The Washington times., 1925-01-27

20
'.story" of last evenings historic
event. Not. that the President and
Mrs. Coolidge were present and
the boxes filled with men-Cabinet
officers, diplomats, leaders in Wash
ington's civic and social life-and
women, whose names grace the
social register. Not that the opera
itself was a splendid thing. Not
even that the great Russian basso,
Chaliapin, had come to sing for us.
No, the fact that Washington
actually turned out to support it's
own opera-that was what made
history. That was what crowned
with success the years of service
to an ideal of the Albions, the COM
pany of singers who have worked
with them through many lean
years, and the little band of devoted
supporters who have stood by them
through heart-breaking discourage
ments.
That, toe, was what gave great
promise for the future, for the
whole-hearted support of the Wash
ington public is all that is needed
to assure to the Capital a regular
season of opera. And such sup
port would bring apprecfably nearer
the realization Of Mr.. Albion's
dream of making the Washington
Opera Company the nucleus for a
national organization, with local
companiesA an many cities working
up the choruses and the minor
parts, productions owned in COM
mon and guest artists Of the first
rank singing the leading roles-a
project to the support Of which
Chaliapin pledged himself in a
happy curtain speech.
Fabrics, Furs and Jewels Worn
Like Golden Horse Shoe"
What a night it was! And what
an audience! Row on row Of men
in evening dress and women in rich
velvets, cloth Of gold and silver.
Marvellous furs and jewels which
would have done credit to the IA
nous golden horse shoe" Of the
Metropolitan.
A friendly audience, too, ready to
burst into spontaneous applause for
the singers-Chaliapin was given a
continuous ovation-and equally
ready to be interested in the various
happenings between the acts.
The President and Mrs. Coolidge.
whose late arrival was made neces-
sary by President Coolidge's engage
ment to speak at the meeting of the
budget committee, slipped in almost
unnoted while the opera was in
progress. But when the second act
had drawn to a close, the orchestra
played the "Star-Spangled Banner,
the entire audience rising to its feet
in tribute to the Chief Executive.
During the next entre-acte ChaIls.-
pin, a commanding figure in the
scarlet trappings of Mephisto, went
a'visiting, being presented to Presl-
dent and Mrs. Coolidge and later -
Secretary Weeks by Mr.. Albion. And
watching the giant Russian in brief
converse with the President, after
he had CALAMITY kissed Mrs. Cooi-
ddge's hand, a spectator was moved
to remark, II wonder if Mr.. Coolidge
has ever met the Devil before?"
There was much visiting about
from box to box between the acts,
with such a gathering of smart So
ciety in the foyer as might have
Rraced a brilliant private ball. But
after the third act the audience
fingered in their places to hear Mr..
Albion pay tribute to Colonel Robert
n. Harper-smiling and bowling from
a box-and his co-workers, who had
iabored and stayed up nights that
the new auditorium might be ready
as promised, and to listen to Chaiia-
pins curtain speech, which began IN
English, lapsed into Russian, With
aid of an interpreter, and wound UP
in English again, to the accompanl-
rnent of salvos of applause from tEe
audience and flowers shoWered upGn
everybody on the stage.
Prince Caetani and Mrs. Beale
Guests In Presidents Box.
In their box the President and
Mrs. Coolidge entertained the ltal-
ian ambassador, Prince Caetanl'
Mrs. Truxtun Beale, who had been
the envoy's hostess at dinner; Sen
ator William Mckinley and his
niece, Miss Julia Maths.
Mrs, Coolidge wore a gown which
appeared from across the house 10
be- of some soft blue gray mate
rial, with a cape drapery Of lace
and had a tulle scarf about her
shoulders. Her cloak was of vel
vet, with a becoming collar OF
ermine. Mrs. Beale's gown was or
powder blue velvet and Miss MATHS
wore a white gown embroidered in
sequins.
The Secretary of Labor and Mrs.
Davis, who had entertained at din
ner before the performance, were
guests, with their party of Mr..
and Mrs. Albion, the company,
which included the Secretary of
War and Mrs. Weeks, occupying
two boxes. Others in this group
were Senator and Mrs. James Z.
Watson, Senator Samuel Short
ridge, Congressman and Mrs. A.
II. VestaI, Congressman and Mrs.
John d. Fredericks, Mrs. Henry f.
Dimock, Mrs. w. Harry Brown
Congressman Cyrenus Cole of New
York, Mr.. and Mrs. Mark Potter
and Doctor and Mrs. Charles Z.
Richardson.
The Attorney General and Mrs.
Stone were guests of Brigadier Gen.
eral and Mrs. Jay j. Morrow and
Mr.. and Mrs. Dwight w. Morrow,
who had come on from New York,
for the performance in which their
niece, Miss Ruth McIlwain, was
making her operate debut. They
had dined with Mr.. and Mrs. Stone
before the performance. Others in
the opera party were Miss Alice
Morrow. Colonel and Mrs. Ernest
Peak, Ernest Peak, jr., Mrs. Agnes
M. Scandrett, Mr.. and Mrs. Lucien
Greatneck, Richard B. Scandrett
and Mr.. and Mrs. E. L. McIlwain.
The Minister of Sweden and
Nine. Wallenberg and Mr.. and
GTS- I. T. Mann were guests of