Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-13

American Methods Puxslinx.-Con-
tracing for the American tour of the
world famous Serge de Diaghileff Bal
let Russo is a problem that might test
the ability of general in moving
armies. according to the story told by
. John Brown. business controller of the
Metropolitan.
Foreign artists, it appears, do not
take kindly to our American system of
arranging tour. 1t seems TOO cut
and-dried a proposition to tempera-
mental people. They would rather
make arrangements for the next city
after they have tested out their sue
cess in this. 1t is incredible to them
that an entire season may be booked
In advance, even to the time of load
ling the scenery on the cars and get
ting it in and out of the theaters.
:. The original contract, provided by
m. de Diaghilef himself, called for q
:half-million dollar guarantee for the
first fifteen weeks. There were to be
six performances per week, with no
matinee when there was to be an even
sing presentation. This recalls the stip
.ulations made by Tomasso Salvini, the
celebrated tragedian, when making
.the contract for his initial American
itour. He declined to give but four
performances per week, and refused
to play his tremendously popular and
profitable "Othello' oftener than once
a week, declaring it impossible to
make IL worthy of his artistic standard
without at least fve-day intervals.
But when Salvini became more ia
,tniliar with American conditions he
recognized the business of the demands
sand made many concessions, just as
N. de Diaghileff did when elaborate
Explanation was made.
>, William j. Guard of the Metropolitan
Opera Company business staff arranged
much of the matter with de Diaghilen
prior to the sailing of the organization.
The seeming intricacy and unfairness
of SO many small points drove the IA
he tugged his one white lock. and
cried: why, if ] have to be bothered
about all these details imposed upon
:me in country ! never saw and of
which l know nothing. I'll just tear
sup the contract, / won't go, ] sim
ply won't go. If you want my Ballet
Russo. il you want it as l have given
1T in Paris and London, then you must
make it possible for me to present IT
in the only way in which I would think
for a moment OF presenting tin its
perfection"
Weber md Fields-weber and Fields
have had a long and varied career.
Their first appearance was in 1877, and
they continued in variety until 1888.
"ccn they formed company of their
p%n. presenting musical traverties
which they continued TO play until
1908. when they separated. both becom-
ing producers of musical plays.
Sir. Fields first production was Vic
Tor Hcrbert's 1T Happened in Nord
1ard" and it's great success encouraged
,fr. Fields to produce About Town.
Tine Girl Behind the Counter, The
M!daight Sons" The Jolly Bachelors"
all of which he played the leading
comedy role His last appearance in
the legitimate was under the manage
nent Of Al Woods in The High Cost
of Loving.
: Several notable productions have
been made by Joe Weber. among them
Liver" and The Only Girl" but he
never appeared in any of these come
dies. nor has he played anywhere since
1912, when Weber and Fields resumed
partnership Tor a few months to pre-
sent the Weber and Fields Jubilee"
They will separate finally following
their Keith tour. it is said.
Eleanor Painter believes that, with the
opera houses on the European continent
closed America will make places for
her young artists. who have hitherto
been forced to go abroad for a hearing
There never has been any question"
the young prima donna said, few
days ago. but that many of the best
teachers In the world are to be found
right here in America. I did not go
abroad to study because I chose to. nor
because there weren't excellent teach
ers here-better, in fact, than were to
be found In Germany-but because be-
fore the war conditions there were
more conducive to advancement. Ny
case was that Of hundreds of others
There is no reason why young sing
ers should not remain in this country
II We only would give them some en-
couragement as beginners. The great.
Dst advantage over there was that they