Evening star., 1934-05-12
LISTENERS RAISE.
SYMPHONYFU
Goal of New York Orchestra
Passed by Radio
a,
Audience.

THE impressive role played by
the radio audience In the sue
cessful completion Of the New
i York Philharmonic Sym
phony Society's recent appeal
for funds Is vividly illustrated in final
certified figures.
The campaign goal was $500, 900.
With contributions still coming In
from distant points, the total has
mounted to $502,55 To this remark
able achievement, effected in little
more than three months, the radio
audience Of the PhilharmOnic's SUM-
day afternoon concerts, broadcast
over most of North America through
the facilities of the Columbia Broad
casting System and the Canadian
Broadcasting Commission, contributed
more than $65,000. OF this amount,
$1,000 came as the result of a single
broadcast, which took place on Con-
ductor Toscanini's birthday anniver-
sary.
In the Fall of 1888 1t became ap-
parent that, in spite of determined
efforts to curtail the running expenses
of the Philharmonic Symphony Or
chestra, an appeal to the public for
financial support was imperative. In
this appeal Columbia co-operated.
The first call for support of the Phil
harmonics fund was broadcast over
the coast-to-coast network by Harry
Harkness Flagler, president of the
Philharmonic Symphony Society,
Sunday afternoon, January 20. Every
Sunday afternoon thereafter the net
work presented nationally known fig
ures and world famous artists. who
appealed for continued support Of the
organization. These speakers included
Mrs. Franklin d. Roosevelt, Geraldine
Farrar. Mrs. Vincent Astor. DR.. WAL
ter Damrosch, Mayor LaGuardia of
New York, Deems Taylor, George
Gershwin. Felix Warburg, Clarence
Mackay and others.
THE glamour, romance and tragedy
L Of the lives Of many of the most
famous figures in grand opera
during the past three decades. as well
stage life at the Metropolitan. La
Scala and other big opera houses, will
be described in the autobiography
which Nine. Frances Aida is now
writing. It may not be published,
however. for many years. Much of
the material is explosive. and the IA
nous diva, whose voice is now heard
in song recitals over an N. B. c. net
work. refuses to embarrass her
friends.
Nine. Aida was close intimate
and co-star with Melba, Fremstadt,
Sembrich, Caruso, Massenet, Bizet.
Nordica and other noted operate
luminaries, and today numbers among
her close friends such we'll known
musical leaders as Toscanini. Gatti.
Amato, Richard Strauss and many
others. She appeared opposite the
great Caruso probably more times
than any other star.
-
II " KALTENBORN will complete
1. this seasons series of broad
casts on international events
June 20. and sail for Russia on an ex.
tensive tour.
While away. however. Kaltenborn
will broadcast sporsdically from War
saw and Moscow.
A SALUTE to the University of
"A Southern California by Wash
ington State College will be
broadcast Tuesday by N. B. c. It will
consist OF a 30-minute tuneful greet
ing.
DOB TROUT, Columbia's Presiden-
- tial announcer in Washington.
will leave May % on the most
eventful trip of his career. On Me-
mortal day he will describe the cere-
monies at Gettysburg and the follow
ing day he will be In New York to
assist with a description of the re-
view OF the feet by President Roose-
welt.
Trout will be stationed aboard the
Indianapolis for the review. After
that he will lea vo for uovopa