The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-08-14
DON'T 60 ABROAD TO
 STUDY MUSIC This the Advice of Signor SOr- rentino, Famous Tenor, to
 American Girls Mechanical Music Will Have ln- creaSing Vogue, But Can
 not Replace S0lOist

LeTpT6l6TS Ol IOSI1 oOu6S, 11SI "0SA> discussed musicals it pertained to America = with. representative of this paper.
 The scene was the veranda of com fortable summer home, at BurWelfs Beach, between this city and New Ha- ven. where the distinguished artist was a guest, yesterday.
 sorrentino, who is handsome, manly young fellow, expressed the greatest admiration for America, American institutions, and American voices.
 Speaking of voices, he said, Amer ican voices. particularly of your so- world. They are handicapped, it is true, by long course of training Tn consonants, and consequently do nor inherently possess the vowel beauty of the Latin voices-Inany or which have natural 'portamento'-but the American overcones this difficulty by sheer persistence, and wonderful fac- ulty for application"
 American Women An Inspiration. "The American Woman" and the tenor kissed the tips of his fingers ex- tatically, lis the most beautiful and intellectual woman in the world. She is-and should bean inspiration;
 
 Gold has been superseded by the Golden Age, when the cultivation of the arts and sciences will occupy a 1 larger share of attention, she will come into her own, and shine res- plendent as star upon the fair dia- l dem of American Progress. "I emphasie this fact because from l your woman must come the inspira- ton of your composers.
 "Bellini. Verdi. Donizetti, Wagner, Puccini, Boito, and all that sublime band who have translated for Us the music of the spheres; who have brought Heaven little nearer earth l through the influence of their won- derful harmonies, wrought as a trib- ute to some dear woman. For music-like painting, litera- ture, and sculpture--is merely an at- | tribute of the creative instinct = a I manifestation of sex"
 Signor Sorrentino spoke enthusias- tically of the work of Parker, Chad wick, De Koven, and-greatest of all Victor Herbert; and predicted that some of our sincere, earnest young faithfully to the development of the Ideal, may yet evolve equality with even Puccini or Strauss.
 Don't Go Abroad to Study. 'No. don't go abroad to study. This 1 is a fetish-a foolish, expensive and and dangerous practice. The very best among the Italian, French, and l German teachers are. right here in America. Have your girl first per- | feet themselves-in technical train ing,g voice, piano and languages; then go abroad for year or two of f'at- 1mosphere." But the technique they
 can acquire right at home, under the watchful care of their own families D l Sorrentino cautioned against a \ ~feeB~% | ern Europe-the purchased debut. A
 manager = and ninety per cent. of \ them are ARaricious sharks-will
 contract to place a girl with an Op- I era Company. She pays anything
 the "Impressario" can wheedle out to five thousand dollars. She is I permitted to make her debut in one of the numerous small opera houses, ! and then, instead of securing her l an agement-as promised-the
 manager tells her that she has not l fulfilled expectations. It is a very l common form of exploitation. l Most American girls play piano I and read music. Even in the poorer homes one finds some sort of an in- strument. Some years ago, hearing music in the basement of an apart
 nent house where I was staying. | inquired concerning it, and was in- formed that the janitor's daughter was taking her lesson.
 \ This Is unique to America. Tn Europe, the piano is found only in the
 homes of the wealthy.
 If I might venture a criticism, ]
 should say that the bane of America
 who might otherwise make good pi-
 anists-stop at 'rag-time,' and pouf' with an expressive Italian gesture its all off"
 l Sorrentino-who speaks French
 Spanish. Italian and English witt
 thusiastic in respect to the future o1 South America.
 | Never have sung in such opera.
 houses. never met more appreciative
 audiences. There is a big field ir
 South America for the American gir speaking Spanish and Italian, as CD.
 era and concert singer or teacher" What is mechanical music to ac. Icomplish for the music of the flu ture?"
 The Future of '.dechanical'' Music.
 When such wisard-like perfection is achieved that a Chopin, Polanais,
 or Hungarian Rhapsody is played l on player attachment so that Pa I derewski or Rosentha1 themselves are
 vious that the rapidly increasing vo que for them must result in deep l CT appreciation of good music. But
 in my opinion, they can never take the place of the soloist.
 That indef1nable something whicI
 we call souP-that essence which i. not of wave-lengths and degree ot ipercussive force, that elusive charm of 'touch'-can never be duplicated mechanically.
 With the phonographs, for whicl
 have sung many records, an accu rate reproduction can be achieved. l
 is very wonderful" Sorrentino, af
 ter seven seasons of opera in Italy
 France, Spain and both Americas settled down for a years rest II New York last winter. To vary tn
 monotony of resting" he sang forty five concerts.
 Questioned as to his future plans
 Signor Sorrentino said that he con
 templated giving number of con certs in America. But the country o Maxim Gorky and Schialapin calls m,
 very strongly" and the ceurtly gen tleman shook my hand warmly, an, with a hearty "Good-by and Good luck went back to his interrupted Marcus Aurelius.
 l.