or girl loves the work, looks forward to the lessons, they cannot fail
in whatever they undertake.

To satisfy those who disagree with me in regard to the value of early
study, I would ask them to read the lives of the great singers, and they
will find that with very few exceptions they took up the study of voice
culture before and during their early teens. Space forbids me to give a
complete list. However, for the benefit of those who have no access to
the biographies of the singers, I will select the names that I am sure
you are familiar with, beginning at 1740, and down to the present time:

Malibran, one of the world's most famous singers, at the age of seven
was studying Solfeggio with Panseron at Naples, Italy, and made her
debut in grand opera in her fifteenth year.

Pesaroni made her grand opera debut at sixteen, and twenty-five years
later we find her still one of the leading grand opera singers.

Teresa Titjens made her debut in grand opera at the age of fifteen.

Pauline Lucca was singing at thirteen, and made her debut at the age of
sixteen.

Kellog made her debut as Gilda in "Rigoletto" at the age of eighteen.

Minnie Hauk took up voice study at the age of twelve, and was singing in
grand opera during her seventeenth year.

Christine Nilson, as a child, sang on the streets, was placed under an
instructor, and six months later sang at Court.

Albini, during her twenty-second year, was engaged by the Royal Italian
Grand Opera at Covent Garden, to sing the leading roles of the grand
opera.

Scalchi studied while a mere child, and made her grand opera debut at
the age of sixteen.

Melba made her debut in grand opera when she was twenty-two years of
age.

Nevada sang in public at the age of six, and has been singing ever
since.

Patti made a three-year concert tour under the direction of Strakosh,
between the ages of eight and eleven, and made her grand opera debut at
nineteen.

Nordica made her debut at fifteen, and is still one of the greatest and
loveliest of our singers.

Sembrich sang solos in church when she could scarcely see over the
railing, and was in grand opera at the age of twenty.

You may have doubts as to the art of singing of those whom you have read
about, but I am sure you have heard at least Scalchi, Melba, Patti,
Nordica and Sembrich, and you can have no doubt as to their being
classed both as singers and artists.

It is needless to say that these people must have stud