The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-01-06
New York Music Review
Bv DIXIE HINE

It was observed in these columns | a few weeks since that the Ameri- | can Legion owed it to its own dignity, 1 honor and respect. to take stringent action to curb the group of 1rres- ponsibies which is placing the organ ization in a most untenable and em- barrassing position. It is not be- ueved that these hood1ums-no other word aptly describes some of their l Eastern actions which were taken | without official sanction or author l ty-represent even remotely the sen- | timent of the organization itself. The Legion, through their unworthiness, l is placed in the position of com
 Nending musical artist in one city and denouncing him in another.
 The American Legion Is composed ! of brave American soldiers who fought for the right and their coun- try under duly constituted officers | They gave and received commands
 and when 8 command was given 1t 1 was obeyed. Theirs was mot to | reason why, theirs was to do or die,
 Unhappily this principal does not ap- pear to prevail at present. We see | them uttertng vigorous protests and committing overt acts to prevent the performance of opera in German, in | popular opinion because the mon aS- sociated with that New York enter prise had been pernicious in their activity as enemy aliens, and they had set out with the determination
 of forcing their objectionable lam guage upon a community that wanted
 none of it. But while this was in progress American symphony or- 1 chestras, opera singers and concert : artists of established loyalty, were
 singing German songs and playing German music. Beethoven and even Wagner were as common as their
 French confreres. And there was
 no protest.
 This group has since run amuck with Fritz Kreisler This eminent Autrian was becomingly auiescent 5 during the participation of the United States in the big war. He withdrew t l from professional activities on his 5 own violation, and only re-entered the field recently, since when New t York, Boston, Washington and other f important cities have acclaimed him, l and Louisville, Lynn. Ithaca and other cities, led by unorganized members 2 of the Legion. have conducted them l selves in an unseern1ng, unlawful and . disgraceful manner in opposition. to the artist when the larger cities have f accepted. A more striking illustra- ton of the philosophy of "The Three v Tailors of Tooley Street" has never y been seen. - l But the point which the press has Q been prompt to take up 3s the sug- = gestion that if the American Legi or e sanctions this opposition to foreigr I music and musicians, are they pre-
 l pared to be equally as interested 1T n building an American musical stand l. ard? Music lovers and musician. $ throughout the United States have y right to ask this and expect it. There ;, are many organizations in existanc' ; now which are struggling to encour $ age them. The American Oper:
 Company was announced in Nev ,, York recently. Here is an opportu u nifty for every American music club I music lover, musician and newspape = to do something proctical for tn s cause. The prospectus, vouched fo
 by men long established in musica
 management, declares the purpose t = be the firm establishment of an 'tAl
 American from the advance man t
 the gentleman back with the show
 American operas-they have an 1 nounced ''Shenewis' by Charle n Wakefield Cadman. and '"The Leg ,- end" by Joseph c. Briel as the tw 2. initial efforts-American singers d American conductors, notably tn .e composers themselves, and America
 spirit Is to dominate 1t.
 m If the American Legion Is stncer n in it's belief that America Is the pee a. of any nation in the world judge 1 by military, commercial, social, lii
 1 W do a creative and constructive thin " by helping American music, and es in pecially American opera which is s ic sadly in need.
 al Helene Flanders, the concert artis I'd is a believer in the value of good hu g. nor and good nature an induce le ment to artistic excellence. Than le God some one has come to the for Id and proclaimed optimism in the al ,s of singing and playing. It Is highl Ii- lugubrious to the average music love C. to sit in an audience and hear tf of plaint of & prima donna who il ill forms us in a good upper and re bad lower register that "she vii to for want of love-, or a baritone II, excellent lung power, singing of t7
 daisies that die in the fall. Howev,
 beautiful the tune. however charm
 ing the music, the lover of the art he music who may also be fortuna tat enough to follow the diction of u O. artist, prefers song that cheers rat 'at CT than one that depresses.
 no 'fIn grand opera one cannot choo nd ones program" Miss Flanders a 7n- sured a scribe. "A character
 built to suit the story, and her em
 dons are those that would be COT
 mon with any one in her positio Ao The singer is compelled to follow tf
 mood, and 1t Is not always a hap,
 one. In selecting a musical pr Io gram for concert work, howevt .Is the choice is left with the artist. al I believe the phycho1ogy of a pr a.t gram will be considered quite
 is seriously it's Quality"
 ,+ It is related of Miss Flanders tn
 she has offered handsome compe nv, sation to any one who will serve h ;,,a as her jester.
 ,oe ''The effect of a good hearty 1au "a upon the nervous system Is of inc
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