The Washington times., 1918-10-03
US. WILL WELCOME
FRENCH ORCHESTRA


The coming to Washington OF the
famous French Symphony Orchestra
from the. Paris Conservatoire is an
event OF the greatest artistic import
ance, as we'll as an official message
from the French Government to this
nation that is designed to further
cement the friendship and ideals OF
the sister Republics.
The orchestra comes under the
special direction OF the French High
Commission, with the purpose not
only of fostering a love of French
music in America. but as symbol OF
the respect and affection which
France bears for the United States.
Andre Messenger, director OF the or
chestra OF the Paris Conservatoire.
was one Of the foremost names pre-
sented as a possible conductor, this
season. for the Boston Symphony Or
chestra- His coming at the head OF
his own body of about 100 musicians.
every one OF whom is a member OF
la Societe des Concerts du Conser-
vatoire de Paris" win better present
to the American public the artist who
stands at the head of orchestral art
In France.
France and Russia have been the
most prominent lands in Offering ma
terial for a leader OF this great or
chestra OF the United States. Pierre
Moneux was considered. during his
stay in New York. and Andre Mes
sager's name was talked about as a
most alluring possibility.
Rachmaninoff was reported at one
time as the definite choice OF the
Boston Symphony, and II was hoped
Babrilowitsch, the pianist with the
genius for conducting, would be Sc
lected. Another French name, that
of Camille ChevilIard, conductor OF
| the celebrated Colonne-LamoureuN
concerts in Paris. is now in the air
/ as the latest probable choice.
Meanwhile the distinguished or
chestra Of the Paris Conservatoire
will reveal to us, for the first time.
, the individual quality OF a French
orchestra and the personality OF its
director, NJ Messenger.
| The first American concert will
/ take place at the Metropolitan Opera
/ House in New York, just one week
before the Washington engagement
h of October 16, inaugurating there Its
tour Of sixty cities in the United
! States. 1t presages, too, an unusual
music season. for the Metropolitan
has never been known to open Its
doors before the beginning Of its
opera season in November.
with the thrilling news OF the houi
lifting the spirits OF the nation, this
visit OF the higest art OF France-the
land upon which the war god has left
his hercest mark-brinEs light anc
hope to those who know that the
beautiful must survive II men are &c
regain their balance again
! The bringing Of this orchestra tc
! America is due TO the efforts OF Otto
II. Kahn, director OF the metropolitan
Opera House When Mr.. Kahn re-
turned from France recently he an
nounced that all the arrangement
for the tour were completed, and thai
the members OF the orchestra are
looking forward to their first tour al
the United States with enthusiasm.
A French battleship brings these
hundred artists to our shores. The
coming OF this French dreadnaush'
! will be OF noteworthy Significance Il
the American people. II Is to be 8
tourney of sentiment, OF patriotic
utterance through the medium {"
/ strings and Woodwinds and brass
and one knows that the French haV'
exceIled all nations in the making o.
/ brass Instruments
1t is the plan OF the French -Amerf
can Musical Association. which hA'
arranged the tour in conjunction will
the French High Commission. to hav'
the French Orchestra put ashore ol
Pedloe's island, which, as evcryon
knows is the spot on which tn
Statue Of Liberty stands.
The Statue OF Liberty in New Norl
barbor has been the symbol Of home
to every American who has steame'
into New York in many year, an
this great figure that typifies what /
most just in humanity is the Slll
France TO the United states.
II Vas an Italian, Lulli who in tn
carly days formed the most distinct
Iy French orchestra The French ira
4 ditions of adherence 20 classic forr
have passed from Lulli to Ramear
! Gretry. Cherubini, Auber. HalevN
Gounod, BerlIoz. Saint-Saens. down I
Charpentier, with the finest expire!
sIons of elegance. chivalry. grace an
, romance.
! This linking OF Italy with France
in music. is to be repeated again
/, the Metropolitan this year. Geraldin
Farrar is to sing two new opera
there this season, a short one b
. Puccini that is not yet named, an
La Reine Fiamette" by LerouN.
IT awakens a discussion OF tn
temporary suspension OF Germa
music on our stage. An incident wa
! related by an official in the service q
the United States Government on thi
/, subject.
The official had received lette
, from a musician back in the States
who wrote OF going to hear sympho
| NJ h., a German master. THE write