Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-04-09
VERNON STILES
WOULD GO HIGHER
BORN GRAND OPERA
SINGER NOW IN VIENNA
HAS ABSORBING AMBITION

Vernon stiles, the Kansas City man
whose parents are now visiting at the
j. w. Garner home, sings the leading
tenor roles with the Royal Opera COM
pany in Vienna. Mr.. Stiles, who was
born here and is known to great
number, confesses an absorbing ambl-
ton. He hopes to reach such high
place in the operate world that his
name will be known everywhere. Then
he intends to exert his influence in
furthering a campaign to make the
United States the leader in musical
achievement among all the nations.
He talked the other day to an Amer
lean correspondent of the effort that
is being made on behalf of Kansas
City as fine arts capital. He is con-
fident that the interest of the entire
nation Is being raised and that in the
general onward movement which is to
come the home city will play an I'M
portant part He is quoted in the
Kansas City Star as follows:
"The idea that am going to cam
paign above. every other, II reach
the point where my words may carry
weight, is grand opera in English
he said. II do not believe that the
appreciation of opera in America can
| be properly increased and improved
until the productions are given in the
language Of the country.
"The English, consider, next to the
Italian, the most advantageous and
beautiful language for the singer. The
| German is too cultural and it SO
abounds in escaping breaths that the
So, n N
more often than in any other. The
French is too nasal and too monot-
onous in sound. The Italian is, Of
course, the ideal language of song,
with none other to compare with 1t.
| But what has been done in the Ger
man and the French can be accom-
lplisted in the English.
| Our Ideas Are Incorrect.
"The longer / live in Europe the
more patriotic | become. realize
| the great art possibilities OF my own
country, but | cannot help deploring
the fact that they are so neglected,
especially the opportunities to encour-
age young singers who have talent.
The most manly American, if he takes
up singing as profession, Is looked
upon by the majority of. his neigh.
bOrS as eftemlnate.
Here In Europe the feeling of the
ma ority is far in advance of this
childish and undeveloped idea. Even
among army officers, on whom not
the slightest suspicion Of effeminacy
could rest, splendid singers and play
ers are often found. In America, as
| in Europe, the art should be looked
upon as a wholesome and landable
profession and amusement. Besides
Offering as great opportunities for
financial profit as the law or any 9th
err profession, the fact that man is
an artist of high standing gives him
entree into the very elite of European
social circles
at is cause for commendable pride
and at the same time a reminder OF
opportunities that we are overlooking
at home, that American singers in
European opera houses almost invari-
ably hold leading positions. Every
encouragement is given the American
over here. | am almost inclined to
think that the newspapers and the
public are sometimes too lenient In
| their treatment of him. Contrary to a
popular belief there is no more In
| triguing by directors and European
singers against foreigners in Europe
than there is among the foreigners
! themselves.
Study In Europe Costly.
"But young American singers should
be made to understand the advisable
ity of securing thorough foundation
in voice culture and operate roper
tory and also some stage experience,
If possible, before coming abroad for
operate work here. There is no other
voice in the world which compares
with the American and the best vocal
teachers in America are the best to
be found anywhere. believe, too,
that there is less charlatanism among
American teachers than among any
others.
"And / want to warn students who
come to Europe against the fallacy of
the idea that one lives here on less
money than at home. This impress
sion is q great delusion. In accepting
position with an opera company in
Europe the candidate should ask him
self not how much money he is going
to receive, but how much he will be
able to keep.
|Electropodes