There is no need to say that Frieda Hempel is one of the most admired
artists on the opera and concert stage to-day. Every one knows the fact.
Miss Hempel has endeared herself to all through her lovely voice, her
use of it, her charm of manner and the sincerity of her art.
[Illustration: _Photo by Alfred Chancy Johnston_ FRIEDA HEMPEL]
It is seven years since Miss Hempel first came to sing at the
Metropolitan. America has advanced very greatly in musical appreciation
during this period. Miss Hempel herself has grown in artistic stature
with each new character she has assumed. This season she has exchanged
the opera field for that of the concert room, to the regret of opera
patrons and all music lovers, who desired to see her at the
Metropolitan. Being so constantly on the wing, it has been extremely
difficult to secure a word with the admired artist. Late one afternoon,
however, toward the end of her very successful concert season, she was
able to devote an hour to a conference with the writer on the
principles of vocal art.
How fair, slender and girlish she looked, ensconced among the cushions
of a comfortable divan in her music room, with a favorite pet dog
nestling at her side.
"And you ask how to master the voice; it seems then, I am to give a
vocal lesson," she began, with an arch smile, as she caressed the little
creature beside her.