Evening star., 1928-01-01

creased meCn2nitai uSNtSSs, nds
heard more music-or had the pos.
sibili,y OF spreading musical pro.
grams over wider territory-thar
ever previously possible in the his.
tory oi this globe. according. a,
least. 10 what the present inhabi.
,ants think they know about such
things.
As the music season. interpreted
according to traditional standards
is supposed TO start in the Fall and
end with the warm days OF Spring
the first OF January is hardly the
time TO make a formal stocktaking
However, since the last few Sum
mers have shown real wear on the
wstery pathway from the United
States to European countries with
increasing travellers demands for
music festival tickets. the music sea
son is becoming an all-year-round
affair. At any rate. with week OF
the soft harmonic strains OF Christ
mas carols ringing in the ears as an
interlude between the Fall season
of 1927 and the braud-ncw Winter
season of 1928. it would seem logical
10 pause a moment aud touch the
outstanding memory chords Of what
so lately passed and try the A
string at least for what the real Win
ter months and early Spring hold tor
Washington musically.
&& &x&
TT is certainly the coloriul art OF
i opera that has held first place
on the musical boards this Fall'
There have been a few very lovely
chamber music programs, especially
those given under the auspices OF
the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge
Foundation at the Library OF Con-
grcss. There haye been a couple
of interesting orchestra programs
nv the Philadelphia Symphony Or
chestra under Mr.. Reiner. A few
singers have come and gone in re-
ci,als. Edward Johnsou's singing OF
Ivor Novelties Pages Road Song
and Emilio de Gogorza's presentation
of the early Gentry and Spanish folk
song. ring beautifully i'll the mem
orv. Also there were others. But
II is opera that has swished full and
almost overturned skirts back and
forth in Washington theaters all
Fall.
1t began with that delicious 200
vear-old work of John Gays The
Beggar's Opera" and got second
start on the scarcely year-oid work
OF the American. Deems Taylor,
sThe Kings Henchman."
Then the Washington Opera Co,
Edouard !Albion's always ambitious
organization. took up the task. The
French government gave its Coop
Grafton. sending tenor from the
Partisan opera houses for appear
ance in three French operas put on
bv the local company. Washington
music lovers responded TO the week
of opera very we'll. even though IT
encroached upon the toes of Christ
mas shopping and the usual social
gatherings that the opening OF Con-
gress always brings about.
Then the operate dame became
the guest of the American Opera
Co. who undertook 10 keep the ex-
pensive lady in audiences for three
performances the following week.
These performances were unusually
interesting. being an assertion OF the
real American spirit in adapting the
stage effects and dramatic values, as
well as the excellent English trans
ls.ions of the opera texts. More
over. all the singers. principals and
chorus alike. were young Americans.
and in many cases making their ini-
tiai bows in operate experience.
They were obviously under thorough
training. with detailed rehearsals
that nade for effective perform
ances. There was stimulating
quality about the entire productions
that augers well for real advance
along a line that has frequently been
attempted in a half-baked. un-
financed fashion that was harmful
rather than helpful to the cause.
That there is cause. and worthy
one. to be served by such attempts
as the American Opera Co. is max
ing for opera i'm English and enter
tanning productions. is undeniab|e.
NOV the new year is opening
~ with an orchestral program un-
der the brilliant Dutch conductor.
Willem Menselberg. when the New
York Philharmonic Orchestra makes
its local bow Of the season Tue sday.
Then On two later dates. January
81 and March &. the orchestra will
be here under the baton of the great
Italian. Arturo ToscSnini. as guest
conductor.
II is the @orchea manager. T.
Arthur Smith. who is presenting the
Philharmonic again this year. He
also viii present the noted British
conductor. Sir Thomas Reecham
iwho has his own IDEAS about really
national British opera ior his home
lsndJ as guest conductor OF the Phil
sdeiph,s Symphony Orchestra Janu-
sry a. Later in the season the or
rhestrz from the city of the Curtis
institute ol Music and three opera
companies @ili be heard twice under
the guidance Of the French guest
conductor. Pierre Moniepx-~one-t time
conductor oi the Boston Symphony
t1ffhf3sf%s
Hr. Smith. il will be recalled by
many "a no thoroughly enjoyed them.
ezve four weeks OF light operas with
remarkable fresh. young and well
trained chorus and energetic. gifted
young American principals. in No
s~nlber Moreover. the requests for
such performance have so IN
crezsed ~ number that Mr. Smith
announces here thzt he will resume
his hgbl opefs season yery shortly ~~
the dale 10 he announced btiie
later.
GILL another type ot musical pro
~ gram that has opened this SEA
500 under most auspsiOus Cpiidi
tions and ~ prosin9 even more pop
& T.. r.