Evening star., 1927-08-21


countries vacations also holt
say, but the indications arc that
:. where else arc they taken IN such
,tematic and serious vein as III the
{. s. \. They become a rite with
f,anv and as earnest and problematlc
necessity as Christmas presents
'crhapS the reason that TO the
=. mcrican Summer tourist abroad the
lropcans seem to be less inclined
= travel on their vacations Is due
II the fact that Europeans find IT
much more profitable to stay at
home when the "YankS arc coming
Nv tho hundred thousands to call on
them in vacation time. The English
pcople seem to take vacations rather
seriously. but elsewhere the people
Of the Continent seem to live each
,iav less Strenuously than we are in
clined to live over here, with their
rule Of two hours for lunch and. i'll
Paris "aperitif time" in London.
"tea time" in Berlin, "katfee klatch
time" and in Italy. a glass OF wine
and delicious pastry, to break the
strain between the luncheon hours
and a late dinner. 1t is quite differ
cnt for the American business man
or woman who ruShes into dairy
lunch and grabs ham handwich. a
glass OF milk Cor cup OF Coffee and
a piece OF apple pie. within half an
hour and then is back "on the job
till 5 or o'clock.
With the musical artists the prob
lem OF vacations is handled i'll varied
ways. depending largely upon the
peculiar talent of the individual, the
possible demand for his or her serv-
ices in Summer festivals. and the
personal inclinations of the artist
OF course, vacatio, the old Latin
original of vacation. means essentially
leisure" opportunity to be COM
plctely free from duty, service and,
in straight American Interpretation,
freedom. How many. though, are
slaves to their vacations:
If the famous artist is a singer,
and not old enough to have to cod
die his or her voice. he will doubt
less spend much of the Summer
months in just the same occupation
at which he works in the Winter
time. A different locality, fresh and
congenial interests in companions,
and usually a delightful informality
about the opera performances or
out-of-door concerts give variety to
even his usual job. The artist may
be a member OF a fine chamber
music group or symphony or
cheStra; again. the alleviating con-
dltions bring vacation atmosphere
without actual difference in what
the musician is doing to earn his
bread and butter i'll the Summer
time.
The types of musical artists most
in demand for Summer work are
easy to find by coming the "vaca-
tion snapshot page of any leading
musical weekly, or the rotogravure
sections OF many newspapers. The
violinlsts and pianists are more likely
to be found really vacationing, ap-
pearing in knickers and hob-nailed
boots on walking tours in the Alps;
draped around the ruins of Greece,
or angling after trout in swift
American mountain streams. The
prima donnas, tenors and baritones
and the operate and orchestral con-
ductors are shown in gay groups
gathered about outdoor restaurant
tables abroad or with beautiful
American openair park scenery be-
hind them.
In the towns and cities most of
the music studios are closed and
teachers are visiting with friends,
taking special Summer courses, or
holding master classes" in their
favorite Summer retreats. The STU
dents let their music practice slide
ss they play tennis. canoe or other
wise to go vacationing.
And. in the final analysis, unless
the music critic wishes to enjoy or
is commissioned to attend the music
festivals, he. in turn, is likely to get
keen pleasure from having many
blank afternoons and evenings to
himself to read the books for which
he never has time when he has to
trot from one musical event" to an
other, and do other things that he
likes to do and for which he has no
time in the season" Only another
]luSlS SIltlC Can realize Wndt grind
ing hard work the job can be that
includes attending at least 50 really
flnc programs. another so profes-
sional but not particularly inspiring
concerts and opera performances,
third 50 afternoons and evenings
sacrificed to worse than Indifferent
performances which cannot be for
gotten until they have been given
tactful notice in print.
\ x
one vacationist, singer, who paid
~ dearly for the pleasure of a SIM
pie Summer home in the country. is
the deeply mourned Mrs Wayne B.
Wheeler, than whom there was no
greater enthusiast and ardent worker
for progressive cndcavors in local
music circles. Mrs. Wheeler for
years was active i'll local programs,
singing and directing and always