The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-05-02
SINGERS ENTERTAINED
IN ANITA.


Atlanta's enthusiasm, its progressive
spirit and it's appreciation for art is
shown not only in it's manner of re-
ceiving the Metropolitan artists as
artists, but in welcc ming them social
ly. says an Atlanta exchange. Dinner
dances arranged for the days on which
the matinee performances left a free
evening-dinner parties at the Capital
City and Piedmont Driving clubs, an
entertainment at FIT Mcpherson and
afternoon teas for visitors and artists
al Georgia Terrace, with the informal
little meeting among guests at the no
tells, completed very full week. And
these incidental pleasures met a de-
lightful response from the singers.
They were frequent members of box
parties, they are forming friendships
in Atlanta and one big friendship for
the south. frequently they were
noted among the guests at box parties
Oh evenings which left them idle. En-
rico Caruso sat one evening and merri-
~ applauded the singers, starting the
applause again and again as it died
out. Beautiful Nine. Homer, in even
ing attire and with her hair arranged
as always, simply and gracefully at
her neck, was another gracious list
eHer one evening; and so with the 9TH
ers, alternating the role of artistic with
that of guest.
At the Capital City club on Friday
evening, following the production of
Faust" several hundred, Atlantans
and visitors, gathered for dinner. The
scene was unrivalled. The big ball
room in which the tables were placed
was inadequate; several adjoining
rooms were brought into requisition,
and here the diners, all in evening
dress, sat for several hours listening
to the dinner speeches from members
OF Atlanta's Festival association and
toasts from their guests. In the CEN
ter was a long oval table; laden with
high baskets of Easter lilies and roses
ard smaller blossoms, elegant in ap-
pointments. Here were the hosts of
the evening with those of the singers
who were leaving the next day, and
others who were remaining for the fin
al performances. Mr.. John w. Grant
gave a clever talk in which there
was much true Atlanta enthusiasm. He
introduced Mr.. Robert f. Maddox. who
presided as toastma ster in very grace
full fashion. Among the artists who
responded was the conductor, Mr.. AL
fred Hertz, who, like De Sigurola and
several others, disclaimed and ability
as speech maker, but gave a warm
expression of his own and his COM
panions' appreciation of southern hos
pitality as expressed by Atlanta. Mr..
Carl Jorn declined to speak. Il can
not he said, but / can sing" And
sing he did, the most exquisite little
Russian toast. Mr.. Otto Kahn, one
OF the Metropolitan directors, gave a
stirring talk. He was graceful both
in his expression of pleasure in the
| success of the Metropolitan opera in
Atlanta, a success expressed financial
ly in gross receipts of $4,000, and in
| his outline of future plans for the
opera-plans which will make that city
| a southern center for opera and will
Elean an increased musical apprecia-
ticn. And hearing Mr.. Kahn give his
enthusiastic tribute to Atlanta were
people from many states, north and
south, people representing the best
| that the country has to offer in Gull
tUre, musical appreciation and social
prominence. And to those from At
| lanta's sister ity-Birmingham-
hardly less than to Atlanta's own his
praise of the Atlanta spirit, as he said
| that of a people who have every rea-
son to be standard bearers of the
| highest ideals of art, brought a thrill
of pride. For Atlanta in this matter
OF opera represents the SOUTH she is
giving an impetus to artistic apprecia-
ton and development which deserves
ali and more of the patronage that the
south is so enthusiastically giving.