Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-18
NJ U S l c.
BY HELEN FETTER.

been but a shadow Of the domi-
mating individual who won respect
with her regal personality. Even
so, her quiet passing the very end
of March this year was a surprise
to most of the people Of the viii
lage of Bayreuth.
Siegfried, her son, whose birth
inspired the famous "Siegfried
Idyll," was in Milan and could
not get home in time to be at her
bedside. Her three daughters,
however, were all with her.
Cosima Wagner was 90 years
old. White-haired and fragile,
this daughter of List and second
wife of Wagner dominated the
scene at many festivals. Her
vivid personality was recognized
by friend and foe, and where she
did not win friendship, she at
least secured respectful admission
Of her power.
AN unusually ambitious event
attempted by school children
of Washington was the presenta-
ton last Monday night of the
cantata, I'm Music's Praise" This
work, written by the American
conductor, Henry Hadley, is diff
f1cult, but full of beauty. The in
telligent reading given it by these
high school children was, there
fore, especially admirable and re-
f1ected credit upon their training
and also the cooperation between
leaders and children to give such
an ambitious production.
Another particularly admirable
feature was the singing of the
solos by selected school children
instead of adults. Also a chorus
of picked voices from all the
schools gave fine reading of
the women's ensemble number,
Sculpture, With Sad, Far-gazing
Eyes"
Both orchestra and band gave
good rendition Of short numbers
preceding and following the can
tata.
Such programs develop the ini-
tiative and broaden the scope for
young musicians. It would be
nice If arrangements might be
made for the local schools to give
such a program before some Of
the visiting groups of high school
children from other cities who al
ways flock to Washington in the
Spring in large numbers to Sight
see" the Capital Of their Nation.
WASHINGTON1ANS may be in
w terested to learn that Peggy
Albion, who was certainly respon-
sible for a large part Of the in
spiration and enthusiasm that
kept the Washington Opera Co.
going for several seasons, is filling
the role Of magazine editor. The
Albions are living in Asheville,
N. c., at the present time. Mr..
Albion Is doing considerable con-
certizing and Mrs. Albion edits o
little magazine called Around the
Town" In 1t one finds one of the
bedtime stories for which Peggy
Albion became widely noted on
the radio In Washington, as well
as timely, newsy topics.
FURTHER evidence that Marion
Talley has given up an oper-
attic career definitely comes with
the news of the sale of the fur
nishings Of her New York apart
ment, where she lived as a prima
donna. Everything from the dain-
ty French powder table which she
used in her dressing room at the
Metropolitan to the signed grand
piano from her living room was
included In the sale. It is said
that her youthful handwriting
gave the date October 26, 1925,
the year of her debut, in the piano
signature. In addition to q beau
tiful bedroom suite Of Louis
Quinze style were old Persian
rugs and Georgian silver, antique
diamond jewelry, and, most sig
niflcant of all, miniatures Of IA
nous composers and books Of the
great operas, which, apparently,
the opera star turned farmerette
did not care to keep, even as me-
mentos.