Evening star., 1941-03-09

D'NN@ -
subject, vet speaking strongly in fave
which has been often broached-mal
to supply opportunity for our grow
ing talent. To indorse this idea and
also Tibbett's belief that opera
should be sung in English in Amer
lea, are articles by Edward Johnson,
general manager of the Metropoi-
tan Opera; Giovanni Martinelli,
Lauritz Melchoir, Ezio Pima, Fried
rich Schorr. Gladys SWarthout,
Elizabeth Rethberg, Lily Pons,
Grace Moore, Gaetano Merola, gen.
eral manager of the Los Angeles and
San Francisco operas, and Walter
Damrosch. Another story by Tib-
bett is also included.
The idea as voiced in Variety is
that every "self-respecting Ameri-
can city, should have an opera
house that is municipality owned and
free from taxation and that there
opera should be given for its citl-
zens. 1T would make every local
mayor an impreSario in spirit if not
In fact. This is not q new concept
but an old dream" goes on the
article. What brings it to the fore
now are changed conditions IN the
world and in America"
Suitable Place Rare.
This certainly points out the only
vay in which opera can become a
part of our local life and also how
opera itself can be saved for the
greater culture of muSic-loving citl-
zens. Another angle is we'll brought
out in the opening sentence which
reads "a once familiar landmark of
American towns and cities was the
so-called opera house in which opera
was seldom or never presented"
These old opera houses" and even
the theaters that fiourished so
abundantly few years back are be-
ing turned into motion picture
houses so that touring theatrical
companies and opera groups are
hard put to find place in which to
give their performances. There are
even too few concert halls and often
school auditoriumS have to be used
for an artists appearance.
But the idea which brings whole
hearted assent from the celebrities
who have written their opinion IS
that young American talent must
have a place where it can learn
the routine of opera and where 1t
can prepare itself for the Metro
politan and the other major COM
panies. Martinelli says, Smaller
opera companies should be set up
throughout the country which can
act as training schools for young
singers to pick the Chaf from the
wheat. With training and expert
ence thus acquired and mot favored
by lucky breaks, the Metropolitan
can have an endless we'll of young
singers who will be ready to step
into older artists shoes when they
falter and are ready to quit"
Defeated Before Start.
THE principal reason behind the
failure of the world in general and
the United States in particular to
produce great singers" says Gladys
SWarthout, lis lack of opportunity.
Unquestionably America has the
voices, and great voices at that"
IauritZ Melchior writes America has
many wonderful young singers, many
of whom I have heard, but they are
defeated before they can start be-
cause of lack of opportunity to get
experience From Edward john
son: I'VE at the Metropolitan have
worked to the best OF our ability 10
make a home for Americans with
us and to give to the youth OF
America the courage and incentive
to go on. It still is true that many
capable singers are forced to turn
from their would-be profession IN
the development stage because OF
lack of opportunity"
Walter Damrosch states An
opera house not too large and there
fore intimate should, and will un-
doubtedly. be built for opera IN
English. This is the only civilized
country where one hears opera IN
foreign tongue. Even in little
Holland, Wagner and Verdi were
sung in Dutch" Something must
be done" says Tibbett, for the young
singer Just starting out who needs
audience conditioning and eXper-
ience and who is on the road to
becoming a name draw. Opera
should take out citizenship papers
and shake off its foreign back
ground. I believe in America and
in American singers. l believe,
given half chance, they can give
the world the musical tradition that
we have been waiting for so long.
I believe in America today as the
center. refuge and sanctuary OF the
music of tomorrow
The changing conditions OF the
world are gradually forcing the
music loving public of this country
to do something about operate
conditions. There is a growing
conviction of the absurdity of listen
ing to this particular branch Of
great music through the veil of a
foreign tongue. There is a mounting
pride in native talent and re-
sentiment that its road to recogni-
ton is made so hard. Perhaps
something constructive will be done
about it but it is almost too much
to hope that the Nations Capital
will point the way.