Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-22
WILL THERE Be
GRAND OPERA?
Number of Stars Booked for
This Country Are Stranded
in European Cities.
MANAGERS ARE ANXIOUS
Some Italians May Have to Join the
Army, Including Tita Ruffo
and Caruso.

The war in Europe means more to
Americans. than the curtailing OF GER
tain Injuries and the closing of the
door to a very attractive play ground.
II means the turning of a page in the
! history of art. 1t is questioned how
its continuance may affect the several
grand opera companies of this country
or whether America will have its sea-
son of grand opera this year as usual
Already managers who refuse to ad-
NIT their artists will not be able to
meet engagements when the season
opens, are inquiring anxiously the
! whereabouts Of this or that American
singer. For most American singers are
in Europe at this time. 1t is, however,
hoped that as transportation condi-
tons improve, as it is predicted they
will, all may be able TO reach this
country by the time the season is for.
mally opened.
Italy contributes a large proportion
of the great artists and musicians who
annually come to America for the win
ter season. The Chicago and the Met
ropolitan Grand Opera companies both
look to il for their stars and also large
" for their choruses. II that country
becomes involved. as seems not i'm
probable, some of the great singers
may be called to the colors. Titta
Ruffo, and Caruso. and Gatti Casazza.
who is an officer in the navy, may in
that case not be able to return to full
fill their contracts.
All the great foreign conductors are
in the war zone. DIR. Muck OF the Bos-
- &
of the Cincinnati, Joseph Stranski of
the Philharmonic, Campanini OF the
Chicago Opera company, Toscanini
and Hertz of the Metropolitan. Leo
pold Stokow of the Philadelphia or
chestra, and a number OF others.
Theodore Spiering is an American |
and will be of great value to some
orchestra which may be obliged to
take a substitute He has been cc-s |
Quoting with sreat success in Berlin.
Andreas DIPPED was in Austria when |
last heard from before the outbreak |
OF war.
The Rabinoff office gives definite
promise that the Russian ballet with |
Pavlowa will open on schedule time, !
Mr.. Rabinoff being now in London,
where he is attempting to secure |
transportation to this country.
The Century Opera company, through |
Milton Aborn, is optimistic about its
plans. Mr.. Aborn returned from Eur
ope himself just before the big liners
were taken off.
The first of the members of the
Century Opera company to arrive in
this country since the war began in
fe willie IA
young English tenor whom general
Aborn of the Century dis
covered in Wales, where he was for
merly a coal miner and where he
worked recently as a stone mason.
Mr.. Williamsons admirers predict
that he will become an operate star
OF international magnitude. He will
not be given leading tenor roles dur
ing the coming season at the Century.
but appear in the lesser parts until
the following season. to give him an
TO study and develop his
dramatic talents before assuming the
more important roles.
The Messrs. Aborn state that they
do not anticipate much trouble on ac-
count of the war conditions in assem-
bling their leading artists for the COM
ing season at the Century, beginning
Sept. II. Most of the principals are
and many of them are al
ready in this country. When the sit
nation began 10 look serious over a
week ago. cablegrams were sent to all /
Century singers. who happened 10 be
n Europe. instructing them to take I:
passage on the first ship available to (
America. Replies to these messages !
Indicate that the few Century artists
l.. l. L.. | =.