The Washington times., 1920-05-02

-~~~-~N
= have spirituality" and grand
pera prima donna must have "artistic
|mperament."
Nobody doubts the truth Of this-what,
mebody DOES doubt TT
Yes. Mr.. Walter Damrosch. the dis
guished leader of the famous Symphony
chestra. OF New York, says that ITEM
|anent" and prima donna airs are not
essary in great singer.
ID Madame Luisa Tetrazzini, the
at soprano, was shocked to find that
great orchestral conductor was an
Eed when she kept him and his must
Ins waiting one whole hour for her to
me to rehearsal the other day.
Tetrazzini was notified to come to re-
arse her selections.
The hour was IL in the morning--the
'eat orchestra was there-100 men.
Mr.. Damrosch stood about the leaders
and, baton in hand.
The time passed. Mr.. Damrosch looked
his watch In another ten minutes the
knductor began. to be restless. Then he
mbed into the leaders chair and rested
head on his arm.
Twenty minutes passed-the musicians
axed and laid their instruments beside
pm on the floor.
faff an hour. Mr.. Damrosch had lost
patience, almost.
Where is Mime. Tetrazzini?" he asked
he caught sight of the doorkeeper who
krded the entrance to the auditorium Of
Seventy first Armory at Park avenue
Thirty-fourth street in New York
he doorkeeper lifted his cap. 81 have
seen her. sir" he answered.
he famous conductor of the famous
hphony Orchestra espied the stage
brkeeper. That functionary loves music
4 fingers near the great stage while
earsals are in progress.
dr. Damrosch lifted his voice a bit
hundred men who compose the or
kstra looked their surprise.
Don't leave the door," he commanded
e may be waiting to be shown the way
he stage"
he man in uniform moved back to his
acce erando
i've minutes passed. The huge audi.
um was silent. There was pain in that
ice. 1t throbbed, as it were, with appre-
ion The hundred men fidgeted in
chairs. They had recourse to their
retGes They turned eyes anxious
the great Damrosch.
fo"sook the leaders stand and strobe
one aisle. He paced back again
another aisle. He looked toward the
door. Nothing but the dusk of the
ato hry 1nx,
lder at the front door. No sound
form save the distant one Of the door
per.
r. Damrosch folded his arms. A frown
hered upon his brow. The men Of the
hestra puffed swift sympathetic spurts
smoke from their cigarettes. 1t was a
re sight, their great leader vexed.
He strode up the aisle He appeared at
|e door of the box office. Telephone
e manager of the Symphony Orchestra
fces that we have waited a half hour
ID Nine. TetrazZini is not here"
Excited voices staccatoed over the
res. Tell Mr. Damrosch we will make
tant inquiries"
The conductor went back to his stand
inother quarter hour passed. Walter
mrosch rose. He was about to address
OTShOSbio' "tIc SudpluB
mselves to the words, "You are dis
ksed." The first violin raised arresting
Arows and stared up the aisle. Mr..
lmrosch's speech was suspended. His
e followed that Of the first violinist.
Down the aisle came hurrying a small
with thick gray hair Beneath his
ht arm he carried several sheets Of
sic. On his face was a look of extreme
kiety.
Ie bowed to the towering conductor and
ed his face. "Mme. Tetrazzini cannot
me to the rehearsal" he said.
'Ts Nine. Tetrazzini ill?" Conductor
smrosch's face and tone we're solicitous.
mo, signor, she is quite we'll. But she
mot come to the rehearsal"
"But we must rehearse"
"Sbe cannot come. She Is not dressed"
"Tell her to put on wrapper and fur
at and come to rehearsal.
"She asked me to show you her music.
70 the tempt marked"
The little man offered the sheets OF
1sic Mr.. Damrosch looked down at him.
zen he looked at his watch.
rTell Nine. Tetrazzini that | will give
until ~ to come to this rehearsal"
rhe'lIttle man bowed and hurried away.
Damrosch stood at the leaders stand
4 folded his arms.
Again there was silence, a silence that
emed TO throb with anticipation. The