The New York herald., 1922-06-04

Paris during these last weeks of the sea-
son. The two outstanding events of
recent days have been the premiere at
the Opera Comique of lie Noces Corin-
themes" lyric tragedy In three acts.
book by Anatole France, music by Henri
Busser, and the presentation at the The
atre des Champs Elysees by the Orchestra
and choruses of the Society of Concerts
of Lyons OF it's director. NJ. Witkow-
skis, musical arrangement OF NJ. Louis
Mercier's "Poeme de la Maison," one
of the most important of recent .ong
poems in French. Despite the great
name of M. Anatole France and Nj.
Bussers reputation as q finished and
conscientious musician. Les Noces Cor
inthiennes' does not seem destined to en-
joy any unusual success. The critics are
respectful rather than enthusiastic, their
praise being directed toward NJ. Albert
Wolff, the conductor who has recently
returned from America, and toward
Mile. Yvonne Gall, who has the princi-
pal feminine role rather than toward
the composer.
The action drawn from NJ. Frances
novel Of the same name has to do with
the love of a young pagan, Hippias, and
of Daphne, a girl who has been vowed
to Christian religious life by her
mother in gratitude for her recovery
from serious illness. Although re-
motely inspired by Goethe's poem "lhc
Bride of Corinth," NJ. Frances plot SUB
tanned by purely natural means, is de-
cidedly original in form and tragic de-
nouemont.
In sharp contrast with the gen.
eral coolnoes over LES Noces Corin-
themes" is the enthusiasm provoked by
the orchestra and choruses from Lyons.
There has long been agitation in vari-
IN, pt,.,1i 1izo -,
Of artistic effort in France, and Lyons
has become. particularly since the war,
field of intense activity in favor OF the
regionalist movement. The great sue
cess obtained by the provincial sing
ers and instrumentalists in Paris In
taken as a good omen by all who wish
to see Lyons, Nantes Lille, Toulouse
and other cities of Importance emanci-
pate themselves from their artistic sub
servience to the capital and launch out
in a more individual and Independent
manner. At Paris itself this sentiment
is receiving great encouragement,
though few critics still remain super
cilious toward all that that does not
come into being within two miles of
the Grand Boulevard. While essential
~ conservative, NJ. Witkowski's music
Is admitted to possess decidedly per-
sonal stamp and to follow in admirable
fashion the theme. philosophical rather
than dramatic. OF NJ. Merciers poem.
Nine. Maria Barrientos. the cele-
brated soprano, and Nine. Wanda
Landowska. the pianist and clavecinist,
have created something of a sensation
with their three concerts at the Champs
Elysees devoted entirely to the lighter
sort of classical music. 1t was main
tained in advance that the auditorium
was much too large for the effective use
of the clavecin, but to the surprise of
all Nine. Landowska achieved her
greatest success with that instrument
its thin, clear notes being heard as cas-
lily throughout the vast building as In
drawing room.
M. Serge Koussevitzky brought his sec
ond series OF concerts at the Opera to n
close on Thursday evening with a NOUS
sorgsky festival. He presented the COM
plete third act and the first tableau OK
the fourth act of the opera "Khovant-
china with full chorus, the solo parts
being taken by several of the best known
Russian singers now in Paris, includihg
Nine. Sadoven, Mmc. Rozowska, NJ
Alexandrovitch, tenor OF the Imperia
Theater, Moscow. NJ. Ivantzoff and NJ
Kaidanoff. The Koussevitzky concerts
have proved among the great triumpls
of the season. and on Thursday evening
an ovation which established something
of a record. His interpretations have
provoked much discussion among the
critics and he has his detractors as well
as admirers, but the general public
seems to find his fiery manner and large
emotional effects greatly to It's liking.
Shaw Plays Mt Little Theaters.
Two OF the smaller theaters. Yhe
Maison de rOeuvre and Au Treteau
Fortuny. have turned to Bernard Shaw
for the means of interesting their some
what exactins public. The Maison de
rOeuvre Is presenting THE Doctors
Dilemma" admirably translated by the
well known French Shavian, Augustin
Hamon, author of Bernard Shaw, the
Modern Moliere," assisted by Nine. Hem
riette Hamon. Mrs. Warren's Profess
sion" Is being used as a house warmer
by Au Treteau Fortuny the youngest OF
the little theaters which has for one OF
Its directors Mpe. Fernando Cabanel,
the celebrated and eccentric tragedienne.
Another recent little enterprise is the
"Chlmere," an organization of young
dramatsts grouped around M. Baty, one
OF the most energetic OF the rising gen
Grafton of metteurs en- scene. The grour,
seems In large measure inspired by the
example OF M. jacques Coppeau's vieux
ColomDler and counts among Its MEM
bers M. Jean Schlumberger. member
of the Vieux Colombier- -Nouvelle Rev,n
Franchise coterie whose "Cesaire,"
remarkable study of hypnotic influence
among the rude fisherfolk of Brit
tany, shares with La Farce de Popa
Gheorghe," by young Rumanian play
wright, M. Adolphe Orna the honor OF
opening the Chmere's season. The per
formances are being held in the Theatre
des Mathurins.
NJ. Sacha Guitry is playing at the
Edouard VII. In the fiftieth piece OF his
own writing. "Une Petite Main Ou Sc
Place." in which he remarks to his wife.
Mile Yvonne Printemps "You arc one
of the last specimens of species which
is about to disappear You arc a wo-
man"--to the immense delight of audi
ences which have the Guitry habit The
piece itself Is half lightly philosophical
comedy. half bedroom farce "Diclxy,"
n detective farce, at the Theatre des
Nouveautes, completes the list Of the
new plays.
Shoot New Play at