Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-08

trying to solve the problem OF CIV
ing grand opera, hero Is . story OF
how the Allied forces In Sicily and
Italy were supplied with opera per-
formances by the British military
authorities. The story, taken from
the program celebrating the second
anniversary Of the undertaking. was
sent to this department by James
D. Mann, assistant treasurer OF the
National Industrial Traffic League,
who, on Navy duty, was stationed
in Naples during the war.
Mr.. Mann adds his own impress
sions: at was always a revelation
to me to 60 to the San Carlo and
see house composed mostly OF
enlisted British and American men
enjoying opera. They arrived on
time, they applauded at the right
times and in fact were the best be-
haved audiences I've ever seen any
where. They did not go to the
opera because there was nothing
else to do as there were plenty of
movies and clubs in Naples. The
scenery and chorus equalled any
thing I've seen or heard in this
country. I never failed to be amused
in the last act of LA Boheme"
when Mimi died on British blan-
i et. OF course blankets were very
scarce among the Italians"
Theater Badly Wrecked.
The program history Of the ven
ture Is as follows:
In September, 1s43, Maj. Lines
and Maj. Davidson. United States
forces, examined the famous Bellini
Theater In Catania, with view to
using the building to provide en-
tertainment for the Allied forces in
the area. The theater was in bad
shape. Above the stage was hole
40 feet across. Bomb blast had
blown in every window. Neverthe-
less, they decided not only that the
theater must be used, but that it
should be used for the purpose for
which 1t had been built, the pre-
sentation of opera.
With the backing of Brig. B. U. S.
Grips, M. c., and Gen. Beverley,
51st Troop Carrier Wing, U. S.
A, A. F., 1t became possible to put
the theater into some kind OF order
A tarpaulin was placed over the gap
in the roof and plans were made to
rehearse. Before they could think OF
opera, however, many problems had
to be solved Artists, scenery, cos
TUNES, music and the multitude of
other things required had to be
| found.
The two majors set off for Palermo.
Here they found willing listener
in Col L. Kaull, chief Of United
States Special Service, I. B. S. With
his collaboration, working arrange
ment was arrived at with the Mas
simo Theater, Palermo. The Mas
sino had some scenery and SO had
the Bellini. They agreed to share it.
The Massimo had some precious So
ranos, the Bellini had none. These
would also be shared.
Planes and Opera.
Palermo and Catania are con-
siderable distance apart, and the
war and weather had played havoc
with the roads and bridges of Sicily.
1t was proposed to give opera alter
nately in Catania and Palermo,
shutting both scenery and singers
between the two towns.
It was at this point Gen. Beverley
and 51st Troop Carrier Wing once
more came to the rescue. He placed
five troop carrier planes at the dis
posal of the two theaters. Certain
other necessaries were obtained from
Messina and Augusta. LA Boheme"
now went into rehearsal at Catania.
The weather was bitter and in the
inevitably draughty theater, artists,
chorus and orchestra walked up and
down stamping to keep warm. The
scene painters were busy with what
scenery the Bellini possessed. Their
main material was brown paper. Re-
pairs to the stage machinery were
begun.
The first arrivals from Palermo
were not very happy. When they
arrived at Gebbini Aerodome, 7 miles
from Catania, it was found the ma
jority had never flown before and
suffered badly from air sickness.
They soon recovered and all was at
length ready for the first perform
ance of La Bohene" on Septem-
Der "a, 1943
On September % 40 tickets had
been sold. At o'clock on September
"a it began to rain and a further
300 were driven to shelter In the
theater and so took their first sip
at the delights of Puccina. They
evidently enjoyed the performance.
Next day TOO seats we're sold in quick
time and thereafter the Bellini
played four nights week to full
houses Q.280).
WARREN F. JOHNSON, orgonist