Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-28
W YTTH strange rumors drift
M ing about town that
v v Constitution Hall may


demands of stage hands for a
fabulous crew to move piano on
and of stage, and various an
rouncements from day to day con-
corning artists likely to appear
here, the musical season "creeps
on apace," with something that
begins to look like excitement.
Foremost among this weeks
visitors was the new and ener-
petic director of the
German Opera Co, J. ]. Vincent.
who came to tell about this sturdy
organization plans for the Win
ter - correlated especially to
Washington. 1t seems that this
city is to be honored on January 5
by the company'S initial operate
vehicle of the year, but that, con-
trary to last years engagement,
it will be with us for but two
brief performances. incidentally,
Mrs. Wilson-Greene has tucked
this interesting company under
her managerial wing, and will
present it among her lengthy list
of important attractions.
When questioned concerning
the possibility of Washington be-
ing allowed to hear "Tief1and," the
opera which is said to be the IA
vorite of every small company
throughout Germany. Mr.. Vincent
puckered his brow and said
MAYBE" More likely is it that
when the curtain goes up on the
first production at the National
since Polls should be dust and
ashes by then-the opera will be
"Gotterdammerung," followed
possibly by "Valkerie," or maynap
a "Tristram." At any rate, the
possibility of "Tiefland" coming
to town, contrary to general eX-
pectation, seems to be rare, and
patrons may have to fly to New
York to hear this NOVELETTE, Ii
bretto reads more like modern
drama-and provocative operas
introduction in 1.-The States"
WHAT Mr. Vincent has to offer
w in the way of innovations
with the German Opera Co. is
considerable He has lured
band of Germany'S noted singers
to this country for the first time
by what seems like energetic and
courageous means. He says: For
six weeks I was in a different
town every night-this was in
Germany-attending opera per-
fornanceS and on the lookout
for new voices and new personal
tiles. When heard remarkable
voice I went back Stage-brought
out my contract blank-and us
ually along about o'clock in the
morning, over light meal, the
thing was signed"
It is interesting to hear of
some one wandering through the
Germanic hinterland in quest of
talent, for it is no secret that
every small town has its local
opera company. 1t also is no Sc
cret that many operate imDre-
sarios over here sign their sing
ers on the dotted line for their
name value alone. Since Mr.. Vim
cent argued with himself that
what this country needed was
new talent without benefit of
name, he accomplished what
should be a rare and goodly deed.
To hear him talk of the hun
dreds of operas he saw and the
thousands of beautiful voices that
he heard seems as though there
might be something of musical
millennium in Germany. Imagine
being able to spend six weeks 1t
orally foraging through opera
houses along the Rhine, up into
the hills, in the larger towns and
finally in Berlin. Imagine also
taking a trip up the Hudson or
the Mississippi and stopping of
for opera festivals on the way!
Imagine finding more than half
a dozen opera companies in this
entire country - anyway! But
then, it is to the fulfllment of
such dream that Mr.. Vincent
and other leading directors plan
to bend their energy. AS he says,
What this country needs is op-
era among the people and the cul-
ture that can be had by having a
local opera company in every
city"
CHEF among the new addi-
tons to the German company
is DR.. Max Won Schillings, one of
Germany's really important must
cal figures. DR.. Won SchillingS,
who has been engaged as princi-
pal conductor for this years tour,
was formerly general musical di-
recto~ of the famous Berlin Stats
opcr, end he has been re-engaged
performances there this Autumn
and Winter Besides having won
distinction through the efficacy of
his baton, DR.. Won Schillings is
known on this side of the ocean
especially as the composer of
Mona Lisa" an opera produced
by the Metropolitan in 1928.
Another new musical personal
ity, about whom Mr. Vincent
seems greatly excited, is Marie
Won Essen. Mr. Vincent found her
in small German town reaping
great triumphs on particular
night, singing Gotterdammer-
ung." So delighted was he-aS he
says-not only with her voice, but
with her general stage bearing
and perSonality-that he betook
himself backstage with his little
contract blank and started in on
his best German, feyeriShly hop
ing that she would listen to his
pleadings. He had gotten just
about as far as 'Wollen sie?" when
the young singer turned to him
and, in words something akin to
''be yourself" told the aStoniShed
manager that she-Marie Won
Essen-Was really Marie Kent