CHINA MAIL, APRIL 29, 1938.
Eye Appeal, Too
American Opera Stars Set Pace With Beauty As Well As Voice
One of the great changes in the sto adopt a regimen of outdoor world of beautiful women in the last ercise, diet, and massage to achieve decade is demonstrated
operatic stages.
the the slimness, the fresh vitality, and the healthy complexion of the American singer.
The fact that a woman had a voice was sufficient a few years ago to
The tradition of elaborate gowns excuse a figure cushioned in adipose, and headdresses, originating in But to-day, in opera as elsewhere, Europe and still obtaining in the the magnificent voice must be coupl-colourful peasant dress
of many
ed with silhouette, grace and charm European countries, does not re of compelling interest and beauty strict the American as it does the to create popular appeal.
foreign singer. The former stapli-
We have reviewed this state of fies her costume to suit her indivi- affairs from the audience point of dual tastes, and sees to it that her view from time to time. Now we figure is flattered and her charm have an opportunity to see it from is enhanced, according to this ob- the other side of the footlights, and server.
realise how important the American Mine. Cigna points out an in- influence has become even on so stance of one American singer's firmly established an institution as unruffled poise when she ran afoul- the opera
of one of those contretemps on the AMERICAN CHARM NATURAL stage which are so familiar to all "Competition with American performers-the period when me- divas in arias from Verdi, Wagner,mory lapses and everything goes and Bizet may not be difficult for blank.
Page
Gina Cigna, Italian newcomer to the opera, thinks that the free- dom, independence and equality with men winch the American woman. is accorded give her an enviable, self-assurance which the Europea woman generally la
Making The Best Of Weight
foreign opera singers, but compe- POISE UNDER DIFFICULTIES". tition for America's diamond horse- “As engagingly as if she were shoe appraisal of charm, personal bestowing a gracious favour,” says attractiveness, and individuality is the singer, "he American artist I something else again?
have in mind gestured confidingly This talk is for the fat woman movements will keep the figure in This is the opinion expressed by to her audience, indicating her Many of her slimmer sisters are in-good shape- Gina Cigna, Italian newcomer to predicament, walked over to the dined to pity her. Proud of their the opera, whom critics consider one conductor and asked permission to of the season's most important ad begin the passage again.
own record of eight stone five I know ditions.
from experience that my serenity they are thankful they have not The new soprano, whose voice would have been completely shak carry the ten stone weight of the and compelling appearance have len."
neighbour; yet often the palm commanded wide interest, observes
go to the stout woman bec Again this observer points out; that the charm of the American the traditional reaction which the appens to know how to star, as she sings in and out of the American and the European Car careful exercising, too, she keeps iced a
weight to the best tage Byte wings, weaves her provocative fan, mens have when each forgets theerself in tip-top condition, clicks her castenets, or bedeck her-rose, which is a necessary plot de knows that she has to be careful and ging self from her jewel box, is the vice in the opera of that name.
NOT HAMPERED BY- TRADITION
#..
she
Skipping From a general health point of view there are few miner cises. Five minutes spent daily ng either with or without a keep the liver well jogged do much to banish su-
Here is an ex-
she fine or
Bre
who have no-
the waist-
with sag-
Take a
lips closed and the tongue lying flat acts on the warning of her mirror, deep breath throug
charm which is natural to her în She explains that the European her watchfulness is rewarded by a the drawing room, on the golf links, interpreter of the role, bound by perfect carriage and steady at her tea table. It is caly height-tradition, will cover up the omisation of accumulations of fat ened for dramatic purposes.
sion with a substituted device. The American Carmen immediately be
awkward places. gins to draw upon her ingenuity. The following exercises will prove "The American prima donna re-and eventually figures out a way helpful to those who have little fime tams her personality," Mine Cigna to dart off stage and back again for walking or other active exercise points out, "which she increases for with her forgotten rose before the during the day. Ten minutes morn her operatic performances in the audience has noticed her absence. ing and evening given up to these same proportion as her makeup and
costuming are heightened in colour
*
for the spotlight. And the reason
it has such appeal to audiences is that it has such spontaneity; is so fresh, vital, and unstudied.
:
“European singers,” she explains,
Checking A
A Double Chin
Thickening and sagging of the, the chin; press the chin forward "have had to sacrifice their spon- muscles below the angle of the jaw against the pressure of the fist. taneity for a tradition of studied
•
Bend the head back slightly and Then close
manner and poise. The American have come to be regarded as early girl is not restricted by such tradi- signs of advancing age, although open the mouth wide. tion. What she does on the stage many women develop the symptoms up the lower jaw to meet the upper. the month very slowly by pulling is done no differently than she would
when comparatively young. ordinarily do it, except that it is
In Repeat half-a-dozen times. done with more flair.”
such cases the trouble can usually Place the backs of the hands The Italian singer thinks that be traced to the use of too high a under the chin with the fingers her freedom, independence, and the pillow at night or to a characteris-interlocked Close mouth and equality with men which the Ameri-tie lack of determination about the draw the hands apart under the can woman is accorded in the arts, set of the mouth and jaw. Such jawbone and out to the angle of in the professions, in business, and women have not practised a good the jaw. Repeat several times. even in athletics, give
able self-assurance er an envi-lcarriage; it has been their habit to i
pean woman lacks...
the Euro-1 sit more or less bunched up, with
the head leaning forward and the "explains, jaw held too loosely. that the
"Of course," the diva "it is understandable American artist can be friendlier and more at ease with her audience
Counteracting Flaccid Muscles
in her own country, but she is Obviously exercises to counter, just as much at home when she act the flaccid muses will sings in the Teatro Reale in Rome, the best results. The followi the Teatro Verdi in Trieste, La are excellent if practised patients Scala in Milan, or L'Opera in Paris.” 13:—
SLIM FIGURE STANDARD
Mme. Cigna thinks that the Bend the read forward and clasp American prima come's slim, lithe, the hands at the back of the hea almost athletic figure has set an Then raise the head steadily international standard of appear the pressure of the hands, apce for the woman opera singer, the action as slow as - She explains that she herself has Then bend the head backwa been prompted by such a standard cinch the fist under the po
Astringent Or Vinegar
same time draw in at the back of the
muscles as far as
both breath and muscles count silently up to ten. out the breath through and allow the mu
At the abdominal Hold in
while you
Then let
the mouth
slacken actised at
This exercise can fodd moments throughout the day to Egreat advantage.
For Fat Shoulder Stand erect with feet slightly spart and hands held out af shoulder height. Slowly swing the right arm backwards and until it touches, the back of the left leg. Then repeat with the other arm
A young London hostess, Lady Veronica Hornby, has a notecase which is envied by all her friends, It consists of a flat leather wallet exactly like an envelope, with the owner's name and address stazap. ed on it in the facsimile writing of the giver. In the corner is a real postage stamp let into the feather by a sp
Cess, and real postmark with the date and-
Generous use of a good astring-time of ent lotion or toilet vinegar is recommended in cases of double i chin. It should be slapped into the skin vigorously, and this should be followed by firm but not violent kneading with a loosely clenched fist.
Many women who suffer from a double chin are also troubled with thickening at the back of the a and over the shoulders. A simple; nodding exercise backwards and forwards is helpful for this, and can be practised at odd mom during the da
Here are some stocking novel- ties Very fine stockings with toe- nails painted in red on the toe caps, to give the impression of bare feet in the fashionable even- ing scandals. Tiny coloured spots embroidered on high pointed heels and scattered over the toes. Gilt embroidered clocks in the form of a spray of leaves or petals, or gilt anklets embroider- ed on to the actual stockings, with elaborate, clasps or studs in diamante