Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-13

cold in Denver was enormous. The
sunshine in Los Angeles is enorm us.
Americas art, especially the grand
opera portion thereof, is enormous.
1T was not long years ago, only a
little matter of ten or fifteen years" "
she continued, when Suwanee River,
Last Rose of Summer and ballads of
that sort satisfied the musical cravings
OF the average audience. Today those
same audiences demand arias, seXtetS
and scenes from the most classical op-
eras writteni Wagner is becoming
popular with the masses, strange as it
may seem to the lay mind.
1T is musical progression through
education which has brought this
about The people are beginning to
discern between what is worth while
and what merely tickles the ear and
touches not the soul. why, even in
Texas, where they have small oppor-
tunity to hear great artists except in
concert, the people are beginning to
show a marvellous understanding OF the
best music. In Chicago a few years
ago l could sing some more or less
popular ballads and few selections
from the lighter of the Italian or
French grand operas. And today Chi
Cago is establishing a permanent grand
opera!
Distancing Other Nations
"Industrially America has distanced
all her rival nations. She is doing the
same thing in music l suppose Ameri-
cans thought they would make the
money first and then get the art after
ward. But however that may be. l
look for the day to come soon when
America will be the artistic country of
the world and when all nations will
envy America for her achievements.
1T Is the women who have made and
are making America the great musical
nation. Few men have the time to at
tend an afternoon recital. They are
tCo busy in business. Women are the
leisure class of America. 1t is different
abroad. But it will not be long before
men a well as women will come to ap-
preciate how really helpful music is.
las an evidence that Americans are
growing in their understanding and ap-
probation of opera, witness the two
opera houses in New York, one in
Brooklyn, one in Philadelphia, one in
Boston and the one to be established
in Chicago. 1t cannot be called a fad
any longer. 1t is an institution.
Former Days Recalled
"I can we'll remember singing in the
Metropolitan opera house in New York
when it was a great distinction to be
seen in The Diamond Horseshoe or in
any of the boxes. There always was a
constant chatter going on in that horse
shoe and in those boxes. Today every
body listens attentively, and every
body applauds at the right moment.
Society still goes to the opera, but
not necessarily because ii is fashion
able. 1t goes now to hear and learn
and enjoy, not to display jewels and
dresses, and to see and be seen.
There is a great deal of comment
just now about the establishment of
Chicagos new opera house. Many have
declared that Chicago will become the
musical center of the United States, if
not the world. That l believe is impos-
sible. The difference between Chicago
and New York, musically speaking, Is
the difference between the articles "a
and the To use the Vernacular, Chi
cago will be a musical center; New
York. the musical center There is too
much wealth, too much power, too
much prestige of time, too much pat
ronage from a large permanent and
floating population in New York to al
low Chicago to take the musical die
tatorship from the great metropolis.
Native Singers Winning
genius is not based on nationality.
For this reason American singers are
coming into their own. Time was when
Americans got scant hearing in grand
opera houses in America Today some
of the greatest singers in the world are
American born. One need not have
blood of the Latin race in his or her
veins to be great in any field of artistic
endeaVor Scarcely a single grand op-
era troupe in Europe is without its
American prima donna or leading sing
er. 1t will not be long before America
will listen with as great enjoyment to
her own native singers as she does to
those of foreign birth. l say this with
more or less intimate understanding of
musical conditions, and 1 am of foreign
birth.
1--WE always underestimate the things
we have. That probably is the reason
for the cold reception many American
singers have received at home and the
warm greeting given them in other
countries. If the voice is worthy it will
be heard. 1t may take time and much
effort, but what is not worth striving
for Is not worth having at all.
IF I could have my dearest wish,
would have all people happy and mu-
sically educated. l believe music be-
gets happiness, and happiness expresses
itself in music, or some appreciation of
art"
Madame Sembrich and her associate
artists will be the third event of the
Philharmonic course tomorrow evening
at Simpson auditorium. Madame Sem
brich is now singing her farewell to the
recital stage and is giving the best et
forts of her life TO entertain her many
friends on this tour. She is ably as
sisted by Francis Rogers, American
baritone. and Frank La Forge, pianist.