Evening star., 1939-08-03
Butterfly Success
Forecasts More Opera
Here Next Year
$4,000 Hear Symphony
Program at Water Gate,
Police Estimate
(Story by Alice Epersman, Music
Critic, on Page C-3J

CTltIc, on rage C-JJ
The overwhelming reception given
the performance of Madame But
terf1y," presented against a back
drop of serene beauty at the Water
Gate last night, assures Washing
ton of more outdoor opera next year,
1t was announced today.
c. c. Cappel, manager of the Ma
tional Symphony Orchestra, said
success of last nights performance
undoubtedly would move the SYM
phony Association to present a fuller
operate program next season. At
the same time, he said that diff
culties in seating arrangements
which were discovered last night,
would be worked out.
There seems little likelihood that
any more opera will be presented
this season, Mr.. Cappel said.
'The committee is not contem-
plating any further performances
this summer" he said. I'VE would
like to, but they cost money and
don't think our budget will stand
it. We don't know yet how we made
out financially on this performance,
although I suspect that we were
lucky enough to break even."
$4,000 See Performance.
Capt. Patrick j. Carroll of the
United States Park Police estimated
that 5000 persons saw the perform
ance last night. Mr.. Cappel said
5000 paid admissions.
Our prices were low" he said
and we were presenting a notable
cast, including Metropolitan Opera
stars, and an outstanding director.
We didn't hope to make any money
on the performance.
Some complaints, Mr.. Cappel said,
had been received from those who
bought 81 seats. These seats were
on level ground and those who held
them said they were unable to see
the stage. These complaints were
justified, he said. and pointed out
that holders of the so cent seats
which were on the steps-got a
better view. This is one difficulty
he seeks to obviate at the next
performance.
The great crowd that stood outside
the paid seat area made it difficult
to get to seats; some ticket holders
complained. Mr. Cappel said he
thought there were "only few iso-
lated cases where those who bought
tickets were prevented by the crowd
from getting to their seats.
Lanterns Light Stage.
The audience, banked on the steps
and the grass at the waters edge,
was held breathless by the brilliant
sight A full moon cast a silver
sheen on the water on which the
barge-stage f1oated. The planet
Mars, brighter than it has been for
years, shown rust-red in the sum-
mer sky.
Japanese lanterns lighted the
stage on which Puccini's tragedy
was sung and similar lights were
used on the barge from which the
orchestra, under direction of Alex
ander Smallens, played
The audience exclaimed with
wonder when the brilliant stage
setting for the first act was un-
folded. Scene changes were made
before their eyes during intermis-
sions. The barge from which the
orchestra played was sunk below
the level of vision-a last-minute
maneuver accomplished by taking
on a large amount Of water ballast.
1t was the largest crowd ever to
see opera in Washington and the
largest paying audience to attend
Water Gate performance, Mr.. Cap
pei said. The crowd, he said, was
not as large as the one at which
President Roosevelt appeared for a
symphony concert last month.
Mr.. Cappel gave great credit to the
Park Service for its work in making
the performance possible.
Those fellows worked like dogs
getting ready for this" he said
Without their help We couldn't
have done it."