Evening star., 1923-02-04
D. c. OPERA SEASON
OPENS TOMORROW
Music Lovers of Capital
Look Forward to Perform
ances by Noted Singers.
URGE ANNUAL PROGRAM
Example of Other Cities Cited in
Plea for Opera at
Capital.

Aida" 'Tosca" and "Snieguro-
tchka" (Snow Maiden). with Mary
Garden. Charles Marshall, Rosa Raisa.
Edith Mason, Georges Baklanoff.
Cyrena Van Gordon and a score OF
other world famous singers, come to
Washington tomorrow to start the
ball rolling for Increased civic in
terest and development Of music in
the National Capital
Direct from Boston, where they for
two weeks. drew audiences un-
precedented in size for operatic per-
formances. the opera company will
be in position to set atiame that
smoldering desire for an annual
season OF opera, which has obtained
in Washington ever since the appear
ance here twelve years ago of the
metropolitan company. And 1T Is
for that purpose as well as to bring
to the doors of Washingtonians en-
tertainment of the highest type that
forty-two leading citizens of the
District have agreed to guarantee the
expenses of the company while here +;
$4,000 was required. and in a short
$4,000. or $4,000 more than was
necessary.
Repertoire Is Varied.
Tomorrow night the company will
present Verdi's Aida in Italian, and
occupying prominent roles will be
charles Marshall. Rosa Raisa and
Tyreua Van Gordon-all well known
night '"rosca," by Puccini, will be
suag in Italian. with Mary Garden.
Georges Baklanoff and Giulio Crimi
in the leading roles. Giorgio Polacco
will conduct the orchestra on Mon
DAY and Tuesday nights. and Richard
Eorsak OFFS "saoW s Maiden" ti VIII viii be
introduced to Washington for the
first time. Edith Mason. Miss Van
in this opera, which will be sung in
French.
Snow Maiden" is the story of the
daughter of King Winter and the
Spring Fay. AS spring approaches
her father admonishes her to remain
away from the sunlight. However,
Snow Maiden has desires to mingle
with them and finally the father gives
his consent to depart with Bobyl
and his wife, poor people Of the viii
lage. She meets Coupava, village
wealthy man. Lei, a shepherd youth
tails in love with Snow Maiden. A
tangled love affair Is then taken be-
fore the kindly old czar. Lei and
Coupava find Solace in each other and
Snow Maiden's bridal day is arranged
However. the sun shines on that day
and Snow Maiden meltS away in the
arms of Mizquir.
Washington numbers among its
residents many persons who have
travelled and lived abroad and they
have heard some of the worlds best
operas, Mrs. Wilson-Greene. under
whose management the season" is
10 be held. stated last night. Concern
has often been expressed by them,
>he said. why Washington cannot be
ON the map along with Atlanta. Ga
Pittsburgh, Boston and other cities
OF their own, but have regular sea-
sons.
TN Chicago" it was pointed out.
the opera company was formed
through the determination Of an en-
Ihusiastic group of citizens to give
IL a place in the municipal life it
nas the right to occupy
Make our opera company civic
enterprise" was the slogan of the
new organization, headed by Samuel
insult. The campaign progressed
rapidly with the result that more
than 1000 citizens are behind the
company and the city has had sea-
son of opera which has exceeded all
expectations. The success was due
TO the people of Chicago, who sup
ported the company TO man..
If the same enthusiasm and inter-
est can be generated here, 1t Will per-
haps be possible for Washington to
have two seasons of opera-winter
and spring-and when this is definite
~ assured. arrangements can be made
by the concert bureaus to prevent
conflicting or unsuitable dates in con-
certs. Washington then, If two sea
sons are assured, will be on plane
with other large cities of the country
from a musical standpoint.