The Washington times., 1918-08-08
.PROTESTSAGAINST
EXCLUDING WAGNER
MUSIC DURING WAR

A plea against the exclusion OF
Wagner music during the war is con.
tanned in a letter in the July issue Of
the Etude, written by a Washing
tonian. The letter follows:
why exclude Wagner opera, es-
cially IL II be presented In
English, and without profit to
our enemies? This is an excellent
opportunity TO develop good transla-
tions, not only OF Wagner, but Of
other foreign works, and thereby at
tract an audience that has been kept
away from good opera because II has
not been given to any extent in Eng
lish.
"If Wagner is an irrftant solely be-
cause OF his nationality, then we
should logically throw out all Ger
man music, including many good
church hymns and the tune OF My
Country, 'Tis OF Thee II objections
are restricted to the works OF living
Germans, no dissenting voice should
be raised to pitching them overheard,
lock, stock, and barrel. But Wagner
is not one OF these, and has no more
part In our personal quarrel than
Chopin or Verdi.
More Sensitive Than EnRIlsh.
Moreover, why should America be
more sensitive than England to the
name Wagner? II Londoners can
view Tristan comfortably with the
OF bombs from a Zeppelin
dropping any minute, It would seem
that we, at our present safe distance,
have no reason to object.
1T has been said that the influence
OF Richard Wagner has brought about
In part the present unrest in the
world. but what is the present un-
rest other than the effort to be free
from shackles of tradition and to
promote democracy everywhere and
In every line OF thought? Wagner
stood throughout his life for this
liberty Of spirit. and his operas
breathe revolution against established
precedent and arbitrary authority.
Would II not appear highly appro-
pirate. then. to keep the music of
one OF the worlds most pronounced
democrats as a stimulus during the
battle We are waging for democracy?
II We are going to discriminate
against dead Germans. let us rather
oust Meyerbeer. an avowed Prussian,
who spent his life enriching himself
in France, and then was by his own
request buried In his beloved Water
land.
Furthermore. can we AFFORD to be
even for a limited time, Gre
atoms which are considered the high
est development OF opera form? Since
we are behind in operatic composition,
we have need OF all the good opera.
we can import. both for pleasure and
profit to the public and for example
and inspiration to our own composers
Is II patriotism to discard something
beneficial because its name produces |
hySteria in unthinking people? Ger
many is teaching US better by con-
English, French. and Italian |
opera, newspapers. and books. and |
these languages harder than |
ever.
Unnecessary Anger.
would we not be truer patriots
% think of our needs both now and
Ifter the war. and to build up our
trength along every line of resist
.nce Loss OF self-control in a prize
light means blurred vision. impaired
Judgment. weakened muscles. In this
,reat prize fight OF nations. IN which
america is admittedly the deciding
actor. should we waste energy In
prejudice and unneces-
airy anger when the stakes for which
ge struggle are nothing less than the
iberties OF the world?
should not America rather seek
o be Galahad OF the pure heart and
tainless vision, who, going forth
With strength OF ten shall secure
or mankind the precious Grail of
Iuman freedom.
Want to start somethInEe. Wen,