The New York herald., 1922-04-16
Did You Hear?
About Tenor Who Paid His
Money for a Claque and
Died Poor?
BY LUCIEN CLEvEs.

"%HE renewal OF the discussion
concerning the claQue at the
= opera house here recalled to
one OF the officials Of the theater the
other day the experiences OF tenor
who died only a few months ago In
the Far West. He was comparatively
young. and in his day enjoyed a GER
tain reputation. Yet he had sung for
several seasons wherever he could find
employment and was all but penniless
at the time OF his death.
when this tenor was at tho height
OF his fame at the Manhattan Opera
House. singing often with Nine.
Tetrazzini." he said. "he was applauded
literally. although there was nothing
sensational in the way the public re-
ceived him. Yet the organizer OF the
claque In those days, not an italian
but a sharp eyed little Russian, re-
garded him as his best customer. Oscar
Hammerstein was paying the singer
chen $500 an appearance. OF that he
invariably gave one-half to the man
ager OF the claque. He was supposed
to buy admissions for $500 and the ap-
plause came from the happy possess
sors OF these tickets.
"Of course the tenor could not count
the tickets bought. Nor could he know
that most of the men who applauded
him were marched into the gallery from
the Pennsylvania depot, which was then
In course OF construction. He kept on
paying half his earnings for this manu-
factured enthusiasm and felt that with
out II he might never be applauded and
become so negligible In the performs.
ances that he would be sipplanted by
another. In spite OF these precautions
he ended his career IN penury."
The organizer of the claque In those
days was this diminutivc Russian who
came from Warsaw and, according to
his own story, went TO Berlin 20 study
medicine at the university there. When
his money gave out he came over here
TO earn enough to go back and finish
his education Naturally he drifted to
the opera, as all foreigners are likely to
do. The idea OF the claque was sug-
gested by the cold OF the public. Soon
after he began operations at the Metro
politan the Manhattan was opened and
his prosperity surpassed all his hopes.
Such was the beginning OF the first
~.
who always asserted his intention to
return 10 Berlin 10 finish his medical
studies. has not been seen here recently
so the industry has probably passed
into other hands.
About WasIav Nfjfnslxi.
Rumors OF the illness OF the dancer
Waslav Nijinski have floated back 10
this country from time to time. He
never appeared abroad after leaving this
country with the Diaghalieff troup sew
eral years ago with the exception OF
few engagements In Spain. II was
said that he became III there and was
confined TO his room In a eanitarium
Now he is In Vienna but stiil In a sani-
tarium and too Ill to resume his pro-
fession. He was brought there from
Switzerland
Authentic news reached this city
through Nine. Nijinska. his wife, who
is now here seeking employment. Dur
Ing his engagements here the dancer,
who was said 20 receive 1000 for every
appearance, kept his money IN a local
bank When the time came for him
to return 70 Europe he hesitated about
taking II with him. Finally he de-
cided TO leave the money here. This
fortunate conclusion has been OF great
change between this country and Eu-
rope make his final decision IN the
matter seem like wise investment
Nine. NiJinska ls the daughter Of ths
best known OF Hungarian actresses. who
made one OF her greatest successes OF
late years In Lengyevs The Czarina, =
III which Miss Doris Keane r. playing
AZ tho Empire Theatre. Mime. Nijlnska
and her husband now have second
child. Tho first was an infant when
II was brought TO this country.
Miss Marie Lohr's Plans.
The popular London actress, Miss
Marie Lohr, who recently appeared at
the Hudson Thester. will not be seen
again In public until Seotember Then
she win act in version OF De F1ers
and De Croisset's 'I,e petour," made by
Arthur wimperis She will intr ,duce
In her London theater. the Globe. a new
system Of lighting which she says O. the
invention OF an American and In use In
the New York theaters.
Made I'm New York.
The list OF scene painters and design
crs who are responsible TOR the beauties
OF Mayfair to Montmartre" reads as II
the piece had been put on by John Muir
ray Anderson. James Reynolds and
Robert Locker are responsible for sew
eral scenes. Stowitts. the Amer lean
dancer. arranged the bailets and the
songs are by Cole Porter and the more
famous Irving Berlin, VINO contributed
his Say II with Music"
Made II a Full Portion.
Alice Gerstenberg with the assistance
i
Continued on Following Page.