Rosalie’s Diary - 15 May 1907
Rosalie’s Diary
What joy. To be onstage, to sing as though it was my only purpose in life. I know I sang well. Randolph Buck himself complimented
me afterward and I know it wasn’t just because of Charles’s payment. Charles bought tickets for the best seats in the house
and escorted Madame Taddeo to the concert. She was so pleased and Charles was bursting with pride.
But the biggest news. After the concert, he proposed. I said yes. After all, we love each other. I will be his wife, not his
mistress.
Never mind my father, he said, he’ll get over it. And look at the McBains—a mixed-race family who are accepted in society.
I didn’t remind him that the McBains are so ridiculously wealthy no one can afford to snub them. But we must keep it quiet
from his father for a little while. His father will relent, Charles promises.
Tomorrow, I will tell Father. He should be happy—he’s been worried that Charles just wanted to make me his mistress.
16 May 1907
The review in the North China Herald was good. Reluctantly so.
The last aria of the evening was performed by Miss Rosalie Roussel, who sang ‘Vissi d’Arte’ from Tosca. A student of Shanghai voice teacher Giulia Taddeo, Miss Roussel has a fine soprano and did a creditable job,
displaying both the technique and the intensity required of the role.
This is as good as it can get for someone like me. Madame Taddeo was very frank before the concert. She warned me not to expect
wonderful reviews no matter how well I sang. What mattered was that I should deliver a performance she and I both knew was
my best. And I did.
I told Father that Charles proposed and that I said yes. He was extremely upset, furious even. In the end, he said, “Daughter,
all I want is your happiness. Life with Charles Burnett will not be easy.”