New Britain herald., 1925-01-02
THEATERS RESENT
 AERIAL PROGRAMS
See in Radio Greatest Menace
 . Ever Faced

NeW 1ork, Jun. S'-Wtn untold millions delighted with the first radio concert by John Mccormack and Lucrezia Bori last night the theaters of this city. according to spokesman of tho profession. are facing crisis as a result of the latest development Of free amuse- ment on the air. .i...
 In the first of a series of bi- weekly concerts by noted artists, never on the air before, Mir. Me- Cormack and Miss Bori, with their golden voices. gave a concert last night through station WEAF, with seven other stations in eastern cities participating in the broadcasting and making the concert audible to millions. Menace 10 Thcatcr
 William A. Brady, veteran thea- trical producer. commenting on what he termed this gorgeous" free en, tertainment asserted that radio constitutes the greatest menace that tho theater has ever faced" He cited the poor attendance at the theaters last night as proof of his assertion. Other theatrical produce CTS said that the patronage of nearly every theater in the city was affect ed by the first appearance of golden voices on the air. Even productions ordinarily playing to capacity houses failed in some instances to be sold out last night, the box office rec ords showed.
 At the Metropolitan Opera House, however, a sold-out house was an- nounced for the performance of Fedora" with Maria Jeritza as the principal singer. Miss Bori also is star at the Metropolitan.
 Six to Engtt Million
 The number of listeners-in for the radio concert was variously esti- mated at from 6,000.0O0 to S.000.- 0Uo at station WEAF. although it was explained that there was no way of determining accurately the number comprising the audience. One radio official said that "every- one who has radio set within the area reached by theses stations was listening.'
 The reception room in the station from which the concert was broad cast was crowded. Mir. McCor- mack and Miss Bori arrived early and rehearsed for nearly an hour before the concert. Mir. Me- Cormack sang first, He opened with "Adeste Fideles' with quartet and orchestra, and then sang the Berceuse from "Jocelyn," with cello obligato. Miss Bori then sang La Paloma," When Love Is Kind" and "Addio Del Passato." from La Traviata." Then followed the dueet "Parigi. o Cara" from the same opera. After two orchestra num- bers, Mir. Mccormack concluded his part of the program with Mar cheta,' Mother Machree"sand All Alone"
 Something Lost .. Critics who listened in on the con- cert reported that the most obvious thing was that something Is lost when a singer is heard over the radio. AS the voices come over the radio, they lacked the full resonance that is heard in the concert room, and subtleties and nuances are lost to the nearer.
 After the concert, MT. Mccormack said he enjoyed the experience.
 i've had plenty of experience making records" he said, but this beats 1t. Somehow you seem to be able to vizualize an audience better in broadcasting, and you can sing to them directly. After you get the hang of it, it's easy"
 T just thought of those 6,000,0O out somewhere listening to me and l was almost scared to death," she said. It's odd what q feeling you have when you see that little instru- lnent in front of you. I had to fight to keep myself from tightening all Up, but after got well started l for got all about it."
 Good Advertising
 Assertions were made that both artists sang without any compensa- tion, but the financial aspect of the concert was emphasized when fre- qucnt allusions were made to rec ords of the singers voices.
 Mr. Mccormack made little speech after his singing was con- cluded, saying he wished his first ra- dio audience q Happy New Year and asking Divine blessing upon the mill lions listening to him.
 Seated in room with a group of people and. as he put 1t enjoying free musical program over the ra- Gio that could only be described as gorgeous, Mr, Brady said;
 Brady'S Statement
 "Why in the world should we go ss.=.====..=s== -