The New York herald., 1922-01-22
POLACCOREBELS
AGAINST GARDEN
Refuses to Conduct Her Final
Performance of Louise
in Chicago.
SINGER IN ANGRY MOOD
Snaps Her Fingers in Farewell
Speech at Idea Of Muratore
Quitting.

Special ris7utch 10 THE NEW YORK HERALD.
CHICAGO, JAM 21.--Mary Garden
made a speech from the stage of the
Auditorium at performance of
Louise" to-day and told the audience
that the Chicago Opera Company will
survive no matter how many artists
quit.
"As this is my last appearance be-
fore you this season want to say good
by, also / want to thank you for the
greatest compliment 1 ever received in
my life, your magnificent support" said
Miss Garden. '.Ali the little squabbles
arising 1 that side of the curtain
tpointing behind the scenes) didn't
make any difference to me as long as !
had you in front OF me.
Perhaps you wonder why I took
this position, why i didn't go away
somewhere and lead a quiet life. Be-
fause didn't want TO. ] took it not for
any personal satisfaction. nor for any
artistic satisfaction. but for the salts
faction Of this organization, as 1t stands
Gow second to none.
Whether I'm. hero next year or not
IS not the question. The chief thing is
that this organization will always re-
main at Its present pinnacle and there
is no reason why. it should not
Artists Do Not Matter.
'I want this afternoon your magnif-
cent applause for the unknown members
OF your organization, the men back
stage, who work from in the morning
until the performance is over at night.
An artist may say Il co. and Miss Gar
den snapped her fingers in the air. His
place Is taken in Ave minutes by some
body eager to. do. It, but il somebody
back stage says, I 60 the curtain goes
down.
At this the. curtain went I'D for the
third act. disclosing the entire company,
including stage hands, scene shifters,
electricians. property men and wardrobe
men, gathered around Miss Garden. The
applause, at this time tremendous. rose
TO even greater heights when Harry
; Beatty, technical director. stepped for
ward and kissed Miss Garden on both
cheeks.
Miss Garden sang her seasons fare
we'll WITHOUT the aid of her chief con-
ductor, Giorgio Polacco Polacco. 1t was
revealed. refused to hold the baton for
what Directress Mary hoped to make her
triumph of the winter. BY his refusal
say closeups to the opera quarrel. the
breach between director and conductor
was opened so wide that a new boss for
the orchestra pit next year Is inevitable
Polacco's place was taken by assistant
shifted into the breach three days ago.
At that time Polacco; whom Lucien Mu-
ratore claims as his comrade in revolt
against Garden dictatorship, tossed the
score of Louise" tha days production.
into the lap of Miss Mary and shouted:
Lead your own orchestra. You don't
sing with me-"
Protestations were loud and long.
Il won't" burst out Polacco in Italian.
81 wouldn't have you," answered Mary
in English.
She sent for Grovlez. a French inn
pcrtation of the current year
Ordered tn Conduct.
"You will conduct the Saturday NATL
nee" she ordered. thrusting the operate
score into his surprised hands.
But. madame" Grovlez said. at Is
late. / nave not rehearsed. Polacco--"
rector ordered.
whereupon the edict went out to the
Billboard:
THE farewell appearance of Garden
in Louise Saturday matinee will be led
by Grovlez instead OF Polacco" The
printed programs were changed also.
To the defense OF Miss Garden from
the accusation of Muratore that she was
''un-Americanv in her casting of roles
came Miss Mary Mccormick, daughter
of Chicago mechanic, soprano, who
was slated the first of the season for
the role that her director sang in the
Gays farewell.
MARY Garden took me from oblivion
and gave me a chance" she said. be
cause / was an American girl with a
voice and ambition. She can use me for
a door mat II she wants to and will be
proud of serving her.
sonal trunks. left at midnight over the
New York Central for New York