The Washington herald., 1920-12-19

M OSAO helu the center Oh lno so-
M cial stage last week-a some-
2Vx what overcrowded stage. l
should say. There were several
concerts, private musicales, func-
tions in honor of singers of note and
similar entertainments on the social
calendar during the past seven days.
But the chief interest and also
the main subject of conversation
OF the elite last week was the
opera-meaning the Washington
Opera Company's production OF
Aida" which was such a success
from every standpoint. Probably,
as some one said to me. not since
Oscar Hammerstein brought a gal
aNy of stars from his Manhattan
Company to the Belasco Theater
nearly a decade ago has Washing
ton seen an operatic production
which so nearly approached the
standard of the established season
in New York as that of the Wash
-ington Opera Company's production
at Polls Theater last week Aston
ishing was the high degree of en-
thusiasm manifested by a highly
representative audience, especially
since Washington audiences are not
notably enthusiastic about home
musical talent for homes sake or
about anything as a rule.
The washington Opera Company,
under the direction of Edouard AL
bion. has arrived. After three
years of struggle against tremen-
dous odds and the apathy Of WASH
ington, the organization has sue
ceeded. The house every evening.
but especially the opening night
Monday. had a brilliance and cos
mopolitan interest which New York
cannot rival. The horseshoe row
of boxes installed around Polls
Theater for the occasion were filled
with distinguished men and women
beautifully gowned and sparkling
with Jewels, while notables were
scattered throughout the audience.
Maj. George Oakley Totten. jr,
and Mrs. Albion were joint hosts
in the "management's" box for the
premier, their guests including Dr.
Bedrich Stepanek. the new minister
of Czecho-Slovakia, and his sister.
Miss Stepanek; Mrs. John Joyce
Broderick, wife of the commercial
counselor of the British Embassy;
Col. Alfred du Bosch, military at
tache of the Belgian Embassy: Mrs.
5 Arnold Volpe, wife of the director.
and John c. Freund, of New York.
Practically every embassy and
legation established in Washington
was represented, il not by its head.
by the next in command. Prac-
tically all of the official set, headed
by Mrs. Bainbridge Colby. wife OF
the Secretary of State, were in one
box or another All sets in society
and the army and navy were well
represented, and many large and
formal dinner parties worthy of mid
season preceded the performance.
DANCING AND BOX
PARTIES NUMEROUS.
4 number of parties also followed
the opera. lasting until the wee
small hours of the morning. Mr..
and Mrs. Charles T. Tittfnann had
a supper party, as did also MaJ
Totten. He gave a supper and dance
at his beautiful studio in Sixteenth
street.
To me it seemed a mistake for
Mr.. Tittmann and Mr.. Totten to
give their parties the same night.
particularly as there were several
other nightSof opera coming. Many
took in both parties, going to Tot
tens last. I didn't go to Mr.. Tit
mann's but i was a guest Of Mr.. Tot
tens and a lovely party 1t was.
left at a. m. and the party was
still in full swing. His guests COM
prised mostly the box holders and