Evening star., 1925-02-23
AMERICAN TENOR
TO SING IN AIDA
Hunter KimbaIl, Little Known,
to Make Debut in Role
of Rhadames.

Announcement of the engagement
of Hunter Kimbsll OF Elgin. H..
new American dramatic tenor of
sensational voice and abaility, has
been made by Edouard Albion, found
er and general director of the WASH
inston Opera Company. Mr. Alboin
predicts that this young American is
destined to rank with Csruso. de
Reszke, and other great tenors of
grand opera history.
kimball will make his first ap-
pearance In the role OF "Rhadames'' in
the inauguration performance of
Aida" to be sung by an allan erican
cast the night of March g.
Possessing a dramatic voice. he is
said to have also rare lyric sweet
ness that makes him truly remarkable.
Given Principal Role.
Founding the National Opera Asso-
citation, of which the Washington
opera Company is the first unit of
civic companies, to provile opportunity
for the development of American ar
lists after he had struggled to sue
cess himself under great difficulties,
Albion turned from the accepted pro-
cedure in placing an unknown. young
American tenor in the principal role
of a difficult grand opera.
Announcement Of the engagemen mt
of kimball was imminent when ne
was stricken III with grip and a
severe cold.
Announcement was made Of the
names of all the other American stars
Of the cast, Frances Peralta, soprano:
Jeanne Gordon. contralto Cloth Amer
leans, and both stars of the Metro
politan Opera Company: John Charles
Thomas. one OF the most popular of
American vocal artists: Charles Trow-
bridge Tittmsnn, among the foremost
of American oratorio and concert
bassos; Albert Sheferman, rising
young Washington Opera basso, and
others who would sing the gala per
formance But the tenor's name was
notable by it's absence.
Appeal to Otto Kahn, chairman Of
the board of directors of the Metro
politan Opera Company, and Gatti-
Cazazza, general director of the Net
ropolitan. was followed by tentative
arrangements for the appearance of
a well known American star tenor.
In the meantime, music critics and
newspapers sought to know the name
of the star and the reason it was not
announced.
Forced to Fay Abroad.
The announcement OF himDall
name and the end of the period of
speculation came today after the i'm
presario had received a message from
Jacques Semossoud, his conductor in
New York, which declared that kim =
ball entirely recovered and singing
gloriously."
studying under capable teachers,
young Kimball developed a really re-
markable voice" Mr.. Albion said, "and
went to Europe to get his needed ex-
perience and there fell upon the evil
that is rt-breaking to the poor
young singer seeking his place and
fame-having to pay for his appear
ance with the European compa nies, in
spite OF the fact thaG his every ap-
pearance was greeted with unfailing
success in Germany and Italy.
Europe. he decided. was not neces-
sary to his success in his own country,
and he came back to America and came
to the CAPITAL of his country for the op-
portunity he needed. &c..
The new tenor is only 25 years old.
tall and we'll built. blonde and blue
eyed. and has a quiet and unassunaAn q
manner"
Involved in his appearance in Aida
is the story OF the faith of his teacher
in his pupils ability, who loaned him the
money he needed to come to Washington
to get Mr.. Albion to hear him. That the
faith was justified is evidenced in his
engagement for the Aida" cast and the
exuberant praise of the Washingto on
impresario.