The Washington times., 1928-11-14

American Opera TO Be Welcomed
On Forthcoming Engagement
Notables in Small Group
of Sponsors; Memories
of. Last Years Glorious
"Faust" Revived

~
"Faust" Revived
The American Opera Com
pany, which made its "offi-
cial'' debut in Washington
last winter, with the Presi.
dent and Mrs. Coolidge in
the audience, win come to
us again next week.
This ism t news, perhaps,
as it has been formally an
aouneed by music editors
and on dramatic pages. But
it's exciting, nevertheless, to
those of us. who went to
hear the company 8 spresen-
tation of Faust" last year,
expecting to be rather bored
by opera in Engl1sh-and re-
NAMED to be thrilled by the
most finished and stimulat-
ing Of music drama.
Now on It's Own
Mrs Joseph Letter was un-
nff;rial irnnresario for last
wears Washington season.
having become enthusiastically
sssold's on the American Opera
Company through its perform
ar1ces on the North Shore the
summer before. She had lined
up her friends to sponsor It's
initial appearance in the Capital
and the first-night audience was
brilliant and enthusiastic.
This time the American Opera
comes entirely on its own. But
few who heard the company last
season will want to miss hear
ing it again, for it makes a
contribution to music on original
and stirring lines.
Sponsors
sronsors for the brief season
an Monday. Tuesday and Wed1les-
day evenings are rapidly material
ling out Of thin air, among them
the Ambassador of Great Britain
and Lady Isabella Howard, the
Minister Of Canada and Mrs; Vim
cent Massey, Mrs. Eugene Never,
Miller
Mrs. Walter Bruce Howe, Mrs.
James E. Curtis and Major w. Il.
s. Aston and Henry L. dA.
Hopkinson. Of the British Embassy
staff.
Several Of the group, including
Mrs. Howe and Mrs. Curtis, are
discussing box parties for one
performance or another, and Mrs.
Miller has engaged a box for the
first night. when Carmen" will
be presented. Flotow's tuneful
Martha" is TO be the bill on
Tuesday evening, and on Wednes-
day, in response TO insfstent de-
Enand, Faust will be given. - s
To give an added fillip of inter.
est the American Opera is to
make its appearance at Keith's
Theater-the first time this quon-
dam temple OF vaudeville has been
used for such a purpose. It's
handsome and commodious house
and designed to make an effective
background tor a jewel-decked
epera audience.
Ideas and Ideals
Moreover. the American Opera
e1a lac
dous appeal through the ideals
back of its organization Al group
Of young singers, banded together
under the inspired direction of
Vladimir Rosing, its basic idea is
to give Americans opera sung for
their understanding in, English
and at prices within the reach of
the average purse, as we'll as to
provide an opportunity of express
sion for American singers.
Mr.. Rosing, an American by
adoption, fathered the idea and
brought to it's development the
splendid artistic background of
the Old World. The group trained
together for several years at the
Eastman Music School at Roches-
ter, with the backing of that
great experimenter George East
n1ans-and 1t was intensive train
ing in every phase Of opera de-
velopnent- They had a prelirn-
mary season in New York when
press and public acclaimed the
company enthusiastically. And
after their official debut here last
season. came eight weeks in.
New York and appearances in
Boston and Chicago. ..
The result of all this is a series
Of performances which for the
perfection of team work, verve
and dramatic quality can be
equalled by no opera group and
can be compared only to such
groups as the Moscow art Thea.
ter in the dramatic field. These
young Americans certainly. b eathe
the breath of life Into she dead
bones OF classic opera without
sacrificing the beauty Of the
music which is. after all, it's ex.
GUS. for being.
An Engaging Devil
The company is now on tour.
but its assistant director, George
Huston. is in Washington Drepar-
Ing the way for its appearance
here next week. Halt of feminine
Washington "fell in love with
the devil after seeing Mr.. Hus-
ton in the role OF Mephisto in
Faust" last wiater-a gorgeous,
epectaular, graceful devil. And
many OF those who saw and heard
his performance are now enjoying
meeting this enRs ging devil in
proper person. He was among
the guests st the weekly lunch
con of the Women's National
Press Club yesterday ana tod the
company something of the APP
peal the American Opera Com.