Evening star., 1933-11-05
T|BBETT CL|NCS
: T0L0vE OF OPERA
Famous Baritone to Sing
This Afternoon in Con-
stitution Hall.

Lawrence Tfbbett, a star in four
firmaments-opera, stage, movies and
radio, Is firmly welded to his first
love.
He said so last night as he ar
rived at the Mayflower Hotel for a
concert engagement this afternoon at
Constitution Hall. He had just con-
cluded an affectionate reunion with
his two young sons, Larry. jr." and
Richard. students at st. James School,
near Hagerstown. Md
the internationally famous bari one
prefers the opera and the legitimate
theater to the radio and motion pic
lures but of opera he grew the most
enthusiastic.
There is just the same difference
to me in being On the stage and on
the radio or in pictures as there is
between talking on the telephone and
talking face to face" said T4bostt AID
when speaking of opera, Mr.. Tibbett
always becomes enthusiastic over
Emperor Jones"
Opera Revolutionary.
Undoubtedly Emperor Jones will
revolutionize opera" he said. for at
last an opera has been created that
holds the attention of every one from
beginning to end. There is no chance
for the audience to have a nap while
the hit is being sung. no long dreamy.
to give an excuse. 1t is hard singing
and hard acting and both keep the au-
dience interested. The music is writ
ten to the tones Of the speaking voice.
some of it is practically dialogue and it
is constant singing. fully an hour cf it.
1t is almost beginning over again of
the operate form, for it reverts back.
to the old usages combining the spoken
word and music
And how do you feel after per-
formance of such a role?' he was
asked. Almost in a daze," he said
For some time afterward I am still in
the psychology of the role. tired out
from the amount of physical exercise
have had"
And how do you keep physically
f1t?" he was asked
DO you see that black bag over
there? Well, that contains a rowing
machine and several times a day l
take a turn at it because 1 find it the
and chest muscles elastic For other
physical exercise, l swim and play ten
mis- and run whenever l have a chance
but I keep the rowing machine with
me when 1 cannot have the other"
Takes No Vacation.
"And do you practice much?"
'On the days 1 sing I do only enough
exercise to warm me up before the
concert, do not believe in the cd
theory that one must only whisper to
save the voice. I want to be quiet and
as far away from the idea that there
is a great responsibility before me as
possible. I find, too, that it is IN
possible in this work to take vacation
One is advised so often to drop every
thing and get away from singing, but
1 don't like it. 1t takes too long to
get back in condition again and pre-
fer to- practice regularly everyday if
only for a short time"
When asked what he considered his
most thrilling moment Mr.. Tibbett first
spoke of the night he sang Falstaf at
the Metropolitan, his first real chance
at a big role He went back to Emperor
Jones saying it was a tremendous
thrill" when he knew that both he and
the opera were success and again de-
cided that, after all, it was the opening
night of last season at the Metropolitan
when he sang the role Of Simon Boo
canegri 1t is baritone's opera and
chosen to sing that most important CT
all performances the first night of the
Metropolitan season. He will sing
again this year on the opening night
in the Deems Tay1or's opera. Peter
Ibbettson, also the first time the work
OF an American composer was given
that honor.
Sings in English
Mr.. Tibbett is working at present on
another role that combines an Amerl-
can subject and psychology as in
Emperor Jones" This is the role of
Wrestling Bradford in Merry Mount"
Mr.. Tfbbett said the man was tied up
in knots, a case Mr.. Freud would have
rejoiced in. And speaking of opera in
English, have you noticed that 1 am
singing my entire concert program in
English? I believe in the singing pos
SibilitieS of our language
1T is as expressive as any other and
I am doing all can to foster concert
translations of the Brahms and Schu-
bert I am singing but when sometimes
the translation does not quite suit me.
I take a hand in it myself and write it
as I wish. We must have our songs and
opera presented in English just as every
other country uses its own language SO
that every one may enjoy them"
ALICE EVERSMAN.
cf0ccT DAD IcAnC