Evening star., 1926-11-21
EUROPEAN ARTISTS
IN CAPITAL OPERAS
Celebrated Singers Coming
Here at Request of
| Local Company.

The Washington National Opera
Company in pointing it's plans to-
ward securing outstanding European
artists in the principal roles in the
future under a program now being
worked out by General Director
Edouard Albion which includes The
establishing of a circuit Of four cities
First evidence of the broadened
program of activities appeared in the
announcement last night that Pique
Dame, the opening opera of the cur
rent season, will be presented in Bal
timore as we'll as Washington. Two
noted European singers are coming
10 America for the initial presenta-
tions.
In the case of Pique Dame. which
opens at the Washington Auditorium
December 6, Director Albion found it
advisable TO import two artists. Dmi-
fri Smirnov, Russian tenor, and Nine.
Rakowska, Russian dramatic soprano.
The opera will be sung in the original
Russian.
Noted European Artists.
''ro do this opera justice and to
give the audience the best possible.
the Opera Company has arranged for
the appearance in the two leading
roles of two of the outstanding artists
of Europe Mr.. Albion state!. "Mme
Rakowska has just completed four
year engagement al La Scala Opera
House in Milan and Smirnov is now
singing in Paris.
1T is doubtful If two singers more
fitted for the Tchaikovasky opera
could be found anywhere. Smirnov-
An-h0 ha IN nd n
This country but who has rejected all
offers TO return. after visit a few
Fears ego, accepted the invitation TO
hing In the Capital without hesitation.
Hs is making the trip over for the
ec1e purpose Of appearing with the
Warrington National Opera Company
and will return to Paris after com
pleting his engagement.
Mime. Rakowska has never sung
10 America. but. like Smirnov. was
gracious in accepting at once the in
ritation to appear in the Capital. We
have found that we will have little
diflculty in bringing over the lead
ing singers for our operas and our
palms are being pointed in that direc-
ton. If we plan an Italian opera. we
will seek the best Italian singer to
be had for the lead. If we sing a
IL d
est German singer. In other words.
we are going TO link the capitals of
Europe with the Capital of the United
states in the porduction of opera.
In doing this ii is not our inten-
ton to abandon in any way. our
plans already announced for the de-
Nelopment of American singers. Such
roles for which we find Americans
available will be given to Americans,
hut first and foremost, our efforts are
tn be centered on the production of
the finest performance possible no
matter how far we must go for cur
singers.
New Circuit Planned
We have no immediate plans for
expanding our season to any great
length, but will endeaHor to bring to
Washington operas seldom heard here
and TO introduce singers not so often
heard, but who are ideal for the roles
they will assume. TO this end. we
have scheduled Pique Dame, Lakme,
Otello and Tristan and Isolde for this
season. The fifth opera will be an old
favorite, La Boheme. We have also
arranged for artists already favorites
in Washington for some of the lead
ing roles. as. for instanc Edward
Johnson in BOheme and John Charles
Thomas in Otello.
The reception the Washington Ma
tional Opera Company has had in
cities visited in the past has been
most enthusia ST ic and has encoura ged
us 10 go ahead with plans to complete
the formation Of circuit of four
cities in which we will give our operas
in the future.
The linking of Baltimore was &C
compliShed late last week for the
first opera and further announce
ments as To the other cities will be
made shortly. The extensive plans
we have for next season contemplate
a swing around the circuit with each
opera. This will ena BILE us to secure
the best cast possible for each opera
to he given"