Evening star., 1927-11-06

MUSICAL attractions lOr INT
season 1928 in Washing
ton. The first professional event ot
the year was the performance oI
The Beggar's Opera" which at
tracted capacity audience to one
of the largest theaters in the city
Friday afternoon of the past week
saw another capacity audience for
the initial performance i'll the Ma
tional Capital OF Deems Taylor
opera, The Kings Henchman.
Tomorrow T. Arthur Smith pre-
scnts the President Light Opera Co
in the first of series of productions
of the old light opera favorites, so
old that they will be new to the ma
jority of the present generation of
music lovers. These will be entire
ly professional productions.
The week of December 5 the long
herslded festival week of opera to
mark the tenth season OF the Wash
ington Opera Co, Edouard Albion.
general director, will present six
popular grand operas by company
including some famous stars, few
young American singers who arc
coming TO the fore. and a local
chorus.
Then the American OEcra Co.
Vladimir Rosing. director, will claim
the attention OF any who may still
be thirsting. for opera with three
operate performances here in au
thentic English translations, Deem
Der II. IS and a.
There are also still hopes that the
Metropolitan Opera Co. may present
a couple of operas when EN- route III
the late Spring in the annual tour
south to Atlanta.
OF the most immediate interest,
~ however. is Mr. Smiths effort
to revive the fine, old light operas
with only ambitious professional
American singers in his company.
Most of those in the group of his
principals have already won prelim-
mary spurs in successful productions
of light and grand opera Bertram
Peacock, his leading man, who sings
comic basso role during this first
production, "The Black Hussar." be-
came a national favorite all over the
country for his Interpretation of the
role of Schubert in the popular musi-
cal comedy Blossom Time"
Hazel Huntington, the prima dom
ma. who is coloratura lyric soprano.
is we'll known locally for her work
with the Mozart operas of the Viii
liam Wade Hinshaw Co.. and, more
recently, in New York. for her sing
ing in the French-American Opera
Co. productions last season.
Mary Craig. young lyric soprano,
who is singing the soubrette role OF
Rosetta in this first production, is a
Southern singer. who won particu-
iarly enthusiastic recognition for her
singing of the title role in Mime
Butterfly" with the St Louis Civic
Opera Co. just during the past Sum-
mer.
Ann Yago, breezy young Cana
dian with a fine contralto voice. and
experience most recently with the
St. Louis and Rayinia Opera Cos.
completes the list of leading ladies'
William Mitchell, a broad-shou1-
dered young tenor. and Carl Me
mann, baritone, will sing the other
leading roles.
Mime. Ernestine Schumann- Heink.
the great contralto, when she was in
the city last week for her concert in
her farewell tour showed marked
enthusiasm over the President Light
Opera Co.'S project. She was hostess
TO the entire company, including the
chorus of 40 ambitious young singers
who are adding to stage experience
in preparation for singing minor roles
in the different productions, at her
concert. Later she told Mr.. Smith
that she herself in the early days OF
her career of 50 years of opera and
concert work had sung in some of
these very light operas which he will
put on. She also said that she felt
this was the best kind of work for
young singers, as they had to work
so continuously and painstakingly to
prepare this exacting music that they
had no time TO dissipate in any way.
"As / continue on my tour" said
the Grand Dame OF the opera stage,
Il shall tell in each city OF the fine
work of this light opera group. and
urge that those cities which do not
yet have such groups organize them.
1t would be a wonderful thing for
the young singers OF America TO have
opportunities for such experience in
every city of any size in the United
States"
THE "old-timers" of local music
l. circles will be interested TO know
that Jeannie Winston, queen OF
comic opera" in the ''nineties," will
have box party at the opening per-
formance at the President Theater
tomorrow night. She is making her
home quietly in Washington at pres
ent at 1867 Columbia road northwest.
I. Arthur Smith first came 10 Wash
ington in professional work with Miss
Winston.
William Wade Hinshaw, president
of the Society of American Singers.
also will attend the opening perform
ance tomorrow, having a box ior the
event.
IN connection with this local inter
est at this time in light opera. the
following statistics Just received from
thc ~ LOUIS Snlilfncr season re-
port may prove especially interest
ing. The report shows a net profit
of &,334.5l after all expenses are
paid. The account reports. in part.
"a total income OF S3748817. OF
this amount $357,73025 was realized
from ticket sales for the II opera
productions and Sl7,097.92 from adj
vertising in the opera program, con-
cessions, membership fees and other
sources. The total expenses OF The
season were $I2.4230. The receipt
were $500 greater than in 1926, with
an increase in expenses OF $1,000