The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-31
VIENNA ENJOYS
RESUMPTI0N0F
GAY NIGHT LIFE
Brilliant Season of Music
and Drama Attracts
ThrOngs.
MANY VISITORS PRESENT
Tragic Side of New Era Seen
in Extreme Poverty Of
Common People.
MANY VISITORS PRESENT

Special Cuble to TIE NEW YORK HERALD.
Copyright. 1920, By THE NEw YORK HERALD.
VIENNA, Oct. 30.-Conditions obtain
ing in Vienna to-day show marked i'm
provement over what they were at the
beginning of last winter. Scarcely any
trains were running to-day a year
ago; the street cars were stopped, and
in the evenings the hotels, restaurants
and cafes were almost unbearable be-
cause OF the dismal, evil smelling
lamps which had replaced the electric
lights.
This autumn railroad traffic was
brought up to a reasonable standard
and there was enough coal to start up
the electric lighting plants again and
to make life comfortable. There is no
longer any need Of one being cold.
Even the theatres and concert halls
now are heated properly
The contrast between now and the
evenings of last February. when the
streets were bleak and empty. Is as
great as between day and night. Now
there are to be seen in the streets many
elegant motor cars, fine carriages and
fashionably dressed pedestrians. The
season opened with a series of brilliant
theatrical and musical productions, and
now hardly day passes without new
production Of real merit.
Particularly memorable has been the
Mailer festival OF the Vienna Symphony
Orchestra, but the real feature of the
season has been the revival II Italian
music here, with triumph for Puccini
whose new LA Rondine" and his three
one act operas grouped under the title
fp snrit vrIt arfn cd
for the first time In the German Ian
guagc. These three operas are well
known to the music lovers OF New York,
where they were produced for the first
time on any stage at the MetroI olitan
Opera House.
PuccinI at Performance.
Puccini himself attended the first
performance of these works here and
was accorded an ovation, although the
first presentation of La Rondine" in
Vienna was simultaneous with the an
nexation of German South Tyrol by
Italy. The one act operas were pro-
duced with special care and without
regard for expense at the State Opera
House. The prices charged for admis-
sion were prohibitive for the average
Viennese purse, but the production was
great success. The public appeared
willing to pay any number of crowns
for the privilege of attending the per-
Torrance of the operas and also to have
n chance to pay homage to the italian
master.
The Ravel concert, with the French
composer conducting. which was given
under the patronage of the French
Minister here. Lefevre Portallis. was
another brilliant success. AS a whole
the drama has been somewhat over
Swallowed by musical events in Vienna
This season.
A separate VieUnese literary life has
almost tased to exist, Vienna having
become just one more German city In
so far as literature Is concerned.
No theatre OF music hall is ever empty
evenings, nor do the so-called smoking
theatres and cabarets lack patronage.
Indeed. Vienna is regaining quickly her
old position as the most important So
clal and artistic centre in southeastern
Europe.
More Cosm Than Ever.
It is even more International IN It's
aspect now than 1t was formerly. be-
cause the greater number of Il habitues
we're made foreigners by the dismember-
ment OF the Dual Monarchy.
The new wave OF pleasure which Is
sweeping Vienna has some economic Sig
nihcance. Many thousands OF viennese
earn their living entertaining foreigners
who have invaluable currency. and that
Is the chief reason why everything pos
sibre Is done TO offer many attractions.
But there IS another-a tragic side.
Under this brilliant. pleasure loving.
splendid surface moro misery Is con-
cealed than the transient visitor In
Vienna observes. Most OF the artists In
the concert halls and theatres are under
paid and a great majority of the middle
class Viennese are unable to enjoy even
a little part OF tho pleasures which sur
round them on every side-pleasures
which are not for these.
The newspapers recently announced
the death of Max MargulleY one of the
worlds most famous meteorologists. who
died OF hunger. The official announce
ment OF his death said II was due TO
'Thungerdum." He was a retired official
and lived on n pension OF 429 crowns
month. or course. he could have ap-
pealed to the International Relief Com
mission for aid and II would have como
to his assistance. Buthe was too proud
TO do this. and preferred TO die quietly.
Many other persons hero are suffering
IN tho sauna way