Evening star., 1920-12-26

1.-THE Chimes of Normandy" will
ring out far and wide." spreading
happiness to the multitudes during
! the midholiday festivities. the even
ings of December 29, 80 and 81, when
the Peoples National Opera Societp.
Rollin Bond, director, will present
this romantic comic opera at the
Central High School auditorium in a
costume production said to excel any
previous presentation of this melodf.
Gus combination of music, drama ana
fun. AS is usual with the produc-
tions of this society, the entire cast
chorus and orchestra are Washing
tonians. Scenic and costume equip
ment only is imported from New
York. With the exception OF some
the costumes for the first act-the
fair scene-are those of the pic
turesque Normandy peasant. The
haunted castle scene of the second
act is frightened by the natty uni.
forms of the sturdy sailor lads. and
ress on the marquis estate, and the
full ensemble is dressed in the ex-
quisite costuming of the French CO.
lonial period. opening the act with
the graceful minuet. Mr.. Bond, the
director. has written new hnale
to the opera. especially for the fine
choral ensemble this company pre-
sents, and it is here that the colora-
tura voices of the organization are
heard at their best.
The production has been staged oy
Harry Stevens and the individual and
ensemble dances have been staged by
Estelle Murray. who also sings tine
role of the audacious hoyden, Serpo-
lette. Ruth Peter. who received her
operatic development through this So
ciety, will sing the pleasing role OF
Germaine. Myra johnson. Elsie Jorss'
Marguerite Wickersham, Bertha WeV,
Bernice Stevens, Genevieve Bond ana
Gladys Hunt sing the roles OF the
peasant girl principals. the tenor
role of Grenicheux will be in the
hands of Harry Stevens. while Ray
mond G. Moore will sing the romantic
baritone role of the Marquis. !.
Brooke Amiss. jr.. will account LOT
the comedy character OF the Daine ;
stephen o. Ford, the notary; Jonn l.
Elliott, Gaspard, the miser, and ). t.
Pardee and Ray Jackman. as the as
SCISSOR and registrar, will Ine
male principals. A well balanced OF
chestra, from the ranks OF the chan-
ber music players VINO nave Sup
t,orted this company's productipnss
since its organization, will play Ihe
tionaI opera Society was founded oy
it's conductor, Rollin Bond, in sep
tember, 1919, for the purpose OF pro-
yiding forAthe general pubic VI
washington >e best of comic operas
in superior productions at community
prices. and to develop the excelienl
talent available in Washington. Inc
mast performances have been given III
splendid style with -much lars
company than the travelling musioa.
show is able to furnish NO Iuhus ~ ~
faoE;nv have ever been solicited. On
The contrary. the organization has de-
pended on the quality Of IT'S pfoouc.
tions to gain the public patronage
that would support it's activities. Last
sea son recorded twelve public pres.
entafions- of comic. opera, SIX oi
witch were given at the Central hlen
school Auditorium and six at the ron
Theater. and in spite of its extraor-
dinarily heavy expenses. the Com
pany closed the first year OF us "a
reer without a cent OF INDEBTEDNESS
Some of its active participants OF ies
season are now on the professionai
stape through the development gam
cd with the Peoples National opera
Society. Odel Whipple is chairman
of the organization; T. Brooke Amiss'
jr vice chairman; Genevieve Bono
secretary and treasurer, and hoi1n
BOND, director. A section OF seats
for the opening night OF The Cnimes
of Normandy" or Bells OF Corhe-
VILE" has been set aside for the pur-
nose of entertaining soldiers from
walter Reed and sailors from tne
Navy hospitals. All who VIII voiun-
teer TO furnish the use of automo-
hiles. sightseeing or private cars TO
assist in the transportation OF the
men from the hospitals to and from
performances are requested to com
municate Immediately with Cecil b.
Norton. general secretary of the Com
munity Center Department OF the
Franklin School.
At the hour of music at the Had
leigh this evening Miss Ruth L. Ayler
will be the so1oist, accompanied py
Mrs. Henry Hunt Mckee. The foilow-
ing numbers will be on the program:
Keep on Hoping" (Heron-Maxwell'