New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-07-11

george EngleS, manager of the New
York Symphony Orchestra, has returned
from the first European tour of any
American symphony orchestra with the
announcement that Walter Damrosch
has invited to New York, to be the
guest next winter Of the New York
Symphony Orchestra, the British con-
ductor, Albert Coates.
"Mr. Coates, who is the conductor Of
the Royal Philharmonic Society of Lon
don, the London Symphony Orchestra
and of Covent Garden" said Mr.. Engles,
"has accepted Mr.. Damrosch's invita-
ton, and will conduct three of our con-
certs next December. At the conclusion
of our recent visit to London Mr.. Dam
rosch remained in England to work out
with Mr.. Coates the details of the De-
cember concerts which the latter will
direct as guest conductor.
During the most stormy period of
the Bolshevik revolution Mr.. Coates was
director at the Petrograd Theater. He
managed to return to England last May
and was engaged by Sir Thomas
Beecham for Covent Garden, where he is
now senior conductor and co-artistic
director with Sir Thomas.
Regarding our tour ITSELF" Mr.. En-
giles continued, 1--WE came upon every
known form of strike. There was a
strike of dock workers in Havre when
the orchestra landed from the Rocham-
beau, and industrial conflicts pursued us
everywhere we journeyed. The proposed
visit to Lyons, the great silk center of
France, had to be abandoned, owing to
| strike on the railroad between Bor-
deaux and Lyons. In Marseilles the
streetcars were tied up by strike and
in Italy there were so many strikes the
newspapers no longer reported them.
The Americans felt mostly the strikes
of walters and hotel employees in Genoa
and Milan.
"We found the passport regulations,
police permits and customs inspections
rigidly enforced in all countries. In
| some instances it was possible to an
| ticipate these formalities and have all
| of our passports vised at the same time
few days in advance Of arrival at a
frontier. Those who knew the Europe
Of prewar days said that travellers on
the Continent would never again be
time freedom.
"But in spite of these difficulties the
orchestra, with its personnel Of ninety
tive and two carloads of baggage, was
able to carry out its prearranged sched-
ule. This greatly impressed the Euro
peans, who, knowing the transport diff
ficulties and disorganized state of af-
fairs generally following upon five
years OF war, complimented us for our
quiet forbearance and our ability to
make concert dates on time. Speakers
honor of the orchestra referred to this,
and the newspapers devoted consider
able space to the enterprise and cour-
| age of the Americans in carrying out
concert tour of Europe under these
trying circumstances.
| walter Damrosch." concluded Mr..
Engles, with the members of his
family, will remain abroad for two
months rest. In France Mr.. Damrosch
was given the Cross of the Legion of
Honor in recognition Of his services
for the advancement Of French music
in America. The King of Italy be-
slowed on him the Cross Of the Grown
Of Italy, an Italian decoration eauiva-
lent to the Legion Of Honor in France.
In Rome the Roman Gold Medal was
bestowed on him. The Lord Mayor of
London gave Mr.. Damrosch the silver
medal Of the Musicians Company, the
most distinguished body of musicians
in the world. founded in 1904. Numer-
GUS loving cups and other decorations
were conferred on the American con-
dnctor by the local orchestras in the
various European Cities"
Albert Coates, British conductor of
Covent Garden, the Royal Philhar-
monic Society, ofSLondon, and the Lon
don Symphony Orchestra, who has ac-
cepted the invitation Of Walter Dam
rosch tc visit this country next De-
cember as guest conductor of the New
York Symphony Orchestra, was born
IN Petrograd Of English parents.
Russia. At the age Of twelve he was
sent to England to school and received
most Of his education at the Liverpool
j InStitute ON his airh4 eanth hirthd q,