Evening star., 1922-01-29

Musical journals Of the current
month announce an unusual honor
bestowed by Vatican authorities upon
Pietro Yon. who, though an italian
by birth, is a naturalized American
making his home in New York city,
where he Is organist and choirmas-
ter Of the Church Of st. Francis
Xavier. Mr.. Yon has been elected
honorary organist of the Vatican.
This is the first time in the history
Of the Vatican that such an election
has occurred. The election took place
at q meeting Of the Chapter Of the
Basilica of st. Peter December 81,
and the decree signed by Monsignor
Mhriano Ugolini~ dian of the Cap
pella Giulia, was received in New
York by Mr. Yon December %.
Mr.. Yon was for two years assist
ant organist at the Vatican and at
the Royal Church Of Rome. and was
of st. Francis Xavier's Church. New
York. in 1907. During the last two
years he has devoted much Of his
time to concertizing, appearing in
more than 100 cities in America and
Europe. He has been prolific COM
poser of sacred music as well as OF
secular works, among the most no.
table being his ''Missa Regina Pacis,"
which was selected for the diamond
jubilee celebration of the Chicago
diocese. His Concerto Gregor1ano''
was played by the New York Sym
phony under Walter Damrosch's ba-
ton in February last He was born
in Piedmont, Italy. in 1886, studied
in Milan. Turin and Rome. and at
the Academy of st. Cecilia, in the
last-named city, he was graduated In
1906 and awarded first prize medal OF
the academy and a special prize
medal Of the Italian minister Of pub
lie instruction. He Is member OF
the American Legion.
The announcement of a special
matinee performance Of samson and
Delilah." to be given Friday after
noon. February "a at the National
Theater. by the washington Opera
Company, will be greeted with pleas
ure by Washington music lovers.
1t is the first time Saint-Saens'
great oratorio- opera has been given
here, and with Nine. Cisneros. who
is one Of the worlds most famous
Delilahs. singing the role of the hero
inc and Nicola Zerola as Samson. will
be a historic event in the musical
life Of the city.
Nine. Cisneros coached this role
with Saint-Saens himself and sang
1t in Paris on his invitation. When
Melba organized her opera company
to tour Australia and New Zealand
she selected Cisneros for her leading
mezzo-soprano, and so delighted was
she with her singing and acting In
the role Of Delilah that she wrote OF
her as the first singer OF that char
acter in the operate world
Zerola is well known from his last
seasons appearances in New York
He will be heard here in concert pre-
all who hear his truly magnificent
voice will welcome the chance to hear
his great role of Samson. Hollis Edi-
son Davenny. who needs no intro
duction to Washington. will come
from New York to sing the role OF
Charles Trowbridge Tittmann will
sing the double roles Of Abimelech
and The Old Hebrew. Other Wash
ingtonians who will complete the
cast are Herbert Aldrich, Albert
Shefferman and Waiter MatSon.
rica Clay Dillon will stage the pc =
formance.
Paul Tschernikofr, the young Rus
sian dancer. who is coming to Wash
ington to take charge of the ballet
department of the Washington Opera
do the work of premier danseur IN the
performance.
Next Friday morning in the assem- =
bly, room Of the Cosmos Club the Fri
day Morning Music Club viii present
Mildred Delma of New York in novel
and interesting program.
Mary Helen Howe. soprano. was
the soloist at the meeting of the d.
A. r. in the New Willard ballroom
during the national thrift week cam
paign. She was assisted at the piano
by Marie Howe Spur.
Next Saturday evening at the
thirty eighth community music even
ing, i. Central High School. there will
be organ solos by Edith b. Athey,
civic organist; folk songs, Santa
Lucia, and an italian folk dance in
costume by children Of Southwest
Mrs. Aldridge. There will also be
community singing under the direc--
tion of Helen Burkart. No cards OF
admission are required, and the public
is cordially invited to attend.
Mile Augette Foret of New York
was heard In recital Friday morning
under the auspices Of the Friday
Morning Music Club. repeating pro-
gram given the week previous at the
residence of Mr.. Phelps Emo for the
benefit of the founding asylum.
Mile. Foret gave the various groups
Of folk songs in appropriate costume,
among them being 'sVignettes Bre-
torne," "Avec mes sabots. 'Berceuse.'
"Ma nile veux-tun un bouquet" lie
netit Gregoire"; old songs of Great Brit