Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-26
PRISON N. RUSSIAN
SINGERS ROMANCE
Experience Told by KaroIik,
Who Reached Success
Over Thorny Path.

Few people of the stage have had
the dramatic training which has fall
en- to Maxim Karolik Of 2145 Decatur
place, who in 1919 escaped from a Rus
sian prison in manner as dramatic
as has ever been presented In the
"make-believe'' world Of the theater.
Mr.. Karolik, well known to Washing
tonians as concert singer and the pos
SCISSOR of q fine tenor voice, aroused the
interest Of American society circles two
years ago by his marriage In France to
Miss Martha Goldman, who, though for
meTly Of Boston, has made her home
for 20 years or more in washington,
her beautiful home on Decatur place
being considered one of the finest resi-
dences IN the city.
At the time the Russian revolution
first broke forth In 1917, Karolik was
q member of the Musical Drama of
Petrograd, which under the direction
and management of q famous Russian
musician and dramatic artist, Lapitzky,
had introduced q new thought in the
accepted ideas Of opera throughout the
world. The Musical Drama not only
stressed the beauty Of the opera music
which It presented, but also the dra-
matte side Of the opera. It was neceS-
sary TO be an actor as well as to
-oSseSs voice.
Theaters Were Packed.
Despite the upheaval In the life Of
Russia, starting with the nations en-
trance into the World War and contin-
uing throughout the terrible dawn of
the revolution, the theaters throughout
the leading cities of the country were
packed to capacity by people from all
walks of life, Mr.. Karolik said.
That. perhaps, is the psychology Of
the people. The more they suffered,
the more. they wished to escape from
LIES realities and thus patronized the
theaters. Then, again, the Russian
people have q different. outlook regard
ing the theater from the people of this
country. In Russia the theater Is a
cathedral fof arts The people do not go
TO the theater merely to pass the time,
but to get something out Of It."
In 1919, when returning from the
theater. Karolik was arrested, for ap-
parently no reason at all, and thrown
into jail. EVERY one was being ar.
rested then" he remarked.
None Knew Why.
I'm fact, the jails were filled with all
nds Of people. Some of the best peo-
Hle of the city were in jail with me,
and no one knew why he was there
A few days after I had been arrested I
noticed the face of the guard walking
eetore my cen was familiar to me, and
recognized him as former member
Of the chorus Of my theater. I tapped
ct the window and attracted his atten-
ton. He came over and, seeing me
asked in establishment why was there
I do not know replied. I wish
you would md out for me- He left, and
soon after returned with papers au-
thorizing my release. How he got these
papers do not know. ! did not waste
time in asking, either, but left that
night for my home in BesSarabia. 1t
was Q dimculty journey, but I finally
reached there and have never returned
to Russia"
Mr.. Karolik. who was graduated from
the Petrograd Conservatory OF Music
and later from the PetrogrAd Dramatic
School, has sung in practically every
mately many Of the leading musicians
Of his native land.
Jazz Fascinating as Rhythm.
Asked the usual question. what do
you think of American jazz" the reply
was rather tinusual.sgg !. s4s-
ITO me jazz Is fascinating as
rhythm" he replied, but as an art 1t
is nothing. But perhaps. If it fell in the
hands of a genius it might develop into
an art. It has its merits. Now, the
Negro spirituals are different. They
stand alone and have a real artistic
value"
The Russian tenor is not an admirer
Of grand opera, as opera is usually pre-
sented. II think grand opera is an in
suit to human intelligence, - he said. ut
Is too artificial as It is produced now
adays Everything is relegated to the
background for the sake of the voice.
Dramatic ability is not essential. If the.
voice Is f1z1e. ! think opera should offer
vocal and dramatic talent combined
That Is what the Musical Drama Of Pet
rograd strived to do"
Mr.. Karolik came from q musical
family, his five brothers and two sis
tiers all possessing fine voices. AS a
child he sang alto, but as he matured
his voice deyelcped into tenor.
Frowns ON Early Training.
Mr. Karolfk does not believe in early
voice training Il do not think any
one should commence training the voice
until 10 or 20 years of age" he said.
zone may develop instrumental genius
at an early age; but the human voice
Is different IN that 1t can only become
perfect with maturity"
Mr.. Karolik, who now is naturalized
American citizen, deplores the fact that
the Nations Capital possesses no opera
house.
why, the smallest countries in the
world all have opera houses in their
capitals" he said. IT do hope" he con-
cluded. that in the plans which Secre-
tary Mellon has made for further beau
tifying Washington, he has included an
opera house. There should be an opera
house In Washington, OF finest beauty,
even though It., were empty half the
time"