Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-04
Sound Pictures Interest Italians
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

No one ever has figured out precisely
why 1t Is that grand opera has always
fourished more luxuriantly in Italy
than anywhere else. The climate has
been cited as cause, the brilliant sun
shine being credited with keeping the
people so intensely happy that they
burst into song at the slightest provo
cation: OF course, after o Sole MILO sets
and darkness descends the indiScrim-
mate use of daggers is a popular sport.
Perhaps the overdose Of sunshine dur
ing the daylight hours has the effect
OF concentrating operation of the darker
passions during the hours Of the night.
Whatever the cause, the fact remains
that the italian will sing-and prefer
ably opera. So 1t is with considerable
interest that the Bureau OF Foreign and
Domestic Commerce at Washington
learns that there is a scheme afoot to
make sound motion picture operas in
Italy. The development, 1t would seem,
was inevitable.
Italy first heard sound pictures in
April of this year. April is decidedly
a Spring month in Milan, where the
initial presentation of a sound. picture
american, by the way was made.
Those who heard 1t were Immediately
captiyated. the bureau here is advised
But italian national pride was reused
In a curious fashion.
Italy has for years enjoyed motion
pictures. Indeed, that country has sent
us not q few splendid screen actors, of
whom the greatest was the late Ru-
dolph Valentino. Italians, however,
seemed to remain content with Amer
lean Aims, and only the most half
hearted efforts ever were made to pro-
duce films in the ancient Roman state.
Such efforts as were made were fail
ures.
Italy Is Home Of Opera.
But the advent of the sound pic
lures stirred deep feelings. The visual
picture was all very we'll as a product
of America. or any other foreign coun-
try. Indeed, La Scala, the most famous
opera house in the world. lent its stage
to the presentation of films. although
for generations 1t had refused the priv
ilege to legitimate stage plays. Every
opera OF any Importance ever written
has been presented at La Scala, and
the career Of no opera singer Is capped
until an appearance on the stage Of La
Scala Is arranged. 1t was a triumph.
indeed, for American Aims to be given
the La Scala presentation.
But when 1t comes to sound pictures,
pictures In which the actors sing audi
bly, from the silver screen, the Italian
realm Is being unparoonapiy INVADED.
Sound. especially in musical form. Is
the peculiar prerogative OF Italians.
Why, the very first operas ever written
were composed by Italians. who turned
them out by the hundreds! Further
more. all subsequent operas have fol-
lowed, to greater or less extent, the
model first laid down for the operate
form by italians. No great composer
ever was ltally successful, the Romans
claim. no matter where he hailed from.
until he spent a few years in Italy TO
get the proper operate germ on its ma
tive heath.
Italy's chief export has always been
grand opera. OF course. when Italy
was Rome it exported lesinns to con-
oier the world, but now that those Gays
have mast long since, the European boot
is most notably represented in other
Occidental lands by operas. opera sing-
ers and organ grinders. Did any ore