The New York herald., 1922-01-20
GATTI HOPES FCR
RETURN OF FARRAR
Praises American Singer and
Confirms Jeritza's Four
Year Contract.
FILM OFFER TO DIVA
Viennese Soprano, Who Re-
places American, May Ap-
pear in Pictures.
FILM OFFER TO DIVA

pr1rna donna, and then made Interesting
disclosures regarding plans for next
season.
the German repertory of the> opera
company and the introduction Of new
German singers. He verified the report
of the renewal of Nine. Jaritza's con-
tract for four additional years, and as
If in answer to an inference that he may
have showed a more pronounced prefer
ence for foreign than for American
singers. added that he always had the
best disposition toward the American
elements In the Metropolitan reeprtory
and Is delighted whenever he scores an
operate success through some American
artist that" he added, Il may dis
cover"
Mr.. Gatti-Casaxxa's Statement.
Mr.. Gatti-Casazza's statement fol-
lows:
For Miss Geraldine Farrar I enter
tain all possible admiration and friend
ship. Consequently sincerely hope that
the negotiations for her return to the
Metropolitan Opera for the season after
| next will be successful.
1t Is true that Nine. Jeritza's con-
tract has been renewed for four seasons
more. 1t Is also true that / intend as
contracts are renewed to limit the ap-
pearances of the artists Of exceptional
Importance to part Of the season only.
Thus the seasons will be given the great
est variety.
1T is also true that the German
repertoire will be gradually increased.
q fc tCt,f I,o h,v, v,oI
in all the theaters since the end of the
war. in Italy, Spain. South America. and
even France. beginning with the Paris
Grand Opera. Several new German
singers have been engaged for next sea-
son. 1t being only fair that the public
of the Metropolitan may have an oppor-
tunity of hearing and judging these in
teresting new artists"
"As to American singers, after all that
I have done, it would seem unnecessary
for me to make a further statement
However / take pleasure in stating that
I always have the best disposition tow
ard the American elements in the pro-
gram, and am very happy every time
that / can obtain a success through
some American artist that may dis
cover"
The statement was amplified by an
explanation in behalf of Mr.. Gatti-Ca-
sazza that the contract with Nine. Jer-
tia will assure her services to the Met
ropolitan for five seasons. including the
present one, and that her contract calls
for her appearance for three months
with additional performances" Just
how many additional performances was
not made clear.
Miss Farrar continued her policy OF
silence. She went to the opera house to
run over with piano the role of Margue-
rite in Faust" in which she will sing
tonight when Louis Hasselmans. new
French conductor. replacing his fellow
countryman Albert Wolff, will make his
debut.
Friends of Miss Farrar. particularly
in that group of youthful feminine ad-
mirers known as the Gerry fiappers."
have planned q demonstration for to-
nights performance. which will be Miss
Farrars first appearance since her an
nounced abandonment of opera.
Tarrar's Berlin Debut.
To-night's planned display of affec-
tion for the prima donna will be based
upon some sentimental interest in the
performance, as It was az Mdrgteri.s
in Faust that Miss Farrar made her
operatic debut in the Royal Opera House
In Berlin on October Is. 1901. when / o.
Some friends of Miss Farrar. whose
memories run back to her debut In the
Metropolitan In 1906, recalled yesterday
a statement she made on that occasion
that may have had n prophetic bearing
upon her decision to desert grand opera.
II Is recalled that she said on the night
of her debut here:
II will sing in opera until ] am forty
years old and then will retire from the
operate stage"
Miss Farrar will celebrate her fortieth
birthday February 2s.
Miss Farrar regards the radical change
in her future with n sense Of grim
humor. Soon after she had declined to
renew her contract with Mr.. Ga.ti-
casazza she observed to friend:
"G am a woman without home. a
husband or contract
Mime. Jeritza declined until Yesterday
TO make any comment on the operate
situation that is forcing her forward
with the news of Miss Farrar's retire
ment. Through her husband Baron
Pepper. she said at her apartment In
the Hotel ST. Regis:
"I never have had the pleasure Of
meeting Miss Farrar and have heard her
sing only once. That was in 'Zsza' and
I was Intensely Interested In her work"
Another interesting development Of the
day was the news that Mime. Jeritza has
received several tempting offers 20 be-
come movie actress. These. according
to her husband. she has decided not to
entertain for the present at least
Mime Jeritza has received many flat
tering offers from some of the leading
film corporations" said Barron Pepper.
"It Is not possible for her to consider
them. She has not yet acted for the
films and I may say she does not con-
template doing so.'
At the offices OF the Famous Players
Lasky. Goldwyn Pictures and Metro
Pictures corporations II was said that
none OF those leading film companies
had contracted for the services Of Mime.
Jeritza. short time ago It was
learned that the Famous Players-Lasky
Officials planned. when they reopened
their Eastern studio In Long Island City.
TO invite the diva there to give her
screen test. For the present however.
Il Is the intention of the viennese prima
donna to devote her energies to her
appearances In opera.
Although Nine. Jeritza and Barron
Pepper have not definitely settled their
rans after she shall have finished at
the Metropolitan this season. Il is said
they will not return Immediately to
Europe but start for the West.