The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-08

The greater number Of theaters than
formerly, the numerous travelling operati0
companies. and especially the popularity Of
light ana comic opera. both In city and
country. open uo moro avenues than ever
for gifted histrionic vocalists.
But with these present-day facilities for
obtaining engagements in opera, must b
considered the obstacles in the way.
With an increasing demand for GOOD
artists. comes greater supply. . large
proportion Of whom are. II Is regrettabls to
have to state, Of very mediocre ability
The vast increase. during recent years. Of
music eolleges-good. bad and Indifferent
has no doubt something to do with this
state of affairs.
Be this as it may. the multitude Of youns
friends think they have. or those whose
friends think they have, a vocation for the
crease.
The result Is that operate agencies usual
ly receive more applicants for employment
than they can ind posts for. with the result
that certain Ubiquitous system Of '.payiua
for first appearances has crept into the
business. which Is as despicable as II Is
harmful. This system Of bribery for en-
gagements-we regret to be obliged to use
q strong term-severely tells against the
legitimate progress Of really deserving ar.
lists. Those who are most gifted and eapGe
Die are not always In position to command
SOME 0ILDED sHANa
The consequence Il that inferiority aua
sham-f gilded-ars often palmsd uooo 10
public. who are widely ignorant OF the fact
that so-and-so. instead Of getting q fee foP
services rendered. has paid heavily for the
privilege Of appearing!
From the entrepreneur's point Of view. N
may be alleged. with some show Of Justice
that the Advertisement given tn n nov1cs
NJ Mi xAp -
company Is something worth paying tot.
AT the same time, Il should be rsmemhernus
that the incongrrity Of q fitted artist pur.
chasing the ordeal Of posing a. . popular
entertainer II fragrant. and goes to over.
throw the higher principles OF All that n
equitable and fair In honest dealings.
The worst evil Of the payment for am .
pearancef' system 10 that II tells against Ar
itself, and tends to deter1orate and event.
ually weary publis taste. TIE people know
. good thing when they hear II; nor n
the popular verdict often wrong In its an
probation Of art at all eventa
1t Is for this folk-acceptance that esr,ira
waits. even II II starve for . lifetime.
Audiences. II reneatedN treated 70 In.
feriority and mediocrity. foisted rpou them
alone through means Of monsyed infiu~uce.
soon tire Of what their innate sense Of Al
preciation tells them = not frst-rat~
Consequently II becomes harder thaa ev~
to MI concert halls and thea4er.-reaa
stars At fabulous fees being necessary a.
cover the defects Of hired title rolea
That the demanding Of sxorbitant fees
by famous artists has driven the iuupre.
sario to have his rsvengs IN lsvoaine foIi
upon the smaller ny. cannot be denied
Neither excessive remuneration to eelenri.
ties nor arbitrary treatment Of fresh talent
Is wholesome principle In the operate
world.
Houses are freely 'papered" a. II Il NJ
present In succeeding generations Il maj
De hmpossinie-save at fashionahlo funetions
to make entertainments nay,
The question ~ = serioua one ana vorsAr
the earnest consideration Of all conc<rno1
To please the public II the mensrW3
aim.
This must Be done by giving the p.oon
only the oest-not Indifferent talent vhil
paves the way b. money to fulfn its on,
personal ambition. but the genuine artieE
wnicn. 1t gives the utmoss Of tn ahfn
tnE. -