The Washington times., 1928-04-13

When the Metroolitan takes to
the road, the local management
shoulders the countless little de-
tails that must be meticulously
carried out lest the feathers of
these high strung singers become
ruffIed.
IN washington 1t II Mrs. Wilson
Greene and her organization
which must smooth the path for
the coming Of the opera troupe.
For example, the great Chali.
apin, who sings Boris Godunon
on Thursday afternoon, requires
an extra large bed for there are
rs inches between his blonde Rus
sian forelock and the foot that
takes IS NO. 10 shoe And this
sleeping room of his suite must
be unneated. since he fears cold
like a plague.
Mr.. Sam Heller. the ham seller
from Richmond, Va, is a patron
Of the arts and Ii coming up
with q party for the operas and
he will bring along choice speci-
mems OF the Smithfield brand Tor
President Coolidge, Mrs. Greene
and the great Chaliapin. How Is
Mr.. Heller to know that the IA
vorite dish of his voice hero Is
kosher calf's liver and pickle
with a plate of sour rye bread
and that Chaliapin knows the
place in Washington where he can
get 1t. !
sfFt -. Is1., n4LnAr. 4vsaffS that
mark him as typically human. He
is a nut" on pictures and you
may be sure he will drop into the
f street film palaces before the
Net leaves the Capital.
He likes to hear his fellow
artists sing but he picks out
seat in the farthest reaches OF
the balcony in order that he may
revel In the music and escape
social adulation.
No, automobiles for the big Rus
sian. He scorns the hOrseless car
rage for shanks mare. Last year
he discovered that Hams Point
was convenient walking distance
and he liked the scenery along
the shores of the Potomac. There
the singer viii probably be found
some day next week. stepping
briskly along wrapped in thought
and needless of the danger Of
being caressed by careless auto
mobilist. Although the Chaliapin
income is more than $25O,OO0
year he has proven a hopeless
case for the automobile salesman.
He is instead what Broadway
calls a taxicab hound.
J.ucrezia Bori observes the
Spanish custom of always being
escorted. Her brother travels
with her and woe betide the ven
turesome male who would attempt
any but the strictest formalities
with the precious singer. He
guards her hotel suite doors when
Lifcrezia tries out the golden
voice in a few practice trills.
All the great singers wish to
see the President. This is an.
other delicate task that must he
formally arranged for most OF
the songbirds are foreigners and
the request to see the Chief Ex-
ecutive must come through the
embassies, in the red tape dtplo'
IIldLlC CIld1lI4SlS'
Rosa Ponselle likes a blue rug
on the floor of her dressing room
and there must be plenty of mir
rors. This little vanity is char
acteristic of most of the women
stars. 1t will take 70 extra mir.
rors judiciously distributed in
the Poll dressing rooms for these
primping decorations.
Flowers are as essential to the
opera artists as pianos. The
dressing rooms must be trimmed
with certain blooms and the flor
lists profit by this artistic demand
for natures handiwork.
One temperamental male artist
must needs gargle his diamond
studded throat after each appear
ance and with champagne. Uncle
Sam ruled last year he couldn't
have it by official permit, so it is
presumed he smuggles it in and
thus appeases the tickling gullet.
Society also must be considered.
1t turns sout en- masse for the
season and it likes to see and be