The Washington times., 1919-04-13
DISTRICT TO HAVE
COMMUNITY OPERA
Community opera is a fact in wash

ington.
The first season" of "the commun-
itv opera in Washington" will be
! given during the last week in April
and the first week in May, when a
! repertoire will be presented with THE
! Bohemian Girl" "Pagliacci," and THE
Pirates of Penzance."
The performances will be given in
the auditorium Of Central High School.
| The dates are: April %, 80, "Bohe-
rnian Girl" May 5, 6, The Pirates of
| Penzance:" May Z, 8, "Pagliacci," with
a brilliant pantomime to complete the
| program.
The operas are under the direction
/ Of Edouard Albion, director general:
/ Feter W. Dykema, director Of chorus.
and Dennis Connell, dramatic coach.
Casts for Operas.
With true professional pride the
community opera, with the co-opera-
! tion of the War Camp Community
| Service, announces the following in
tan fashion:
! bohemian Girl"-Gretchen Hood,
Airline; Marie CuIp, Queen; James
Young, Thaddeus: Lieutenant Dav-
emmy, Devilshoof; Oliver Mellum, Fred
! [. Pratt and Vivian Matson.
"PagIiacci"-Canio, Martin Richard
son; Media, Mabel Coldenstroth; To-
nio, Lieutenant Davenny; oliver Mel
lum and Waldemar Dorfman.
PIRATES of Penzance" Gladys
Price, Mabel: Martin Richardson,
Frederic; Lula Root. Ruth; Vivian
Matson, Richard; Harlan Randall,
Sam; Ambrose A Durkin, Edwin Cal
low, Elizabeth Meininger, Clara
Young and Priscilla Slaughter.
Professionals Of real distinction are
among the names Of the principals.
The chorus, ranging from eighty to
fifty, with some Of the members of
the solo casts, are community musi-
clans.
The ". c. c. s. has placed itself
behind this movement for opera in
the community, because it recognizes
its value; and also because the direc-
tors feel assured that it has come to
stay.
In sustaining the growth of com
munity opera. the w. c. c. S. desires
to root it so firmly in the affections
OF the public. that after two or three
seasons it will be a separate, self
eu3p6rting factor in Washington's
art7ife.
sTheewar has awakened community
spirit and love for music. The W. c.
@. s. has built an astonishing civic
program in 900 cities Of the country.
Washington is the first center, how
ever, to organize and put through"
a community opera Its success is as
sured. It's maintenance and continua-
ton is in the hands Of the large pub
Tic for whose benefit 1t exists.
Dream Of Years Realized.
community opera OF Washington, is
that he has cherished for years. That
is, the establishing Of a national
opera in the National Capital OF the
United States.
Mr.. Albion, himself an opera singer
OF experience-having sung with the
Canadian National Opera of Montreal,
and on concert tours-brings ideals,
enthusiasm, and practical experience
to his work. 1t is due in large meas
ure to the indefatigable efforts of
Mr.. Albion that the work has reach
ed the proportions Of a repertory
opera company.
Gretchen Hood, soprano, brings to
the role Of Airline in ''The Bohemian
Girl' the assets OF a beautiful voice,
Of beauty and an opera experience
Of several years.
Miss Hood has sung leading roles
with the Aborn and the San Carlos
opera companies. 1t was with the
former company that she made her
debut in this, her native city, as Mar
guerite in Faust"
She is to sing as guest artist" with
the San Carlos Opera here in May,
when she will be heard in "The Tales
Of Hoffman," in the role of "JHIietta."
Also, Miss Hood has been on tour
for one season, singing the prima
donna role in the Savage production |
of the Viennese opera, "Sari," with |
Mitzi Hajos.