The Washington herald., 1908-07-13
HOME OF The ARTS
Washington Urged as Site
for Great Temple.
RUDOLPH ARoNsON'S VIEWS
Theatrical Manager and ImpresariO
Points Ont the Need of n National
Theater to serve ns the Center of
American Dramatic and Musical
CuIture-EurOpean Examples Cited.

That this country is in need Of ma
tional temple of music and art and that
this institution be located in this city.
IS the opinion Of Rudolph Aronson. the
theatrical manager and impresario. OF
New York. who is spending a few days
in Washington. and is at the Raleigh
The very fact that Americans spend
hundreds Of thousands Of dollars every
year 20 see and hear the best actors and
singers that the world produces. shows
that the artistic temperament has been
developed 20 a marked degree In tho
American people said Mr.. Aronson last
night
American people 20 10 Paris. TO Nien-
ma. TO Berlin, TO Baireuth, Oberammer-
gau, and other foreign art centers 20 see
and hear the productions OF composers
and writer's, according 20 Mr.. Aronson.
showing that the best in the line OF
operate or theatrical works is not any
too good for them.
Americans are always anxious 10 pay
due homage to those singers and actors
who have made their debut on European
stages before European audiences and
stamp Of approval OF a European coun-
poser audience, and critics upon them.
the people in this country are convinced
they are receiving something real in re-
turn for their money, This same au-
lGience would not, however. SO around the
corner to hear singer or an actor who
had merely an American schooling and
! experience. and was minus these Euro
pean Endorsements.
FOStered by European Governments.
Europe stimulates the culture OF arr,
l in every particular. The French, German,
I Austrian. and other European govern
ments subsdize theaters and when actors
have reached certain age they are pen
stoned by tho government; they will not
have 20 worry about what becomes OF
them when they grow old and helpless.
In Europe. the government theaters are
also museums Of art. the painters and
lsculptor's art In the magnificent foyers
OF these European theaters are placed on
exhibition the works Of native masters.
the painters art. as well As that Of the
sculptor being represented by master
pieces Only native works are thus recog-
Inized. Grand prizes for new operas.
songs. sculptures. hrOnzeS. and other
efforts In the line OF idealistic art. are
given every year by the government. and
native composers. poets. artists, compete
lin friendly contest for the honors which
at once gives them prominent niche
among the great Of the country. In this
manner foreign governments stimulate
the cultivation Of finer native arts.
/ II Is true that I'm this country We
have not Yet evolved school Of native
music although American composers Of
operas and songs have placed a number
of remarkably beautiful and typically
American melodies before the public
There Is no doubt bu, that with proper
iencOurag cement the American composer
and artist would soon be able 10 keep
step with his European brother. There is
no such thing as government stimulus Of
fine arts In this country I am speaking
now particularly OF music and song. OF
course. The government is doing great
deal for the sculptor and artist, and In
the way Of erecting magnificent govern
ment palaces with statues and brouzes.
and other works OF art. but nothing al
; all is done 10 encourage cEe poet, the
composer. the librettist.
Washington the Ideal Location.
llSltdu OF koinE GoTpdu 10 SEE lAV
greatest actors and hsar the most re-
nowned singers. give the American people
: an opportunity to see and hear these
people right here in this country. And
Washington is the place where they
should always give their first perform
ance Washington is the only place in
this country where such an undertaking
can be carried out to success. II is bet
ter fitted than any other city in the
world It is the capital or the richest
and most enlightened country In the
world. The Presidents home is in Wash
y ington: the diplomatic corps is stationed
In this city; society from every section
of the country fiocks TO Washington In
season. and the wealthy are building pa
latial residences in the Capital The eli
mate in this city in summer compares
most favorably with the climate OF most
European art centers or places where
summer concerts and theatrical perform
anCes are given.
This national temple OF art in Wash
ington should be TO this country as sub
sidized theaterE and operas are 10 for
eign countries. II should contain an art
gallery where the masterpieces Of Ameri-
can sculptOrs and painters are placed or
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