"You have a wonderful speaking voice, and
you've been advertised to beat the band. Who's your press agent?"
"I don't quite know what a press agent is; but I'm sure I never had any."
"Well, you don't need any. Now that I see you--, but I fancied months ago
that you were probably getting ready for this. Suppose you sing a little
song for me."
We stumbled through dim passages to the stage, half-lighted by a window or
two high overhead. Mr. Blumenthal sat alone in the orchestra, and I
summoned all my resolution, and then, frightened and ashamed and
desperate, I sang the "Sehnsucht," following it with what Cadge calls a
"good yelling song" to show the power of my voice.
Then the rotund little manager rolled silently back to the office, and I
knew as I followed him that I had been judged by a different standard from
that of an applauding drawing-room.
"Well!" said he, when we had regained his room. "You are a marvel! Sing by
all means; but, if you must have immediate results, not in opera. Music
halls get pretty much the most profitable part of the business since they
became so fashionable in London.
Pages:
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334