The Washington times., 1920-07-11
ITALY GIVES REAL
.cHANCE TO singer
Opportunities Plentiful for Stu.
dent Who Is Ambitious and
Possesses Talent.
~ ROY a. BURk r..

tion to dehnitely answer" said Mario
laurent. the youngest baritone OF
the Metropolitan Opera. Two years
ago he arrived in America penpiless
and unknown. Today he is one or
the best known bsritones in America.
There are plenty OF opportunities
in Italy for the young student VINO
cannot aftord 10 pay his own way;
that Is. providing he shows he has
talent. The conserystories of music
in Italy, and. for that matter. every
where, offer free courses 20 the de-
serving youth who cannot finance his
own musical education. However TO
receive this education, every appli-
cant must successfullt pass certain
tests and an examination OF his mu-
sical ability and knowledge. How
ever. there have been a number Of
noted Italian musicians who, as boys
were unable to pass these tests.
VERDI FAILED AS YOUTH.
For instance. the great genius,
Giuseppe Verdi failed as a youth .t9
pass the examination for entrance I"
the Conservatory or Music in Milar.
The committee which examined him
said that he had neither talent nor n
inclination for music, The free musI-
cal. educa tion in Italy means only tbs t
the youth receives his education free
of charge. He must support himself.
THE state. there does not now pro
vide. nor has II provided at any time,
so far as | know, any funds for the
maintenance OF the student or
course, you find in Italy, as probably
you hnd in America, the ueh-know
and wealthy music lover who is will
ing to provide for the edu 2atron %
the promising student. However,
10 IL
lovers are in reality very selfish ard
mercenary. They usually make some
kind Of contract with the student
whereby part Of the funds the stud
earns for many years 10 come returns
to the so-called music lover. These
music lovers are in reality parasites
on artists.
1T is my firm opinion that every
nation should take care OF talented
youths, not only in music, but in every
other art. America, with it's great
wealth and ideals. and its love for
the beautiful, should be strongest in
support OF the plan that will help the
needy but deserving who have the
qualities for the making of greater
even greater-America ...
"If this were done. | believe that
America would produce more great
musicians that Europe. | believe that
Thomas A. Edison has done much for
music First he invented the phono-
graph so that every one could have
the opportunity to hear good music
and good musicians at small cost:
then he perfected his invention until
today we have his instrument that re-
creates absolutely the voice OF the
artist itself. What a wonderful
thing that is for the world. s
MUST HAVE MORE THAN VOICE.
1T is not my belief that Italy has
more beautiful voices than any other
country has. But there is strong
factor present in Italy for the mn X ing
of great musicians. The Italian sings
end loves to sing from childhood 10
the last day Of his life.
This natural love for singing and
the beautiful Italian language, which
truly is the best fitted language FOR
singing. are most important factors in
the development of natural voices.
which probably would never be pro-
duccd did these factors not exist.
However. the great singer must
have more than the mere voice. There
is something which | Will call the
common sense in singing. which must
be inherent in one. and without which,
success is impossible. This common
sense in singing, which no singing
teacher can teach. is found in, Italy
more than anywhere else. 1t seems
to me that it is somethlng the Italian
has inherited from the ages, | would
almost say that We Italians inherit it
through atsvism and because the
centuries have taught US the great
love for all forms of good music.
"One of the greatest advantages
italy offeps to the beginner is that
everyone in Italy is always ready. TO
hear new talent. The Italian thea
ters arc open for the unknown stu
dent. and, If he proves to have. ability
and a voice, his career is certain. He
is encouraged and helped from the
very beginning 10 be a great singer.
This opportunity is not easy 10 OBJ
tain in America. because America
lacks sufficient theaters for the pro-
duction OF grand opera. Every. city of
Italy has. theater which produces
grand opera every year. The grand
opera season is an event OF events for
the citizen OF every city. They dis
cuss the coming operas and artists
months in advance and months after
the season il ended.
They love the artists If they prove
to-be good, and they laugh and make
jokes about the ones who fail to
please them. Perhaps the greatest ad-
vantages beginner enjoys in Italy
ia that the Italian public in its entire
~ wants, above everything else, to
hear good voices and good music
They do not care whether or not the
singer is known. whether he is be-
Enner or whether he has been a
failure.
They are not much interested in his
abilities as an actor, az they know
, that experience and time will brine
that bigger factor in success TO him
| believe | have told tho reasons why
so many persons who are studying
music wish to go to Italy.
II believe that a student can become
successful musician. whether he
studies in Italy. America, China, or
anywhere else, but | know that he
will flnd the opportunities and the
greatest encouragement at the pres
ont day in Italy. Many OF the sreatest
Italian singers whom the world
knows and applsuds today are TIE
successes they are because OF the
love OF the Italian public for good
music" ..r