The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19


as unsteady and artistically--
was the Washington Opera Companys
production of Aida" which alternated
at Poii's this week with French opera
comique, put on by the Cercle dart
Franchise. an organization of which
Mr.. Otto H. Kahn OF New York is the
leading spirit, and which has for its
svowed purpose the drawing closer of
Franco-American ties through the
medium of an interchange OF art, mu-
steal and dramatic, as well as plastic
and graphic.
The Washington Opera Company.
after three years of the pluckiest sort
of fight under the direction of Edouard
Albion in face of almost insurmount-
able odds. seemed to have arrived.
Marcus Kellerman came up from
Richmond to sing Amordsro, and
equally dominating vocally and pic
torially. Charles Trowbridge Tittman-
Washington lawyer-brought his won
derful voice TO a dignified and emil
nently satisfying rendition of the high
priests part; and in a way most sig
nificant of all perhaps. Ruth Townsend
otherwise Mrs. Franklin Townsend
made her operate debut in the part of
Anneris, and acquitted herself with
such credit that she had every right
TO be as proud of herself as-well as
her husband is of her, to say nothing
OF his uncle and aunt, Mr.. and Mrs.
Lawrence Townsend. The whole fam
lily is really Philadelphian, but since
Mr.. Lawrence Townsend was United
States Ambassador to Spain he has
taken up his residence in Washington
and gone into business here; and dur
ing the war his two nephews, Frank
lin and bingham Townsend, estab-
lished themselves and their families
here.
All Washington knows them and
society generally was greatly inter-
ested in hearing Mrs. Townsend sing
a leading role in a. real production,
and it is said that several of her
Philadelphia friends came down to
hear her, though the only one the
writer saw was Mrs. John B. Thayer.
whose husband was lost in the Lusi-
tania disaster.
Mrs. cambridge Colby was there in
Mr.. William Phelps Enos box, one of
the exclusive little party that he and
Mrs. George w. Ehle, Mr.. Eno's cousin
and his hostess. had entertained at din
ner. Mrs. Colby had with her her eld-
est daughter. Miss Katherine Colby, and
Mr.. and Mrs. Adolph Casper Miller
completed the party.
other Box Parties.
The Peruvian Ambassador and Sonora
de Pezet were in another box as men,
bers of party which included Mr. and
Mrs. Robert Lansing and DIR. L. 5.
Rowe. Encouragement Of the Pam
american Union. all of whom had dined
with Miss Amaryllis Gillette. The Ar
gentine Ambassador and Nine. lie Bre-
ION entertained in another box, their
party including their handsome niece,
Miss Manuela Lloveras. Mr.. John Bar
rett. formerly head OF the Pan-Amer-
lean Union, was visiting around be-
tween the acts-quite like old times, but
not long enough in any one place for
one to make up their mind where he
belonged.
Prince de Bearn, counsellor OF the
French Embassy, was one OF Mrs.
James Carroll Frazer's box party. which
previously had been her dinner party.
Mrs. Frazer looked as serene as though
there had not been n serious accident
al her house scarcely an hour before
she arrived at the theatre. She has her
mother Mrs Van Rensselaer, of New
York, here with her this winter, and as
she Is rather advanced in years and
not in very good health. they have
nurse to walt upon her. The latter mao
started across the room with blazing
alcohol lamp in her hand, and naturally
before she knew what had happened
she was on fire. In fact. they say That
If Mrs. Van Rensselaer, had not mad
more presence of mind than her atten-
dant there would have been very
serious fire. As 1t was, the nurse was
painfully burned before the blazo was
extinguished. 1t must, however. have
been rather disturbing to Mrs. Frazer $
dinner party, which included besides the
Prince de Bearn. the Secretary OF war
and Mrs. Baker. the Secretary or the
Interior. Judge John Barton Payne and
Gen. March. -
In the adjoining box Mrs. James Nc
Donald. who recently has returned to
Washington from a summer at her Eng
tsh home was one Of the party which
tho one-time Ambassador TO Russia and
Mrs. George Maryc were entertaining
rol William Eric Fowler's party in
cmded Mrs. Robert Hinckley and Miss
GLADYS Hinckley. Col William u. Hor-
ION and Mr.. and Mrs. Victor Kaufman
lad with them Col. and Mrs. Clarence
nav. Mr.. and Mrs. Charles V. Wheeler
and Miss Miriam Hoy Of Albany. whose
engagement to their son. Mr.. Samuel
Kaufman. recently has been announced
and who is their guest. Mrs. Gibson
Fahnestock had with her her son-in-law
and daughter. Mr.. and Mrs. SyWanus
stokes. Jr., and Mrs. Thomas #. Bayard.
Gen. and Mrs. Charles b. Drake ana
Miss Barrine Drake we're in box with
Judge and Mrs. G. G. McChord.
Others In the audience were the Cher
Justice and Mrs. Edward Douglas
White Mr.. and Mrs. Lawrence Town
sand Mrs. Henry w. Reyes, tho Assist
amt 10 the Secretary OF State, brand
now official especially created Tor the
benefit OF Mr.. Colby, and Mrs. WliDur
carr and her mother. Mrs. Ezra koon.
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles ]. Bell, Mrs Har-
old Walker, Mrs. John Joyce Broderick
and-but why go onT surely thet Is
enough TO show the quality OF the audi
ence.
After the performance Major George
oakley Totten entertained at his studio
House-they say It Is an old stable
done OVER and completely camouflaged
aa a studio home for q bachelor artist
and architect--in honor OF the Albions
and the stars of the company. Major
Rotten has been one OF the most ardent
,,,nnor,ers Of the whole national opera