Evening star., 1936-06-27
By Alice EverSman.

MONG the many new pOHcleS
n adopted by the Metropolitan
"A Opera Co. since its change Of
4 a MANAGEMENT and the flnanI
cial difficulties of the last years which
threatened its existence, Is the effort
being made TO bring about better
understanding of opera throughout
the United States. The first depar-
lures from the exclusive attitude which
has so long surrounded the perform
ances at that famous opera shrine
we're the weekly broadcasts which per-
mitted the entire country to listen In
from their homes and follow the pres
entation with the additional education
of explanatory remarks preceding the
scenes by an authority on the subject.
Opera received an enormous stimula-
ton through this means and people
made the interesting discovery that
opera was not difficult to understand
and learned to rejoice in the beautiful
music.
Another progressive undertaking
has been brought to the notice of this
department by Nine. Amelia Cont,
harpist of the Metropolitan opera
Orchestra and artistic advisor of
Beren-Brooks Artists Bureau of this
city. Nine. Cont is en- route to Mex
leo City for vacation, and while on
the way, will spread the news of the
Metropolitan Opera Guild and the
benefits to be derived therefrom.
Through the Beren-Brooks Artists
Bureau she has established a local
point where membership in the guild
can be obtained.
GO WIDESPREAD has been the
newly awakened interest in the
delightful branch Of music which is
opera that a Metropolitan Opera
Guild has been formed through the
efforts of Mrs. August Belmont with
an Executive Committee that num-
bers many prominent names on its
list. A bulletin issued by the guild
announces that "the prime function of
the guild is that of iaison between
opera and opera-goer, a liaison which
extends beyond supplying ticket-pur-
chasing facilities by coupon or tele-
phone" While, at the outset, the
guild operated principally among the
musicians and music lovers of New
York City, it has found tinat its use
fulness could be extended to the en-
tire country.
Consequently, the guild has estab-
lished a membership entitled Long
Distant Member" where, upon the
payment Of a SIS fee, the subscriber is
entitled to the weekly bulletin which
furnishes news of the guild, the opera
and the singers; weekly opera
schedule issued before the announce
ments of the operas and cast have
been given to the newspapers, and a
copy of the Metropolitan Opera Guild
Primer which gives an historical sum-
mary of the Metropolitan, notes on the
repertoire, a list of recordings avail
able and photography Of books about
composers and opera. In addition the
member Is admitted to the Guild Bal
lot which allows members the privi-
lege Of expressing preferences in the
matter Of repertoire.
These ballots have revealed the
public's taste in the type of opera
to be presented, and incidentally the
progress in appreciation that has been
made. The guild placed $4,000 copies
of the ballot in the programs at
the opera and sent out many more to
its members and others who asked for
it. Quite a number signifled their
satisfaction with the repertoire
selected by the management, but
others took the trouble to express
their likes and dislikes.
THE opera which received the
greatest number of black balls"
was Verdi's II Trovatore" with "Rigo-
letto" running a close second. The
next most unpopular operas proved
to be Nine. Butterfly" La Traviata,"
Faust" and Aida Among the most
popular Wagnerian operas in the
order of their preference were "Lohen-
grin" Tristan and Isolde" Tam
hauSer," die Meistersinger" and Die
Walkuere."
In the occasional repertory of the