The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01
HARRISON ? l \ N 5 DOOR PROGRAM OF SUMMER OPE. RA
Birmingham Artists Will Be Used in Civic Productions. Director Erickson to
 Complete Details

Outdoor opera under the direction of the music department of the city with cast and chorus selected from Birmingham singers, is contemplated for the coming summer in a program being seriously considered by the city and made public Wednesday by William L. Harrison. park commis- sioner Details Of the program are being worked out by o, Gordon Erickson, city music director, whe will have charge of the pleasantries MT. Harrison said.
 The operas will be given, MT. Har- rison said, in one of the parks, and 1t was intimated that Capitol park might be che sen on account of its central location and sloping topog- raphy, admitting of a semi circular arena-type outdoor theatre. The pro- posed theatre will seat between 1,500 and 1000 people. While 1t will not be pretentious structure, it will contain adequate stage facilities for producing the operas and accommo dating crowds expected to attend.
 Standard Operas
 In outlining some of the salient features of the program, MT. Brick son said that if the program is car ried through to execution. about eight standard operas will be pro- duced during the summer. One or two program will be given each week for an eight-week season, com mencing early in June, he said.
 A cast of IS and a chorus of 60 will be selected among Birmingham artists, MT. Erickson said. Special scenery and costumes will be pro- vided. and an orchestra of 25 wilt be used. It is understood that Mir. Erickson also proposes to bring to Birmingham for that season one of the best known and most expert opera stage managers in the couu- try. In fact, Mir. Erickson said, the idea will be to produce the operas on proportionately comprehensive scale as has been done for several years in St. Louis and other larger cities.
 A meeting of interested Birming- ham artists will be called by Mr. Erickson at an early date, provided the plaa is officially ratified by the city, and organization will he com pleted. Rehearsals would then be started within a few weeks Mr. Erickson said, as time will be re quired for selection of soloists for the cast.
 It was indicated that the program would be carried throgh to exeeu- tion. as it was shown that there would not be required a prohibitiye appropriation from the city Con- structfon of the theatre, il is be- lieved. would not involve great ex- penditure, and other expenses will largely be cared for otherwise.
 Muscial Productions
 Mir. Erickson has had considerable experience in musical productions and also in outdoor festivities. He was chairman of the committee thst staged the semi-eentennia1 pageant, pronounced one of it's most artistic nreapetions. He has also direete sa 56eAes auft~ f1e W5ntee end Inc eaaa eaas HEs
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 the civic eaee A8 F eAfiee ht9ugh. it Will mean nrucn S.t rgham,' said Commissioner ffarri- son. "It will coordinate the work of the city music department with 'n- dependent agencies, thus causing our organized departments to function in unique and useful way. It will also afford musical entertainment of tile highest order to all of Birmingham, while at the same time educating the people to appreciation of the best music. Besides all this it will ae- velop musical talent in Birmingham as probably nothing else could"
 Mr Erickson said there was aa doubt that sufficient vocal material was available in Birmingham to pro duce the operas.