Evening star., 1949-10-02
Opera Is Given
Lively Impetus
By Television.
Bv Alice Eversmon

~ V4AA4 Va SPSA q SA4 VSAS ASASAA
this winter with the recently an
nounced appointment of Peter
Herman Adler as director Of opera
for the National Broadcasting Co.
television. The entire preparation
of these programs will be in Mr..
Adler's hands and, as beginning,
he has selected three works: WELLS
Down in the Valley" Strauss
die Fledermaus" and Offenbach's
Tales of Hoffman" for presenta-
ton before the New Year.
Mr.. Adler favors the giving of
opera in this form in English,
which is a definite step in the
right direction. The NBC has
now established its own opera de-
partment and will make a careful
selection of the singers so that
they will be vocally. usually and
dramatically appropriate to the
roles they will portray. In the
choice of these particular works
to start off what is expected to ex-
pand into a large program, the
limitation of an hour-long pres
entation can be easily realized.
A Natural Medium.
Ever since television was thought
of, opera has been recognized as
a natural" for this medium.
In the great opera houses of the
world every effort has been made
to stage the repertoire elaborately
and correctly. But only so much
can be done to give the complete
picture. The many details that
add color. authenticity and inter-
est can only be brought out in mo-
ton pictures and in television.
AS the latter strides forward
into new and unforeseen develop
ment. the presentation of opera will
go with it now that a start has
been made. In no time at all,
considering the swift expansion of
any endeavor that appeals to the
American public. opera will be
known familiarly throughout the
country.
The televising of the Metropol-
itan Operas opening performance
last year was not only a great
event but 1t brought out clearly
what is good and bad in the pres
ent setup. Put on by the American
Broadcasting Co., it offered the
first opportunity for the country
at large to attend a Metropolitan
opening. The opera was Verdi's
l"Otello."
Countless difficulties had to be
solved, many Of them so new that
the operators were not prepared
to meet them with sufficient
aplomb. But they learned great
deal about the special technique
involved, much of which could not
be forseen.
High Standard Sought.
It was an enormous undertaking
in the first place. to put the vast
stage of the Metropolitan on the
screen successfully while permit
ting the artists to carry out their
interpretive ideas without restric-
ton. In the operas to be televised
by NBC, more latitude will be
given the directors to bring the
diverse mediums together.
As Mr.. Adler says: "It is neces-
sary to bring these works to the
people on, high standard of pro-
fessional production"
This means really the birth of
new art with unlimited possibil-
tiles.
Some four years ago. DR.. Her
bert Graf. the MICS director of
operate productions, already
pointed out some of the special
tiles needed. 1.-THE methods of
operate production required in
the near future" he stated, "can
be summarized as: Lesser guam
tity, more quality Of voice, diction
gesture and appearance. It re-
quires also q well rehearsed en-
semble with exact planning and
placing of every detail of action
for the establishment Of camera
shots which cannot, as in the
films, be corrected once the per-
formance is under way"
Public Will Be Pleased.
Through the popular appeal Of
television, the stand d-ofhsh atti-
tude of many people as to opera
will be overcome.
The art in itself should be the
kind that the American public
would take to whole-heartedly.
It needs to be denuded Of its
Journalism, to be clarified and
made understandable, and be in
vested with the same type Of
logic as is used in the theater and
! in the Aims. Not all the operas OF
the repertoire will lend themselves
| to this treatment but that will be
minor loss. The important part
is that thrilling and beautiful en-
tertainment will be accessible to
every one.
Many Of the old faults that
have been criticized even by
operas greatest enthusiasts will be
eliminated. A new technique in
Interpretation as also in presen-
tation will be evolved when sue
cess points the way to larger OBJ
jectives. This will be the much
needed spur to give new vigor to
opera. It will also force artists
to combine in equal measure the
vocal and the histrionic art. This
will all take time and not too
much can be demanded at first.