Evening star., 1918-05-26


time and as the week progressed, i'm
proved it even more brilliantly thar
she did on Sunday night when every
body was under the influence of the
nervous condition which no good
actor can be sure of escaping. wher
he undertakes a new role.
= s +
The most brilliant musical event the
city has enjoyed in many seasons
was contributed by the stars of the
Metropolitan Opera Company who as
sembled to sing for the benefit OF
the Italian refugees Monday after.
noon. Ten dollars a seat was not 8
penny too much. to pay considering
all the circumstances. Caruso lifted
his voice again in the. nations capita
after an absence of many years te
remind US that it is to Italy we mus,
look for the highest art in song
whether of composition or interpre-
tation.
Makes American Debut.-A point Of
conspicuous interest in the concert to
be given at the National Theater
Tuesday afternoon, June 4, for the
benefit Of the Italian refugees will be
the American debut of Eufemia Gian-
mated her engagement at the La
Scala in Turin because Of the war.
Her introduction to the Italian
stage at Turin, in January. 1915. oc-
CURED at an age when most girls
gifted with exceptional voices are
still students After this she sang
many roles in northern Italy. among
them Mimi In La Boheme." the Mar
gherita both of Gounod's Faust" and
Of Boite's '.Mefistofele," and soprano
quaie." "Traviata," "othello," MA
non" and other OperaS
Her return to America was greeted
with an enthusiastic welcome by mu-
sic lovers OF Philadelphia, her home
city.
In this country her sister, Dusolina,
has shared with her the high opinion
of music lovers. That both should
possess natural talent is not remark
able, since their father. F. A. Giannini.
is a tenor of splendid attainments. q
fact which made inevitable the care
full and competent schooling of his
gifted daughters.
Career Of q WashinEten Girl
Helen Hayes Brown, better known to
the stage as Helen Hayes. who will
appear in Booth Tarkington's PEN
rod" this week, was born in WASH
ington. educated at the Sacred Heart
Academy and made her professional
stage debut with the Columbia Play
ers ten years ago, at the age OF seven.
one of the annual dancing school en-
tertainments that Lew Fields. then
playing at the Belasco, saw and en-
gagged her for "Old Dutch" in which
she made her first Broadway appear
ance. After several seasons with the
Lew Fields shows she returned to
Washington for school work, and
later played with the Poll Players and
also for the movies.
Her big opportunity came last year
in "Pollyanna," a George c. Tyler
production. in which she scored such
success that Mr.. Tyler, 1t is said. will
present her next season In a comedy
of her own, Phoebe" by Eleanor
Gates. author of The Poor Little
Rich Girl"
Knew He Wasn't q Staf-Robert
farce which comes to Polls this week,
is interesting aside from his histrionic
efforts.
A road star at twenty-five. playing
the highways and byways Of the conti-
that he was advancing" too rapidly
end so. after seeing Sir Forbes
Robertson and some other real actors
play in New York, he decided to quit
being a star and join a stock COM
pany to learn the art of acting.
He was doing nicely with the Mo-
rosco Stock Company in Los Angeles,
when Nat Goodwin, attracted by his
work as the Artful Dodger in "Oliver
Twist" one of his own favorite roles,
advised him to get back in the
game"
Better be a super in New York
than a star in Des Moines" was the
veteran actors advice. and Young Ober
took it and he has played a new role
each season since.
modestly says. but they seem to be
getting better. and am satisfied"
Samuel G0mpers. by CarusO. A
pen sketch of remarkable interest
has been brought to light by the
auction contemplated in connection
1T of the Italian refugees. to be given
by the Gianninis. father and daugh.
ters.
1t is interesting from a variety OF
angles. being an impromptu portrait
of Samuel Gompers by caruso. u
was made some years ago In th<
wings of the Metropolitan opera
stage while the greatest of Italiar
tenors was chatting at of moments
with the greatest representative OF
American labor. Caruso signed Il
laughingly and Mr.. Gompers later
autographed it. "A Flattery OF Me
(SiRned) Sam Gompers,"
Mr.. Gompers consented to part will
so valued a personal souvenir only
because of his deep interest in Sc
worthy a purpose. A man of inter
national prominence has agreed Il
conduct the bidding.
Players Worth While.-The cas-,
which George Broadhurst has assem-.
bled for Mark Swans new farce com.
edy includes players who have made
their mark
Ernest Truck. the featured member
of the cast, started his career twenty
years ago as child actor. and Is best
recalled for his work in The Dummy
Despite his juvenile appearance, he
has two sons in the service OF Uncle
Sam.
The veteran W. ]. Ferguson, an eye
witness Of the assassination of Presi.
dent Lincoln By Booth. In whose sup
port he was playing a the time needi
70 Introduction to Washington. Hs
- today one of the oldest and best oil
sts favorite players. He is still hale
and hearty, but In recent years has
made but few appearances outside o1
New York.
Alphonse Either. being much In de.
mand in New York to create parts In
new productions. has not appeared In
appeared with famous stock compa.
nies in New York. Montreal and al
over the country. His recent Broad.
way appearances were in THE Ar.
0lA- Case" The Eternal Magdalene,'