The San Francisco call., 1906-06-03

PARIS. June 2.-It is remarkable
studying music under the leading
masters in Paris are Americans They
number not far short of 500 and
large proportion are desirous of be-.
coming professional singers. 1t is "a
constant complaint with these young
artists that their difficulties only begin
when their studies end. Frequently
they have to wait years before they
can get an opportunity of showing
their capabilities, and if they are so
fortunate as to get a hearing from this
operatic director it often takes place
under conditions the very reverse of
favorable.
The candidate is ushered with
beating heart into the presence of the
great man. whose word means fame or
blighted hopes. Everything is new:
the acoustic properties of the empty
nall or theater are unfamiliar; an
aria is chosen and sung and the voice
almost invariably forced from sheer
nervousness, and before the aspirant
has we'll realized what has happened
a deprecating wave or lne hand has
sgnified more plainly than words that
the verdict is unfavorable.
This picture is not overdrawn,
Scores of young American students in
Paris could testify to it's truthfulness.
How is this state of things to be rem
edied? The problem is one of absorb
ing interest not only to the American
colony in Paris, bu- to every one in
terested in the development of Amer
ican art The practical solution has
been discovered
Why asked some one. should
American singers not be afforded an
opportunity of appealing directly TO
the public, just as American painters
and sculptors do who exhibit their
work at the salons? ?" The idea found
favor. Mrs Clinch- Smith, who made
SO uncommon a success in Paris So
ciety this season by Ter conducting of
a ladies' orchestra, took it up with
enthusiasm and soon patronage COM
mittee was formed to guarantee the
necessary outlay.
1t was proposed to hire a theater
and give three full performances. that
is to say with orchestra and scenery.
of some of the best known operas. NJ.
Gailhard, director of the Grand Opera
and the leading professors of singing
| and musical critics were consulted as
to the feasibility of the undertaking.
They were unanimous in their ap-
proval Oscar Hammerstein pronounced
the idea excellent and declared his
readiness to engage any talent that
pleased him.
NEW PLAN FAVORED.
The list of patronesses includes such
well-known names as Mrs. William
Astor. Mr.. Rutherford -Stuyvesant. Mrs
! J. W. Mackay, Princess Galitzin, Nine
| Waddington, Lady Lange, Countess
Rene de Coet1ogon, Mrs Clinch- Smith
Mrs Millington Drake; Mrs. F. Mason
| wife of the Consul General; Mrs. J.. A.
Taber, Mrs. H. H. Baird, Mrs. Herbert
! Ward. Miss Della Gurnee and Miss
Pomeroy.
The next step was to hire theater
and the choice fell upon the Theatre
Sarah Bernhardt. The negotiations
were successfully carried through and
| the building engaged for June 4
The original intention to give three
performances was found to be i'm
practicable for two reasons: First, the
heavy expense of hiring the theater for
/ three nights: secondly. the difficulty of
| bringing together the leading man
ayers and critics in Paris on more than
| one occasion Their presence. 1T must
be recollected, is an essential part of
the scheme. The organization and ar
tistic direction of the undertaking are
! in the hands of ]. H. Duval. a young
| American artist, who has already made
| his mark in Rome. He has succeeded
| in finding some remarkable talent, and
! 1t is confidently expected that some
at least, Of the young American prima