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Laurie1' made this girl famoua.Hroske. who is nowWhen Octavia Broawith Oh! Oh! IelphineGrand Opera House n ____„beautiful strains of Annie Laurie iniNew Orleans five years ago at a charityconcert she did not know that one of the most prominent theatrical managers inthe country was sitting out front. But two hours later the girl, who had been striving in the chorus and studying all the time to become a prlma donna, had signed a contract with this same man- j ager to sing leading parts, and at a salary which at that time appeared fabulous to her. The manager was Jlenry W. Savage, and the next season Octavia Broske was the prime, donna of The Sultan of Sulu Company.Will J. Davis of the Illinois Theater, Chicago, who has encouraged and acted as the patron saint of so many prominent singers—including Mary Garden, Grace Van Studdiford, Lois Ewell, Grace Nelson and Kate Condon—was the first one who gave Miss Broske the encouragement she needed. Starting in the chorus in a local opera company, in San Francisco, she gradually drifted eastward until she arrived in Chicago and played at Mr. Davis' theater. The manager was struck wJth the fine quality of her voice axjd promptly informed the young woman that, inhis opinion, she had every requisite for the successful prlma donna, but that she must study and work and develop her voice and her Acting. . /IHSISpIn two years you will be out of the chorus, was his prediction. Miss Broske determined to win out She did notwant to stay in the chorus. Then it was,while playing in New Orleans, that a friend asked her to sing at a concert given for charity. She sang Annie Laurie, and we know the result Ever since that time Annie Laurie” has been the favorite song of Miss Broske.After a season with The Sultan of Sulu Miss Broske was awarded the prima donna role In The Waltz Dream,, and she had the satisfaction of justifyingI Mr. Davis’ prediction by singing it In his theater. iLew Fields heard her sing and decided \ that he wanted her for one of his numerous productions. It did not take him long to sign her for a long-tefm contract, and he awarded her tye leading singing role in Marie Dressier’s production ofTillies Nightmare. For the nonceMiss Broske is satisfied with her musical comedy career, and particularly with her role In Oh! Oh! Delphine! but, like all young women of the stage who are chult; k fall of ambition and who, moreover, possess a good voice, she wants to appear In grand opera, and she is bending every energy in that direction.l'
Newspaper Details
Cincinnati Commercial Tribune
Cincinnati, Ohio, US
Wed, Dec 17, 1913
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 01 Sep 2020
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