Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-16

FEKA IS dCnleNllS lH1lCdSCu
prominence and multiple
- United States. 1t is usual
in Europe for every little town to
have its opera company however
provincial. and even more than one
In this country. however, until com
paratively recently there have been
the two big opera companies-the
Metropolitan in New York and the
Chicago Civic Opera Co. in the
Windy City. The San Carlo touring
opera company. now also operating
in New York City, was one Of the
most practical factors in developing
interest IN organizing opera com
panies elsewhere throughout the
country. Walter Damrosch also has
done a great deal to interest people
generally IN opera with his explana-
tory recitals Many cities now have
opera companies both Winter and
Summer seasons. San Francisco
Cincinnati, the Rsvinia Park adjunct
to Chicagos operatice resources. ST
Louis, all are especially active
Philadelphia has three groups at
tempting operate productions, and
there are others
The very newest opera project to
be announced in New York City is
the new American group known as
the Intimate Opera Co. which has
enlisted the active support of Otto
Kahn, hnancier and opera patron
extraordinary This Intimate Opera
Co. has announced as its initial pro
duction revival of Mozart's La
Finta," to be given during the cur
rent month. Other productions
listed for later presentation are
b Gluck's "Orpheus" and new Ameri-
can opera by Eugene Bonner, based
upon Elinor Wylie's novel. The
Venetian Glass Nephew" The group
of singers state that plans are for
mulated for a nation wide tour with
these three operas as soon as the
New York season is completed. The
conductor of this company is Mack
lin Marrow. On the advisory board
are Deems Taylor. Edna ST. Vincent
Millay, Brian Hooker and Helen
Freeman.
IN Washington, too, there are new
operate endeavors. Again this
week Puccini will be represented by
the presentation of one of his works
probably the most popular of all.
Madame Butterfly" This is large
iy an American opera. despite its
Italian composer. The book, telling
of the tragic love of little Japanese
for an American naval officer, was
written by John Luther Long. and
the drama was made from it by
David Belasco. The theme of The
Star Spangled Banner" is closely
interviewer with the Oriental melo-
dies of the score Also this opera
was given its American premiere in
Washington, D. G., in October, 1906.
just little over a score OF years
ago.
This time, when Madame Butter
hy" is sung Friday night. the title
role, which has proved vehicle for
bringing added laurels to such sing
ers as Elizabeth Rethberg. Ger
:. aldine Farrar and Frances Aida. will
be sung by the Greek prima donna
from the Metropolitan Opera Co.
Tha1ia Sabanieva.
The production will be directed by
Jacques Samossoud. Russian con
ductor, and will introduce profes-
sionally to Washingtoniaus local
singers who have been studying OPP
cratic training in the Estelle Went
worth Studios here. Two American
singers will appear, most appropri-
ately in leading American roles in
the opera, the story of which is
well known.
WHILE. in Washington. through
w the medium of several diverse
channels, local singers are acquiring
more or less opportunities to get
that valuable equipment known as
operate training. at the same time
Washington soprano has been
winning splendid laurels with her
work in many operate roles abroad
This singer is Emma Redell. who al
though she was born in Baltimore
grew up" in Washington. went to
school here at Business High School
and has a brother Morris Redell in
the Treasury Department at the
present time. The family home is at
800 NJ street northwest Last Sum
mer when Miss RedeN came home for
the first time in several wears for a
visit she found many changes during
the time she was abroad including
the death of both parents. Mr. and
Mrs. S. Redell. Yet she has forged
ahead in what is generally conceded
to be a rocky and relentless career
that of an opera singer.
Miss Redell's latest triumph was