Evening star., 1932-04-01

Changed conditions in the musical
world are recognized as presenting
practical reasons for making grand
opera of wider appeal Reports from
the Metropolitan organization indicate
that the golden horseshoe" is shrink
ing, and support Is required from
larger and less affluent group. There
is some discussion of the possibility of
an alliance with brosdcasting interests
and suggestions that cutting salaries
and expenses would prove worth while.
New York's grand opera" according
to the Springfield tMass) Republican,
lis a national tradition, not the less
respected because of its association with
great wealth and Social grandeur. The
weight of the depression upon people
of large incomes is apparent when a
single seasons deficit after "a years of
self-supporting activities leads the di-
rectors to express apprehension con-
cerning the future The inference Is
that they are convinced of the reces-
sity of the operas continuing to pay its
own way, even if the character of the
performances is changed and the COM
pany moves away from its historic
golden horseshoe and takes up its
abode in a district Of movie theaters
and broadcasting parlors."
have had their effect on this form of
entertainment, the Charlotte Observer
comments: 1T is disclosed that the
Metropolitan Opera Co. is now finishing
out its season with three more losing
weeks in New York and one week on
tour. 1t has developed a deficit Of
$3.50. 900 and standn to see its capital
wiped out. The metropolitan Is sup
ported by a corporation of wealthy men
who have been making good any losses.
but they have become tired OF holding
the bag. and thus the future Of grand
opera in this country has become
little bit uncertain"
"Outraseously expensive" Is the YER
dict of the Columbus Ohio State Jour-
nal. recalling that the opera was eS-
tablished on a money peak and held
there even when all other lines OF busl-
ness and public entertainment were
forced to slash deeply In proouctlon
costs" The State Journal contlnues'
This country has been fine place 1or
the songbirds, but eXtravagant prac-
tices have boosted the price of tickets
to great heights and placed burden
on patrons which they were quick TO
unload in adversely. Grand opera never
has been presented to the general pub
lie, save when given over the radio.
There is no reason why reorganlza-
ton should not be made. II the man
ayers so decide, they can give good
grand opera with talent obtainable ut
fair prices. That would give the masses
an opportunity to hear and heip sup
port it,
The suggestion that "the startling
absence of picturesque personalities
etK Ia ono
reduced patronage Is considered by the
New London Day ss reasonable, but
that paper feels that the company "can
be saved through the generosity OF the
wealthy" though holding that 1T seems
logical that some analysis of the rea-
sons for the slump be made before the
gifts are called for" The Day addS:
IF the Metropolitan must be unoer-
written every year. as some oeneVe, IL
is a question whether delaying It's |
eventual demise serves any great pur-
pose The decline Of interest in opera. |
in other words. cannot be indefinitely |
stalled of. Sooner or later, II that Is
the real trouble, the unpleasant facts
must be faced"
"The opera must in some way de
fate itself, trim OF the more superfiu-
Gus Of its tinsel. and cultivate a greater
and economy of style" in the
Judgment of the Baltimore Sun, which
remarks as to the practical problem in
volved: The notion of opera as a
kind of classical Ziegfeld show, in
which extravaganza is somehow part
Of ones pleasure, was all very well so
long as it could be afforded. But, of
that had little or nothing to do
with the esthetic values of opera And
10 try to maintain the old epulerce to-
day would not only be in doubtful taste;
1t would be next to impossible flnan-
cially If economies could be effected
ali along the line mot simply in the
singers salAries) and the whole presen-
alton of opera brought to point where
It does not depend simply upon its
pcfai tfzdttions and prestige, not only
! l9se aving ngnt sesuh, bat -quitel