Evening star., 1924-11-16
MAY BAR CHAL|AP|N
IN DEVIL ROLE HERE
Previous Contract Cited as
Preventing Engagement
With Local Company.


that Is leading to much controversy.
His scheduled appearance as Me-
phisto with the Washington Opera
Company and as Boris with the Chi
cago Opera Company within the short
span OF two weeks threatens to dis
rupt the usual tranquil reserve in To-
cal opera circles.
The inharmouiouS notes that have
reached the ears of the opera devotees
IN Washington involve charges by
Mrs. Katie Wilsou-Greene. whose con-
cert bureau arranged for the Chicago
Opera Company's appearance here,
that Mr.. Chaliapin cannot be adver-
tised to appear here prior to his date
with me-, and counter statements by
Edouard Albion. director Of the Wash
ingtor Opera Company, to the effect
that he has a signed contract with the
artist which Is binding.
Announced In Summer.
Last summer Mrs. Wilson Greene's $
bureau announced that Chaliapin
would sing in one of three perform
ances TO be given here by the Chi
cago organization during the week OF
February .. Later Mrs. Wilson
Greene stated that the opera in which
he would appear would be Moussorg
sky's Boris Godonouv."
inSton in recital several weeks ago
ne announced he would like to sing in
opera with the Washington Opera
Company. Last week Director Albion
OF that company stated publicly that
a definite contract had been signed
by the Russian to appear in a produc
tion Of Gounod's Faust"
The Chicago company. through its
tour manager, c. A Shaw, and its
then came out with its fat denial that
Chaliap!n could appear with the local
company as announced.
Denied by Mrs. Greene.
"Chaliapin could not be advertised
had 1t not been under my manage
ent. as I am also managing the
opera appearances" Mrs. Wilson
Greene declared last night in a state
ment. Moreover, it was four months
PRIOR to the opera date for persenta-
t!on"
"As $4,000 was underwritten last
Summer for the Chicago Opera Com
pany appearances, and Mr.. Chaliapin
IS leading feature of these appear
anceS, some OF my guarantors have
already objected to preliminary ad
vertising."
Hurok, Chaliapin's manager, has
been notified in New York by Her
bert NJ. Johnson, business manager Of
the Chicago Opera Company, that
owing to objections made, the COM
pany could not permit Chaliapin TO
sing on the date, January IS, in
Washington, with another opera or
ganization," according to a statement
made yesterday by Mr.. Shaw.
Albion Issues Statement.
Mr.. Albion, in a statement last
night said:
II have in my possession a signed
contract calling for Chaliapin's ap-
pearance in the role on the date and
at the place I announced.
This contract has been studied by
Col. Arthur O'Brien, one Of our guar
antors and most enthusiastic support
ers. who has declared 1t is legally
binding. The contract was signed
after consultations between myself
and Chaliapin and S. Hurok of New
York, the personal manager Of Chalia-
pin, and man whose reputation Mr.
knowing his business is accepted
everywhere. Chaliapin is an artist OF
wide experience. who would not lay
himself open to criticism by Sign
Ing 4 contract he could not legally
keep. Furthermore, I am informed,
the contract was signed and approved
by Mr.. Hurok after the Chicago Opera
management had assured him that
MI Cfiliapfn was free on the dates
necessary for our performance. ]
otto this to prove that any complaint
at this late date is not spontaneous
with the Chicago Opera Company
officers.
The reason advanced by Mrs
Greene for her objection to Chaliapin's g
appearance with the Washington Opera
Company is that 1t would hurt the box
once sale for his appearance with the
Chicago company. in q different opera,
the following month This is ridiculous
Chaliapin can draw four full houses
q season in Washington.
i hereby publicly offer Chaliapin a
second engagement with the Washing
ton Opera Company, after his appear
anoe with Chicago.
Welcome. Chicago COMPANY.
We have no quarrel with the Chi
oaEo Opera Company. Its casts include
many great artists, several of whom we
nave had In our past performances
welcome It's appearance in Washington
Many OF the guarantors of the Wash
tngton Opera Company also are guaran-
tors for the appearance Of the Chicago
company.
Mrs. Greene's statement that some
st the guarantors object to Chaliapins
Company Is an unmerited rejection on
these philosophical men and the won-
IN who are patronessee Of the Chicago
appearance.
7 resent this. deny the truth Of any
Statenent or Inference that these men
and women desire to harm Washing
tons own opera company On their be-
half, challenge Mrs. Greene to make
public the names of those Of her guar
fn 10;
pearance with the Washington Opera.
Company. II there are such. the peo-
PIE OF Washington are entitled to know
their names
Believes Singer Free.
jacques Samassoud, conductor of
the washington Opera Company. and a
close friend of Chaliapin, expressed the
opinion that the Russian is freq tn
sing with the local opera company.
There Is nothing in his contract to
prevent IT." he said. "It is merely a
question Of ethics"
Meanwhile Mr.. Albion proceeded
with preparations for Chaliapin's ap-
pearance in the role of "Mephisto"
next January in the new Washington
Auditorium. He announced yesterday
the gift of 500 tickets to Faust
students in local universities and high
schools
Three hundred Of the 500 tickets
will be forwarded to DR.. Frank w.
Ballou, superintendent of public
schools. for distribution among the
students of the high and normal
schools and the remainder will be sent
tho universities and to Gonzaga Col
lege authorities. Gonzaga was Sc
tected because it has the only Catholic
, high school in the city, Mr.. Albion
said.
Tickets will be given for other per-