The Washington times., 1916-03-03
Capital Artist Sings.
For Wounded in Paris

The following article. which is part OF
letter received here recently from
France. Is among the first authentic
news that has reached us concerning
me state OF music and musicians in
Paris today.
II also concerns one OF our well-known
Washington singers. Mrs. Warner
Gibbs. We have heard already that the
Paris Opera IL closed. so far as its
grand opera enterprises are concerned.
All contracts for the opera are, for
the present. being held in allegiance. and
It's artists. when not eligible for serv-
ice. are being heard in other lands.
An almost literal translation Is given
OF this letter. which comes from one
or the foremost musicians OF Paris. 1t
ends with decided note OF optimism.
The French are generally overcome
by surprise by events, but once the
first moments OF emotion are over there
Is no people who knows better now
To react or who more quickly accommo-
dates itself to circumstances. AS every
man up TO the age OF forty-seven must
serve his country in France. the mo-
hi!iZation of August, 1914, completely
disorganizcd the musical life of Paris.
The. Opera Comique alone mObilized
l3l OF It's stan. while more than half
OF the Colcnne and LamoureuS crches-
tras are at the front. However, several
| months after the war was declared
these two orchestras recommended
Opera Comique were opened once more.
Concerts For Wounded.
From that time the musica! life has
| continued. not with the eXuberent dis
pay OF former days, but with that
| so characteristic of the French tenn
permanent In that magnificent move
ment OF od-fellowship and charity
that has induced so many French wom-
en- to enter the hospitals as nurses, a
movement with which the United States
| is associated in so large and generous
| a manner, music has to very great
extent participated.
| Nearly all tho concerts and enter
tainments are given for the benefit of
| the wounded. and new artistic enter
prIses have been cItatedA for this oh
4, Ject. At the Sorhonne/ the orchestra
| of the "Societe drs Concerts" from the
Conservatoire gives matinees every
Sunday and Thursday. and the profts
are all devoted to the works in and OF
the war. 1t Is the sa,re at the Pala.s
de Glace which has heen turned into a
concert hall. All the receipts are hard
ed over for 'he benefit OF the wounded
at the Grand Palnis, now hospital
At all the hospitals In Paris. as well
| as In the country. numerous concerts
are given for the pleasure OF the pa
ticnts, and. some of the ErenteSt names
i figure among those who are eager "a
bring little JOY to the ''poilus''rthe
bearded ones. In word. music has
become charity. II must be noiei too
that several American artists have
spared neither time nor pains In this
pursuit. and II Is fitting 10 name here
with respect and admiration Mrs. War
ner A. Gibbs, whose beautiful Nolce
and remarkable talent arc always at the
service of the unfortunate, whether nj
hospitals or at the American Church
or the students Atelier" In the Latin
Quarter Association. Mrs. Gibbs was
also greatly appreciated at a matinee
given by the weli-known ptanlste, Nine
lRey-Gaufres. who has added to her ar
tistic attaInmcnts the role of hospi;a
nurse, and who 10 the wife " the dl
rector OF the "SocictG PhllhnrInoniTGe
in Paris. Many Americans were pres
ent.
Several VirtuOsOs Left.
Although many OF the virtuosos ar'
at the front. there are still seVera
who have. by their tours abroad. main
tanned tho good renown or French arr
The "Agencc Musicale" directed by NJ
Emmanuel Rey. director OF the Phil
harmonic Society, has sent importan
virtuosos. such as Nine. Vallin Parao
| the star of the Opera Comiquc, ant
Mime, Rey-Gaufres, the talented pianist
to Spain. I one time the trio Nincs
BoncherIt- Hekkirg. which is one Of tn
best OF our epoch. WAS sent abroad. AM
at another the pianist Cortot, profcsso
OF the Conservatoire de Paris, etc.
. In that which concerns the lryic the
aters the entire musical life Is centcre
i'm the Opera COTiqun, In spite OF III
mobilization havlng carried on nenil
the who,c star. the able and cleve
= directoFship of NJ. Ghensi has give
10 this taoater d prodigious activity
. From the commencement oi hosi little
the Opera ComiIlo has distribute
million and half in salaries. In grant