Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12

by Curtis Brown. All rights strictly reserved.)
cry for a score of operas. This work has
been intrusted to two Vienna firms Of scenic
artists. Owing to the floor space required
for scene painting it Is impossible to rush
this work by the employment of additional
labor, as can be done In most other de-
partmentS of industry.
One of these firms, the oldest in Europe.
occupies large atelier, with three floors,
so that three sets of scenery can be painted
at the same time. The canvas Is laid fiat
on the floor, which corresponds roughly in
width and length to the height and breadth
of big theater stage. The artists lay on
the colors with long handled brushes, work
ing just as the costumier does from beauti-
fully prepared sketches. These are more
elaborate and difficult to paint, as they in
Volve not only the landscape art, but also
require architectural knowledge and pre-
cision, so as to insure the proper represent
tation of fine interiors. These sketches
must also be made very quickly. The time
occupied in painting scenes varies consfd-
erably. For such gorgeous pictures are
presented in operas like THE Queen Of
Sheba' and "ParsifaP' one scene may take
a month to paint, while forest or cottage
interior can be done in two days.
Owing to its great size the transportation
of scenery so far America is work of
considerable difficulty and the canvas has
to be folded with the utmost care.
X
Buying costumes and scenery Is only a
part, however, of Director Conried's work
in Europe. Much more important and much
moro difficult is the business of hunting for
talent and persuading singers and actors,
male and female distinguished and I'M
known, to go over to the new world-and
this work requires the most difficult ham
ding. 1t is not enough to find the singer
you want, but you have to capture him
when you have found him. Two of the
main difficulties are the ridiculously large
salaries demanded and the actors unwil-
Hngness to undertake such a long journey
to a strange land.
And first as to the salaries demanded.
Here In Vienna Conrled went to young
actress engaged in a quite third-rate posi-
ton In a local theater at a salary of 5000
kronen Gl.GCO). Although it takes a good
deal to astonish the New York director, he
confesses to having been somewhat taken
back when she coolly demanded 100000
kronen, or $4,000, for seven months en-
gagement in New York. "She thinks a
glass of beer costs a dollar" he remarked.
Needless to say the lady was not engaged.
A curious feature in this work of engag-
ing artists is that the further they live
from the sea the harder It is to persuade
them to go to America. Singers living in
Hamburg or other German cities near the
coast require little persuasion to cross the
ocean, but when it comes to dealing with
residents of Vienna. some hundreds of miles
inland, 1t is another matter. These display
the utmost fear at attempting such q voy-
age, and have just as much dread of it as
that Russian giant who had recently to be
carried on board the Atlantic liner at Dover
by sturdy sailors. The artists fears Of the
journey usually manifest themselves In a
very practical form-money. They want,
besides the highest imaginable pay, to be
insured for considerable sum against all
risks and accidents. Then, II their fam
lilies coming, they want them all in
sured, tool They have ali the vaguest ideas
about America and of the cost of living
there and they think they cannot ask too
much.
But after all this preliminary work has
been gotten over and even after contracts
have been signed and sealed the matter is
by no means settled. The artist wants to
know when and where and in what char
acter he or she is to make the first ap-
pearance. 1t is a work Of delicate negotia-
ton to arrange this, and then comes the
question OF rehearsals and payment for
them. 1t Is a long and weary work, full of
disappointment. Artists are what the
Scotch call "kittle cattle.' and must be
handled with infinite tact. For, as Conried
says, even If the law permitted me to take
man who had signed a contract and bring
him by force to America and plant him
down on the metropolitan stage 1 still
couldn't make him sing"
Hunting, finding and engaging stage art
lists means In Europe a tremendous lot of
hustling itinerary Conried was forced to
make over here this trip:
Arrived In Vienna from Milan. May IL