The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-11-11

the whole wide world, and they seem to
find the stock Of gold larger than ever
and easier TO get.
Probably there are many amateurs Of
opera in Washington who read the other
day with a vague envy the report of the
arrival at Boston of the special company
organized in Europe for the purpose OF
giving New Orleans its own annual sea-
son Of grand opera. What a fine thing
for city of the size Of New orleans 10
be able TO have its own opera season
what q distinction to be the only city in
the United States besides New York that
does so. No doubt some of the more
enthusiastic of the local lovers Of the
lyric drama began to have day-dreams
Of a roseate musical future when Wash
ington win not be content with few
performances Of grand opera scattered
through the winter. but VIII emulate the
example Of New Orleans and import or
organize its very own company Of artists
for its own operate delectation. There
is little doubt the dream OF these en-
thusiasts will some day come true. It is
not impossible nor even improbable that
the next dozen years will see Washing
ton provided with its own opera house,
where a regular season OF grand opera
will be given by a special company every
winter Washington even now includes
in its regular resident population a large
number OF reasonably well-to-do people
who are devoted 10 good opera. These
people could be depended on 10 patronize
literally such an enterprise as the music
loving citizens Of New Orleans have
made successful for many years Prob
ably there are not as yet enough Of these
people in Washington TO insure the sue
cess here Of a regular opera season Of
six weeks or two months, even at very
moderate prices.
But Washington is growing with great
rapidity in musical culture and apprecia-
ton no less than in population and
wealth. A large percentage OF the peo-
pie who come here I'm increasing numbers
each winter for the Congressional ses-
sion and the social season-whO make
this their regular winter home, in fact
are OF the class to whom grand opera
appeals These steady accretions to the
musical colony ought in a few years TO
make the National Capital a great must
cal center of the country. thus bringing
the dream Of the opera-lover within the
realm Of the feasible. Even now there
| is assuredly as much wealth in Washing
! ton as in New Orleans. although the bust
ness and commerce Of the city are very
small as compared TO those Of the LOui-
siana town. 1t Is to the exceptionally
weH-defned community feeling existing
/ in New Orleans-its local pride, in other
wOrds-nO less than 10 the large per-
| centage of music-loving people OF French
/ blood resident there that the creole me-
/ tropols owes it's distinction I'm operate
enterprise. Unfortunately for this city.
the community spirit is feeble. especially
so among the very class from which must
/ come the impulse that has given New
/ Orleans its own season Of opera by q
company especially selected FOR the pur-
pose But various causes are at work
| tending TO develop, year by year. closer
cohesion and a stronger community feel
ing among the residents OF Washington.
So it may be hoped the day isn't far dis
tant when the National Capital. taking
its Tightful place as a metropolis OF art
| and culture. as we'll as Of politics, viii
not be content to wait for a small allow
ance Of grand opera when the season
/ wanes or closes in New York, and the
tired artists can be dispatched on tour
with more profit than they can be kept
lin the big city.
MAURICE sPLAIN