Evening star., 1926-11-14
Nj i S I G.
BY HELEN FETTER.

/ days column concerning it-a note
was received by the writer from an
extremely indignant Washingtonian.
1t read as follows:
Having paid $3.50 for seat in the
twelfth row of Polls balcony No
vcmber 4, to hear Chaliapin sing, l
| fenl-with others--that | was dis
tinctly defraudcd by his having been
assigned so inferiorsa part-affording
no scope for the display of his beau
tiful voice
There may be others who agree
with this irate lady, yet, after all,
there are arguments on both sides
OF the question. 1t is obvious to any
thorough musician who is familiar
with the score of Rossinis Barber
OF Seville" that there is but one role
in that opera that it would be pos
sible for Chaliapin to slng-the one
that he did sing. Don Basilio. There
fore. to one knowing the opera, there
could be no ignorance beforehand OF
the part in which the great Russian
basso would appear.
Also there are rum0rs. and perhaps
not without truth, that the beautiful
voice Of this wonderful singing actor
who is no longer young is not al
ways reliable, and, therefore, he dare
not attempt tour OF many perform
ances in too taxing vocal role. To
the writer, Chaliapin's marvellous
acting is quite sufficient satisfaction
for hearing this none too distinctive
opera. Also, as he managed his own
production, no one but himself can
be accused for the assignment" of
his role.
On the other hand, the prices for
such performances do seem extreme
ly high. They are an affair for the
manager and the purchaser to de-
eide. The only effective way to lower
such prices is by the public's refusal
TO attend performances that. seem
eXorbitant i'll their charges.
* X i: x
SECRETARY JAMES J. DAVIS OF
~ the Labor Department and Rep
rcsentative Clyde Kelly left their
busy desks in Washington long
enough last Tuesday to be in Pitts
burgh, Pa, and hear the concert in
his home town given by Louis Cation,
famed as the steel mill tenor
Needless to add. what with the house
packed with friends, and high en-
thusiasm over Bonnie Argyle" (sung
in honor of another name which had
been famous in the steel mills-Car-
ncgie), and many folk songs and ball
lads, the concert was huge sue
cess.
Mr.. Cation in a couple OF groups of
songs sung at the special meeting
here OF the Pennsylvania Society, and
it is a memory that fingers. He has
the lifting quality in his voice that
made the great Irishman John Nc
Cormack famous. and also has a
genial genuine personality. He has
been working "overtime" in his traI&
ing Of this voice during the Summer
months and it looks as though he
were launched upon a career with
great possibilities for the coming
season It is hoped he will include
Washington in his list.
x K x X
= ING in the new, ring out the
N old-the king is dead long live
the king! Right after receiving such
pleasant news of the glowing sue
cess that has come to the young
tenor, Mr. Cation, the creaking old
music editorial desk was weighed
with the crushing news of the death
OF one of the greatest Rigolettos of
musical history. Joseph Schwarz is
dead. The famous baritone. who is
we'll known to Washington music
lovers for his appearances here both
with the Chicago and Washington
Opera Cos. died Wednesday follow
ing an operation that was the climax
oi an illness from which he is said
70 have suffered for Is years. and
which lately threatened his sight and
so made the operation necessary. He
had planned to come TO America, his
country, in January. and
was singing with the Berlin Opera
Co. only a week prior to his death.
Michael Bohnen. famous German
basso, is quoted as paying Mr..
SChwarz a beautiful tribute when he
said:
Two Of the 1ovclest voices that
ever sounded i'll this world are gone
with the deaths of Caruso and
Schwarz. His was. life of poverty.
disappointment. success, fame, i'll
ness, resignation, and wealth that
came when his health was gone. and
TOW. with his death, there is no ar
tist on the worlds stage who will not
weep as l do at his passing"
Think Of the thrilling inspiration
of voice that can leave such a
memory!