Evening star., 1935-11-17

S4eSs'a's''E'A@N' ma themselves with
in the bounds of
their hospitality. The people of talent have
in mind include not only entertainers. lee
turers, and musicians who have been profess
sionally engaged to enliven or to enlighten or
to delight few or many guests but also the
professionals among the guests themselves
A letter received this morning repeats a
protest that has been made to me over and
over again. Perhaps someday,' my reader
says. you'll print something on the abomin-
able treatment accorded professional enter
tainers by certain snobbish hostesses. am
solo violinist and while realize do come
under the heading of entertainer, as you must
know, many years of preparation are re-
quired before an artist is equipped for per-
forming in public. | confess that / should
perhaps not feel personally insulted as do,
yet think people of supposed education
should be expected to understand that they
are treating very great art unfairly.
The musicians with whom | play, and
all the others whom know, are every bit as
gentlemamered as the guests themselves.
and although neither they nor have any
particular wish to mingle with the company,
we can not help being painfully mortified
when we are forced to enter house through
the basement, required to wait somewhere in
the servants quarters until we play. and
then sent home hungry or Inundated by
being handed leftover scraps of food by
servants who are as contemptuous as their
employers
You doubtless know the story of the great
Fritz kresler himself and the snobbish Mrs
Nouveau who offered Mr. kreisler twenty
five hundred dollars to play at her home
I'm sorry. Madam, but my regular fee is
three thousand he replied.
After moments hesitation Mrs. N.
agreed to the fee, But added: OF course, then,
you understand that you will not be expected
to mingle with my guests
"'Oh, said Mr. kresler, Frightening, in
that case Id be- willing to play for two
thousand"
To this letter Ireply: Yes, think most of
us have heard this story which. whether the
conversation ever took place or not. has un-
doWbtedly good deal of truth at the bottom
of it. Also the personal story this letter tells
has undoubtedly been duplicated in these
times it may not be expedient to refuse
whatever engagements Offer painful expert
ences are perhaps necessarily mixed with
those that are agreeable.
Apart from the rules of courtesy that every
really well-bred hostess nstinctively shows
alike to friends. acquaintance or strangers
who are admitted to her house. particular
rules that should be shown to professional
artists do not 60 very far because SO much
depends upon circumstances. Generally speak
ing. all entertainers should be admitted at
the front door, of course.
Musicians who play at dance or at a
wedding reception necessarily arrive long
before the guests, and are shown at once to a
dressing room and then to the place where
they are to play They should be greeted
briefly. by whoever is in charge of arrange
ments. Ginger ale or other iced drinks OF
simple variety should be taken to them from
time to time Refreshment should also be
taken to them at whatever time fits in best
with their program.
Soloists or actors who are to make their