The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-15
GROWTH OF ENGLISH OPERA.
Something of the Work of MT. Sa'
 ages Company of Singers.

Something of the Work of Mr. Saw
 ages Company of Singers.
 To large class of music lovers in whatever city is annually visited by Henry W. Savage's English Grand Op- era Company his repertory of master pieces means not only a season of en- tertainment, but one that contains a strong element of educational value.
 During the nine years since this now famous organization was formed in Boston. thousands of music lovers have become familiar with the great works of grand opera literature. Of this number, certainly a large per cent have been afforded an opportunity which they would not have had. The first and basic principle of the Savage organization Is that grand opera should be given at prices that bring 1t within the reach of all classes.
 Only few of the principal cities of the country can be visited each year by the Metropolitan company, and then its seasons are so brief and it's per- formances are given at such altitud- inous prices that their enjoyment is limited to the wealthy class. Mir. Saw age has forged ahead and with his own theories until now he may justly claim the greatest organization singing grand opera in English in this or any other country.
 A prospectus of the Moody Man ners organization in London, at the close of It's last Covent Garden season, shows that MT. Savage's enterprise, in artists. chorus and orchestra, Is almost double numerically that of the English im- pressario. Following the comparison to the musical centers of the continent, where each city of importance main tains its own opera company, the or ganization again compares more than favorably.
 From the very beginning the En- elish Grand Opera Company was form that heretofore conceived in America. All the numerous attempts of impress sarios during the past thirty years dissolved in great financial loss for their promoters. Mir. Savage has dem onstrated that there Is @ sufficiently numerous class in the principal cities to support grand opera in English. This fact alone should encourage him to continue, as he no doubt will, until the entire country shall eventually rec ognize the merit of performances of the music drama in the vernacular. His success certainly indicates a rapid development toward the much desired condition prayed for by the critics when Americans can point with pride to their love and support of the fine arts.
 It is interesting to observe the meth ods of this new operatic manager Tn the theatrical world. First of all he dis carded the star" system, holding re- ligiously to ensemble presentations His idea has ever been to give faith full representation Of the composers work as 1t was written rather than to make it a vehicle for exploiting some favorite artists. Nor does this imply that his force of principals is mediocre. Prima donnas have gone forth from this company not only to numerous other organizations in this country but to win fame abroad.
 Jane Moria, formerly Josephine Lud- wig, now favorite in Paris. Yvonne de Treville, winning plaudlts in St. Petersburg and Adelaide Norwood, singing in Germany, are all recent graduates of the orzanization. In this country may be mentioned such we'll known singers as Maud Lambert, Grace Van studdiford. Amy Whalley. Lizzie MacNicheI. and the late charming Grace Golden.
 These are only a few who date their prima donna fame to the schooling re- ceived in the English Grand opera Company. Each year as these singers have gone forth their places are filled by more ambitious artists. Mir. Saw ages annual visits to Paris and Italy result in a fresh flock of American born singers returning to sing in their native land after years of study and training under the greatest teachers of the Continent.
 While his English Grand Opera Com pany was achieving successes during It's three years in Boston and three more years in New York, a great amount of effort was expended toward chorus. To assure the ensemble results desired. Mir. Savage from the first held that the choral body should be com posed of American voices. According to Mme. Schumann- -Heink. no country -AE~-AA AslAA ASaAllent uaAAArial As may