Evening star., 1947-10-26
Capital Should
Create World
Music Festivals
By Alice Eversmon

Before the war, European music
festivals were attended by musicians
from all over the world. Even in
these difficult days of reconstruc-
ton, one of the first things done for
music abroad was to revive, as far
as possible, these festivals. Prague
has been active in this sphere, the
Edinburgh venture this summer was
one that drew masses of musicians
to Scotland, and Salzburg is func-
tioning again in the old spirit. Bel
gium will enter the field next year
and there probably will be other
places to beckon the tourist who
wishes to combine music enjoy
nent with his vacation. These fes-
tivals are called international. We
have had none of such quality and
scope in this country.
1t is about time that some con-
sderation be given to this type of
musical get-together and Washing
ton is the legitimate place for it.
Months before the Edinburgh festi-
val, this country was flooded with
publicity. Side by side with the ad-
vertisement of the program and the
artists were tempting descriptions
Of the historical points Of interest
in and around the city and of other
special things to be found there.
Groups of musicians and artists
were recruited from various coun-
tries and, along with orchestral con-
certs, chamber music programs and
recitals, there were nightly per-
formances of opera by the Glynde-
bourne Opera Company.
Auditorium Lacking Here.
Today, there is not city or
capital in the world that has SO
much to offer a visitor as does the
Capital of the United States OF
course, for the staging of such an
affair as an international music
festival one runs up against the
same obstacle-where, in this town,
could it be held? Not long after the
Edinburgh Festival was announced
all hotel space was taken, train
reservations made and tickets for
the various events sold What space
was available on ocean liners went
quickly for the eager Americans
who wanted to be present.
Now, when a festival in war-torn
Europe can bring so noteworthy
response, why would not the same
follow an announcement of an in
ternational festival in Washington?
II might prove so profitable finan-
eially that the question of a proper
concert hall could be solved. AS it
is. the building of an auditorium
will have to be faced sooner or later.
There is money return to be had
from such a hall that should soon
make the initial investment pay
well. A complete cooperation of the
businessmen of this city and the
governing forces of both the Dis
trict and the country would soon
master that problem.
Symphony Might Take Lead.
The natural sponsor and director
Of festival program would be the
National Symphony. With this mu-
sical body, truly child of the COM
n1unity, at the head and with the
other prominent musical organiza-
tions taking care of their specialties,
the affair could be a success. What
we forget, and too rarely take advan-
tage of, Is the beauty of Washington
and its drawing power as seat of
she most important government in
the world. AS every cultured person
wishes to see Rome, London, Paris
and other great centers, interest
IN the Capital of the United States
Is becoming more widespread than
before the war. While this is the
basis for publicity material, we can
be assured that those drawn by these
features will feel amply repaid.
In various cities, from time to-
time, there have been attempts to
concentrate for a period on some
special field of music and those in
terested have come from far and