The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-07-03
The World
Of Music

.eason now in swing throughout the
country, as we'll as statements by
the leading orchestras, opera COM
panies and other organizations give
highly encouraging picture of war
time music il America.
From the fountain head of opera
in this country, the Metropolitan,
comes an optimistic report of in
creased public interest and support,
both in New York and elsewhere.
The season just ended resulted in
lower deficit and markedly in
creased public attendance.
Cornelius N. Bliss, chairman OF
the board, remarked in his report
that the past year may have
marked turning point in the Met
ropolitan's history, bringing en-
enlargement and hope for the flu
ture. 1t has already been announc-
ed that next season will be extend
ed from 16 to 20 weeks.
Last season the number of per-
formances sold to capacity rose to
40 from the IL of the season before.
The demand was partly due to
lowered prices, which brought more
money rather than less into the box
office.
General Manager Edward john
son said in his report that the sea-
son has shown there is a public
ready to pay to hear opera wher-
ever the Metropolitan may present
it. The radio broadcast, which have
attracted an audience estimated at
100000, have brought a demand
from additional localities wanting
to be visited lin person" on the
company's tour, although wartime
restrictions may make any extension
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impossible next season.
johnson said the trend is towards
making the Metropolitan real
peoples OPERA which he describ-
ed not only as an artistic ideal but
good business policy.
1.-THE love of opera lies deep in
the American people, johnson
said. ''They believe that operate
art as transplanted from Europe is
already deeply rooted in American
soil. They look to the Metropolitan
to make it grow and flourish
THE Philadelphia Orchestra,
l. which did not have such wind
fall as the year-around radio spon-
sroship achieved by the New York
Philharmonic-Sym neverthe-
less views it's prospects as decidedly
encouraging.
The orchestras revenue was con-
siderably reduced by the cancella-
ton of 81 concerts in the South and
Middle West because of transporta-
ton difficulties, and by the Petrillo
ban on new recordings. Its net de-
fiicit was just under $4,000 and the
average attendance for its 116 con-
certs was SO per cent of capacity.
The new season will open on Oct.
8 and continue through to next
May, with between 76 and rs con-
certs at the Academy of Music in
Philadelphia, 10 at Carnegie Hall
in New York, seven in Washington,
six in Baltimore and two each in
Richmond, Harrisburg and Pitts
burgh. in addition to the regular
annual participation in the Toronto
and Ann Arbor Music Festivals.
The orchestra is introducing an
innovation next season by develop
ing a workers audience. Philadel-
phia trade unions will collaborate
with the orchestra to distribute to
union members specially priced
subscriptions of four series OF
seven tickets each to the Academy
of Music concerts.
THE Stadium concerts of the
L New York Philharmonic-S Sym
phony,, which has just presented
four evenings of ballet by the Bal
let Theater on it's new and enlarged
stage, will have season" of opera
later this month.
On July Is and 16, Carmen
will be given with Gladys Swarth-
out in the title role. "Traviata' will
be presented on July 10 and 20, with
the Metropolitan Opera stars Bidu
Sayao and Jan Peerce in the lead
ing roles. Alexander Smallens will
conduct the performances, which
will be staged by Herbert Graf of
the Metropolitan.
A NDRE KOSTELANETz is cur
IA rently conducting four concerts
at Robin Hood Dell in Philadelphia
at one of which his wife, Lily PonS,
will be soloist, on July IL.
The Pons Kostelanetz combina-
ton will be heard at Milwaukee on
July 20; at the Great Lakes Train
ing Station near Chicago on July
% and at the Lewisohn Stadium in