The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-02-12
OPERA TO GAIN
PROMINENT
SOCIETY WOMEN
Mrs. B. Hartman and
Mrs. w. Wilcox to Be on
Board of Directors.
By EVELYN c. HUNT,


am delighted az the news that
Mrs. Borden Hartman and Mrs.
Walter Wilcox are going to be on
the board Of directors Of the wash
ington Opera Company. One JOY
about our American Society women
Is their culture and their very sincere
desire to further every movement
which stands for our national de-
velopment along cultural lines Both
Mrs. Wilcox and Mrs. Hartman are
Just this type, and the knowledge tnat
they are allied with this washington
Opera Company, which has ALREADY
accomplished SO much for music and
for young musicians, VIII De naileo
with Joy throughout the country.
This is no exaggeration, for this
work here Is being followed by every
one interested In music / was In
New York last week and found Wiio
excitement over the report that tne
production of Samson and Delilah
would not be given here. Miss Dillon.
the stage director. who lives In New
York, told me that she received nfty
phone calls when the story appeared
in Musical America, 1 was glad 10
be able to assure them that this pro-
ductIon at the National Theater on
Friday, February "a, was GER
'tainty.
Hope for Young Singers
The young singers see this as tnelr
only hope. and IL It failed there
would be many sad hearts that none
of US even know. I have one frieno
4
to prove my point. but Of course
can't. Here are the facts about her,
though, and her case Is indicative
OF the conditions.
Betty has the backing of a very
wealthy and socially prominent wom-
an who admired her lovely voice and
sincerely desired to help the cause
of music by helping Betty. She has
financed her through eight years OF
study with the very best teachers
Now Betty Is ready to do very beauti-
full concert work. She told me win
te,Cs in her eyes that now in order
tCEget her across to the public, her
patroness was having to pay from
$500 to $500 for concert appearances
for her. Managers Of course can
MI their box Offices until she
is known; she can't become known
until she sings. so there you are!
II Is first-hand knowledge Of these
and many other conditions. which
keeps the determination alive to
make this Washington Opera Com
pany a permanent success. Already
more than thirty young singers have
had their debut here. and There Will
he many more This has been done
without sacrificing the high pro-
fessionaI standard OF the productions
too. That is the astonishing part
of il.
without big DehcIts.
This opera company is on a new
basis and so gives these splendid
productions OF grand opera without
the tremendous deficits incurred by
the other operatic organizations and
at the same time opens the door OF
opportunity to our American singers
who have only ability at their COM
mand.
There will be only one debut in
the Samson and Delilah" perform
ance, Albert Shefferman, who sings
the role of the First Philistine.
The rest Of the cast are seasoned
singers, among them Charles Trow-
bridge Tittmann and Hollis Edison
Davenny. who made such successful
appearances in previous operas.
These together with the two noted
artists. Nine. Cisneros and Zerola.
will certainly make a wonderful cast
for Samson and Delilah."
Here are a few interesting facts
that you may not have heard, while
I'm on the subject.
Edouard Albion. general director
of the Washington Opera Company,
evolved the plan for establishing
resident opera companies as a result
Of a situa ton which copbined tragedy
and humor.
baritone of Quality.
Mr.. Albion has a baritone voice
Of unusual quality. and he was sing
ing baritone roles with the Montreal
opera Company. which was on tour
through the West. Slezak was lead
ing tenor of the company.
In spite Of such artists as Slezak.
the late Gerville-Reach, AND others
Of equal ability, the company
stranded in Denver.
The doors Of the theater were
closed. and the sheriff was preparing
TO attach scenery and costumes.
SIezak. who possessed priceless
costumes Of his own. and was
giant in size. picked up his costume
trunk. smashed open the doors,
hurled guards to right and left. and
strobe unhindered to the station. with
his trunk on his shoulder.
In some way Mr.. Albion managed
to get together the price of a ticket
to New York On that long journey
from Denver. the general plan was
formulated which has materialized
in the Washington Opera Company.
established on a new basis which
eliminates the terrific expense Of the
old type Of operate organization, and
makes it possible to produce first
class grand opera without enormous
deficits
Perhaps it is in memory of this in
cIdent that Samson and Delilah,"
one of the most popular OF the operas
given by the Montreal Company. was
selected for presentation by the
Washington Opra Company at the
National Theater on Friday after
ICON February "a