Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-05

indicate a brisk revival these
post-holidays of musical interest
here. Doubtless tomorrow night
will find an especially brilliant
audience assembled to honor the
opening of the second American
tour of the German Grand Opera
Co. in Washington. die Wal
kuere" always is popular, melo-
dious and pleasingly spectacular
opera. Later in the week come
Tristan und Isolde" and the
Mozart opera, Don Juan" which
is much less familiar here. AS
the form of the title suggests, the
Mozart work will be sung in Ger
man, instead of the Italian YER
sion, Don Giovanni"
These last two operas are per-
haps rivals for the honor of be-
ing the greatest operate works
ever written. There are not few
authorities who contend that
Wagner's Tristan" is even the
greatest music ever written.
There also are many who enthuS-
iastically acclaim the Mozart OPP
era as the finest work Of operate
caliber. However that may be,
WashingtonianS are indeed for
tunate to have both these works
presented here as an auspicious
opening of the music season for
1880. The fourth and final of the
company'S current productions
here will be Wagner's rarely
heard Flying Dutchman," which
will be given next week.
-
THE art of the California girl,
Isadora Duncan, as it has
bloomed in Moscow, Russia, under
her guidance and, since her
death, under the supervision of
one of her finest opponents, Irma
Duncan, will be shown here in
three programs this week. All
three programs will give balanced
presentations Of both the classic
dance, with the pure Greek pos
lures and ideas expressed chiefly
with music by Chopin and Schu-
bert for Interpretation, and the
development of these same ideas
under the dramatic influence of
the Russian temperament. It is
undoubtedly the Russian I'm
PAOoOAOA1o OI1dU JIlC
standing feature of these pro-
grams. .
The writer saw one of these
programs performed in Newark,
N. j., last Spring. There seemed
to be good cause for the enthuSi-
asm with which New York audi
ences had received this group of
young girls from Russia. They
make beautiful group pictures
with no apparent effort. They
are charming to look at, and also
show definite inner response to
the mood and call Of the music,
as well as external skill in techni-
calities, such as line and rhythm.
They have the teamwork quality
Of drilled ballet, yet they also
possess definite individuality in
every case. Moreover, they have
that invaluable asset, youth,
which gives bubbling vivacity to
every gesture.
= ~
TT is q rather attractive coinci-
dence that brings Richard
Strauss tone poem on the sub
Ject OF the Spanish rascal, Don
Juan, to washington Tuesday,
when Mozart's opera on that
same subject Is to be sung here
Friday night. It should be inter-
eSting for music lovers to make
comparisons for themselves as to
preferences in Interpretation and
possible similaritieS in the treat
ment of the same theme.
Don Juan has been a subject
that intrigued many pens, must
cal and otherwise. Gluck wrote
one OF the most delightful balletS
on this subject, a theme which,
with the f1ckle quality of its hero.
lends itself faScinatingly to the
artiflcialities of the classic ballet.
Mr.. Mengelberg, who leads the
New York Philharmonic SYM
phony Orchestra in the Richard
Strauss work, Is generally con-
ceded to be an outstanding au-
thority on the works by the Ger
man composer, who has even died.
tcated one Of his greatest tone
poems to the Dutch conductor.
There has been a runor afloat
within the past week in New York
to the effect that Mr.. Mengelberg
may not return to this country to
conduct the Philharmonic next
season. This certainly would be
keenly regretted by the many adj
mirers of this dynamic and must
cianly conductor.
y \ +
THE merger Of the two great or
chestras, the New York Phil
harmonic ana the New York
Symphony, a couple of seasons
ago was perhaps the most sig
niflcant of various changes that
have demonstrated the precari-
BUSINESS Of the orchestral Situa-
ton at the present time.
At present, the problem of the
men who play in motion picture
theater orchestraS and what will
become Of them if the "talkies''
are given entire preference for the
programs is one of the dominant
problems Of the music world. 1t
is true, of course, that many nu-
sicians are in demand in the pic
ture studios in California and
New York. However, even If they
could get jobs, there are many
musicians in Washington and
other cities throughout the coun-
try who cannot afford to move
their families to either Of those
two photoplay Meccas.
Also, there is the serious aspect
of the public being entirely en-
tertained with canned music ano
losing the valuable freshness Of
Interpretation and direct viSua
L. L. sna-r ~