Evening star., 1952-01-27

For the first time in several
decades, something constructive
is being done to bring grand opera
into the local music life. Following
the announcement some time ago
that the Metropolitan Opera would
give three performances here in
the spring, a National Opera Guild
of Washington D. c., was formed
and affiliated with the Metropoli-
tan Opera Guild of New York
City. A board of directors is being
organized and the activities Of
the guild already have been out
lined in a most comprehensive
hmanner.
The guild is concerned first
with four major points. Broadly,
1t seeks to promote greater inter-
est in opera. In line with this Is
the desire to further musical edu-
cation and appreciation, to under
write the purchase of seats for
students, to be sold at half price
for Metropolitan Opera perform
ances, and fourthly, to bring about
the building of an opera house in
Washington. This wide program
inSures the growth of interest in
opera until that onged-for day
arrives when this city will have
Its own opera house.
That day may not be too dis
tant. Last Monday, Representa-
tive Roy w. Weir of Minnesota,
introduced a bill in Congress ask
ing that money remaining from
the appropriation given the Ma
tional Capital Sesquicentennial
Commission for its use be turned
over to the Commission of Fine
Arts. The next day. Representa-
atives Kearnes of Pennsylvania and
Celler of New York, sponsored
bills proposing that the funds be
made available to the General
Services Administration "to estab-
lish, maintain, and administer a
suitable theater and opera house
as national war memorial in the
City of Washington" :" Representa-
tive Celler specifies national
World War II memorial but both
bills agree the plans must be ap-
proved by the Commission OF
Fine Arts.
More Funds Would Be Needed.
The million and a quarter dol
lars unused by the Sesquicenten-
mai Commission would not be
enough to build and maintain the
proposed theater, but it would be
- nest egg. The National Opera
Guild could be active in seeking
further governmental aid and in
saevising other means Of acquiring
the money. The first vice presi-
dent of the guild is David E.
Finley, chairman Of the Commits
sion of Fine Arts, who has In
dorsed Mr.. Wier's bill.
The officers already elected to
HE Guild are Curt Schiffeler,
chairman; Mr.. Finley. first vice
president: Mrs. Robert Low Ba-
con, second vice president: Mrs.
George A. Garrett. third : vice
president; Corcoran Thorn, jr.,
treasurer, and Constance Snow,
secretary. The Board of Directors
win consist of 80 persons and 80
Tar, 80 per cent Of those ap-
proached have accepted. When
this working force is fully set up,
d anembership drive will be started
with the hope Of reaching goal
of 500 before the two-day Metro
politan Opera series begins.
Four Membership Rates.
/ There will be four kinds Of
inembership-donor. contributing,
sustaining and national or regu-
lar membership. A donor pays
500, and from this, $50 goes to
an educational fund of the local
guild, $40 from the $50 contribut-
ing membership fee is set aside
for the same purpose and the
same percentage is taken from
the $25 sustaining membership
and the IS national membership.
Various benefits, to be defined
more fully later. go with all men,
berShipS. one of these including a