Evening star., 1922-07-09
Musical Mention

Conceived in the historic pageant
and masQue of st. Louis In 1914 and
brought to fruition two years later
when 1t was opened with a perform
ance of Shakespeare's "As You Like
It," with Margaret Anglin, Robert
Mantell and Frederick Lewis head
ing distinguished cast. the st. Louis
Municipal Theater. with its eight
weeks alfresco light opera each
summer. is a unique venture among
American community. institutions,
and in its magnificent success is an
example that might well be emulated
by cities the length and breadth of
the land. This. the fourth season of
invasion Of the fieid Of Jazz has been
successful beyond the hopes of its
most sanguine promoters, and, 1t is
claimed that no other community
movement in America has been at
once Sc democratic and SO successful.
Municipal opera in st. Louis pre-
sents for eight weeks in the heated
period each season the best light
opera artists obtainable in a series
of standard light operas for the en-
toyment of. sometimes. as many as
financially profitable, but these prof.
it's must, under the charter of the
Municipal Theater and the city's
laws, be devoted to improvements in
the theater and to the upbuilding of
it's productions. Last years profits
Of $4,000 were expended in the eree-
tion of a new shelter pergoda and in
the establishing Of a free chorus school
in which were trained the 237 St.
Louis boys and girls from whom
were chosen the present chorus Of
ninety voices.
From this years profits this school
is to be geatly expanded. and 1t Is
hoped to ultimately develop the tall
ented youth of st. Louis until they
have become accomplished artists IN
every department of light opera. The
Municipal Theater seats 9.270 peo-
Pile and 100 of these seats are free.
the remaining seats being disposed of
an unobstructed view of the stage,
which is the largest in America.
and the surroundings ideal for an
open-air auditorium. Huge oaks
seventy feet high frame the pros
cenium arch and back of the stage
bridge crossing the stream to the
dressing rooms and scenic studios
hidden in the shrubbery beyond
In 1919, the first season of municipal
opera. the repertoire during the eight
week weeks poh included; c Robin obi Hood"
THE Mikado." Wizard of the Nile"
and THE Chimes Of Normandy" and
equally attractive works were given
in 1920 and 1921 This year THE
Highwayman," "Sweethearts" "Sari."
The Yeoman Of the Guard" The
Geisha," The Spring Maid" The
Snrfv. .eYfS aao h. nf~h
weeks season st. Louis has so far
this summer broken its own records
in attendance at municipal opera,
Victor Herbert's operetta, Sweet
hearts," establishing q new mark in
figures for the second week of the
opera season "Sari" this week and
The Yeoman of the Guard" next
week are expected to fill the 9,270
seats at every performance.
While financial and artistic success
was necessarily the first objects of
the promoters of municipal opera in
st Louis. the management is already
assured that it pays the biggest divi-
dend In its development of civic spirit,
and that the summer opera there Is
the melting pot in which the races
are fused in the spirit of enjoyment.
Your neighbor in the audience may
be member Of one of those old
French families that founded the city,
German banker who divides his
time between his own singing society
and the opera, a millionaire American
manufacturer or an Italian banana
peddler. None of these conditions
seem to matter any more than at the
great American game, base ball"
The National Capital has just such
an opera company in THE Washing
tonians," organized. conducted and
brought to success by Rollin Bond ia
its several productions during the
past three years. Why, with proper
encouragement from public-spirited
citizens of the city and of the general
public. could Washington not also be
enjoying just such a season of whole
some pleasure?
The special musical services for
the summer have been again inaugu-
rated at the Church of the Covenant.
and Miss Richie Mclean. controlto,
will be the soloist this evening, the
preliminary program commencing at
7:45 o'clock, with Estelle Thomas,
violinist; Richard Loreleberg, violon-
cellist. and Claude Robson, organist,
Miss Mclean will sing THE Voice in
BLESSED God" tAve 9ariaS. by Luaai. i
Mr.. Lorleberg will play as solo "Air,"
by Pergolesi. and two trios for violin,
eell9 and org organ Andantino by
Ov
by Massenet, will complete the musi-
cal portions Of the service.
The National Community Chorus
will give its eighth monthly concert
Tuesday evening at 8:15 in the Mount
Vernon M. e. Church South. This
will be the last of this seasons con-
certs by the chorus, and a very at
tractive program has been arranged
by the conductor, Charles Wengerd.
No cards Of admission are necessary.
Miss Mildred Pidgeon. soprano of
the choir at the Church Of the Incar-
nation, sang 20 Perfect Love-" by
Harry Burleigh, at the wedding Of
her sister. Miss Jane Pidgeon, We'd
nesday evening. She was accom-
panied by Miss Helen Miller, who
sing for the radio program to be
broadcasted from White. Boyer & Co..
when her numbers will be Fairy
Tale" by Siberia; "Stolen Fruit" by
Nutting." and "I want to Do Ny
Work Today" by Mowbray. Emelie
Margaret White will be the accom-
panist. y
Word has Just been received here
by Mrs. Henry White from Elsie
Carleton Strang, who was for many
years we'll known here as soprano
soloist of the Vermont Avenue Chris
tian Church and of the Church of the
Incarnation. of. her removal to Rose
burg, Ore, where she will be soloist
and choir sss director Of the First Pres.
leaving a similar position in the
E;rst preahvterian Church of Med