The Washington times., 1922-04-23
News OF Gift Leaks
Out With Return of
Donor From Europe
Washington o pera
Co. Kept Alive by
Generous Gifts.

THE retdrn of Mrs. Rafael r.
GOWN from Spain brings to
mind a beautiful ana gracious act
OF hers which even her most init
mate friends do not know-an act
by the way which should make all
of Washington extremely grateful
% her.
1t was due to her generosity Just
at the time she sailed for Spain
about a year ago that our Wash
ington Opera. Company was pre-.
served and firmly established.
Mrs. Gown had witnessed the
performance of Aida" at Polls
Theater a little while before ana
exclaimed enthusiastically to a
group OF friends at Major Totten's
party after the opening perform.
ance; II have heard this opera in
every European opera house. and
am sincere when say that I
enjoyed this performance tonight
more than any performance of
Aida I have ever heard!'
Later one OF those friends
brought to her attention the fact
that the company had been kept
going without backing and practi-
cally without deficit since it was
first established. and that some as
sistance was needed to continue
the work. Mr.. GOWN at once sent
Edouard Albion. director of the
company, a check for a thousand
dollars. and so became the FIRST
founding member of the National
Opera Association.
This money paid accompanied
fees and incidental expenses Of the
organization, and made 1t possible
for Director Albion to KEEP the
company in rehearsal and SO pre-.
serve the organization until the
Washington opera ball, which was
such a marvelously artistic sue
cess at the New Willard in Decem-
Der of this year.
1t is on such small means that
Edouard Albion is able to maintain
this work and give in Washington
operate productions which chal-
lenge comparison with the best es-
tablished companies. What would
not be possible If he had at his
command even a portion Of such
funds as the Chicago Company has
announced as it's deficit during the
past season?
DRECEDING the recent Samson
production which the Wash
ington company gave here and In
Baltimore, Mrs. Mary Stewart,
Commissioner Cuno Rudolph, and
Mark Reid Yates underworld the
company for $500 each.
Following this very successful
production. Henry Atterbury
Smith, a New York architect. who
is also a great philanthropist and
lover Of music, came to Washing
ton. When he heard the aims Of
the organization and read the
critics comments showing the
high standard OF the productions
possible with so little financial
support, Mr.. Smith became 30 en-
Unused that he Immediately gave
bis check for $1,000. and SO became
the second founding member. OF
this splendid work.
Plans are now being Formulated
which il realized-and no one who
has followed the genius for or
ganizing and financing. together
with the persistency Of Edouard
Albion, doubts for a moment they
will be realized-will establish the
Washington branch Of the worl; on
Z self supporting basis.
But it should be recorded and
not forgotten that it was Mrs. Raf-
ael Gown who with ne: large
means and great art appreciation
became the FIRST FOUNDING
MEMBER of what will undo,ihted-
ly become our FIRST SYSTEM OF
AMERICAN OPERA.
The day should come when a
National Opera House will stand
In the Capital of our Nation. ana
ir: it be inscribed the nameJ of
these men and women who have
had the courage and vision to build
for the neglected musical develop
ment of our country.