Atlanta Daily World

ATLANTA DAILY WORLD Thursday, February 21, 1957

Says Singer's Courage Helped To Save Opera

HAMPTON, VA (Special) Adele Addison, gifted young soprano who will sing at Hampton Institute's Ogden Hall on March 4, has earned her stardom with the New York City Opera and the New England Opera not only through superlative artistry, but also by hard work and courage. Shortly after she joined the New England Opera Company in 1948 Rossini's Turk in Italy was scheduled for performance in Philadelphia. Through the sudden illness of the soprano who was to sing the leading role of Fiorilla Director Boris Goldovsky was faced with the possibility of having to cancel the performance He explained his predicament at a rehearsal in Boston, and Miss Addison volunteered to learn the role, one of the most exacting in operatic literature. Mr. Goldovsky decided to let her try, and began rehearsing her on the midnight train to Philadelphia Within four days she had learned three arias, five duets, six ensembles, a quartet, and all the accompanying stage action. Philadelphia critics rated her performance as "one of the finest of the evening." Miss Addison repeated her success two weeks later at the Boston Opera House, and won overwhelming praise from Boston's critics. And she regards as her most treasured possession a gold watch presented to her by the New England Opera Theatre Guild in appreciation for her gallant achievement which saved the day for the entire company. It is appropriately inscribed "To Adele Addison - N.E. Opera Theatre for performance beyond the line of duty - 10-20-49." Since then she has starred in Carmen, Rigoletto, and La Boheme, has become used to ovations here and abroad, has become known for her Bach and Handel recordings, appearances with the Boston, Chicago, NBC, and Hollywood Bowl Symphonies, and in radio and concert programs.