New-York tribune., 1919-09-07


tagno, precentor in the Cathedral at
Turin and headmaster Of the Patri.
archial Duomo, the coming Of the
famous Vatican choirs from the Roman
basiicas under the direction az
Maestro Raffaele Casimiri to America,
as recently announced. is going to play
more important part in the develop
ment Of art in Rome than could be ssti-
mated at first glance.
The Rev. Rostagno is one Of ltaly's
soldier-priests, who came out Of the
recent war with q brilliant record.
He served all through the conflict on
the Italian frontier AZ secretary to the
famous Colonel Morino. and returned
to his sacred duties shortly after the
arrnistice was signed. He is coming TO
America for the first time with the
Vatican singers as first assistant di'
rector Of the Pontifeal Choir, and will
occupy an important position during
the momentous tour.
Primarily the American tour was in
itiated 10 reveal to the New World the
beauty and charm Of the tonal effects
which are 50 impressive to all who have
made pilgrimages TO Rome in years
past and were able there to realize
what the great masters have done for
this branch Of art. Under the different
Ponti.fs this art has been developing
/ for 1900 years, and yet this is the first
time in history that body Of singers
representative Of the Pon,ifcal Con-
servatory Of Higher Sacred Music
were ever permitted to raise their
voices outside the Vatican environ
ments
The elimination Of these plans Is
! bes. explained in Father Rostagno' :
own words.
Italy i really and VIGOROUSLY the
country which possesses the most beau
tifu voices Of the world" explains
Father Rostagno in his opening COM
ment.
"The true exploitation Of these
voices" he continues, els opposed by
two great foes-dilettantism and in
dividualism.
"Intelligent and enlightened minds
have always s,riven 70 overcome these
foes, but with little success up 10 now
owing 70 atavistic conditions IN the
surroundings and 70 lack OF coordina
tion in the attempts.
"Rome offers a typical example o.
the state OF things con,ended with
Though this city has nourished in IL
bosom for centuries q numerous bod.
of singers and chorlsters. il never sue
ceeded in establishing q well organ
lied choral entity, while in the large
northern cities with less material u
draw upon this has been done 70 som
> extent.
Now, thanks 10 American initiatiy,
Romans are on the verge of realizing
a dream that seemed always out 0
reach, nancy, the organization Of IN
Roman profession Of church singers.
What your American gentlemen re
vealed TO US could be done for America
can be utilized in Rome. The choi
which was assembled for the American
tour. composed of the notable singer
of the Roman basilicas and of boy!
chosen from the various department.
of the Scuola Cantorum, comprises
magnificent body OF seventy oeautIfu
voices, and justiies the hope for
wider interest in sacred classical poly
phony especially and. in general. 1
powerful action or spur toward mobiles
and higher conception OF the artistic
training OF the masses"
Father Rostagno here diverted to ex
plain that the American Initiative
which stirred Rome primarily sough
70 secure for presentation TO the cult
urcd centres Of North America th'
sacred polyphony interpreted and ex
ecuted By the elements possessing u
the highest degree the qualities mos
apt 20 render i, perfectly. The Ameri
can interests naturally turned 20 Rome
In this search. FOR i, vas here tha
polyphony reached its greatest heigh
during the Renaissance, and where Il
was practically maintained in the grea
basilicas even when everywhere else
other kinds Of music were supp!an'Ini
il.
The organization Of this worthy
-