'EMMA WIXOM' From California to the Sophisticated European Stage. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Emma Wixom stood on the balcony of the National Hotel, her arms outstretched a cold breeze brushing against her pink cheeks, her hazel eyes sparkling. In all her celebrated performances, none of the audiences' reactions had touched her as much as this. Coming home and being jubilantly welcomed by the unsophisticated people of California was heartwarming indeed. The tiny diva, dazzling in a swirl of lace and satin, once more waved to the crowd and applauded the band as it played "Auld Lang Syne." Emma had returned home. But even this morning, as the narrow-gauge train steamed into the depot, she had never dreamed her welcome would be so tumultuous. Thousands of people cheered as her railroad car pulled in, and the band struck up "Home Sweet Home." What memories she carried with her, what a world of priceless souvenirs! Her life was brilliant, full of memorable moments. She was a celebrity, the reigning soprano at more than seventy of the leading opera houses of the world. And she was the incontestable mistress of every role she sang, identifying herself with each one she performed. Now this unassuming American lady had come back to Nevada City, and her welcome was unmatched. Inside her room, always remembered as number 11, were banks of beautiful flowers and notes from well-wishers. Gold and silver satin streamers fluttered from the bouquets. The fragrance was overwhelming. Emma was indeed touched by her welcome, and all the events of her past suddenly filled her mind. It was not so long ago, she recalled, that she gave her first performance. Amateurish as it was, she was headed for success. Her father, Dr. William Wallace Wixom, was a physician at the Alpha Hydraulic Mine right above the seven hills of Nevada City. Emma was born February 25, 1859, in the small mining camp not far from town called Alpha, one of the best-known gold producers of the northern mines. In the cold winter months, she and her mother, Kate, stayed at a home on East Broad Street. Little is known about her mother, who died when the child was 8 years old, but everyone remembered Emma. By the time she was 3 she had already given a public performance; standing on a chair in church and waving the American flag, she sang the "Star Spangled Banner." Even then, there were those who knew the tiny child had talent. It was in Alpha that she also learned the finger alphabet of the deaf and dumb in order to talk with Era Adams, a miner who had been deafened by an explosion. Ironically, Adams was Emma's first singing teacher. After the unexpected death of her mother, it fell to her father, Dr. Wixom, to raise and care for her. Since she was an only child, it was quite natural that her young life was centered largely about her devoted father. In between his daily tasks at the mine, he encouraged her singing and took her to town and church, where the local townspeople found her youthful talent sweet and entertaining. Evan as a child, however, Emma was never pretentious, but full of natural grace and charm. In those days she took her warm audiences more as a matter of fact than anything else. The family moved to the small Nevada town of Austin, and this was their home for some years. Emma was 5 years old when she appeared as the star performer in Austin's International Hall. The local newspaper editor enthusiastically acclaimed her, saying, "Taken all in all, this was by far the best concert we have ever listened to in Austin, and one which will be long remembered." Dressed in a long gingham dress, Emma sang in doorways along Austin's main street, the sound of her childish treble at times almost drowned by the clatter of silver coins falling about her feet. It was really no wonder that the young state of Nevada claimed the talented songstress. Many people came to believe that she was indeed a native of the state, and she was dubbed Emma Nevada. To Be Continued. . . Emma remained natural and unassuming. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert May 11, 2005 iggy29@rnetinc.net