Evening star., 1937-07-17

most people have them. But
it is not the common expert.
ence Of symphony orchestra,
to boast such a relative, and perhap:
no instrumental organization in the
world has so distinguished 4 god
parent as the National Symphony Or.
chestra OF Washington.
Lucrezia Bori, the Spanish soprano
who became one Of the most famous
singers on the Metropolitan Opera
roster. assumed this role seven year.
ago. when the National Symphony wa,
still in swaddling clothes. She served
1t through lusty childhood and today
the orchestra, with brilliant career
before it, this diva Of the opera and
concert world remains one of the
Symphony's principal benefactors.
Vivid is the memory OF the afternoon
OF November IS, 1881. when a very
young orchestra. for which every one
had less assurance than hope, took the
stage az Constitution Hall for its sec
ond concert-the second concert. not
OF the season, but of its history. A
spontaneous ovation greeted Miss Borl
as a breathless audience received the
frs artist ever to appear with the
National Symphony Orchestra.
Miss Boris singing that afternoon
she gave an aria from Mozart s
"Figaro"-with the orchestra-was
tremendously successful. II the audi
ence gave her an ovation before her
singing. 1t followed it with thunderous
acclaim. She took many bows before
the afternoon was over.
Ever since she has given untiring
support to the movement to develop a
larger and better symphony orchestra
for the Nations Capital. She has been
one Of Hans kindler's most enthusi-
astic hackers. and on numerous occa-
sions has aided in the work OF the
National Symphony Orchestra Asso-
citation. She returned TO Washington
to be soloist with the orchestra during
its fourth season. She was given a
most enthusiastic reception when she
appeared before the orchestra Novem-
Der l, 1894, to sing another Mozart Sc
lection. the "Alleluja" from the "Exul-
tate Jubilate"
Miss Bori has not been heard with
the orchestra since and now after
three years she comes back TO the
National Symphony on a most i'm
portant occasion She will be soloist
with the National Symphony Novem-
Der 10 in Constitution Hall. Following
her retirement from the Metropolitan n
Opera Co. year and a half ago
Miss Bori has not sung in public Out
OF the scores of requests have grown
the plans for her farewell tour, which,
beginning early in the Fall, will take
her to every part Of the United States
before completion Washington will
be among her nrsts stops.
The singers interest in the National
Symphony Orchestra is characteristic
for her lifelong desire has been one
to make good music available to the
great mass Of people. Her many years
Of singing with the Metropolitan IN
New York were accompa MED by I'M
firing efforts to make that company
medium for presenting the great
works of opera to all interested music
lovers
In 1885 she became the. first active
member of the artist roster to be
elected to a post on the company
board of directors. She was selected
the directors then pointed out. because
Of her record and the prominent part
she had played in the campaign for
the 100000 guaranty fund which the
public was asked to supply In order
to keep the Metropolitan going through
the Winter and Spring of 1898. She
had also been honorary chairman OF
the campaign to increase the number
of Metropolitan's season subscribers
When she returns to Washington
to appear with the National Symphony
next November music lovers here will
therefore, have the privilege of hear
ing in her farewell tour an artist, who
born in Valencia, Spain, has had the
interests Of music in America genuine
ly at heart.
Season tickets for the series in
which Miss Bori appears, as we'll Al
for the other series OF the 1937-3a
season now may be reserved at the
symphony Offices, Room l1l3 in the
Woodward Building.