Blanche Yurka's '07 Blog

My Daily Entries This Week

Sat Jan 12
Intended going to Synagogue with Mrs. Beach [Amy Marcy Beach? (Mrs. H. H. A. Beach)], but it poured so we postponed it. Cleaned house till twelve. After luncheon went to Mrs. C.'s for a lesson and stayed till 5:30. I was awfully "down'' and and relaxed, and it took a long time to work up.  She suddenly remembered an old exercise of Faur\'{e}'s, which consists of singing and enunciating with the teeth closed. I would never have believed it possible but that she did it and in speaking one could hear no difference.  In the singing, of course, the tone has less intensity, but she sang up to a B$\flat$ and then opened her mouth and there was the tone full and ringing.  She said "If I could have done that for Faur\'{e} while I was studying, he would have fallen down and worshiped me.''  I am going to try its effect.
In the evening, Rose , Mila, and I heard Avarbanell in "Student King''.  Pretty opera. Lin-chen was clever but less at home than in German.

Sun Jan 13

My face swelled up over night to twice its size.  Went to Dr. Pisek, who lanced it and cleaned out the matter.  It was very bad and I am a funny sight.  Mr. Beddoe wanted to know "whether the other fellow got the worst of it.'' It looks as if I had.  Mama in bed all day and the girls washed. Cheerful Sundays chez nous! Dr. Parks preached a wonderful sermon this morning -- fairly electrical! and I am sure he collected his full $20.00. In the evening, Mila went to Ginsburgs. I home studying, and to bed early. Am very much pleased with Dr. Pisek, but she [?] is certainly a fair, cool goddess! Rain in the evening -- again.

Mon Jan 14

Rain once more! How long? L--- How long?  Went to Dr. Pisek's, but he had been called away in consultation, so trotted home again in the pouring rain.  Did theory till 11.30. prepared luncheon; after lunch induced Mother to get up and dress. Then to Inst. where we had a most interesting harmony lesson. Talked to Ella a bit, who had sung at a funeral and who I believe was blue because Leo had been unsociable on the way there and back.

Did Ital. with Miss De Bow and had a full hr's lesson with Miss Thursby, who is so enthusiastic; she actually suggested my singing at her "at home'', which I feel is a definite proof of my progress.  After my lesson, wrote to Louise J., went to Levy's for my gloves, then to Dr. P's who said my face would now go down by itself, and who gave me a tonic.  In the evening, at home, where Mila amused us all by her account of her conduct at Ginsburg's party.  She has a golden disposition, that girl! A letter from poor Aunt Rose, who said that Grandma suffered considerably before she died.

Tues Jan 15

Mama had a spell this morning, -- she has one almost every morning now, partly due to this awful weather, which would depress anyone. Induced her to get up at 10:30, when I had to leave for a Krehb. lecture. It was rather boring, and I should like to cut them for the Henderson's, but the time is so convenient.  At 1.30 an Italian lesson.
I planned to go home, give Anna a lesson and practice in the afternoon. Instead Anna failed to appear, and after reading "Great Masters'' for a half hour, I was so sleepy that I layed down for 40 winks and woke up at 6.40!  After supper an interesting rehearsal at church on "Matthew's Passion''.  Bed at 11.15.

Wed Jan 16

Began the day well, altho' Mama was in a dreadful condition till 11, by receiving a charming letter from Mr. Sch. enclosing an "orkistry'' seat for "Don Giovanni'' I danced for joy! Practiced piano till 11.  Then went down for a dictation lesson which I find I do badly.  After luncheon took a bath, shampood my locks and practiced.  The high notes came finely. Eve dressed up in my "party'' gown and with Rose and Mila heard Don G.  Missed half the first act.  My seat was perfect and oh the audience. For me it was half the show.  In a box Melba and her "babies'', in front of me, Leopold [Stokowski] and Geraldine [Farrar] flirting madly, Kocian just beyond and Schindler calling on ladies in the boxes.  And I'm terribly afraid they didn't all see me in my $5.00 glory.  Renaud was wonderful but grew very hoarse toward the end and could scarcely sing.  Russ has a beautiful voice and Donalda and Gilibert were charming.

Thurs Jan 17

Mama sick till 12, then she rose and felt better. Studied all morning on harmony piano and singing.  It has snowed several inches deep, the first this season and is very cold.  Had another full hour's lesson with Miss Thursby on "Rejoice'', "Come etc.'' and "Verdure''.  The B$^{\flat}$ still bother me.  Miss Thursby spoke of Farrar's coldness and ingratitude toward all her old friends and said "There are some natures which resent accumulated kindnesses; only very fine natures can stand obligation'', which is true.  What a pity that success should distort anyone's point of view! Walked home with Mrs. Aldrich and called on her for a half-hour. We both sang and had a pleasant time.  She has a charming apartment and her babies are sweet.  How much responsibility she has with her family and her studies besides. Her voice is growing more beautiful every day.

Fri Jan 18

A piano lesson at 10; a short one, as the Madame was late. We talked almost more than I played, I fear.  A splendid Tapper lecture on Hayden and his contemporaries.  Then I went home, read a bit, expected Anna but she did not come.  Practised and went to Mrs. C. for a lesson. This was also a short one as her dressmaker came.  But we went over the Slov. Pisn\u{e}, and she likes them.  I am to sing several at Miss Thursby's reception. We went over to the "Brevoort'' for dinner; then I rushed to church for rehearsal.  For some reason I feel very antagonistic toward Leo of late.  I don't know why.  Mr. C. has sung lead in Pittsburgh and was successful. I am glad.

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