Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-10
- NTICING folders glowingly
4 describing rare opportu-
mites to visit the Old World
- ShrinpS and attend Music

S1l1 1llCo dll0 dtOCAi0 AAhoAN
festivals and operas" in Europe al
ready are weighing down the daily
mail. Coupled with the first hint:
OF Springlike weather noted the
middle of last week, they empha-
size the individuals WEAKNESS Of
the rather artificial routine of the
Winter season and invite one tC
dwell longingly on thoughts OF
vagabondage and it's delights
Even the Wagnerian performances
in Washington last week increased
this longing. They were good pro-
auctions of the famous cycle anc
of Wagner's master opera, but 70
any one who has once tasted the
festival-tinged productions, en-
circled as they are by holiday
spirit, intriguing refreshments
and mentally fresh audienceS-as
well as presenting star Interpreters
the German Opera Co.'s per-
formanceS brought on a prema-
ture sensation of "feStSpiel" long
ing. Not but what it is an eX-
cellent idea to establish this COM
pany permanently in this country
as Mr.. Hurok announced was the
case. Quite the contrary. After
all, everybody cannot get across
the big pond" even once to seek
the Ring" on native soil. How
ever, to those who can the Ger
man Grand Opera Co.'s perform
anceS will prove an incentive
rather than a sedative, to make
their plans the Speedier.
WITH the first week in February
w WaShingtonians found the
passing of morning musical events
for the season 1889. Mrs. Town
sends series had their finale in
the usual blaze of Splendor that
accompanies this last program,
which for several seasons now has
featured the beautiful and gifted
Rosa PonSelle. Already become a
firm institution in Washington So
ciety calendars, this series seems
to have won an even more con-
slant, large attendance than in
previous seasons. Everybody who
Is anybody" attends. Even the
real music lovers are found in
large numbers at these programs,
for always the artists are of the
greatest and the programs can be
depended upon to be muSicianly
as compiled ~ SO fine musician
as Mrs. Townsend.
Another morning. series of three
programs was sponsored by the
Misses Sutro. This series is COM
mendable in that it features the
works OF living American COM
poSers. The ultimate aim is to
establish salon where Americans
talented in the artS-compoSerS
painters, SculptorS and authors
will have recognition and oppor-
tunity to meet those who have
wealth and sincere interest in de-
velopment Of arts in this country.
The history of all art is, after all,
the history of progressive patron
age-a patronage that is increaS-
ingly discriminating, intelligent
and generous. Surely the kalei-
doScopic, brilliant throng of world
famous notableS who Winter in
the National Capital every year
includes many who would like sin
cerely to meet the BeethovenS,
Raphaels, Pisanos and Shake
SpeareS Of Americas future. Else
where in this country are eStab-
lished several excellent schools for
preparing students to become
artists. In New York is the great
market for professional engage
mentS of productive artists. In
Washington should be the logical
center for the meeting of creative
artists where, as in the capitals of
all other countries, they may find
inspiration and appreciation of
practical values.
THE originator of the musical
mornings" idea in America,
Mr.. Bagby, who is perhaps as
established a personality in pres
ent-day New York as Samuel
Pepys was established in the Lon
don of his time, held the 332d Of
his mornings" at the Waldorf
Astoria recently. It is said that
this was the final program to be
given there. Just where Mr.
Bagby will move his fashionable
programs for next season is not
yet announced.
ing gentleman has presented this
type Of programs, always giving
the finest artists. Indeed, it is his
events which inspired Mrs. Town
sends similar mornings" fo1
Washington several seasons ago
as she herself is the first to ac-
knowledge. Mr.. Bagby, who was
pupil of List, is discriminating
connoiSSeur. 1t is significant that
1900 people are said to be faith
full to the Bagby concerts on eight
Monday mornings of every season
and there is rarely vacant seat.
It is the hallmark of fashionable
matron and debutante in even
this day of commercialiZed pub
licity for the elastic 400" to at
tend Mr.. .Bagby's affairs. They
are older than the hotel from
which they are about to be with
drawn and Mr.. Bagby has done ar
educational service 70 a section Of
American society through these
programs.
While there are many who love
music who prefer to hear it in the
soft lamp-lighted reStfulnesS o.
drawing rooms or in the acousti-
cally admirable concert hall IL
late afternoon or evening, it il
apparent that this morning type
of musical event has its niche il
the scheme of things, socially a
least, and has come to stay.
x X X X
ONE of the younger group o
American composers, mod
ERNST. comes To WASHINGTON Fri