New-York tribune., 1908-09-05
Grand OPERA IN ENGLISH
BY Henry " Savage.

After thirteen years of consistent .experinne,
tation with grand opera IN English II IS pa
sibIe to speak with considerable confidence =
garding the future Of grand opera IN Aserr'
and the future Of ambitious and talsntss
American singers. From that czcy IN NAV 1Ns
when launched my original venture in Bost.
NV strongest desire has been TO ESTABLISH graf
opera in English on so firm a basis that it soa
become accepted by our music loving pubic
the proper style of grand opera for this e0sRr
From the very first my faith has been Z
shaken
am now satisfied that the time is net
distant when there win be almost rs little
mand here for grand opera in a foreign tong
as there is in the music loving COUNTRIES
Europe. III is inevitable. All the G6jeetu
win gradually disappear-fn fact, am able
show they have already disappeared to lars
extent-and grand opera in English win be
cepted as a national institution.
My work has always been along edueatieu
lines. II was necessary to come IN close ton
with lovers OF good music IN every city. y
this I have done MY grand opera eompans
have visited as many as one hundred
twenty cities in one season Even the small
hamlet has it's music and singing teachers
little choral organizations and its musical
teries composed of opera hungry people g.
public schools, recognizing the value OF
study of music as a factor IN mental trans
now employ thousands of music teachers Wk
formerly there was absolutely no music tang
in the schools. I have found everywhers
eager interest in the opportunities to near
great operas afforded by my organizations
announcement has been ell that could drss
NV letter files are bulging with hattering
dorseuents from all walks of life, from cos
nresidents to board OF trade brokers, Fa
arcbbishous TO Iaymen. from club ffe, socs
circles and from stolid business people
CnIv one thing lis ever held back the ne
rapid progress Of my endeavors, and tnat
the need of singers / have been cOIapelsd 6
develop my own artists. And herein have
vavs found the most serious drawback to :
plans. Not that America does not have
voices-we have the world beaten on that sea
but we are still so furiously youthful n 9
capacity to enjoy music that, like children,
are dazzled by the glitter Of things rather =
by the good that is in them.
For this reason tenor OF prima donna VI
receives 81 600 performance is accepted En
ont qu. ion as superior TO the singer reeesn'
s1OO a performance Furthermore, until
last few years an indifferently equipped tossI
singer could be palmed off on the American ps
lie as a great artist. while greater artists Oh =
homemade variety could not obtain hear
Nor is the manager to blame II, Barnun-hss
has trafficked in the gulibility Of the puoHe
Accordingly. / soon found | must not iol E
the foreign system of exploiting artists oat I
vote my educational work to demonstrating
value of good rendition Of the operas tnernse''
maintain that the opera is greater tnaa
artist.
On this line grand opera in English has hsd
greatest success The opportunities afforded
NV organization have inspired American yoal
to go in for operatic work. until I now D
hundreds to select FROM where formerly :