New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-05
- In Che World of Music and Art g.
Two Opera Companies
Feature of Opening Season
Engagement of SAN Carlo Forces at Manhattan
Opera House Will Follow Debut of
New Company

tenors; Alice Gentle, Stella De Mette,
May Barron and Alice Homer, mezzo-
sopranos; Vincente Ballester, Mario
Valle. Arnold Becker and Nicola
d'Amico, barytones; Pietro de Biasi
and Natalie Cervi, bassos; Gaetano
Merola, Fulgenzio Guerrieri and Dirk
toch, conductors
The repertoire for the opening week,
beginning September 20, includes "Car-
men," "Rigoletto," aida" "Cavalleria
Rusticana," with "Pagliacci," "La b.
heme" and I'll Tpovatore" for the six
nights, in the order named, and ma
Dana Butterfly for the Saturday mat
inee.
But before the older company starts
its season new operate organization,
the Commonwealth Opera Company, is
to be heard from, beginning Tomorrow
evening at the Lexington Theater. This
is an undertaking by passionate believ-
ers in opera in English, with Chr gem
eral slogan "By Americans, of A,neri-
cans and fer Americans" One or two
familiar names appear among the sing
ers engaged. Both Nine. Lois EweIl
and Miss Edith Helena have been heard
in other opera companies, where the
tongue was English and the prices were
low. Joseph Sheehan is not unknown.
While waiting in a receptive mood for
the organization to prove its worth, this
circular sent out by the management
invites consideration and comment:
What promises to be an important
stride forward in the movement for
bringing opera to as large circle as
is now reached by the photoplay is the
newly organized National Common
wealth English Opera Company, whose
season of standard works, with seats
ranging in price from so cents to $3.50,
is announced to begin in the early fall.
One of the objects of the enterprise
nearest the hearts of those who are
sponsoring it is to give an opportunity
TO young artists as we'll as older ones
who have the necessary qualifications
but who, for lack Of sufficient outlet in
this country, have either sought their
careers abroad, where opera companies
are more numerous, OF devoted their
energies to other musical fields.
Though the headquarters of the or
ganization have been established in
New York, at the Lexington Theater,
in conjunction with number of ar
tistic and patriotic societies known
as the National Commonwealth Gen.
bn III
lines Of countrywide usefulness. Not
only does it aim to give the longed
for chance for a public hearing to the
,, talented young musicians America ia
producing in almost every state and
city, but it is hoped later to send out
directors, principles and organized
assistance to communities building up
local opera centers Of their own.
Speaking for the executive commit
tee of the Commonwealth Opera, Mrs.
Julian Edwards, president Of the New
York State Federation Of Music Clubs,
said: I advise young singers to study
operatic roles. The field will soon be
ripe for big developments, and those
who are ready will be eagerly sought.
No doubt the player piano and the
photograph have done much to spread
the taste for operate music, but, at
any rate, it is there, and we are try
ing to do our share to satisfy it.
"'Among other things, the Common
wealth Opera Is planning q blow at
the star system. The singers will ro-
tate in the various roles, thus gaining
versatility, while the public will be led
to an appreciation Of the music for its
own sake, and Of good singing and act
ing, and away from the worship
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