Music: Singing Emmas

Two high-heralded sopranos, both Emma by name, last week made Manhattan debuts.

Emma Otero, 19-year-old Cuban, educated at Cuban government expense, was honored by a flag-draped hall and a telegraphed introduction from Cuban President Gerardo Machado: ''We are sure that she will demonstrate the sympathy the sentiment and artistic capacity of the Cuban people." But unfortunately Soprano Otero was unequal to the occasion. Her pleasing, natural tone could not offset faulty breathing. Once her over-taxed voice ran down like a forgotten phonograph. Accompanist Frank La Forge tried to save the situation with...

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