The Washington times., 1921-08-22
TENOR SOLO
SQUELCHED.
BY PAS OR
Disappointed Flock Stirred BY
Rev. Rippy's Defense He
Feared Theatre aIism."

0' NPPy Oo'o'so ITO
Feared TheatricaIism
Clash between the church and
the opera developed last night
when N. Conner Porter, widely
known dramatic tenor of the Wash
ington Opera Company, advertised
to sing at the Mt. Vernon Place
M. E. Church, was called aside
by the assistant pastor, Leo M.
Rippy, and asked if he would
kindly refrain from singing.
BaIk at Engaged"
As explained to the popular tenor,
the church officials were alarmed at
the brief notice appearing in local
newspapers stating that Porter had
been engaged" to sing yesterday
morning and last night. Porter is
! actually a member of the choir. Porter
mad not been advertised as a member
or the church choir, but the use of the
word engaged" and the fact that
many Washingtonians knew Porter as
a member of the Washington Opera
, Company, bore the abundant fruit Of
publicity and the auditorium of the
church was crowded at both services.
The statement that Porter was to
have sung at the morning service was
incorrect. But an alarming increase
IN the congregation in the morning led
many to belieev that Porter would be
allowed few moments on the pro-
gram in view of the error which had
raG q q
goodly share of the increased attend
ance.
Notice Misleading.
Many who did not remain for the
services when they learned Portepwas
to sing at the evening service only re-
turned last night, happily expectant.
A few moments before the choir
members took-lseir places, Porter was
called aside by Assistant Pastor Rippy.
When they were in the chapel study,
the Rev. Rippy spoke:
About this notice in the papers, Mr..
Porter. You probably noticed you
were not mentioned as being a men,
Der of the choir, but as only as men,
her of the Washington Opera Com
pany-you had been engaged to sing.
You know we're afraid 1t would not
look well to have 1t appear that the
church had sought the assistance of a
theatrical singer-a bit sensational,
you understand. I wonder II you
would mind not singing tonight?"
Agrees Not To Sing.
"why, that will be all right" replied
Porter. IT have no desire to cause
any trouble in the church. I'll do just
as you say"
Thus when Porter Joined the other
members of the choir and appeared in
the auditorium, the congregation
perked up a bit, confident that they
would not be denied the pleasure of
hearing Porter.
The worshipers became uneasy
when Rev. Clovis G. Chappell plunged
into the other portion of the evening
service at the moment Porter was to
have sung There Is a Land" the
beautiful number by Herbert johnson,
ranking next to The Holy City"
That the sudden change in the
program was instigated by peevish-
ness OF other members Of the choir
over one of their number being
starred for the evening. was emphati-
cally denied by Porter when he was
questioned about the incident this
morning.
ITO the contrary" declared Porter
"They were quite sympathetic, and
openly expressed their regret over
the decision of the church officials"
Followers Disappointed.
Admirers OF Porter's vocal work
who had gathered to hear him were
indignant when they heard why he
had not appeared as advertised"
When 1t was learned that whisper
ings over "the very idea" of engaging
an opera singer to draw a crowd had
been the cause OF the request to omit
There Is a Land" they frankly
declared IT appeared as though Por.
ter had been too good for the rest
of the bill"
Porter, an official in the income
tax division Of the Internal Revenue
Bureau, admitted that he was having
a funny day of II today. He did not
deny that he had received many
telephone calls from friends voicinR
their disgust over the matter of
things last night. As a balm, how
ever, many stated they believed he
had received the greatest compliment
thus far in his career.
Has Sung for Charity.
Porter was an aviator during the
war, being stationed at a Texas fly
ing field as instructor. He has ap-
peared without remuneration at nu.
merous charitable "sings" at various
homes of the city. such as the Home
for the Blind. the Chinese Sunday
School. and the tuberculosis Hos.
pitaI. Next Sunday he will sing at
st. Elisabeth's Hospital
Those who were acquainted with
the incident this morning were won.
6ering II Calvary M. r. Church would
take any action seeking to bar George