New-York tribune., 1920-02-29
Americas operate Hope
Lies in National Opera,
Declares Mime. SYLVIA

National opera for America finds
one Of its strongest advocates in
Nine. Marguerite Sylvia, Belgian by
birth and an American by marriage.
Opera with American singers, Ameri-
can musicians. American directors and
American conductors Is her ideal. and
it is not an abstract ideal. Down in
the national capital there is an organi-
zation called the Washington Opera
Company. 1t has no theater, renting
whatever is available for its per-
formances. The singers are amoi-
tlous young amateurs, many of them
working during the day as clerks to
earn money to pay for their vocal
lessons, but in them Nine. Sylvia sees
the possibilities of a real American
opera company
She does not favor the present sys-
tenn Of opera management in this coun-
try and is not reluctant to say so.
There are cliques, there is not enough
room for the artists who come here,
the arrangements are not business
like and are impractlcable, she de-
clares. The singer sees in national
opera q progressive step, one which
will be Of inestimable value to the
American singer.
Where can the young singer go now
to receive the training that is re-
qutred for grand opera in this coun-
try?' she asked. "When people pay
Sc for seat at the opera they expect
singers Of wide experience and they
are entitled to them. Before the war
American singers could 60 to France,
Germany. or Italy, sing in the opera
houses there, and then come home
finished artists with three, four or
five years experience With condi-
tons as they are at present, they can
not go abroad and yet they must have
the training. National opera is the
solution, place where our singers will
have the opportunities they need
Ii foreign artists care to join in the
work with the Americans they should
be welcomed, but preference should
be given to our own.
Opera singers can be Of great as
sistance. | appeared in three perform
ances of Carmen in Washington with
the company, and it was through these
that the national capital became inter
ested IN the movement. A dinner, last
lrg until early morning, was held, and
support Ter the work was assured.
Otto Marnk, the tenor from Czecho-
Slovakia, sang with me In Carmen
II more singers who can spare time
or make arrangements between en-
gagements would come to Washington
ut the expense Of the company and
take part in the productions it would
mean much to the younger singers In
the company and to the movement for
national opera In general"
At present Nine Sylvia Is appearinr
4 IN vaudeville, singing from her oper-
atlc roles and also popular songs. She
mas great faith in popular music. be-
lieves much of it is good music, worthy
OF singers Of ability. Vaudeville in
TINS country is great institutic, we'll
managed, with everything possible
done to make things congenial for the
actors and actresses, Nine. sylvia saws
Even though | should return to The
operate stage, shall always spend sew
eral weeks each year in vaudeville. to
show that it is possible to combine
Although an artist and interested IN
art, Nine. Sylvia has become con-
mercial Some day art as art will ba
properly compensated, she saws. but at
present it. is not.
II have become the sensibla uo+b
SINCE nc, my two babies were born"
The singer conducted The Tribune,s
representative from the beautifnllv
arranged sitting room to the nurserv
Two bright little girls were busy A.
1neir 'r luncheon with their French nurse
! | ney were presented, as was Ma;or
Smith, Nine. Sylva's husband wbo
came into the room.
Now. can you blame me for nv COM
me re "a Ii am 90 cho o.l,nJ ~SNAA-