New-York tribune., 1908-08-09
A NATIONAL OPERA
METROPQLITAN'S PLANS.
Effort to Ertend Musical Culture
Throughout United States.

Carlsbad. Aug. 1.-Messrs Gatti-Casazza. Dippei
and Kahn met In conference this morning TO dis
cuss measures for increasing the influence and
scope of the Metropolitan Opera of New York City
in fostering operstic culture A plan
adopted for making the Metropolitan the centre of
a national movement for extending opera through
out the United States. The plan is modelled after
the university extension idea One general object
is to create universal interest In operatfc chorus
singing
Hitherto in the United States choral effort has
confined itself exclusively oratorio. Now,
organized effort is effected inviting general at
tenton to the beauty and pleasure in operatic sing
Ing. Local musical societies are to be induced TO
study operas suggested by advisory council com
posed of competent authorities Preparations for
the performance of an opera may be carried as
as local talent and enthusiasm will permit AS
far as possible the Metropolitan Opera WILL when
ever requested lend It's cooperation by sending eff
cient solo singers and furnishing whatever else
may be requisite to enable satisfactory perform
ance Communities which favorably situated
may want complete cast including scenery the
visiting cast comprising small stock chorus of ex-
perts to act leaders OF the local chorus with
which it is combined
national league OF metropolitan opera clubs
will carry the plan into operation. Lectures Illus
trated by Photographic records and stereopticon
Slides showing from the operas will be
supplied to promote the organization Of local clubs
for the study and performance OF the opera
SCOPE OF AID TO LOCAL CLUBS
A graded list of operas recommended for study
will be issued. Advice will be furnished where
and how trustworthy vocal scores OF these operas
may be obtained and what omissions. II any,
be found advisable. Plans for suitable production
of opera will be suggested. either with or without
scenic representations. varying according TO the
financial ability and willingness OF localities. from
operate concert opera in concert form to the
staging of acts and the performance Of an entire
opera
museum and library are to be developed, pos
sibly in connection with the New Theatre, for the
collection of books manuscripts photographs.
TUNES and whatever may be helpful to obtaining
full information concerning opera With 1T Will be
connected a bureau of information for the use OF
members OF the National League Of Metropolitan
Opera Clubs.
THE EXPECTED RESULTS.
Among the beneficial purposes which the mana
gers of the Metropolitan Opera expect TO accomplish
through the working of the educational enterprise
that a greater number OF people may become
acquainted with the delights of opera TO the en-
richment Of their lives, and that a stimulus may
be afforded TO the idea OF private and public en-
dowment Of opera in handy localities 1t Is believed
also that widespread interest in opera VIII bring
out original effort along operatic lines that the
numbers of American writer. of Hbretto and COM
posers Of music will grow and American artists
may increasingly compete with the artists OF otner
countries winning honors in the field OF operaue
creation and Interpretation Incidentally the Met
ropolitan Opera hopes to solve that troublesome
problem of recruiting intelligent chorus without
having to depend on going abroad in search or de-
s,rahle material Participation by lovers OF music
In the local opera chorusss viii no doubt develop
an abundance of latent talent
The chief thought behind the new organization
Is that opera is the most efficient agency toi
spreading musical culture. The increase In the lei
snre hours of the workngman in this country CANS
for corresponding increase of desirable forms OF
ar,u.ernent for the welfare Of society alone II Ior
No other reasons Music. because OF the UNIVERSAL
ity of its appeal combined with drama as II Is II
- ~ t bsIiaved to be peculiarly fitted to get hold
ot +be whole man and, while affordng him pleas
rre and recreation adds at the sarns time TO the
sum OF culture. ~
The headquarters Of the league VIII be me met
-onoI,+an Opera in New York Active membership
=, ,,t,a5 m local clubs life directors and the per
rnsnent officers Of the league Associate ana sus
tain,rr memberships are open TO individuals ana
orgs MIA tiOns