Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-14
M u S &c
BY HELEN FETTER.

the supreme interest of the
public of all nations in the human
voice goes on forever. No matter
how clever a device may be IL
Nented-the violin. the pianoforte,
the wind instruments in their
latest complicated form, etc.-Still
the one instrument that Nature
gave to human beings remains the
general first choice Of people for
their musical entertainment.
There is no large gathering of
people that does not find at least
one vocal soloiSt Or choral group
featured on the program. There
is no emotional thrill so great as
the sound of q multitude of hu-
man voices. Horror has been in
,Stantlv achieved, as in the days Of
the French Revolution, by the
mutterings of a great throng.
Spiritual beauty has spellbound a
great audience such as gathers in
the famous Hollywood Bowl in
California on Easter morn for the
,World-renowned sunrise services,
fby the singing of simple hymns
by every one present. Like every
thing else, singing to be most
reflective requires cooperation.
Last Sunday there was a great
and impressive gathering in the
beautiful Cathedral Close at the
first meeting of the Episco-
.pal Convention. A speaker had
Just finished and a hymn that is
familiar to every one, with a
beautiful, simple tune, was an
nounced. The writer was mentally
son tiptoeS, prepared to be swept
Unto enthusiasm by the music that
such throng would make singing
this hymn. The choir started and
"a few voices, half-huShed because
,of the great silence around them.
Etook up the melody. That was ALL
fThe pain of disappointment was
really acute. Here in the beautiful
gardens walled with hedges and
'canopied with the golden dome OF
a glorious Autumn sky an Ameri-
can audience, gathered from all
lover the country, stood almost
&otallv mute.
Walt Whitman said. "I hear
America Si~ring." Perhaps we all
will some day.
*
A N American singer who won
IA the opportunity to participate
tdn the national finals of a Fed
Feration of Music Clubs contest
s(which granted her a good sum
Df money and scholarship at a
Nine training school with operate
debut asSured) when singing in
Hhe National Capital, is about to
make that debut. The young
singer is Hilda Burke. She makes
her home in Baltimore, ana
Studied there under competent
steacherS It was in the Capital
Histrict finalS-in which students
Arom Maryland. Virginia and West
Virginia, as we'll as the District of
Columbia. were eligible-a year
ago last Spring, that Miss Burke |
twas heard in Washington and
awarded first place among the /
woman singers appearing in tiais !
competition At that time her /
lovely voice showed true operate
timber and intelligent training. |
and she also seemed possessed OF |
dramatic ability and poiSe. It is |
announced that she will make her
operate debut in the title role Of
Verdi's famous opera Aida" IN
lChicago. with the Chicago Opera
Co. this Fall.
THERE are many interesting bits
n of news in the official state
.Inent issued by Signor Gatti-
Casazza, general manager of the
metropolitan Opera Co., last week.
It was hardly surprise to any
one that Rosa PonSeAe, the re-
IInarkable American prima donna
of italian ancestry. again won the
honor of singing the leading role
of the opening production of the
season. 1t was very pleasant
surprise to find so unusual work
as Montemezzi'S 1.-The Love Of
Three Kings" chosen for the
opening bill instead of one of the
more hackneyed works. Also
pleasant anticipation was aroused
in the announcement that Miss
.Ponselle will sing the leading role
in a revival of "Ernani' later in
the season.
Considerable speculation and
slight touch of suspense were laid
Ito rest definitely by the announce
lment that Nine Maria JeritZa
has been given the honor of Gre
Lating the title role of Richard
Strauss' newest opera, The Egyp-
Itian Helen" for it's American
Jpremiere on election night. No
,Vember 6. It will be remembered
that Elizabeth Rethberg created
the first Interpretation on any
stage, in Dresden. and q Mmc.
IJeritZa sang it within few DAYS
Following, at Vienna, with Mr..
EStrauss conducting.
Nine. Rethberg. however, comes
IN for her own special honor by
being chosen to create the initial
Interpretation of another novelty,
''The Sunken Bell" written by the
italian modernist, Ottorino Res
pighi, later in the month.
Other novelties of the season
will be the much talked-abouc
Krenek work. johnny Spielt Auf, !"
and Pizetti's Fra Gherardi."
LucreZia Bori. another of the
beautiful prima donnas of the
company, will be given a special
opportunity in the title role of the
revival of "Manon,' by MaSsenct,
Senorita Bori will be one of the
two stars opening Mrs. Lawrence
ToWnsend'S musical morning pro-
Igrams at the Mayflower this sea-
son, and Miss Ponselle will sing in
the last Of the series and also sing
in the Wilson Greene Philhar-