The Washington times., 1924-03-15
Mrs. Bentley to
Have Leading
Role in Opera
nv JEAN ETLOT.

long time that she had q lovely
voice. but even they have not had
opportunity to hear 1t very often.
And to most Of her friends in
Washington--they are legion, for
she has lived here all her life
the announcement that she was to
sing the leading role in the all.
Washington opera Cherry Bios
som Time" to be produced in
Washington in Easter week, came
as something Of a revelation. Mrs.
Bentley has been working hard
for months and those who have
been privileged to "listen in" at
rehearsals tell me that she brings
to her part not only a lovely voice
but considerable dramatic ability
and a genuine gift for comedy.
The very production Of Cherry
Blossom Time" should be a mile
stone in the artistic development
OF Washington, for the music is
written by a WashingtOnian, Rol-
lin Bond. with the lyrics by his
wife. And 1t is being put on by
the clever company which has
aided and abetted Mr.. Bond pre-
viously in giving Washington an
occasional taste of genuine light
opera artistically produced. This
original work.. moreover. deals
with life in Washington, its scenes
are laid here, its characters are
the people one meets every day,
Senators and Congressman, diplo-
mats and debutantes. The theme
Is treated in a humorous and
satiric fashion, the result Of the
Gilbert and Sullivan genus, al
though original In its conception
and execution. The production
will be given at the National
Theater, opening Easter Monday
night and running through the
week.
IRIS. BENTLEY has the role
AVA Of the official chaperone for
the six beautiful debutanes upon
whose activities hinge much of
the story. A "cave dweller'' by
birth, Mrs. Bentley should be able
to contribute many authentic
touches to the perturbation of
the Washington in which she has
grown up. She belongs truly to
the "old Washington" classified
ton, for her great great grand.
father, Frazoni, was com
Wandered to Washington to
work on the embellishments Of the
Capitol and here his descendants
have made their home ever since.
F'ranzoni, who was a Florentine,
was the first sculptor to set foot
on the shores Of this country.
Most Of his work was destroyed
when the Capitol was burned in
1912, but some examples Of it
survive, notably the beautiful
pediment over the door of statu-
airy hall, for the chief figure Of
which his daughter-and Mrs.
Bentley's great grandmother-was
the model.
Mrs. Bentley has not been 60
Ing in very much for social &C.
tlVitles in the last few months,
as she has been devoting herself
SO enthusiastically and exclusive
ly to her music. However. she
and Mr.. Bentley are entertaining
tonight at a buffet supper, their
guests being asked to meet Mrs.
Alfred Lawrence Snyder, of New
York, who is visiting Mrs. Fred.
erlck X. Harris. Mrs. Harris and
Mrs. William B. Bankhead will
preside at the tea table.
Last week Mr.. and Mrs. Bent
ley had Miss Rosa Ponselle with
them for a brief visit and thew
entertained for her on SUNDAY
evening.
Former ENJOY Guest
At White House
Ira Nelson Morris, our forme,
minister to Sweden, and Mrs. Morri,
are guest Of the President and Mrs
Coolidge for the weekend.
Mrs. Coolidge attended the auto
moDlie show yesterday afternoon
arriving at Convention Hall shortly
aiter the doors were opened at
o'clock and remained for more thar
an hour. Her interest was centereC
on the touring cars. Her youngel
son. Calvin Coolidge. jr., was witt
her when she attended Nine. Jeritza'
concert at Polls later in the after
noon and when her guests wer,
mrs. Arthur Capper and her sister
Mrs George Crawford.
\
T0fts Honor Guests
At AIfGrO Dinner
The Chief Justice and Mrs. vii
liam Howard Taft will be the guest
of honor at the dinner of twenty
two that the Minister of Panama an,
Nine. Alfaro will give this evening
X
The Ambassador of France ant
Nine. Jusserand will be the homo
guests at the dinner of twentv-fouj
which the Director of the Consula,
Bureau and Mrs. Wilbur Carr VIII
give this evening at Rauscher's.
MRS. Carr will not receive tomor
row afternoon but will be at hon,
the following Sunday afternoon fo,
the last time this season.
y X
Hugh s. Gibson, who has heer
serving as American minister r.
roland, has been transferrad tC
Switzerland to succeed Josenh n
Grew, and will proceed shortly ~
Derne: Mr.. Grew Is coming tc
State. "
,, me Minister OF Sweden and Nine
will entertain at dinner
on Tuesday evening.
y X X
Mr.. and Mrs. Edgar Richard =,
Callrornla, are the guests of the Sec
retary OF commerce and Mrs. Hoover
4 Il