on a phonograph. Her voice is glorious, and reproduces perfectly. The high notes in "Mme. Butterfly'' number were round and clear as chrystal. and in "Comin' thro' the rye'' her charm was all in evidence in the color of her voice. She will certainly be one of the great singers some day. In the evening, I went to a Glee Club concert and dance in Jersey City with Frank and had a very jolly evening. I find Frank great fun. We were talking so hard on the "L'' going home that I suddenly discovered that we were at 111 St. Horrors! Tableau!
Wednesday May 1
Had a lesson with Miss Thursby on "Trovatore'' and "Traviata'' She is bringing out the high notes. But she scolds me for the way I stand; for she says the moment I stop singing settle back on my heels, instead of keeping the body properly poised, and that, she says, is very often the reason why there is such a war with my breathing sometimes. Ah! well, perhaps some day I can remember it all at the right time! Went over to Mr. Davis's to see about some pictures. He is going to give them to me a greatly reduced prices. Then he wants very much that I should come and pose for the head; and says he can make some splendid pictures for me. But I am not sure I choose to see my face floating around on magazine covers etc.
Thurs May 2
Chas. and I practised the music which I am to sing on Sat. night. At first it went dreadfully and then, all of a sudden, very well. I must get excited before I can let my voice out it seems. Found a lovely old copy of "Comin' thro' the Rye'' with such a simple accompaniment which is much more appropriate than the elaborate one. Had a good lesson with Miss Thursby, and feel like singing "Smile, smile, smile!'' for at present that is the "Hauptsache'' with me. Stopped in at Davis' to change my order for pictures and he is disgusted with me for not consenting to pose. But I have decided that Asti head arrangements would not appeal to me at all. Carrie over in the evening.
Fri May 3
Piano lesson at 10 - Tapper lecture at 11 on the "100 best books'' problem. Mr. T. certainly knows how to impress you with the fact that life is short and consequently only the best is worthwhile. At 12 had a private lesson with Miss Th. on the Dvo\v{r}\'{a}k songs. She wants me to sing them at a Student's Recital next Saturday. It is so foolish of me to slip back from my good tones, that I cannot understand why I do it, except that the bad habits of 4 years cannot be overcome quickly. At church rehearsal Mr. Horseman, critic of the "Herald'' came to rehearse his own communion music, and afterwards came and shook hands so cordially and spoke to me. I was very proud. I had no idea he had ever written anything. The music is good and he said he has written some songs. My! a music critic has to know a lot. Vidl-Horsman, Krehbiel-Henderson?
