El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-06-26
(BY H. D. S.

substantial SUM- which when turned to the Red
Cross became expression of human brotherhood and
deep sympathy beautiful any tribute during the
whole campaign needs reminder of how desperately
money is needed for relief among the Mexicans them
selves after long years Of revolution and distress yet
of their little they found much give the universal
of relief under the American Red Cross and
the people of Juarez unanimously deemed it honor to
be allowed to help the work along.
The AIDA Eavarrete Mexican-Italian Opera company
has been playing here for two weeks to Almost empty
houses Few FL Pasoans have the least idea Of the musical
opportunity they have been missing An opeatc
marvellous talent and beauty of voice. beauty of dra
matte expression and beauty of stage personality
here with strong company of principals and presents
favoIte Italian operas night after night at moderate
prices yet the patronage small that it does not pay
actual expenses and leaves the company itself with hard
ly penny to show for its splendid efforts This may
be Art for arts sake but artist must eat
times.
Do the company, and its gracious and lovely prima
DONNA indicate any resentment of such treatment? No.
unless heang Goals of fire" in the biblical be taken
as such. Nine. Navarrete to the Red Cross
mittee and says, 81 have money to give but I will
sing for you and she turns the entire proceeds of
special matinee performance to the Red Cross Of her
thought, sympathetic and kind, she takes her company
Fort Bliss and sings 1000 soldiers of the United
States army, and accepts nothing but thanks Again
offers to sing for the closing Red Cross banquet and
although the company is giving opera the theater
she finds time to bring the principals to the banquet hall
where they make splendid music under adverse conditions
neither suggesting accepting any compensation
AL the facts cited about the generous aid which has
been rendered by Mexcans to the American Red Cross
in this national crisis interpreted as indicating
tendency toward renewing that old fine neighborlness
that characterized border relations in the early days The
Mexcans doing their part nobly and unselfshly to
revive that spirit of good viii and friendly cooperation
which for long years made life here different and
full of content Shall it be said that backward
recprocatng their tenders Of neighbory sympathy
1t would be gracious and thoughtful act if FL Pasoans
would now, during the next three nights the Navarree
company performs here turn out in large numbers for
every OPERA and thus not merely the company to
retrieve its fortunes, unhappy and discouragng and
give the splendid singers and actors the reception they
actually merit but also express in tangible fashion the
grateful spirit with which FL Paso accepts the friendly
tenders of cooperation made by the Mexican people There
is real public duty here, well unusual oppor
tuny to gain enjoyment that will be long remembered
As pure music Navarretes singing true and alto
gether delightful the practicing of bird choirs after
summer shower 1t is resfu and her decacy, the sweet
ness the grace and charm of her ladyhood In everything
she does fascinating her dauntess courage under
most trying circumstances is inspiring Let these three
nights at the opera be tribute to MexicanAmerican
neighborliness restored.