Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-12
NJ u SIG
BY HELEN EETTER.

lurned to America last November
month after the Metropolitan
had announced her engagement:
With the company.
May her star continue to ris,
and broaden its dazzling bril-
lance.
THE air is full of opera. From
i Boston there are lengthy and
glowing reports of the Chicago
Opera Co.'S productions. The
most unusual Is. as usual, con-
cerned with Mary Garden. This
time it is another of the so-called
naughty ladies of history whom
Miss Garden seems concerned III
reviving. Washington will sec ana
hear Jules MaSsenet's "Werthcr'
Tuesday. Boston saw Mary Gar
den. and hardened to the strains
of that composers "Sapho" last
week. According to that eminent
critic Philip Hale:
The question might be asked.
! Why did the management of the
Chicago company see fit to revive
The opera? The warmeSt admircr
of Massenet would not rank it
with his best works for the stage.
When the opera was pro-
duced in Paris. it was said by Z
prominent critic that "Saphn"
was not to be thought of eXccDt
with Emma Calve. 1t might be
said that "Sapho" now has little
excuse for existence except for
Miss Garden. Miss Garden
is always interesting. surprising,
exciting apparition on the oper-
attic stage. even when one may not
unreservedly accept her concep-
ton of a part"
LSO from that center of cul-
"A ture. Boston. comes an anec-
dote in editorial form. printed in
the Herald of that city. 1t would
seem quite appropriate to print it
here at this time:
"A Boston business man relates
that he asked his reticent barber
= few G~"s coo how business was
Pretty good replied the barber.
! and added that he was glad. as
/ next week was opera week and he
] he'd spent S32 for tickets.
! But wasn't that a good deal?'
| "'Oh, no; save some money b.
staying away from the movies.
save some money by staying awar
from the theater. I save UP $32
But why SO much as 1872? Bust
ness must be awful good for you.
We'll. there are four operas
which / must see
And at So an OPP
"'Ah. no. shall tell you. |
have three children. l must give
my children as good an education
as I can. That is four operas
for me and the children. I buy
seats at So apiece. II makes So
an opera
That Is one side of the situation.
The other side is that OF persons
who cannot educate themselves
up TO this form of entertainment.
They go once or twice, just as
they go to foot ball game or two.
because of the spectacle. the
crowd. the rush, the vogue. the
gossip. etc. The taste for grand
opera Is not natural 10 most
Americans. To Italians and 10
other members of nationalities on
which manv are too likely TO look
patron izingly opera Is almost a
necessity"
FINALLY, there are the other
l. American operas produced
elsewhere in this country recent
ly. Washington has perhaps
special reason for being interest
ed In the premiere of "Winona,"
an opera written and conducted
by Alberto Bimboni, recently at
tached TO the Washington Opera
Co.'S forces here He was con-
ductor OF all but one OF the per-
formances In the opera festival
of early December. 1927, Mr.. BIN
boni's own opera, based upon a
libretto using a Dakota legend.
was presented January n in the
Municipal Auditorium Of Min
neapolis, Mimi. before an au-
dience OF more than 1900 people.
The performance was sponsored
by the Minneapolis Central Com
mittee Of the American Legion
Auxiliary. The libretto was writ
ten by the secretary Of the Min
ncapolis Civic and Commerce As
ISOLATION, Perry s. Williams. The
themes Of many authentic Indian
melodies were used. To quote the
Minneapolis correspondent OF Mu~
steal America on the intrinsic mu~
..cai values Of this opera:
| Mr.. Bimbonis opera Is music
drama in the true sense. One
| feels this In the overture and con-
| iinues tn realize it more and more
! as the work progresses, The con-
gtruction lis definitely in the mod
crn idiom. but vocal melody and
rhythm are always supreme. The
orchestral score supports the vote:
parts and intensifles them. en-
/ abling the singers 10 present the
words and action effectively. The
| vocal passages are not easy to
sing. but present no serious dif!i~
culties 10 experienced performers
The music matches the i'm
pressiye and poetic words. This
is evident In frequent changes of
time. which exactly suit the ca j.
dence Of the lines. The orches"
I tration is rich. full and quite
modern"
Washington can lay even a
heavier claim on Mr.. Eimbon's
work for the Indian melodies, au~
thentic, are taken from phono~
graphic records and other orig
inai sources, mainly supplied by
Miss Frances Ucnsm0re Of Rai
Wing. MINI. Of the United States
Bureau of hnniogy, In Washing
-. .aala1a isna nDlInGioA ilis M aIa