Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-09-26
Ra0ul Dufail Tells
OF Studies Under
European Masters

Raoul Dufail, grand opera singer,
who for the past three years has
been studying in Italy is visiting in
Waterville at the present time with
William Richards. Jr. Mr.. Dufail
fas made comprehensive. study of
conditions in Europe while there at
the same time he was studying voice
in Rome. Florence and Milan. He
expressed the opinion in an interview
with a Journal repre- sentative last
evening that there Is as much power
~ and hardship In America and
perhaps even more than there Is Is
Europe at the present time and the
citizens of the United States would
do much better to look out for the
welfare OF their own fellow citizens
before sending money. food and
clothes across the water.
Mr.. Dufail formerly lived in Lew
iston where he first began to study
voice. Some will perhaps remember
several years ago when he came to
Waterville to take part in the Lyford
prize speaking contest at Colby and
won prizes Two years in succession.
When he had studied for some time
under Lewiston teachers he decided
to go abroad as he believed that there
the real background could be had for
training a singer to become an ar
fist.
The first year he studied in Rome
with Enrico Rosati teacher of
many famous singers. The second
year he studied at Florence under
Mario Ancona and last year under
Salvatore Cottone at Milan. He re-
turned to this country about two
months ago and next month he is
MI t,,or %
will take part in grand opera at
Palermo. Sicily. In April he will be
in post season grand opera at Rome.
At Palermo the operas will be
The Duke in Rigoletto; Alfredo in
La Travita and Des Grieux in Ma
non of Massenet.
Concerning conditions in regard
to art, sculpture and the like, Mr..
Dufail said that he had the greatest
confidence that it would continue to
develop in America and that eventu-
addy this country would have Just
as many great artists and sculptors
as Europe.
'Musically," said Mr.. Dufail, I'VE
are already showing tremendous de-
velopment."
He mentioned the compositions of
Howard Hanson. recently appointed
head of the Eastman Conservatory
In New York as showing great prom
Use. Leo Sowersby of Chicago has
been the winner of the Prix de Rome
at the American Academy in Rome
and his work shows great Profound
ness. About Randall Thompson, for
merly OF Maine, and now in Rome, he
said that he had listened to several
Of Mr.. Thompson's co rpositions and
he was delighted with the colorfuI-
ness and delicacy.
Mr.. Dufail declared that the polit-
1cal situation in Italy is very I'M
certain at the present time although
Mussolini has done a great service to
his country. He declared that the
Europeans do not appreciate what
the Americans are doing for them.
especially the peasant class. He
averred that the attitude taken is
that the Americans have plenty of
money and why should they not
give 1t to Europe. He further states
that If the Europeans could see
America poverty stricken they would
be amused in many instances.
He spoke of the wealth of the
Germans at the present time and
how they are travelling in Italy to
such an extent that native Italians
arc unable to get rooms in the hotels
or seats on the trains.
But all in all Mr.. Dufail seemed
70 think that the Italians are good
hearted people and he declared that
he was very fond Of them.