Evening star., 1946-11-17
columbia Sings
|Ronberg Score
lat Anniversary
By Alice Evsrsmon

The milestone which the Columbia
Light Opera Company reached this
lysar k Of as great Importance Is
any other In the city's music life.
In celebrating the 10th year OF
its existence. 1t goes on record as
. sturdy organization that has
progressed with admirable con-
sistency toward q worthy aim. It
will mark its anniversary by moving
into the larger quarters OF Lisner
Auditorium, where it will give four
performances OF Rombergs 1.-THE
New Noon" beginning Wednesday
might and continuing through Sat
urday.
This group has not only kept alive
the hne operettas in which this
country excels, but also provided
the opportunity for young people
70 gather together for wholesome
entertainment. II has busted them
with music in such Q way q to
bring out latent talent and develop
IT through q system that gives ex-
pefiencs In stage work from the
start. 30 many who have no In
lclination for the so-called classic
music have yet learned to appreciate
II IN aN lighter form and so has
been opened = vista Of future DOS
stbiities. What al this means to-
tho community in the cultivation Of
music understanding cannot be
estimated.
During the 10 years In which It
has giyen ~ productions, 1918 young
peopls have participated: Those
q excsptional talent have been cast
n leading roles but many others
nave learned the stage routine in the
large chorus. Ethyl Manning, found
sr and director Of the company, Is
also the dramatic coach, business
manager and leader Of the orchestra.
Started In MARYLAND.
The Columbia Light Opera Com
pany was the outgrowth of n
women's choral group which Mrs.
Manning organized In nearby Mary
land where she was soprano soloist
IN . Baptist church. With men in
yited TO participate, o small operate
sroup was formed that gave per-
formances in that section. Success
followed each production and re-
quests poured In from Washington
singers to join the organization. In
February, 1887. the opera company
- 1t Is known today. was started, the
personnei then consisting Of Is mem
bers. Its first production was of Cad
mans Bells Of Capistana." Seeking a
place TO rehearse, the group was Of :
Tered the Roosevelt High School and
In its auditorium most Of the opera
companys performances have taken
place. So well thought Of was the
work being done by Mrs. Manning
Tor young people that the District
OF Columbia Recreation Department
took over sponsorship OF the group
In 1e42, continuing until this wear
Mrs. Manning comes to this work
with q background OF training and
experience. First studying piano
with her father musician in her
home in Plymouth, England, She
began cultivating her voice early.
making her concert debut when il
years old. After her marriage to
Alfred Manning. harpist, and now
secretary Of the District branch of
the Musicians Union. she appeared
Jointly with him in concerts abroad.
The Mannings came to Canada and
lived there until 1870. Mrs. Manning
toured Canada and the United States
with the English Opera Company
Tor nine years, singing In practically
all Of the Gilbert and Sullivan
eperettas - well as in grand opera,
Directed Many Performances.
After settling in this part of the
country, she continued her activi-
ttns, first as q church singer and
later as choral and operetta director.
During the George Washington BIZ
icsntennial celebration she was in
charge Of the pageant in Prince
Georges County sponsored by the
Wonen's Club. In which $50 par
ticipAtsd. An operetta with dialogue
by Mrs. Manning and songs by Ste
phen Foster was arranged and pro-
duced by her with great success.
Many private performances Of the
Columbia Light Opera Company.
such as an abridged form of Trial
by Jury" for the annual Barristers'
dinner In the Willard Hotel. were
SIDE affairs In her active work as