Blanche Yurka's '07 Blog

My Daily Entries This Week

Sat Mar 2

Oh! the queerness of fate! My high hopes of yesterday dampened by Mother's having an awful day. Oh I can see no way out of it.  Father is on the verge of insanity, and I feel worn to a shred with this daily round of scenes.  What can I do?  If I could only get away for three months where I could work in a care-free mood, oh, I feel that I could accomplish so much. But to fight against such odds is almost hopeless. And poor Mother; she realizes at moments her condition and then she is so pathetic.  Was in no mood for the Yersin recital, so gave it up.  Church at 5 and could scarcely utter a note.  And after such a splendid lesson yesterday!  If I could only see my way out!

Sun Mar 3

The idea of going away and living downtown until June haunts me and I cannot get away from it. Was so worn out and depressed that I could scarely keep from breaking down in church. Miss Hoveman was so kind and sympathetic.  Addie came to dinner and stayed till 9 o'clock, but not even she could rouse me from my despondency.  In the afternoon I felt a little better.  Mother was in bed all day and we all show signs of a nervous strain -- Papa!!! Miss McGrew asked Ella and me in to tea at the Manhattan and it was very pleasant.  She is a very charming and gifted girl.  Ella and I walked home and after doing a little harmony, went to bed.   Poor Mila, the burden falls heavily on her, and she keeps bright and cheerful in spite of it.  Her disposition is wonderful.

Mon Mar 4

Mother still ill and the usual scene before nine. I quite had made up my mind to go down and ask Mrs. C's advice about finding a room downtown, but about 11 Mother rose and seemed better and then I quieted down.  Oh! but it is hard and she must suffer!  Went down for theory at one and then left a note for Miss Thursby saying I would not come to my lesson. Leopold had given us tickets for the Benefit Concert and Ella and I walked up and enjoyed the afternoon very much.  My impression of Geraldine Farrar is that she is a very gifted but not very sincere artist. Her self-consciousness mars her charm; with simplicity she would be irresistible. Her voice is sweet and she uses it well, altho' it is not a wonderful voice. Samaroff played well, and her manner formed quite a contrast to Geraldine's. The latter's diction is not very good either in French or German.

Tues Mar 5

Mother arose with me, and altho' she was a little shaky, she stayed up all day.  I got in a good morning's work, and went to the Krehbiel lecture (on the orchestra). Mr. Petri's wife is ill, so no Italian lesson but walked up 5th Ave with Miss De Bow, saw some exquisite hats and then went to her club-house, where we practised together and did some good work.  We stayed till five, she singing a scale first and then I; she certainly has improved under Mme. Nilssen-Stone, and altho' she is a mezzo - her high notes are fine. She also played the "Butterfly'' score over for me in which she says Farrar is fine. Rehearsal in the evening. Poor Ella had a very unsatisfactory voice trial with Leopold, who, it seems, impressed her with the fact that she was taking up his time. He can be so unapproachable.

Wed Mar 6

Well, the reaction has come, and I feel in splendid spirits.  Mother stayed in bed till after breakfast but then arose and took charge of things. I had an excellent lesson on "Ah fors e lui'' with Mrs. C. taking the extreme high notes with ease. It is on the A, A$\flat$ andB that I must work, and on the light tones.Went to Schirmers, afterward, and received a beautiful "Traviata'' score.  Mr. R.E. was just leaving, so walked home with him, had a nice chat. He is a most lovable man.

In the evening, Leopold gave his third recital.  The first part of the program went splendidly, but the organ pedal "kicked up a row" in the last moment and instead of explaining to the audience, Leo signed for us to "recesh," which we did, looking like a flock of dazed sheep.  Oh! It was a fiasco and Leopold was so furious at the old organ and at the men who should have come to fix it that he couldn't even speak.

Thurs Mar 7

Put in a good morning's work and had a stupid S.S. class at three. I find it an awful bore and yet somehow, can't pass the test, and be rid of it. Had a very unsatisfactory lesson at 4, as Miss Crosby stayed fifteen minutes over her time, and I had to leave promptly at 4.30, so we got in very little work.  I have a feeling that I am standing still with Miss Thursby, for my improvement on the high tones is chiefly due to Mrs. C's efforts, and in the things she has given me to study. Had a church service at 5. and walked up with Mlle. Doxr. talking of Ibsen and Peer Gynt. Spent the evening helping Mila on a blue waist for me.

Fri Mar 8

Mother has been up and fairly well for two days and that makes as much difference in my work as Heaven and -- Hades.  An interesting piano lesson and then went in for a dictation class lesson. M.[r Tapper] gave a delightful lecture on "Schumann - and traffic'' including references to almost every man of the Christian Era who has ever accomplished anything. Miss Crosby, who sat with Miss De Bow and me, told us about meeting Bressler-Gianoli; said she was very simple and sincere and spoke of "Carmen'' as tho' she were some acquaintance. "Oh - c'est une mauvaise femme''.  She also met Farrar, whom she spoke of as being "very fluffy'' and who turned her back on everyone else in the room in order to devote herself to a very influential Opera House director.

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