Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-07-07
MOVE 0NFOOTFOR
AMERICAN OPERA
Concerted Effort for Production of
Native Music in English Tongue
Launched IN New York.
VIII BE STRICTLY TAyBEE7
Only work Of Composers and Dramat
ISIS og United States To Be Taken
Up By Organization.

New York. July IA concerted
movement by American composers and
draualsts and leaders Of national
civic and musical organizations. for the
production Of American opera and
other native music in the English
tongue. has been formally launched
here.
While the Offices Of the organization
directing tae movameu will he i'm New
York. it's corporators represent all sec-
tons of the country. Reginald de
Eoven, the composer, is chairman Of
the national committee of organlza-
ton its other members being:
Mrs. David Allen Campbell. Chicago
Charles ". Cadman, san Francisco;
John Alden Carpenter, Chicago;
George ~ Chadwick, Boston, Fred
ari1E S. Converse. Boston, Arthur
FarwaIl New York. Henry EaLleT,
Boston, Mrs W A. HinekIe. Peoria.
I'LL. Percy LacEaye. New York;
Douglas NaI1och, Chicago, X. T. Nc
COY. san Francisco: Max Fabl1OE.
New York Joseph Raddtng, San Fran
cisCos Mrs Frank a SelbeTlug. Akron.
Philip Sousa. New York; Mrs William
u Steele. Sedalia. No. and David
Stevens. New York.
Furthers Yankees Only.
The announced policy of the oreaui-
zarlou is to produce throughout the
United States operate works by
American composers and dramatIsts
only. acted and sung by an al-Araeri-
% "a t. 4 81
orchestra. chorus and ballet
sit is evident" said Mr. de Eoven
today. that American music never
VIII ba definitely developed by The en-
plcEmeut OF the foreign artist and the
performance of foreign works. Italy.
with less than a third the population
of The United States possesses So pro
dueInE opera houses. The music of
Germany and France has been made
familiar TO the world by its endorse
menr at home Russian opera, SINH
larry encouraged. now is being sung
Internationally in increasing measure
year boy year.
"of all the great uusiC-Ioving and
muslc -supportlng nations Of the earth.
America alone. until now. has made no
material effort for the ENCOURAGEMENT
of her native and natural musical
genius.
Millions fer Foreigners
I'VE have spent millions to hear for
etsn singers and declined to hear our
own.
The different interests which have
been working separately to correct
this condition now have been brought
together in one organization. They
are all inspired bE the same ideals, the
one essential hitherto lacking being
coordination in one definite practical
plan.
This union Of forces constitutes
the most forward step IN the develop
me1t of American native music Ia the
history OF the country. The American
composer sand 6ranatist Of q really
notable work are now assured proper
presentation. and an adequate numb
Of performances The American sing
er IS to be given an opportunity ana
an audience. The American people
VIII be permitted 10 enjoy music in
their native tongue and TO contribute
20 its development
1T IS a patriotic and historic move
Dent, deserving universal American
support at a time when, as never be-
fore. our national consciousness is
awakening, and when we realize that
il art, as IN all things. America must