The Washington times., 1927-11-05
DEEMS TAYLOR.
OPERA A GEM
By JESSIE MacBRIDE

the opera that has lifted our land
to place among the elect for
creative tdeality and beauty: the
lyric drama that has placed an
American, Deems Taylor, foremost
among composers of the Western
Hemisphere, and in the van of lead
ing composers of the world.
Festive was the air of its first
presentation in Washington, with
an overflow audience at Polls, with
the composer here to receive HON.
age with company, an investiture
that reached it's high ideals, and
with an orchestra under the skilled
hand of Jacques Samossoud that re-
tlected the fine musicianship and
delicate finesse OF this gifted must
clan. who is musical and artistic di-
rector of the production.
1t was an suspicious first per.
Torrance" of this company. that Is
to tour the country. And % those
who would feel the spell of lyric
romance. of beauty of score that
apeaks a new Anglo-Saxon tone
language instinct with the spirit
that pervades the Arthurian legends,
We recommend-"The Kings Hench.
man."
AS Vital as Russian Drama
Since it is an opera-and rightly
acclaimed the foremost American
opera yet to be produced-one must
leave the gripping story, the living
scenes of the drama, that have been
set with a completeness as vital as
Russian drama in a picture as
vivid, Yet as soft, as an Italian paint
Ing, to the music that gives it soul.
Deems Taylor has written music OF
mood-beauty, of human emotions that
gives it life-blood, of arresting heights
telling of love, of tragedy, OF poig'
nant sorrow. All this, in the form
of a music-drama of flow and poetry
of tone, that yet holds gems that
will stand out individually when we
have heard it again and again. as
one must. Something in the spirit
of Tristan. it vet is an individual
tone language that Mr.. Taylor has
captured for his own.
Nirile. swash-Duckling cheer DOM
mates the first act. One finds here
the spirit that has inspired Alfred
Moves, when the Henchman sings
az Climb to NV Saddle and Ride
and / Ride and / Ride" But ro'
nance is foretoId for this messenger
who goes to WOO the maid for his
tenderIy Of the out-of-doors in the
first lyric passage, "a little wind is
running like tide over the grass.
MiIIay Text Exquisite
This but a glimpse of that eth
and flow of emotion that brings
such compelling lure to the score
Deems Taylor has set to the eG-
quisite text of Edna st. Vincent
Millay.
Mist and mystery and over all
the magic spell OF love, we find
IN that rare ana eerie second act
the mystery of whose tree trunks
take US back to the jungle in which
emperor Jones" was lost in soul
and body.
Legend again animates this
scene when Aelfrida sings her
rune" in opal-tinted moonlight,
with opaI-tinted voice Of eager
fresh beauty. Delicately wrought
Is this meeting with Aethelwold.
MY one complaint here, and in
the finale, is that though true to
the book" I think the composer
has "gotten past some of his
most gripping moments too quickly
They were too exquisite TO lose
40 soon. They might with profit
to our musical senses linger a
while on a poetic line, that we may
catch it more firmly.
The artists we found in ensemble
rs we'll as in solo cast.
The biggest moment Of vocal
drama was given to the Hench
man, so finely portrayed by Rafael
DiaZ. tenor. who gave us a man
of many moods, who sang with
Vigor or infinite pathos, who gave
us art in drama as we'll as voice in
his heart break at the close.
Marie Sundelius lifted the beauty
Of the vocal score to its greatest
heights, singing beautifully. with
stress upon her unaccompanied in
Cantation that would evoke a lover
out of the All-Hallow's Eve.
Rhythm and cadence and color are
all fine in this music, and the
tenor's approach to the love scene
was exquisite for voice and for
orchestra that held vague mystery.
with fine abandon, with portent of
tragedy.
Richard Hale the King
The king, debonair and eager for
love, faithful friend as well, really
has the telling of much of the tale.
These three held the ideal of opera
In English" up to its best point.
We knew their poetic message quite
completely. Richard Hale sang the
king with mellowed art and lovely
tone. though one wished for more