The Washington times., 1919-11-27


amazed those who have followed the
community opera movement during
its short life. The performances Of
Gounods Faust" have proven the
worth OF the labors and dreams OF
Edouard Albion. director OF this
movement in Washington for national
opera for America. and fostered by
the War Camp Community Service,
now called the d. c. Community
Service
Financially. last weeks venture
into a professional week of commu-
nifty opera-as a product of the re-
sources of the many artists who have
given their time and talents to this
great ideal-has fallen below the ex-
pectstions of it's ardent advocates.
Then what is wrong?
1t Is the same old cry OF Washing
LACK Of an AUDITORIUM for the
This brings up a point that is un-
der dispute. 1t has brought criticism
upon the d. C. Community Service.
Faust" was given at, ftheater,
with theater prices. This took the
benefits of this most valuable educa-
tfonsl movement away. from the .peo-
pie whom it; would most. serve. 1t
also placed the d. C. Community
Service In false position as a
server OF the community.
The ideal under which music at
its best should be brought to the
people-and particularly when it is
produced by the peoples at a
popular" price. In other cities even
the best symphonies, have a student
rate that brings these concerts to
oil And "
possible because professional singers
in Washington gave their services to
the cause.
What-happened is this. Central
High School, the one place where an
auditorium exists for the community
was refused to the Washington Opera
Company for the production of
Faust" The reasons were within
the rights of the school board.
They fnd that an opera, production
necessttates so many accessories that
the. use of the school is~not feasible.
Then, too, the. School Board refuses
permission for the saIeIofs tickets,
even at community price.
Both, of those reasons are doubtless
within their rights. ButTeach of
these reasons has been waived by
the School Board, upon occasion.
The. contention is that it is not a
consistent serving Of the. community,
by civic utility.
Funds Must BE Raised. -,
Granting that an opera production
would demoralize the school regime,
the validity of such reason cannot
be questioned. But the Inconsistency
exists particularly in respect to price.
The Washington Oratorio Society
may NOT charge for its annual rendi-
, l. lz
needed for its continuance, and the
alternative is given of making men,
dicants of the directors on every oc-
casien. with pleas for volunteer Of
fering. The director may not object,
seriously. but always il seems to loS
er the dignity of the occasion. of this
sacred choral service. and also it is
not a fair distribution of. benefits re-
ceived and benefits returned. In otht 7
words. it makes for an. Immoral dis
tribution of responsibility and appre-
citation.
| Now only this week, the concert OF
the New York symphony Orchestra,
given at Central High School under
the auspices of the Washington So
ciety of the Fine Arts. advertises
tickets at 81, admission at so cents.
Again, opera is produced at Central
High School by the Tech High School
bringing all the discomforts into the
SC chool that the community opera
, would. Also, these performances were
given with tickets at prices, II / re-
member rightly. ranging from sl.1o
down.
Is the School Board serving the
community consistently? Why not
waive for all time this contention
about price, and let the dignified plan
II rya
of the past and maintain the morale,
the obligation, of those who attend
Existing conditions are preferential.
In the matter of perfor .nances IN
theater the theater has a minimum
prtce for it's winter rate. che per-
formances must conform to tie pro-
fessional demands. That prevents the
popular" price that would bring 1t to
all the people.
The Washington Opera Company is
educational More broadly educa-
t.onal than an imported musical event
can be. 1t is a school OF music, OF
expression. of painting, and OF dlsci-
pline. AS such. and not on CONNER
riaI basis, does it exist. u has a
snail corps OF teachers" 1t Is max
ing Washington vitality musical in
rev field.
Out of this grows artist emporium
!ty. TO be proven: chorus training. and
cnt of it's biggest points, an expert
creed. adequate orchestra.
The opera movement is stu going
forward. Its future should be guar
aLteed.
The lover of the beautiful IN art
wants to see this beauty put INFO the
Ike and heart of the masses.
Is this not a civic privilege. If not
Guty? Then remove these stumbling
brooks and let the good work go on
U9inpeded.
When will Washington bring her