Los Angeles herald., 1905-08-10
MUSICAL LEADER
GOES ON STRIKE
PROF. WRIGHTS0N GIVES UP
VENICE PROGRAM
TROUBLE AMONG THE ARTISTS
VIII Direct Chorus Monday Night
When "st. Paul." Is Presented,
Then VIII Hurry Back to
Washington, D. C.

Abbot Kinney, doge of Venice Of
America, is discovering that the cares
of state press heavily upon any ruler
who has a musical department as an
adjunct to his realm.
The September festival, much adver-
tised and much rehearsed, may be In
definitely postponed. That Is to say,
It may not be given under the baton Of
Sydney Lloyd Wrightson, who, since
last June, has worn the imaginary
laurel wreath that marks the office of
director of music for Venice Of America.
Mr.. Wrightson has struck He de-
clares that there have been innumer-
able thorns in his laurel wreath and,
metaphorically speaking, he has thrown
the laurel wreath at the feet Of the
managers Of the Venice assembly. On
the day when, according to carefully
arranged plans, Mr.. Wrightson should
be presiding over a grand opera pro-
gram he will be speeding toward Wash
Ington, D. c., where the Washington
College of Music will open its doors to
receive its owner and president.
The musical festival was to be the
crowning achievement of Mr.. Wright
sons summer engagement at Venice.
There were to be ballad nights, vaude-
vile nights and musical comedy nights.
Madame Johnstone-Bishop, Miss Louise
Nixon Hill, Max Heinrich, Paul Eng
land and other we'll known singers had
been engaged as soloists.
Now all preparations are suspended
Venice have disagreed over contracts.
A legal document more intricate than Il
Liszt rhapsody caused the musical
director to declare yesterday that he
would travel eastward, where art Is ap-
preciated.
Go Where Art Is Appreciated
"This is the climax of my discourag-
Ing experiences" said Mr.. Wrightson.
IT have labored against all sorts of
obstacles. 1 will go back to the greatest
city in the United States. Art is not
slumbering there"
Mr.. Wrightson refused to review his
"discouraging experiences" but even
of Venice. where Baba Bharati teaches
that Pagan precepts are sometimes bet
ter than Christian dogmas, there are
gossips and it is said that the strange
musician from the national capital has
hot been received with true western
hospitality by the musicians of Los An
geles. When Mr.. Wrightson wanted a
big chorus for the oratorio "St Paul,
which is to be sung next Monday night,
Dnly twelve persons reported for drill.
The story is that a local director held
his singers until he could obtain an
engagement as soloist in the produc-
ton. This musical boycott caused Mr..
Wrightson to use fortissimo language
and to canvass for singers. With 800
voices he will astonish the envious next
Monday.
1t happens that Clarence Thompson.
secretary Of the Fellowship, knows
something about music. Mr. Thompson
plays the piano and it is averred that
his Fellowship musical suggestions to
Mr.. Wrightson have been met with
naughty contempt. The director from
Washington, DR.. c., has absorbed some
Of President Roosevelts strenuosity,
and from the schools of arts he has
delivered numerous declarations Of in
dependence, some of which have been
accompanied by gesture work" Of the
sort used in leading an italian band.
But of course there are two sides to
every story.
"The festival will take place as
scheduled declared one of the man
ayers of the assembly. Mr.. Wrightson
mas the temperament of the artist. He
Is perhaps trifie hasty. If he does not
direct the festival there are men whom
we can engage as his substitute All
musical knowledge is not confined to
persons who live in Washington, D. c."