The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-17
NOT FOR A LOCAL BAYREUHH
SCHUMANN-HEINK CRITICISES
NORDICA'S PLAN.
As Well Try to Build q Jerusalem or Q Mecca
Here, She sayB, but q National Censor.
vatOry In Feasible Hopes to See o
Home Built for Needy Musicians,

Here. She Says. but q National Censor
vatOry In Feasible Hopes to See o
Home Built for Needy Musicians,
MoETcLATR, N. j., June 16.-Mme. Schu-
mann-Heink, the opera singer, to-day in
dictated that she was not at all in sympathy
with Nine, Nordica's idea Of establishing
an American Bayreuth, Although Nine,
Schumann-He ink entered into a Discus
sion OF the project reluctantly. evidently
fearing that she might be misunderstood
she spoke freely and with great earnestness
as she continued.
There Is but one Jerusalem, one Rome,
one Mecca-there Is but one Bayreuth, .
she said. you may raze the Bayreuth
Opera House to the ground and ship It,
piece by piece, to New York; send over the
scenery. the artists and musicians, dig up
the very earth itself, but you cannot bring
to New York the atmosphere, the environ
ment and the traditions that surround
Bayreuth. These are and will remain
forever sacred.
You may build a Jerusalem here with
its Holy Sepulchre,' the singer went on,
but the feet OF Christ nave never trod in
America Or you may establish here a
Mecca and the pilgrim will look at it-and
laugh. To attempt to do that Is nonsense
and besides would be working against the
laws of Nature.
1T is all ridiculous and besides there is
no need Of it, for we have in this country
every facility for the development Of music
that the world affords. In every little city
in the United States there 10 a surprising
int crest shown by appreciative musicians
in the advancement Of music OF a higher
order. The farmer out on the plains, il he
has no opera house, buys himself a phono-
graph
no, no; II is impossible to establish
an American Bayreuth," declared Nine,
Schumann-beink with much earnestness,
"A national conservatory-yes, tina would
be a feasible undertaking. she added.
Not one great conservatory for the whole
country, but several branches for different
sections OF the country under one manage
ment and supported in whole or in part
by the national or State Government,
1t will all oome in time. As soon as the
idea assumes tangible shape the American
people. who are the most liberal and ger
erous in the world, will cheerfully consent
TO pay a greater musical tax than at
present
What is the height Of your ambition
and what would you like to see accom-
plished for this country more than all else?'
Nine. Schumann- Heink was asked.
1T is TO establish a beautiful home for
-superannuated singers n musicians,
their widows and their orphans" wal the
ready reply. Il would not have this in
stitution regarded as a charity but more
in the nature OF a p~ension-a haven Of
rest for the men and women who through
illness or misfortune are inca pacitated
from earning a living temporarily or for
all time. INC | would have foreign artists
who come to this country contribute
two-and-one half per cent. Of their Amer
dollars TO this institution, just as
they pay to the musicians pension fund
all over Europe. Voluntary gifts or per-
oentage contributions from artists and
musicians would, in my opinion, prove
sufficient for all needs,
This is my ideal, and TO this end | shall
devote my best efforts
After a most active professional season
Mime. -Heink is spending the
at her beautiful country home
a lovely plateau Of the Watching
overlooking the picturesque
Valley for many miles. Her pa
triotic loyalty TO her adopted country
Is indicated by the huge American flag
always floats from a tall staff on
he lawn in front Of the house. Her
son is named George Washington
his fond mamma believes hat he has
never told a lie.