The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-02-15
NEW YORK MUSIC REVIEW
by DIXIE HINES

New York. Feb. 9--New York has
just finished its first Music Week"
It is hereafter to be an annual event,
and it is believed influence will be
felt throughout the country and other
cities and music centers will follow
the lead of the metropolis.
Beginning on the first day OF the
week, churches throughout the city
arranged special music. The moving
picture theaters, which are permitted
to remain open on the Sabbath. ar
ranged unusually elaborate music
programs, Even the fortunate vaude-
Vile theaters began their entertain
ment with orchestral selections of
more than passing interest On Mon
day the music show was opened. ex-
hibiting the progress OF the music
trade. Concerts were given in every
available building. The theaters fol-
lowed the picture houses in arrang-
ing special musical programs. The
Y. M. G. A, and kindred organiza-
tons gave concerts, and 1t may have
been imagination. but il even appears
that the hurdy gurdy perpetrators Sc
iected less hackneyed numbers for
their barrel organs.
The object Of music week Is to
stimulate love Of good music into the
hearts of the American populace. 1t
lis believed that by calling special at
tention to this event people will give
ia thought to music. The plans for
New York's celebration were excep-
tionaliy elaborate, The charm of mu-
sic brought pastors of CHURCHES and
mana gers of theaters into harmonious
accord. From the man who chimed
the bells to the conductor of our
greatest grand opera company. they
seemed to give special attention to
the need OF the occasion. New York
was engaged in dividing it's interest
between the Metropolitan and the Chi
eago Opera companies at the time, but
there was another contestant in the
American Singers company. which has
met with unusual success in reviving
Gilbert and Sullvan's "Ruddigore +"
At Carnegie hall. Aeolian hall, the new
Sixtv-third street music hall and the
many playhouses given over to musicaI
productions interest was manifested
And as the week drew to close it
ISras observed with pride that these
efforts had been highly successful
In no sense is this chronicler a
carping critic, but rather a faithful
purveyor OF the news of the lyric
world. Whereupon il becomes his
duty TO point out that ii liz not the
general public that lacks musical ap-
probation. They appreciate music re-
CARELESS OF the fact that little or no
effort has been made Of late years to
crafty this desire, There are more
than TOO important cities in the
United States to which grand opera
Is a name only. And of these 700
cities at least zoe would welcome an
opportunity to hear opera If it could
he presented in the language of their
understanding and with IA company
which would not disgrace the score.
'nhappily. this has not been possible
in the past, The several opera COM
panies which have toured these cities
have either presented opera in n
foreign language or else they have
aiscredited English opera by assigning
the roles to incompetent singers.
The American Grand Opera COM
pany which appears to be the hope
OF this faithful band, is being formed
in New York at present. In brief II
is to be a company which will take
rank with the Metropolitan indeed.
the operas have been selected from
the Metropolitan repertoire. the two
thus far being "Shanewis.'' by Cad.
man, and The Legend" by Briel.
both having been accredited prize
winners In the MET" group and given
pretentious productions at this house.
This company will present these two
operas as an evening bin. as they
are both short operas. The prima
donnas will be noted American sing
prima donna in 'Shanewis"
which is an Indian opera. being an
Indian s!nger---and the conductors
will be the respective composers
Richard G. Herndon and Frank Tay-
Tor KNITTING are the responsible direc-
tors of this highly comn1endable eff
fort. IA is believed that the tour will
include most Of the before men toned
700 American cities which are yearn-
ing for one chance To hear real Amer
lean music. sung by real American
artists. We have given much in the
way OF support to the music of our
allies. and We do not regret it, but
the time has long been ripe for an
ton of our own opera. and
If we do not intend to give this con-
let us hush our protest
against lack Of opportunity. II will
NAT stsssf sasa:s hereafter. a '',3'
The testimony OF so noted an ar
tiste 81 Madame Marguerite sylvia
iiseredits the views of weil-known
New York commentator who insists
that the general public, SO called, does
not want good music. Jazz mad"
he calls them. Jazz mad" they may
be, if this be, Justified by their. evil
icnt appreciation OF music, even
though 1t be as bad as the average
,axz music But IL lis not generally
known that last year the managers
~ the two most important vaudeville
indicates in the world determined to
make a test Of tho strength OF de-