Evening star., 1955-05-15


the indisposed prima donna
acted Leonora in "Trovatore"
In dumb-show.
Alice Eversman, for many
years music editor Of The Star.
was a member Of the San
Carlo troupe before she went
to the Metropolitan. Mr.. Gallo
remembers her in her prime.
and recalls a voice whose
beauty was eQualed only by
the charm of her personality.
Distrusts TRANSACTIONS
I asked his opinion on the
old controversial question Of
opera in translation.
For me it has never been
successful" said Mr.. Gallo.
whose work has been not for
: an audience of connoisseurs,
but for the average opera lover
with So in his pocket and a
desire to see show. ut
doesn't sound right in English.
and people don't like 1t. At
least that's been my expert
ence with the kind Of opera I
give. I put on Butterfly once
in Chicago, with performances
in both English and Italian.
The translated version was not
a success"
This is a remarkable finding
from a man who unquestion-
ably knows his business, and
whose business is popular
opera. The Salmaggi Opera
Co., heard here last summer
at the Watergate, also eschews
translation. Yet many con-
temporary singers and pro-
ducers believe that the future
of opera in America lies that
way.
Other Musical Events
In addition to the San Carlo
Opera, there will be many
other musical events this sum-
mer at the Carter Barron.
The week of June 9 brings
the National Ballet Co. Of
Canada; the week Of June 20.
the National Symphony with
Howard Mitchell conducting;
Louis Armstrong and his band
will be here June q, %
and 90.
Menotti's newest opera 1.-THE
Saint of Bleecker Street"
comes June 80 for a two-week
run, with the original New
York cast.
The Ballet Russo de Monte
Carlo will appear from July IA
through July q.
X X Il X
MET" MAY RETURN
The guarantors of the re-
cent Metropolitan Opera con-
certs learned last week that the
venture lost $8,166.61. Each
of the hackers had thus to pay
$16O.12 to make up the deficit.
The gross revenue was $46,-
270.50, 80 per cent Of the figure
of $57,710 if the two houses of
La Traviata" and Faust"
had been full.
Patrick Hayes, executive
secretary of the Washington
Metropolitan Opera Commit
tee, and Sol Hurok, the i'm
presarios, took a reduction of
$500 in their $500 fee.
The guarantors have been
asked again to sponsor the
Metropolitan in a pair of
operas next May. They may
feel that this years produc-
tions were successful both as
artistic presentations and as a
cultural accomplishment for
Washington. The fact that it
seldom pays for itself has never
been held a serious charge
against opera.
If, however, the guarantors
feel that the Metropolitan's
visit here left much to be de-
sired from an organization
which enjoys the prestige of
one of the best opera houses
in the world, they should re-
member that this year the
opera was hired on its name
alone, without regard to reper-
toire or cast. The Metropoli-
tan does not come here as a
matter Of charity or artistic
largesse, it comes because 1t
is paid to be heard here in the
flesh rather than over the
radio.
It is reasonable to suppose
that if the guarantors are dis
satisfied. their demands as to
matters of repertoire, cast. or
chestra, rehearsals and gen.
eral artistic endeavor-if they
are made before a contract Is
signed-will be of obvious
value to Washington's musical
life.
4 + 4 y
DUET RECITAL
The program of Bach and
Mozart sonatas for violin and
keyboard to be given this aft
ernoon by Richard Dirksen.
harpsichordist, and Werner
Lywen, violinist, at the Phillips
Gallery, will be heard on a
combination of instruments
for which there is no feasible
substitute as far as the Bach