Evening star., 1922-11-19

Judging from the various reports
in the official bulletin of the Sationai
Federation of Music Clubs. American
music. both in the field of compost
tion and in the domain OF applied
music, such as opera ana orc"estia'
never had brighter prospects than a..
the present time and these optimistic
views seem to rest on very substan-
tial premises. Indeed. according to
the report of Mrs. Edgar Stlllman
Kelley. cha airman of opera and orches-
ira. in the national federation, scarce
ly month passes without news of
the founding of some new orchestra
and the announced intention of some
of the foremost symphony orchestra
conductors concerning the production
of American compositions during the
current season.
In the opinion of this committee in
the federation, it is indeed time for
opera companies in the United States
10 engage American singers, to give
American opera and to give foreign
operas in the English language. Con
cerning the Chicago Civic Opera COM
pany. thsp report says: In how 1ar
does the Chicago civic Opera com.
pany deserve its name? 4 board OF
civic directors and trustees. or civil
guaiantors. do not constitute civic
opera company. 1t is it's regime or
activity which makes it civic.
The Opera in ur-Languase Founda-
ton, Inc and the David Bispham Me-
mortal Fund Inc. are putting on one
,niliion dollar campaign for the an
rounced purposes Of these organizations
and to establish an American opera
house where native works and artlSts
can be heard and where foreign works
will be presented in our language. rms
is intended to be the home Of American
art and heritage tor future GENERA
tons The further purposes OF these
organizations are: To further IN every
possible way opera in our language IN
the United States: to organize: TO re-
organize or assist opera companies. ana.
II foreign works are to be given. to ac-
t,uire adequate translatiOns.
With the David Bispham Memorial
Fund. Inc. the principal other object is
10 assist the American composer. nota-
bly, of opera and to keep alive the name
Of David Bispham and his art through
fitting memorial. The national officers
are Mrs. Archibald F'reer. Mrs. Rookie
feller Mccormick. Mrs. Albert !. Ochs-
ner and Mrs Louis f: Wager. Mrs
Wager is treasurer of botn orSanlza-
lions.
In connection with this movement. it
is encouraging to know that the one
act opera THE Echo.' by Frank Pat
terson. is being sponsored by the iensra-
,ion and as an aid in the work of ac-
compliShng opera in our language. Mrs.
F'reer and number of representative
musicians of Chicago are promoting
some interesting cooperative Amerl-
IAN artists concerts" each of which
hrir To
American artist Of real merit. A pro-
gran, Of American operas was gwen re-
Gently at the home of Mrs. Freer in
honor of Mrs. Rockefeller Mccormick
The Washington Opera Company
10 giving an art ball at the New Will
lard Hotel tomorrow evening.
A contralto singer of New York who
has been engaged to appear with the
opera company at an early date will
sing the Delilah aria from Samson
and Delilah" with the twenty-four-
piece orchestra which has been en-
gagged to play for the ball. This
Young prima donna will be introduced
by name on the evening of the ball.
Philadelphia's 81 young professional
group. will appear in the tableau of
the opera and will sing the Jewel
Song" from Faust
Paul Gardener Tchernikoff. director
of the ballet of the Washington
Spirit of the Dance. Miss Elizabeth
Gardiner. who is associated with Mr..
Schernikoff. will give a Russian dance
in a magnificent Russian costume. in
which she appeared in her work with
the Fokine Ballet.
The quartet from "Rigoletto" will
be sung by Dorothy Mansfield. so
prano: Rose Polio. contralto; Albert
Shefferman. baritone. and Louis An
mis-. tenor. four young artists of the
Washington Opera Company.
"Rigoletto" will be presented by
the company at. the President Theater
early in December.
1t is to make possible this and other
productions of the same high stand
ard as Aida" and Samson and Deli
lah" that this ball has been arranged
for the benefit of the opera producing
fund
The company has gained in popu-
larity with each production given
since its organization. The success
Of this work in Washington has made
companies throughout the entire
country. and the time is surely at
hand when American opera will be
orgahized into national system CEN
tered here in the capital This was
the spurpose announced by Director
ALBION. when this pioneer work was
hegun gin Washington five years ago.
TheS civic Importance of the move
mept Is beginning to arouse the en-
tire sFcitizenry of the capital.
Announcement is made this week
by Homer l. Kilt that 1t is his inten-
tionttto provide for the musicians and
music loving people of Washington a
place where they can assemble at
any time that they may desire and at
tho tsame time have the opportunity
Of bearing some good music. With
this plan in view the third floor of
the Homer l. Kilt building is being
rempdeled. A grand piano has al
ready been provided and pipe organ
will. be installed within short
periqd. This hall will be at the dis
posal of those interested in musical
affairs and one of the features of the
plan will be a series of short noon
day recitales. The hall will be avail
ableafor rehearsals and is already be-
ing used for that purpose on Monday
evenings by the Treble Clef Glee Club
formerly the Y. w. c. A. Glee Club)
Miss Esther Iinkins, director. In ad-