The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-03-05

Now ON Firm Basis
Samson and Delilah,'
Presented Under Diff
ficulties, Success.
HATS off to the Washington
Opera Company, say I! Not only
did they give us a splendid pro-
duction OF Samson and Delilah."
but they did It by overcoming
tremendous Odds The closing OF
the theaters on the eve OF their
one Washington performance was
enough to discourage anybody.
And although they were fortunate
enough to secure Central High
School-just before that auditori-
UNI. too. was closed to public per-
,formances-the change made all
sorts of confusion and trouble.
Despite all this, however, the
curtain went up on the dot. with
a brilliant audience assembled:
and when It went down II was
to a burst Of enthusiasm which
rocked the house. To those Of
us who have watched the devei-
opment Of our own opera COM
pany from small beginnings, who
have fretted over its troubles and
joyed in its triumphs. 1t was a
great satisfaction to hear the
comments. In front of me were
a group of attaches of the Brit
ish embassy who waxed tremend-
ously enthusiastic and heard
discriminating critics. who have
heard grand opera all over the
world. exclaim that this Samson
and Delilah" compared favorably
with any they had heard.
After the Aida" Of last season
and this years Samson and De-
lilah." there is no doubt that the
Washington Opera Company is es-
tablished as a going concern. We
shall have grand. opera here as
often as we deserve 1t, for the OPP
portunity is before us, and II we
support the company as IL should
be supported and. as a city. de-
mand some place where per-
formances can be given-why wen
soon have a regular opera season
instead OF an occasional isolated
performance.
II has been the life dream of
Edouard Albion, general director Of
the company, and president Of the
National Opera Association. of
which 1t Is a part. TO produce opera
in many cities by means of COM
panies made up in large measure
OF local talent, with guest artists
OF first rank to sing the leading
roles, just as was done here with
Aida" Sampson and Delilah,"
and other operas which the Wash
ington Opera Company has pro-
duced. And. since he is one Of
those single-minded persons who re-
fuse to be discouraged or side
tracked, believe he will one day
see his dream materialize.
The plan is. you know. for the
properties, scenery. costumes. etc,
for many operas TO be owned in
common and passed around from
one company to another. so that
the cost Of production will be
tremendously reduced and opera
brought within the reach of every
community regardless without the
necessity for endowments and
subsidies. A brave idea and one
which has all the ear marks OF
being practicable. Only directors
with knowledge, ability and devo-
ton of Mr.. Albion don't grow on
trees. Nor are many of them
blessed with a wife like Mrs. AL
bion, the secretary of the Ma
tional Opera Association. who in
her quiet way has done wonders
toward putting the opera move
ment on its feet.
One of the aims of the National
Opera Association is to give a
hearing to young American sing
ers, who have little chance of
breaking into the existing opera
companies. And who knows but
that Washington may one day pre- :
sent to the world a Garden, or
a Farrar, or a Jeritza-or a Mar
guerite d'Alvarez?