The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-11-08
LIONEL TERTIS
Is COMING SOON
Master of Viola Appears
on KenOsha Artists
Course Nov. 10.
GRAND OPERA OPENS
By WESLEY LA vIoLETTE.

the English viola player, Lionel Tertis,
will be heard in concert in Kenosha,
his recent successful debut in New
York should have considerable interest
to local music lovers. have been
asked many times, what is viola ~
1t is not surprising that to the layman
the viola should be a comparatively
unfamiliar instrument. ~What the con-
tralto, or alto, is to the human voice,
the viola is to the strings. 1t is the
alto. There are a few of us who even
prefer it to the violin, which is say
ing a good deal. Its tone is deeper,
expressive than it's famous partner
One writer speaks of Mr.. Tertis's tone
as being of the ''rich, golden quality
Another writes: ''He is one of those
players who create their own mus
ical atmosphere in all they play. 1t
is a most desirable gift, but only the
great ones have it." 1t is rare to
find viola player who can make his
instrument weep, sing, rejoice, draw
a picture, or declaim as a man with
noble, consumate sentiment" so his
appearance on our artist course should
prove somewhat of sensation. There
are many who will find it hard to
anticipate pleasure from another mem
Der of the string family, they areI so
welded to the violin; but if they have
anything of the thirst for beauty in
their souls, such an opportunity as
this concert should not be lost for it
may mean even fairer visions than the
violin brought them. He should not
be missed. His program will be an
nounced in these columns later.
Grand Opera Opens.
Within twenty years America will
have advanced as far artistically as
Europe advanced in five centuries, is
the prediction made by Giorgio Pol
acco, musical director of the Chicago
Civic Opera. The day Mr.. and Mrs
Polacco (Mrs. Polacco is Edith Mas
on, soprano,) arrived in Chicago, be-
fore nightfall the musical pilot of the
Chicago opera was preparing for what
he believes will be the most glorious
season in the history of the Opera in
Chicago.
The maestro, a philosopher, a prog
nosticator and an idealist of consid-
cradle note, volunteered the prophesy
about the future of Americas artistic
life, and discussed number of prob
lens. He was happily serious and rad
iating health and energy following an
active summer during which he toured
Europe scouting for new opera mat
erial
''The United States today is attract
ing the cream of Europe, Mr.. Polacco
said SIN America today there is a
demand for the best the world has
to offer in the arts and sciences. The
best musicians, the best artists are
all coming to the United States, which
is draining Europe of the people who
have contributed to the cultural life
of the old world. The result to my
mind will be this: Within twenty
years America will have advanced as
far artistically as Europe advanced
in five centuries.
The maestro's voice, his face, his
manner, reflected the enthusiasm that
he felt because of his belief.
Others returning from Europe have
viewed the old world with alarm. Mr.
Polacco, finely sensitive, declared that
some of the selfshness with which
Europe has been soaked as an after
math of the war, is being squeezed
out by slow dawn of idealism.
after the war the world was
plunged in se1fshness," he said. st
was the natural reaction of people
who have lived long a life of sacri-
flee. Ideals were tossed overheard.
There was greed everywhere. This
year 1 could feel that the people a.
broad are beginning to have little
love in their hearts for their neigh
bors. There is less selfshness. Ideals
are coming back to the people.
''The war dealt severe blow to art
an dmusic. Young men came out of
the trenches after several years with
no desire to go back and pick up their
building of artistic careers. Their
thoughts were Where can l get a
job and what will it pay Now the
young men are studying again.
Returning to the' United States
he is a citizen-Mr. Polacco Said he
is more forcibly impressed on each
Homecoming of the profound activ-
ity of the country. He sees fact
cries belching smoke. He feels the
country's strength.
"Others may laugh if they wish"
he said, "but to me there is poetry
in American industry that is wildly
real. And, after all, does that not
mean that this is country of ideals ?
Where there are no ideals, people are
not working The more work, the
greater the activity, the greater the
ideals of the people. A country be-
comes decadent as it loses its ideals,
and the people quit work"
Boris Godunoff to Open Season.
Boris Godunoff," Moussorgsky's OPP
cratic masterpiece with Fedore Chal-
iapin, the great Russian basso, in the
role of Boris" will open the 1924
Chicago Civic Opera season next
Thursday night, November 9Th.
Announcement of the selection of
this opera as the Chicago company's
curtain raiser, was made by Giorgio
Polacco, musical director, who has re-
turned from abroad with Edith Mas
on, his wife.
1t had previously been tentatively
agreed upon and the final decision
was reached at a conference between
Mr. Polacco and Herbert NJ. Johnson,
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