Evening star., 1924-11-18
'A|D FOR D. c. OPERA
] URGED IN DISPUTE
~
'chaliapin's Two Appearances
/. Can Be Profitable to All,
i Citizens Believe.

- The statement issued by Mrs. Katie
tWilson- Greene, local manager OF the
,Chicago Opera Company appearances
:here this season. last week to the effect
THAT Chaliapin wuoid not be allowed to
Icing with the Washington. company
sprior to his appearance with the Chi
,cago organization in Boris Godonouv."
and indorsed by c. A. Shaw of the Chi
tcago Opera Company, has aroused much
comment among Washingtonians.
4, Prominent citizens who have shown
.their loyalty to the Washington Opera
sCompany since the first news of this
scontroversy appeared include Mrs. Will
liam j. Boardman. Mrs. Francois
iBerger Moran. Mrs. ]. B. Henderson.
iS1rs. Ernest Wa ker. Robert N. Harper
and Col. Arthur o Brien, all of whom
.have taken boxes for the performance
of Faust with Chaliapin in the role
of Mephistophe.es. The first box reserva-
zion was made by the British embassy.
MANY members of the cabinet and dip.o-
matic circles are listed among the
patrons of the local company's perform
lance. -.
Letter Praises ID. c. OpeTn.
"A. j. Driscon. president of the
Mid City Citizens ASS ociatfon. of the
District of Columbia. residing at 2651
Woodfey road northwest. has written
letter to The Star containing the
Following protest:
Il was indeed surprised to note in
The columns of your valuable Sunday
edition, the objection raised by Mrs.
Katie Wilson Greene to the appear
ance OF Feodor Chaliapin. who is
shooked TO appear in the opera OF
Faust in this city on January 26,
with the Washington Opera Company
under the direction of Edouard
Albion.
1T is to be regretted ythe lovers
and patrons of grand opera that the
vision of Mrs Greene is not broad
enough to realize there is room in the
Capital City for both performances.
/ feel that 1t is safe to assume that
the appearance of Chaliapin In Faust
would in nowise effect his appearance
in a later performance. espNially
from financial viewpoint, which l
feel is most interesting to Mrs,
Greene.
Urges Help for Company.
1T is rather unfortunate that this
most cstimable lady does not display
more interest and ambition In helping
to secure a permanent opera company
for our Capital City, or should in any
way attempt to obstruct the splendid
work along those lines that the Wash
ington Opera Co. is doing under the
leadership of Mr.. Albion.
In Mr.. Albion We have a man who
IS an artist and leader In his chosen
profession. who is willing and does
devote most freely of his time and
talents without personal Compensa-
tion to the Young singers and actors
of our city in developing their ambi
tions. At the present time MIR. Albion
fs rehearsing for the coming opera of
Faust some 100 of our local singers.
Praise for Mr.. Albion.
| 1T has been my good fortune to
know Mr.. Albion and his work for the
PAST several years, | am not member
Of his company. not have I ever been.
nor have l ever had business relations
with him, I do know of his work.
however. among our residents, and
can say that 1t merits the commen-
dation of all interested in the future
development of our wonderful Capt.
tai City. as 1t must beadmitted that
music must have it's allotted place in
the upbuildins of Anyscommunity.
~ am a WashingtonTan first, last.
and always. and such realize. what
the Washington Opera Company under
the leadership of Mr.. Albion is doing for
our city along musical lines. While
fully aware Of the fact that the Chi
eago Opera Company Is composed OF
high class talented artists, whom we will
all enjoy hearing, l am, however, con-
,inced of the fact that as Washing
tonians our first allegiance should be
10 our own Washington Opera COM
psny."