Yet it is so.
The lady, who is now the youngest prima donna that opera house has ever had, and the only debutante, is better known in New Zealand as Miss Nora Long.
Her mother was at one time a most successful singer in Dunedin, Miss Katie Jackson.
Miss Long, who studied under M. Bouhey in Paris, and had unusual success in London, declined an engagement at the Metropolitan Opera in New York to take that at Nice, which is for two years.
The occasion is the reopening of the Opera House with Reyer's "Sigurd".
Miss Long's success was complete.
The correspondent there of the Pall Mall Gazette wired: "A great success was scored by Miss Nora d'Argel, an Englishwoman with a charming personality and a light soprano voice of much flexibility and sweetness".
Mrs Long, who is living in London, will go to Nice shortly for the season.
• As the new system of defence will replace the old at the end of February, some further particulars of the effect that will ensue from the change will be of general interest.
On the coming into operation of the act the existing Volunteer Force will automatically become what is known as the Territorials - a force which in future will be looked upon as the "fighting" force of the Dominion.
There will be no compulsion as far as the Volunteers are concerned, except in the case of men under 21 years of age.
Any Volunteer over 21 years of age who so desires can pass himself right out, lay aside his rifle and uniform, and retire into private life, and full opportunity, it is gathered, will be given to Volunteers to take whatever course they think proper - go or stay.
If they stay they will be under a stricter discipline, and the individuality of the companies will practically cease to exist.
Naturally, it will take some time to bring about such a big change, and it is not anticipated that it will be completed under six months so far as country corps are concerned, but in regard to the Volunteer corps in the centres it is understood that the change will be effected with much greater celerity. - ODT, 11.1.1910.
