The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-12-12

New York Dec. 10.-The Metro politan opens next week, the Chi cago has opened on tour and will ar rive in New York In January; the American singers company represent ing light opera and musical com edies, is in full swing al the Park theatre We are reliably informed that a new company, the American Opera Company. may begin tour early in December under what promises to be exceptionally brilliant and re- sponsible direction.
 The American Opera Company will present two Metropolitan Opera Company productions, The Legend and 'Shanewis''. The latter is an In dian opera, by Cadman, and a noted Indian prima donna will be the sensational and original feature. Both operas have been brilliantly produced by the Metropolitan Opera Company forces.
 The roster of the company has not yet been made known. but two of the most important American prima donnas are under consideration. The two composers will also be among the notables, as each will conduct his own opera internittentIy.
 Ten of the fifteen new members of the Metropolitan. Opera Company are Americans. One of these is a tenor orviIIe Harold, who already has earned an operatic reputation.
 Gladys Axman, soprano, is a native of Boston.
 Ellen Da1ossy, soprano, though born in America, was taken to Pra- que when a little child and began the study of music at an early age. She completed her musical education in this country.
 Margaret Farnam, soprano. stud jed in Paris. She returned to Aneri- ca when the war broke out and con- tinued her training here
 Edna Kellogg, soprano, is a Vir- ginian. She received all her musical education in America.
 Evelyn Scotney, soprano, though born in Australia, came to America some time ago. She has sung lead ing roles with the Boston and Chica- go Opera Companies.
 Adenne Vosari, soprano halls from St. Louis, where she got all her early vacol training. She has sung much in concert. This will be her oper- atic debut
 Jeanne Gordon, contralto, although born in Canada, married an American who lives in Detroit
 This group of new singers, when considered with the number of new American concert singers and sing CTS with the other opera companies plus the considerable group now in the Metropolitan Company, would in- dicate that American musical pres t.se is decidedly not on the wane sc far as the singers are concerned. But what is needed at the Metropolitan as well as the Chicago Opera Con- pany, and surely more than ever with some of the leading orchestras of the company, are some American conduc- tors. They, after all, are the pilots and lead the way. The happiest memory of the late Star Opera Com pany, which came to an untimely end at the Lexington Theatre, was the conducting of Theodore Spiering whc is one of the most genuine artists ot the baton We have. That so exper- fenced an artist should be compelled to serve, the only foreign operatic or ganization in this country only be- cause he is himself an American while the native opera company anc symphonic organizations, created anC supported by Am mericans go to the ' uttermost ends of the earth to seeI !. a foreigner to place in this position over the native artist is more thar an artistic crime, it is patriotic ant musical calamity.
 Madame Marguerite Sylva is tht tic tU tO iOiD tI1f