Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-15
HAT there is really a wider field
for grand opera than mas
heretofore been accorded IL
has become manifest in local

heretofore been accorded 1t
has become manifest in q local
way by the ever-increasing pa
tronage which has rewarded the eiloi -
Of the Aborn English Grand opera Noih-
pany In Washington. This year. the an-
nouncements say, their season mas peen
the best on record, and yet, as exceiieh'
as have been the operas presented ana oie
artists that have presented them' theS
are not better, and some may question:
If they have been as good as In some VI
the former seasons. The fact remains
that the highest class OF music is De
coming popular and the extent to wnlon
II will become so, as experience mas clear
" demonstrated in the case OF the
Aborns, will depend largely upon the ex-
tent to which grand opera, in IAN
guage which the people can understand
Is nut within their reach by managers
IKE them who have builded for the flu
ture rather than .or present gross gam
Abroad in countries where grand opera
is az familiar to the common people as
the trashy music that greets the Amen-
can ear on all sides ii is presented by
the best artists with the largest and best
orchestral accompaniment, at prices With
in the reach of the humblest. The result
ts the people have learned to love il, and
trashy music is consigned by them to the
halls that cater to the commonest. The
street gamins of Italy, of France OF
Germany and of other continental coun-
tries are as familiar with and take as
keen an enjoyment in the best the oper-
ate world has to offer as the grand DANES
and lords of society. What matters
whether the contention be true or not
that real music eleyates the soul and re-
fines the character 1t at least spares
the ears of those who find lurking sug-
gestion that depraves in the latter-day
melodies which turn restless feet to
temptation.
Lovers of good music find hope in the
new plans announced for the Century
Theater in New York, where the Aborns.
backed by the wealth and culture of the
metropolis will undertake to bring the
beauties of the higher realm of song and
musical composition closer to the people
at large and where the native tongue
will not be an outcast in the repertoires.
To the Poll players this week must be
given high credit for the exceptional pres
cert" to which David Belasco lent the
touch of his genius. 1t was splendid
production. IN which the artistic work of
Miss Jewel, Miss Bondhill, Mr. Mackey,
Mr.. Kent and Mr.. Shannon was real
delight.
Turning from their manifest misfit of
last week and by singular coincidence to
O play that aptly illustrates insists, the
Columbia Players this week, with a little
star developed within their own ranks.
viii again demonstrate, or at least have
the opportunity to do so, that after all
life is better. brighter and it's trou-
bies more easily borne when blended with
the dreams of romance than with the i'm
possibilities of delirium set to bad
music and possibly ind:fferently sung.
The line of the poet Is much more de-
liShtful and inspiring than the lingo of
the "siangster." and he who loves the one
Is not less at ease with the other than
company of clever and refined come
dams in an absurd musical comedy.
A PEEP AT THE POLE SEEKERS
Herbert G. Pointing, official photog-
rapher of the Scott expedition to the
south pole, in speaking of the expert
ences of the party. says:
"Of course, il was continual work,
work. work, from morning until night.
but we had some leisure time. We
became well known to each other and
naturally most of the party had nick
names. DR.. Wilson never failed to an
swer to Uncle Bill; Lieut.. Bowers
never felt offended when we addressed
him as Birdie though he knew well
he was given that appellation because
of his big. beak- shaped nose. Or.
Simpson, lighthearted. always cheerful.
was Sunny jim Debenham. the good
looking Antwerp geologist. was Jessie
dressed Titus No one ever could
Day was 'Rixits' and Capt. Edmonds
was Teddy to everybody.
Sometimes in the long hours of wait
ing for the beginning Of the pole dash
a song would be struck up. There
were not many musical voices in the
party. but that did not count. They
were SO far from civilization that they
were jolly sure there would be no
hobbies knocking on the door and or
dering them not to disturb the neigh
bors"
Mr.. Pointing brought back wonder
full results not only from a photo
graphic standpoint. but Of scientific
value In the habits of the seals, wild
fowl and great fish OF the south polar
regions Capt. Scott was firm be
lever in the educational possibilities
Of the moving picture film