Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1934-01-28

LIE DTOdQ aim WHICH every serious
musician has in mind, that of raising
our standard OF appreciation. is receiv-
ing constructive help from the fine
work OF this organization. 1t is val
liable artistic asset to the national
ment of music can gain courage and
inspiration for continued endeavor.
TO FORTUNE GALLO, owner and
manager of the San Carlo Grand
Opera Co., which will open q weeks
engagement tomorrow at the National
this country owes deep debt of graf
itude. To him more than to any one
else must go the greatest recognition
for what he has done for the cause of
grand opera in this operaless land
The reformation of his company after
several years disarmament is but an
other proof of the vast courage and
boundless energy of this Italian-Amer
lean who for many years has provided
the far-away corners Of this country
with their only opportunity to hear the
favorite enjoyment of his native land
Coming to this country as boy to
seek his fortune, Mr. Gallo engaged
in various enterprises that were not
operate in nature. Finally he became
a manager in a small way for indi-
vidual artists and bands, with his ulti-
mate ambition still a vague dream.
1t was his good luck to be in
San Francisco when the manager of
an opera company, then giving sea-
son Of opera, fell i'll. The celebrated
Leoncavallo; composer of "Pagliacci,"
was also there, having been engaged
as musical conductor for the opera
season. It was he who prevailed on
Mr.. Gallo to take over the business
end of their venture and thus gave him
his first try-out as operate manager.
Not long after that Mr.. Gallo was
able to establish his own company
naming it the San Carlo, after the
opera house of Naples. where he heard
his first opera. That was Is years
ago and ever since the San Carlo has
been a regular visitor to every good
sized city in the country By his
affability, as well as his business acu-
men, Mr.. Gallo made friends through
out the country who were willing to
do everything in their power so that
he could return again and again to
give them the operas they had no
means of hearing otherwise
The repertoire of the company con-
Il.
Gallo engaged fine singers and had
good scenery. While the larger COM
panies. such as the Metropolitan and
Chicago, were limiting their audiences
to those who could pay the high price
OF admission, he was producing good
opera for reasonable entrance fee
and reaching the many hundreds of
thousands of people too far away from
the big cities that supported opera.
His company grew steadily in impor-
lance until he was able yearly to have
a six-week season in New York at his
own theater. And he accomplished
this entirely alone. without help of
subsidy or a wealthy board Of direc-
tors. Furthermore, his company be-
came the training school for young
singers, the only place where an as
piring opera artist could learn the
practical side Of opera singing in this
country. Many of these young sing
ers have gone from his company
straight to the Metropolitan or the
Chicago Civic Opera without the need
of European training
This year Mr.. Gallo is celebrating
his silver jubilee as an impresario
1t marks long career of constructive
work for the musical growth of the
country, unequaled in any other line
1t is also marked by an adherence to
high ideals, honest business dealings
and striving for artistic perfection.
1t is Washington's privilege to welcome
again man who in this moment OF
financial trouble has been able to take
up his work once more and continue
what no one else has been able to do
make opera accessible to the masses.