"Yes, we have native opera in Spain, but the works of our operatic
composers are little known in other lands. The Spanish people are
clannish, you see, and seem to lack the ambition to travel abroad to
make their art known to others; they are satisfied to make it known to
their own people. Casals and I--we are perhaps the ones who regularly
visit you, though you have several Spanish singers in the opera who
reside here permanently.
"As for Spanish composers of instrumental music, you are here somewhat
familiar with the names of Grovelez and Albeniz; Granados you know also,
both his opera, _Goyescas_, which was performed at the Metropolitan, and
his personality. He came to America to witness the premier of his opera,
and while here proved he was a most excellent pianist as well as a
composer of high merit, which fact was revealed in his piano and vocal
compositions. The American people were most kind and appreciative to
him. When the disaster came and he was lost at sea, the testimonial they
sent his orphaned children was a goodly sum, though I hardly think the
children appreciated your goodness.
"Among the composers in Spain who have turned their gifts toward
operatic channels I can mention Pedrell, Morea, Falla, Vives and Breton.
Vives is now writing an opera for me, entitled _Abanico_. Gradually, no
doubt, the music of our country, especially its opera, will find its
way to other lands. Even in England, I am told, Spanish music is very
little known; our many distinguished modern musicians are hardly even
names. Of course the world knows our Toreador songs, our castanet
dances, and the like; perhaps they think we have little or no serious
music, because it is still unknown. Spanish music is peculiar to the
country; it is permeated with the national spirit and feeling."
Asked if she would sing in South America during the vacation, the singer
answered:
"I have sung there with great success. But I shall not be able to go
there this summer. My little boy has been placed in a school in France;
it is the first time we have been separated, and it has been very hard
for me to have the ocean between us. I shall sing at Atlanta, the first
week of May, and then sail the middle of the month for France. Yes,
indeed, I hope to return to America next season.
"I trust you have been able to understand my poor English," she said
smiling, as she parted with her visitor; "we speak several languages
here in my home--Spanish with my mother and friends, French and Italian
with others in the household. But there seems little necessity for using
English, even though I am living in the heart of the metropolis.
Perhaps next year, I shall master your language better."
And the picture of her, as she stood in her artistic, home-like salon,
with its lights, its pictures and flowers, is even more lasting than any
to be remembered on the operatic stage.