Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-12

Opera begins with the chorus and the
orchestra. The importance OF an orches-
ira and chorus of the highest standard
has been fully demonstrated through the
unquestioned success Of the Chicago
Opera Company. whose performances so
far as ensemble goes have never been
excelled in artistic excellence.
Il propose the formation here in Wash
! ington OF q central organization for the
simultaneous development of
| Federal grand opera in many cities
49,. OF America-a development
founded upon local orches-
| tras and choruses. This central organ-
zation will control soloists. conductors, a
certain number Of trained people and the
! solo instruments and the first stands OF
the orchestra. 1t should have it's ad-
ministrative headquarters in Washington.
| with the producing center in Chicago. 1.
| is likely that plan of cooperation can
be effected with the Chicago Grand Opera
Company and with the other important
operate organizations. providing for the
| interchange of noted artists. This plan
! would provide engagements for the sur
| plus talent OF the older companies as
we'll as improve the artistic standard of
| the production in English by the new
! company.
"A city wishing to have an annual
season of opera in English. upon raising
| a guaranteed fund-wh1ch Is the method
! now employed whenever one of the great
operate organizations goes ON tour-will
be assigned conductor to organize and
| drill local operate chorus. Months be-
fore the opening Of the season this man
will begin his work He will test voices
! from the classes of musical conserva-
tories and private teachers, and train
| the singers chosen in the choruses of the
operas selected for the season.
| The work OF this chorus will be an
educational force In the community: and
also, incidentally. an advertisement of
the coming season. When the season
trail organization the principal singers,
a few trained chorus singers to guard
against any possible mischance, through
| nervousness on the part of the new re-
OF the orchestra. The mechanical force
| will bring the scenery and properties:
there will be a. few rehearsals and the
season will begin.
''Such opera, with chorus Of the young
people OF the community. would be some
thing unique In the artistic
Intellectual life Of the city. Would not
| 1.n the enthusiasm Of intelil-
| gent people respond to
/ opera that would be understood? Would
! not the management rather pay a certain
| amount in salaries to its own people
and music students. and reduce the price
| OF opera seats. than to pay railroad fare
:; for 200 people, and have nothing left
when they were gone save memory?
! Il need not point out how this enter
prise would grow-how the seasons would
| 1engthen, the local organization become
permanent, how it would be found profit
able for each to acquire scenery and
properties, and how, finally, there would
come the building Of opera houses and
the formation of permanent opera COM
panies. Independent of the parent organi-
| zation. Nor need l point out how the
lean young people would become the rule
| in the cities of America, just as it is to-
day in the cities Of Germany, Italy and
| France.
There may be some who say that Eng
| lish Is not singable. You have often en-
joyed The Messiah Would you have
wished 1t translated into Italian or
French? The reasons for fearing for the
beauty OF opera in English are two. The
| first is the matter of familiarity. When
| you know and love a beautiful melody,
set to certain words. and change OF
cause Is the generally poor English
| translation of opera books The average
! opera book is not made for the singer
| but simply to tell the hearer what is be-
| ing sung. One Of the first necessities OF
| an English opera movement would be ac-
curats translations Of libretto.
II believe that Washington is the place
and 1911 the year for the formation OF a
| preliminary organization te
General arrange for the launching
Of the plan which | have
AAtSAesS' outlined. During the past
few months 1 have been thrown into
close association with circles Of inf1uen
tial men in st. Louis, Cleveland. Atlanta
Milwaukee and st. Paul in connection
with the tour of the Chicago Opera Com
pany, and I have discussed the plan Ions
and carefully with leading men in Chi
cago. In my opinion the only method
that promises success is to federate the
operatic interests Of these communities
with a central Office at the capital OF
the country, location to which none Of
these can object. This is not move
ment in which a few men should beal
heavy burdens, financial and executive
1t Is rather national movement in which
| responsibility should be distributed.
"Since the first task will he the secur
| ing Of local organizations and guarantees
from the cities desiring seasons OF opera
under the new plan. there will be in
vestment made solely upon faith, with q
| chance of loss. In forming this organi
cation we should be like the manufacture
er who obtains orders for his output be
fore be builds his factory When the
conductor begins his work in each cit,
the ticket sale might open at the same
time. The enterprise should thus carry
itself from the start. Since there would
be only incidental expenses connected
with the organization until the season
its own conductor out Of ticket sales
there would be no possibility that any
conceivable acknowledgment at head
quarters should involve the local com
mitteeS In any loss.
1--WE ask nothing of the government un.
less We might possibly need a charter
from Congress. but we think it wise anG
practical to make our central headuuar
tiers and the seat of operation here. ano
suggest that a committee OF public-spir
tied lovers OF music be formed to con
slider the plan outlined. with the aiC
OF additional information and data thai
will be able to furnish. and to deter
mine at a later date what action. if any
should be taken to inaugurate American
opera In English
According to Mr.. Dippel's plan the fol
lowing cities would be included in the
ico-operative opera organixat ton: Atlanta
Baltimore. Brooklyn. Birmingham, Bes
ton, Buffalo. Chicago. Cincinnati, 0etroit
cleveland. Indianapolis, Denver lnsas
city. Louisville, Milwaukee, Minneapolis
St Paul, New Orleans, New York, Phila-
delphia, Pittsburg, st. Louis and Wash.
tin.ton.