The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-08
Movement Started by Managers
of the Metropolitan.
Modelled After the University
Extension Idea.
A NATIONAL LEAGUE
OF Musical Clubs to Be Organ
lied in United States.
Members to Be Supplied With
Anything They Need.

Carlsbad Austria, Aug. s.-Messrs.
Gatti-Casazza, Dippol and Kahn met
in conference this morning to discuss
measures for increasing the influence
and scope of the Metropolitan opera
OF New York city in fostering operate
art and culture. plan was adopted
for making the Metropolitan the GEN.
ter of a national movement for ex-
tending opera throughout the United
States. The plan is modelled after the
university extension Idea. One gen.
eral object is to create a universal in
terest in operate chorus singing.
Hitherto in the United States choral
effort has confined itself exclusively to
oratorio. Now an organized effort is
to be effected inviting general atten-
ton to the beauties and delights OF
operate singing. Local musical socie-
ties are to be induced to study operas
suggested by an advisory council COM
Preparations for the performance of
an opera may be carried as far as
local talent and enthusiasm will per-
NIT. AS far is possible the Metropoli-
tan opera will. whenever requested,
lend its cooperation by sending eff
Client soloists and furnishing whatever
else may be requisite to enable a sat-
isfactory performance. Communities
that are favorably situated may want
a whole cast including scenery, the
chorus of experts to act as leaders
of the local chorus with which 1t is
combined.
National League of Clubs.
A National League of Metropolitan
Opera clubs will carry the plan into
operation. Lectures, illustrated by
Photographic records and stereopticon
slides picturing scenes from the
operas, will be supplied to promote
the organization of local clubs for the
study and performance of the opera.
A graded list of operas recommend
ed for study will be issued. Advice
will be furnished as to where and how
reliable vocal scores of these operas
may be obtained. and what omissions,
II any. may be found advisable. Plans
for suitable production of opera will
be suggested, whether with or without
scenic representations, performances
varying according to the financial
ability and willingness of localities,
from operate. concert or opera in
concert form to the staging of whole
acts, and the giving of an entire opera.
A museum and library is to be de-
veloped, possibly in connection with
the New Theater. for the collection of
books. manuscripts, photographs, cos
TUNES and whatever else may be help
full to the fullest obtainable informa-
ton concerning opera in all its bear
ings. with 1t will be connected a bu-
reau of information for the use of
members of the National League of
Metropolitan Opera clubs.
End to, Be Attained.
Some of the beneficial purposes
which the managers of the Metropoli-
tan opera expect to accomplish
through the working of the education
al enterprise are these: Greater num- |
Der of people may become acquainted
with the delights of opera, to the en-
rfchment of their lives A stimulus
rx-fII hA cd 70 hn 80 v.rfxya %.l
and public endowment of opera in
many localities widespread inter
est in opera will bring out original ef-
fort along operate lines so that the
numbers of American writer's of IL
bretto and composers of music will
grow and American artists may in
creasingly compete with the artists of
other countries in winning honors in
the field of operate creation and in
depreciation. Incidentally the Metro
politan opera hopes to solve that trou- |
blesome problem of recruiting an in
telligent chorus without having to de-
pend upon going abroad in search of
desirable material. Participation by
lovers of music in the local opera
choruses will no doubt develop an
abundance of latent talent.
The chief thought behind the or
ganization of the National League of
Metropolitan Opera clubs is that OPP
era is the most efficient agency for
spreading musical culture. The in
crease OF the leisure hours of the
working man in this country calls for
q corresponding increase of desire
able forms of amusement. for the well
fare of society alone, II for no other
reasons. Music, because of the uni
versatility of it's appeal. combined with
drama, as it is in opera, is believed to
be peculiarly calculated to get hold of
the whole man, and while affording
him pleasure and recreation, adds at
the game time to the sum of culture.
The headquarters of the league will
be the Metropolitan opera in New
York city. Active membership is linn
tied to local clubs. life directors. and
the permanent officers of the league.
associate and sustaining memberships
are open to individuals and organiza-
lions.