'EMMA WIXOM' (Con't) From California to the Sophisticated European Stage. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the spring of 1885 with the Mapleson Opera Company, Emma started west once more. Her trunks were filled with beautiful gowns, and her musical repertoire bulged with new and old and enduring favorites. Her heart was yearning to be received by her own people. She was not disappointed. The entire state made ready a heartfelt welcome. After all, she was the first California-born singer to attain prominence in the extremely difficult field of European grand opera. Newspapers hailed her return appearances with flowery words and phrases. One paper went so far as to call her "The California Patti" after Adelina Patti, an international operatic celebrity for nearly two decades. Another newspaper acknowledged her as "a prima donna" and noted that "she will be welcomed with affection, for all have admired her voice immensely." The competitive newspapers discreetly commented: "They say that her upper notes are beautiful, that she has wonderful sustaining power which will hold a note until the audience is gasping for breath, that there is a sympathy in her voice which will make you weep; but to compare her to Patti is simply folly, such as likening a linnet to a nightingale. . . . But Nevada is our home bird, and we shall welcome her with affection, admire her voice immensely for all there is in it, and find excellencies that less loving ears have missed. . . ." Emma had been ill much of the tour, suffering from neuralgia and the extraction of two teeth. Later, a cold and tonsillitis also struck. By the time she reached San Francisco there was some doubt that she would appear. But by the time she reached town her health was better, and it was announced that she would keep all her engagements," singing at her finest." After her arrival, Colonel Mapleson had her test her voice. The results were printed in the Alta: ". . . a peal of glorious, silver-toned melody rang out and filled the halls and corridors of the Montgomery Street side of the fifth floor of the Palace. . . ." Reception of her appearance at the Grand Opera House on the evening of March 23, 1885 was next morning hailed as "enthusiasm bordering on lunacy." The audience applause was of the type and volume more frequently heard at political rallies than at the opera. At the end of the first act, bowing to the shouts of "Bravo!" showered upon her, Emma heard someone in the audience cry "Home Sweet Home." With a faltering voice she attempted to sing the first words. The effort failed, and she fled from the stage overcome with emotion. Responding to continued applause, Emma returned on stage and sang the ballad with moistened eyes. The crowd went wild with joy. Emma crowned the conductor with one of her laurel wreathes, and tripped lightly off the stage with the grace of a kitten. At the end of the second act the enthusiasm had reached such heights that Colonel Mapleson appeared. Bouquets and more bouquets, intended for Emma, grazed his bald head. A long series of gifts were passed over the footlights; all were later carefully described by the press. But the final gift made the biggest impact: a purse of $2000 in five-dollar gold pieces, raised by subscription through the efforts of her former classmates at Mills College. The performance lasted until after 11 o'clock, when the green curtain fell for the last time, hiding the songstress from view, amidst endless shouts of "Bravo! Bravo!" Her voice was praised by critics and described as "clear, pure, sweet and flexible. . . but never very sonorous." Other writers commented on the east and confidence with which she sang the more difficult passages of the role of Amina in "La Sonnambula." They also had praise for the second act finale when her reed-like voice rose over the roar of the chorus and ensemble like a skyrocket. . . ." Emma Nevada couldn't have given more of herself if she had tried. The city loved her and their admiration came spontaneously. So great was the affection for the young California star that one candy dealer named some caramels after her. Emma responded happily, "They are called 'Nevada creams . ." Rumors of her romance with Dr. Palmer spread with her popularity, and two months later she acknowledged that they were true. The couple would be married in Paris in October. After her triumphant tour of America, Emma and her entourage returned to Europe. Regarding her approaching marriage she wrote the following letter to her former teacher, Mrs. Mills. July 21, 1885 My dear Mrs. Mills: I'm sure you think me a very naughty girl for so long neglecting you, but indeed my life has been such a change of scene since I left you that there has been very little time left for me anything but dressmakers and business letters. Our trip over the ocean was the same dreadful monotonous journey that it always is -- I sick all the way -- not being able to put on a dress until the last day. Papa was greatly benefited by the trip and at present has very little sign of paralysis. After spending a day in London we went directly to the country home of Dr. Palmer in Acton, about 20 miles from London. And it was there, dear Mrs. Mills, that Dr. Palmer asked for my hand and was accepted by my dear good father. How can I find words to tell you how happy I am, not only that I am engaged to the best man in all the world but I am to be married to him in October the first on Thursday morning at eleven o'clock in Paris. How I do wish you all could be there. We had at first arranged to have the wedding in June (next) in San Francisco but then we thought it was all nonsense being separated when we might just as well be enjoying life together, for indeed we are very happy and I feel quite sure God always intended us for each other. Paris is in a state of great excitement over this approaching marriage. You know the Parisians rather claim me as their child -- and of course everything I do interests them immensely. We spend our honeymoon in Fontainbleau near Paris and sail for America on the 17th of October on the steamship "Servia." I am engaged by C.A. Chizzola. . .for a five months concert tour all over America to commence the 2nd of November. I preferred concert this season as there are so many places in America that cannot afford an opera and I am an American girl and don't see why the small cities should be slighted when one song might gladden the hearts of thousands. We expect to be in San Francisco about the middle of January and will visit all the largest cities in California and Nevada. . . . Hoping that you are well and taking a good rest during the summer months, I am as always your loving child and ever grateful pupil. Emma Nevada ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The wedding was a brilliant event, preceded by a public showing of the bride s trousseau. The bridal party went first to the British Embassy and the American legation for civil ceremonies, then to the Church of the English Passionists, where Emma had taken her first Catholic communion a year and a half earlier. The church glowed with scarlet and gold hangings and the air was fragrant with the scent of flowers. Flowing with happiness, Emma came in on the arm of her father. On her head was a wreath of fresh orange blossoms, from which a veil fell the full length of the train of her gown, which was of white velvet. It, too, was edged with fresh orange blossoms. After the ceremony, the couple received felicitations that were telegraphed from all over Europe. Their best man, Tommaso Salvini, the great tragedian, slipped a handsome diamond bracelet over the bride's wrist. Hidden from many guests by a six-foot high wedding cake imported from London, Emma rang a silver bell whenever she wanted to call attention to a particularly eloquent speech or toast. Often she darted from her seat to kiss the speaker on the cheek and present him with a sugar flower. Afterward the bride and groom left for St. Germain, and within a few days sailed for New York and the winter concert season. The following year, their only child, Mignon, was born in Paris. Although Emma sang extensively at La Scala, Covent Garden, the Royal Opera of Madrid, and other great European houses, she returned to America only three more times, to appear with the Hinrichs Opera Company in Philadelphia in the season of 1895-96 and to make long concert tours to the West in 1900 and 1902. Emma died quietly in June 1940 in London during a German bombing raid. Her husband, Dr. Palmer, had passed away four years earlier. Her daughter Mignon also became a noted opera singer. Trained entirely by her mother, she sang often in Lisbon, Milan, London, Paris, and other European cities. And like her mother, she ended her career as a teacher of singing. Emma had many high points in her life, and perhaps one worth recalling involved a Shoshone Indian chief. When she cross the high Toiyabe Range of the Sierra Nevada, Shoshone children were among those waiting to greet her. Their chief, Toi Toi, stepped forward and greeted the prima soprano, bridging the distance between their two worlds and reaching the woman's heart. To his people, Chief Toi Toi told her, the great Emma Nevada was the Songbird of the Mountains." - THE END- To Be Continued . . . Cassie Hill; Wife, Mother, Telegrapher, Wells Fargo Agent. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert August 13, 2005 iggy29@rnetinc.net