The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-03
OPERA STARS HURT
BY WORK IN FILMS
Singers Unlikely to Profit by
Screen Appearance Is shown
by Experience.
STAGE NEWS n GOSSIP

The announce ent that Mary Garden
was to pose before the camera on her
return TO this city within a month
started on Saturday afternoon discuss
sion Of the moving picture company
which is said TO be I'm process of forma-
ton by the directors Of the Metropoli-
tan Opera Company. The consensus Of
opinion among those high in the motion
picture industry was that the opera
singers were not likely TO benefit by
their competition with Mary Plckford
and the rest OF the moving picture stars.
THE experience Of a popular prima
DONNA" said n Of the directors, fought
to be enough TO persuade the singers
that they are not going to increase their
vogue by appearing before the camera.
The operate star who did this last sum-
mer was received by the audiences at
the opera house during the past season
In a way altogether different from that
TO which she was accustomed. In place
OF warm applause she was regarded
with intense curiosity. The audiences
stared at her just as they stare at some
or the noted figures In vaudeville, with
INTENSE interest instead OF enthusiasm.
Inc class OF the opera singer was lost.
That will he the tate Of all who
cheaper themselves by appearing in the
movies. 1f the singers did not earn
enough In the opera to make II possible
TOT them to live In every luxury, thee
might be some excuse for the excursion
INC tha fonltn NJ hA ,, 49,. -.
FAR those who have done so have suf-
fered more than their financial reward
will compensate for"
The story about the M~etropolitan
opera House IL that Signor Caruso has
received an ofer OF $4,000 merely to
pose m the cinema plays OF a certain
company. So far no arrangements to
that effect have been made. The iarg-
cst amount paid TO any singer before
the camera has been $4,000, which
was the compensation received by one
OF the sopranos for a summers work.
The Metropolitan Opera Company is
TO perform t~wenty-four operas in twenty-
one days in Boston. This number Ices
not include the four repetitions. The
infinite detail which such a season cxac,s
cannot be understood except by those
who realize hat Edward Siedle is
charged with the duty OF transferring
every scene and property used in every
one ~ these operas. This includes ,il
the costumes for the chorus and ballet.
gloves. shoes. hats. Jevclry and all the
separate articles which are needed In
every one of the twcnty-four works ,u
Ice sung.
Such an enterprise practically means
that the entire resources of the Metro.
politan Opera Company behind tho 20,
lights are to he carried over to Boston
for three weeks. And there Is nothing
more remarkable about this feature OF
the travels Of the company than that ali
this il done by Mr.. Siedlc. who has for
a long time been the technical director
OF the company and is able to carry
practically in his head every requisite
OF all the operas in tho repertoire OF
the company.
! Somerset MauShsm's ga rolinc.'
which will be given next season ny the
Charles Frohman Company. has been
enamed for this country. The comedy.
which is said Ia l." In" finest ever writ
ten 10y this author. Will be known here
, as The Cnattainahl",''
When Ann Murdoch makes her reap
r.arince in the spoken drama the name
~ the play. which is by Winch,ll Smith,
will be- "Suki."
Frances starr arrived in New York
yesterday after a season ~ much create
length than David I~elasco had ever
hoped for in view OF the nature OF Marie.
bdils,' the drama Of Edward Knob.
LAUGH. In spite of opposition In three
cities II WAS necessary TO extend IN,
length of the season three times.
This Is the season OF tho spring try.
outs and they were never SO Numerous