Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-29
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
DntnI.n1. 100

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
PARIS, October 10 1904.
Lovers of the opera here in Paris have
been enjoying during the past week re-
Nival of the Old favorites, La File de
Madame Augot" and "Barbe Bleue.' at the
Varieties The music of Offenbach. so long
out of fashion, has again appealed to the
capric.ous Parisian public, and there Is
rothing that can take its place in modern
light composition. nothing so full of spon-
taneous and irrepressble merriment. La
Belle Helene" was given on the opening
night. and it is one of those inimitaby
pleasing operas from first to last. The mu-
sic a,one has stood the test of years and
will drive away the blues more success
fully than many of the newer and more or
less vulgar attempts to combine the come
dy of today with extravagantly impossible
situations strung together with valse
motif. a few topical numbers and some
inane love songs
The reopening of the theaters and cafes
Chautants is welcomed with delight by the
true bOulevardier; consequently the diff
fereut theaters have been remarkably well
filled for the beginning of the season.
While upon musical subjects, one is i'm
pressed at the commencement of each
school year with the advantages Paris Of
fers to the student of music. although her
supremacy in this branch is not so I'M
challenged perhaps as i'll that of art. First
in Importance stands the CouseTvatoire.
which gives a thorough preparation for
opera. thcater or purely musical career.
The instruction is free. but entrance is
only to be gained by competitive eXamina-
ton. foreigner who wishes to enter the
contest is obliged to apply to the minister
of pubic instruction. There is an age
limit-siNteen for the elementary and
eighteen for the higher classes.
The other school wi ere examinations are
required merely to place the student-and
the tuition fee is small. only about $50 of
American coin OF the realm-in the Schola
CantOrum. In connection with both schools
are boarding houses for men and for wo-
en- in separate building. There are num-
Der of famous private teachers, but no music
student over comes to Paris TO take private
lessons without having some definite teach
er in view. The poor student has lots of
outside advantages, such as the Lamoureau
and Colonne concerts and the opera. where
a good seat is to be had for | or > francs.
Then during the winter NJ Guillmant
'Torganiste rationale" the French
proudly call him. gives a series of organ
reCitals free at the Trocadero.
Are Sister Arts.
But what has all this to do with the
fashions of gay Paree. you are probably
wondering Nothing whatever. madam. ex-
cept that it is a sister art. and in the soul
full and esthetic atelcrs it goes hand in
hand with motifs sartoral, for certainly
in the dress world there is thorough har-
mony of tones based upon the themes of a
well-composed gown. As there are no
notes by which to read the score a correct
rendition of a dress symphony is an even
greater achievement in way than Il we'll
played musical composition
Clothes have reached such a degree of
elabOrG ton and artistic perfection that an
attempt to describe them intelligentIy and
in detail would bring an attack of
mental indigestion. After all, the exact