Douglas daily dispatch., 1926-01-30
American Opera Singers
Given A Better Chance

NEW YORK, Jan. 29.-American
singers have greater opportunity
in grand opera than ever before ana
the increasing love for music in
this country is held largely respon-
sible.
On the roster of the Metropolitan
Opera company, there are S8 Ameri-
cans, including Lawrence Tibbett,
Rosa Ponselle, Jeanne Gordon, Marion
Talley, 10 year old Missouri girl.
and Mary Lewis, who advanced from
the ranks of chorus girls.
A far greater number has been
given additions and Mr.. Gatti-Cas'.
saza, general manager is trying to
provide for American talent $50 far
as is consistent with the Metropoli-
tan's standards and the standards of
the public" He does not believe,
however, the opportunity is as great
as it should be.
when every city of any preten-
sions in America has an opera house
that functions and is supported by
it's public" he said, ''the situation
for the development of native artists
will be much more favorable than it
possibly can be today.
Feodor Chaliapin now is organic
ing his own grand opera company
and it's personnel will be 80 per cent
American. First the company will
make a coast-to-c coast tour of the
United States and then go to Mexico
and Cuba.
There are reports that Chaliapin
will establish his organization in the
Manhattan opera house here after
the tours, which will end in 1927.
If such step should be taken-and
S. Hurok, the Russians manager,
said it would be logical-another
permanent opportunity for American
talent would be open.
Only recently, one of the Henshaw
opera companies, composed almost
entirely of Americans, went to Cuba
for three performances and now is
touring in the United States. The
attitude of the Chicago Civic Opera
toward American talent always has
been encouraging.
Increased demand for domestic
opera is evidenced in the tours made
by the Chicago company and other
organizations to a large number OF
the principal cities. The Metropoli-
tan has been making tours to Cleve-
land and Atlanta each season and
! only recently turned down requests
from Washington and Baltimore for
appearances this year.
Chaliapins schedule is interesting
in view of the number of places to
be visited and the fact that many Of
the cities are small.
While the opportunity for artists
has increased, the demands upon
them are about the same as in the
past, in the opinion of several con-
cert authorities here.
At the Metropolitan, it is pointed
out that Miss Talley and Miss Lewis
have been given the opportunity to
become established in opera, but time
/ and their performances alone will
determine whether they make good.
Miss Ponselle came into the COM
PAM only after few months study
under a maestro, but it was because
of the unusual quality of her voice
and the further fact that a dramatic
soprano was needed
Tibbetts remarkable success last
wear came after years of study and
| training. MISS Idlley IoOOlNOU N'A-
addition from Gatti-C Casazza three
years ago and since has gone
through intensive training. MISS
Lewis appeared as Marguerite In
'Faust" in Vienna and also has sung
in London, Paris and Monte Carlo.
1t was said, however, that their
training has just begun.
Milton We'll, editor of Muslcal
America, expressed the opinion that
"there are certain singers with very
marvellous voices, who, could they De
spared for year or so TO go
through the apprenticeship OF opera
would be still greater artists but
they can not be spared"
For this reason" he said there
never has been a time in the history
of opera and in the concert Iielo'
when real talent has such a great
opportunity as it has at the present
Where genius or great talent exists
in artists, it is not so much mat
ter of their breaking into opera OF
ao1cart fiaId