The Washington times., 1917-03-16
Three Brothers of Director of
San Carlo Opera Company
Had Unusual Rise.
TWO KILLED IN BATTLE
Last Remaining Warrior of
Family Is a Colonel in the
italian Army.

Not all the romances Of the war are
founded on suddenly amassed fortunes
or last-minute marriages.
The story Of how the Gallo brothers
three Of them. over in the Italian army
stepped from obscurity as private cit;.
Gems in a small city to positions Of high
rank in the army is as thrilling IS any
thing that has happened since the war
started.
Fortune Gallo. the one brother here in
America, who has been actively tdenti-
fled with Red Cross work and who Is
the director Of the San Carlo Grand
Opera company. told the story last
night, at the Belasco Theater, where
the opera company Is now playing.
Violent changes of fortune or social
status in Europe are not generally the
rule, and. as Mr.. Gallo explained, "ail
the high positions in the army are
usually taken up by the aristocracy.'
For three unknown boys to become, one
an aviator. one a captain and another a
colonel, Is q remarkable achievement.
An American Citizen.
''of course" explained Mr.. Gallo, ct
am an American citizen, and / have
sworn allegiance to this country, but
terest In affairs over on the other
side may be explained when I tell you
the story of my three brothers"
Incidentally, Mr.. Gallo might have
talked about himself, and his own
rise, for he has the distinction of
being the only director OF a grand
opera company In this country who
can claim any sort OF financial gain
as a result OF his three years of tours.
The Musical Courier thought enough
OF the fact to make editorial mention
OF 1t.
Several years ago, before the war
started" Mr.. Gallo explained, "such
a thing as having unknown ordinary
citizens, who earned but q small liv-
ing, elevated to the rank OF officers
in the army was preposterous.
"For some reason or other maybe
1t Is the authority and the gold lace
which attracts, or perhaps pay for
doing little, all OF the positions OF
rank in the army are taken up by the
titled classes. There Is literally
nothing left in the army and navy
for the ordinary citizens.
Two Were Killed.
$50 when ! think sometimes of my
brother who Is q. colonel, or my other
brother, who was a captain, or OF my
brother, an aviator, who was killed in
action after having received three
medals for bravery cannot quite
adjust myself.
Giovanni and my brother who
was a captain, have both been killed,
but perhaps Giuseppe, the colonel,
may be spared. The higher the rank
the less danger there is. of personal
harm"
Mr.. Gallo Is a small man, well
built, and absolutely lacking all the
impressive fads and mannerisms
which characterize many of our best
musical directors. Although he left
Italy at seventeen, his frequent trips
back have keep him in touch with af-
fairs, while his deep interests in the
family fortunes have bound him still
tighter to the land of his birth.
The Gallo family lived in a small
city. There the. father earned a
small salary, barely enough to keep
came to America at seventeen. but
the three other brothers remained in
italy.
When the war started, the Gallo
brothers enlisted, and Fortune, in
America, did all he could in the Red
Cross work for the aid OF the land
of his fathers. While he wor work
ing and giving benefits on this side,
the other boys were winning Iaurels
on the other.
Over $4,000 this season Is Mr..
Gallo's record OF contributions to the
Red Cross.
He is lending" two grand opera
stars to the performance at the Bel
asco tomorrow afternoon when a mil
itary benefit will be given by the
United Service Women's Branch of
the American Red Cross