Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-10
UNWILLING NEW YORK
YIELDS Music LAUREL
TO STOKOWSKI BATON
Vast Audience, Satisfied Moth
ing Good Could Come From
Philadelphia, Goes to
Criticise
REMAINS TO PAY HOMAGE

Leopold stokowski and his capable
company OF more than 1000 singers and
players returned early today athrill with
the knowledge that they had forced criti-
cal New York to pay homage to musical
talent Of Philadelphia brand.
The invasion Of New York by Stokowski
was triumphal from start to finish. One
OF the greatest audiences ever assembled
In the Metropolitan Opera House, pre-.
pared to pick flaws In this director who
dared to enter the metropolis from mere
Philadelphia to show New Yorkers some
thing about music" The result was
astonishing to New York. For more than
two hours Stokowskl held the vast audi
ence spellbound under his baton. Under
the influence of the wonderful harmony
that he brought forth from the Mailer
choral symphony the New Workers. forgot
that they were listening to Philadelphia
talent. They Just sensed that 1t was mu-
sic--harmony of the finest and purest
duality-which flowed on uninterrupted
like a clear, untainted mountain stream.
There were two results--a New York ac-
knowledgment of the greatness Of Sto-
kowski and the placing of Philadelphia
on the musical map of the world for all
time.
The stokowsltl forces invaded New
York in two special trains. II was an
imposing company that marched from
politan Opera House. There were hun
dreds of young women with the bloom of
health on their cheeks. Broadway had not
seen so much freshness and spontaneity
IN many year. II was like pure. sweet
breath of air from the hills. Broadway
was still stagnant from the influence OF
It's usual Weekend theatre and cafe de-
bauch, and II was out of the ordinary to
hear sparkling laughter and to see elasti-
city of step so early in the day Many
New Workers. looked almost resentfully
at the invasion OF the healthy, normal
living folks from Philadelphia.
In the afternoon, Mr.. Stokowsk re-
hearsed his company briefly in the prin-
cipal choruses. This was done because
the larger auditorium of the Metropolitan
Opera House presented many new condi-
tions which called for new arrangements.
Following the rehearsal the singers again
gave freely OF their freshness and vitality
to Broadway when they marched to the
McAlpin Hotel where dinner was served
in the big restaurant on the roof.
GOT ITS MONEYS WORTH,
The Friends of Music. a New York or.
Fanization, was sponsor for the musical
treat last evening. New York paid Sl2,'
900 for that treat and 1t was freely ad.
mitted that New York received its moneys
worth. Three weeks ago every seat in
the house was sold. a few spectators
who had obtained tickets, held them for
$25 apiece until few hours before the
performance, when the price was paid
gladly. Every seat in the great audi.
torium from parquet to the topmost gal |
Iery was Occupied. All of musical New |
York was represented in the vast audi |
ence. Among the notables were David /
Btspham, Albert Spaulding, Herbert With. |
erspoon, Percy Granger. Arthur Hadley, !
David Names and Fritz KreIsler.
New York raised its lorgnette. stared |
critically for a moment and then burst