The annals of the stage contain many remarkable stories of successes achieved behind the footlights in a single night ; but it is doubtful if there is a more dramatic instance than that provided by the triumph of Miss Felicia Lyne, a young American girl of twenty years of age, who made her debut in November, 1911, in grand opera at the London Opera House, and awoke next morning to find the musical world acclaiming her as another Melba. The girlish-ness of the new prima donna, her simplicity, and the marvellous range and power of her voice made her triumph one of unique interest. As a matter of fact, she had hardly been twelve months on the stage, having made her debut in 1910 at Mr. Oscar Hammerstein's Opera House in New York. In spite of her youth-fulness, however, Miss Lyne knows sixteen operas by heart. She is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, although she is of Cornish descent. Miss Lyne did not begin serious study until she was sixteen years of age. Afterwards she went to Paris, and there studied under Madame Marchesi and, later, under M. L. D'aubigne. She returned to New York, and was heard for a time on the concert platform. She afterwards joined Mr. Oscar Hammerstein to sing in opera comique, appearing as Lisbeth in

" Hans the Flute Player." Her great triumph, however, came when she sang " Gilda " at the London Opera House, and thus won for herself a place in the front rank of eminent women singers of to-day. Miss Lyne has a wonderful range. The compass of her voice is three octaves, and she reaches F in Alt. She is also an accomplished pianist as well as linguist.

Miss Felicia Lyne

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