Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-05-18

- hitherto accorded the San
Carlo Opera Company in
this class of entertainment
by Washington. Along with the le-
Ultimate drama, grand opera appears
to be claiming a popular considera-
tion that may eventually fret the
minds of producers who have learned
by experience, up to this time. that a
very satisfactory evenings entertain
ment may be compiled from readily
obtainable material in the way of
song. quip and specially. The San
Carlo repertory was the conventional
array of gems of song from genera
tion past. They were the works of
substantial merit concerning which
familiarity brings affection. 1t must
be noted, however, that the greatest
hit was scored in an opera of the
more modern type. Il Pagliacci" in
which dramatic daring is combined
with musical brilliancy. Canio's La
ment, as sung by Salazar, made
memorable moment. 1t conveyed the
mysterious thrill which announces the
attainment of completion and def1es
analysis.
X X X X
From season to season Washington
. has been in a position to observe the
development of the San Carlo enter
prise. At the outset it won musical
attention. 1t had it's inspiration in a
personal enthusiasm, that of Fortune
CALM uho deyoted himself IN eynlora
tons for singing material which, though
limited in the main to this western
hemisphere. have yielded wonderful
results. spirit of candid reliance
on his own tastes and judgment has
enabled him to bring into reputation
singers whose earlier careers might
easily have been restricted to local
approval. His prosperity manifested
its advancement. not in his private
purse, but in his pay roll. and his Glen
tele has willingly Joined him in great
or recompense for higher standards
Of ability.
X X X X
The repertory of the San Carlo Com
pany called attention to the re-
lance that must still be placed on
the old standbys. Some of these grand
operas are great, great. grand operas,
SO far as the years must measure.
They still ring out with the vitality
OF youth as they give voice to the
human passions which never can
grow old. Love. hatred. revenge and
self-sacrifice are the undying themes,
and they who know how to touch
them with the gift of real art share
in their immortality.
X X X X
Classical religion and the stage
came into existence almost as broth
ers. and. as brothers may do. reli-
gion and the stage sometimes quar-
rel The actor sometimes permits
himself to step outside of mimic
guise into real person and launch
shafts of Reproduction against preach
ers whose tendency is strong to-
wards histrionic methods. Preachers
are usually more generous and de-
plore the fact that the stage does
not utilize the enormous influence
with which it is credited toward i'm
pressing higher standards of thought.
In the main. both influences strive
inevitably for the same purpose. The
ambition Of every genius of the stage
has been to interpret and impress
the finest thoughts of which the HUI
man brain has been capable. the
latest arrangement of the theater is
eleoauently voiced by Rabbi Wise, who
applies to his topic such vigor OF
epithet as only the most trained and
skillful eloquence may venture to
employ His invective plays no favor
tics. including actors, whom he calls
uneducated: managers. whom he calls
cruel and hard-hearted creatures, and
promoters of publicity. both critical
and commercial. whom he describes
in hunt terms as recreants to moral
. obligation. The protest is based on
his personal observation. In his dis-
course. as prominently reported IN
New York print. he says: Il carry in
mind one show in particular that l
saw only last week in one of the
leading theaters." In pointing with
SO much frankness and discernment
the paths of usefulness which others
endeavor to tread, often, 1t is true,
with much faltering perplexity, the
eminent thinker neglects his own ex-
traordinary opportunity to admonish
and direct explicitly. The neglect TO
give his multitude of hearers and
readers the benefit of his exact in
formation as to which theater and
which play so shocked him and
Il; iTnnreSSinn leaves
him in the position of the diffldent
chronicler who finds himself impelled
to modify a startling assertion by the
phrases lit is said" or lit is stated on
good authority" The intellectual cour-
age which takes refuge in generali
ties. however. skillful it may be in
rhetorical calisthenics. cannot be of
much assistance in work where
plodding conscience SO long has borne
the real and responsible burden.
II old Cicero in denouncing Catiline
had referred to him only as "a rascal
of our mutual acquaintance" he might
rs veil have thrown his GRAFTON into
the river and gone fishing.
X X X X
The advertisements may be relied
on for muc:, interesting and reliable
informal ,on concerning the theater. for
producers are critics and surprisingly
candid in many instances. The Shu-
bert -Garric'i had the privilege Of an
nouncing its play Love Laughs" as "a
positive hit and this is an instance in
xxyhi he nnblipifv takes his in