The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-11-04
CIR AND OPERA
SEASON
OPENS
Many Washingtonians in
New York for Metro
politan Opening
By JEAN ELIOT.

BY JEAN ELIOT.
AYo wonder Washingt Onians are
whetting their appetite for
- opera by journeying up to,
New York for the opening OF the
Metropolitan Opera season,
For, with our fine new auditorium
on the eve Of completion, the
Washington Opera Company Is
planning a bigger and better"
season, the Chicago Civic Opera
Company is definitely promised for
the first week in February and
there are even sdefinite-and ap-
parently well founded--rumors that
the Metropolitan aggregation may
pay us visit during the coming
winter.
The Minister Of Sweden and
Madame Wallenberg, who returned
q few days ago from a holiday visit
in Sweden, stayed over in New
York in order to be present last
evening when the Metropolitan had
its annual coming out party, pre-
senting the perennially satisfying
Aida to an enthusiastic and bril-
liant audience. BY some curious
twist the group Of persons well
and favorably known" to Washing
ton who were in the audience also
included Robert Woods Bliss, our
present Minister to Sweden, with
Mrs. Bliss and Ira Nelson Morris.
q former envoy at Stockholm, with
Mrs. Morris.
= Captain and Madame Wallenberg
were hosts in Mr.. and Mrs. John
Aspegren's box and Mr.. and Mrs.
Bliss were with Mr.. and Mrs.
Charles b. Alexander. John Dynely
Prince, American minister to Den
mark, and Mrs. Prince were among
Clarence Mackay's guests James
w. Gerard, former ambassador 10
Germany, and Mrs. Gerard enter
tanned guests in their box. Mr.. and
Mrs. Lyman B. Kendafi were among
those from Washington who went
up for the occasion.
After the opera last evening, the
stars of the Metropolitan and many
Of the notableS in the audience
were entertained at a supper party
ct the Lido-Venice.
Musically, the most interesting
feature of the production OF Aida
was the debut Of q new conductor,
Tullio Serafin, who comes to the
Metropolitan trailing clouds Of not
uncomfortable glory as leader OF
Qrchestras overseas. He was for
& time ToScanini's assistant at La
Scala. The new conductor was re.
received with great cordially and
his spirited rendition Of the opera
marked an suspicious opening for
the season.
With the new auditorium seating
5000 persons 1t should be possible
to give opera in Washington profit
ably, and the directors of the
Washington Opera Company are
making plans for several produc-
tons Of a standard Of brilliance not
yet attained.
INFORMAL LUNCHEON
AT BRITISH EMBASSY.
The British Ambassador and Lady
Isabella Howard had Iunching with
them today the Italian ambassador,
Prince Caetani.
The British Ambassador and Lady
Isabella Howard were the guests
Of honor at luncheon yesterday Of
the Third Assistant Secretary OF
State and Mrs. ]. Butler Wright.
The Ambassador of Germany and
Nine. Weidfeldt were the guests IN
whose honor the Counselor Of the
German embassy and Nine. Won
Lewinski entertained at dinner last
evening at their residence on Six
teenth street. Among the guests
were: Commissioner and Mrs. Cuno
Rudolph, Doctor and Nine. Hans
Diekoff, Of the German embassy,
and Mr.. Airport. of the American
embassy in Berlin.