Evening star., 1950-02-19
Music News
Opero-Going Public Will Settle
Bing's Stand on Hiring FIogstod
By Alice Eversmon

1T HiSC
The question of whether Kristen
FlagStad will sing at the Metro
politan Opera was settled by the
incoming managing director, Ru-
dolph Bing, a couple of weeks ago.
He said in a press conference that
she would be engaged for the
Wagnerian roles which she would
share with Helen Traubel This
announcement, however, did not
settle the question of what the
American public's attitude will be
toward the singer who Joined her
Nazi collaboration husband in Nor
way during the war. Mr.. Bing in
dicated he was all set for battle on
the issue.
1t is his opinion that an artist
of Flagstad's caliber belongs in the
leading opera house of the world.
1t is apparent that he considers
artistry above personal integrity
and the implications that associa-
ton with the Nazis means.
Flagstad returned to Norway in
April, 1941. after the invasion of
her country by the Nazis. In
June, 1945, the New York Times
quoted the Norwegian Embassy as
saying, in statement, that she
"Was aware of the fact that her
husband was a Nazi Norwegians
both inside and out of the country
felt that her place was not at
home-it was in this country
where she could do a job for Nor
way" Her wealthy husband
Henry Johansen, was charged
with being a member of Quisling S
National Samling Party. He was
arrested in February, 1945, &C
cused of profteering by selling
lumber to the Nazis. He died be-
fore trial but his estate was con-
flscated.
Makes Three Statements.
Flagstad is reported as making
three statements; that she re-
turned because she wished to be
with her husband; that she did
not sing for the Nazis and that
the Norwegian people treated her
badly" The first has been ac-
cepted sentimentally as rejecting
a proper wifely desire. The Sec
ond is considered to clear her en-
tirely as regards her political affi-
liations. The Importance of the
third as indicating the attitude of
her countrymen toward her, is
given little consideration. She
never. at any time, said anything
about disapproving of her hus-
bands conduct or that she en-
dured any mental anguish at be-
ing drawn into the Nazi circle.
She did not return to Norway
blindfolded or innocent of existing
conditions. She knew by that
time that a hateful word-Quis-
ling-had been added to the vo-
cabulary. When at home, there
must have been frequent occasions
when she had to receive her huS-
bands party friends in her house
What was going on must have
been discussed. Of her dislike OF
the position in which she was
placed she has never spoken. She
was boycotted by her people to
such an extent that she was con-
sidered persona non grata."
Appeals Had No Effect.
The Norwegian Embassy re-
fused to approve her going to Nor
way but she went anyway. travel
ing by way of Portugal, Spain and
Berlin. In this country she left
her daughter, Elsa, who was mar
ried to Arthur Dusenberry, a
member of the U. S. Air Force
She was held in esteem and affec-
ton by the American public, she
had many friends here and she
was being paid high fees for her
appearances. None of this, in
cluding the appeals of her Nor
wegian-American friends, had any
effect on her decision to return
home.
We are now supposed to forget
criticism as to Flagstad's wartime
behavior and to overlook it's i'm
plications because of her artistic
stature. 1t is implied that, she is
greatly needed for the type of roles
to be assigned her. Yet, some
years ago, Edward Johnson stated,
in answer to a query by the New
York Times, that the "Wagnerian