The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-25

From a patron Of music, Julius
Goldenberg, Of this city, comes a
protest in the interest Of the Ital-
inns Of our city. italy is essen
tially the opera-going country.
These Italians, as we know, are
very musical. And they resent the
TACT that each year the one opera
company visiting US has about the
same program. giving Washing
tonians very limited repertory.
Coming from music lover who
frequently hears opera at the Metro
politan. The Times asked Mr.. Gold
enberg to name some operas he
would like to hear in Washington.
Offhand, without seriously Weighing
the matter, he compiled a list:
Louise" 1.-THE Prophet" Love of
Three Kings" "Gioconda." "Sonnam-
bula," Jewels Of the Madonna"
"Jongleur de Notre Dame" Secret
Of Suzanne" In the matter of COM
posers 1t means Charpentier, Meyer
beer. Montemezzi, Ponchielli, Wolf
Ferrari. and Massenet.
It raised the issue.
The Washington Times would be
pleased to get suggestions from its
readers as to future programs they
would like to hear. with full appre-
citation Of the San Carlo singers. we
acknowledge that quite recently
they have given wolf-Ferrari's
Jewels of the Madonna" here.
But that does not evade the ques-
ton.
How many among US. who have
gone elsewhere for them opera,
know many Of the operas that are
on the list at the Metropolitan Opera
House in New York this season?
There has been a return to
Wagner. Then they have put on
q marvellous production of Boito's
"Mefhistofele," whose new note in
opera will be told in The Times
next Thursday.
Among the novelties, that per-
haps may not SO soon be sent on
tour. are Moussorgsky's Boris
Godounow" and more recently
Korngold's die Tote Stadt." But
also they are singing Mozarts
Don Giovanni" Rossini's Barber
Of Seville" Halevy's 1.-THE Jswess,"
Saint-Saens' Samson and Dalila,"
Puccini's "Tosca;" with the long
list that belongs to the great Ital-
fan Verdi. with his "Ernaui," q re-
cent revival. his "Falstaff," "Otel-
To-" "Forza del Destino." Don
Carlos" and "Traviata."
That's what opera repertory
means. There are singers in New
York today who easily have fif-
teen operas in an average roper
tory. How are our young singers
to know how vast and beautiful
the field In. II We do not hear
them?
Tradition in washinston-not 20
long ago-recalls the Hinrich
Grand Opera Company that sang
many of these operas, and the
''Husuenots," The Pearl Fish
srs," "The Flying Dutchman"-the
names of operas we are not hear
1asg are legion.
Can the public secure what it
wantsf
At least It can be heard from.
And The Times will gladly voice
its wishes for future opera sea
sons" in the Nationa, Capital.
OUR young people ars learning
what opera production means
by the giving of opera at home.
This Christmas week the Washing
tonians will give Victor Herbert's
pretentious comic opera Sweet
hearts" for three performances at
Central High School. 1t il a COM
munity enterprise fostered by the
community centers Of the public
schools, and is both educational and
q recreation for these budding stars
and their audiences.
To Rollin Bond. director of the
Washingtonians, much praise is due
for creating out Of inexperience
an excellent ensemble that already
has four Of the light, tuneful operas
TO Its credit. Look at Dur pnsr. at