Evening star., 1962-12-16

But those who come to ex-
perience the artistry of these
excellent instrumentalists
will be greeted by some un-
familiar scenery as they walk
down the corridor before en-
tering the Coolidge Audi
torium.
Americas Great
There, in the austere cases
where the original manu-
scripts of awe-inspiring mas
terpieces have been displayed
for the past year or so, they
will see instead the handi
work Of Americas greatest
popular composers - Victor
Herbert, Sigmund Romberg,
John Philip Sousa, George
Gershwin, Jerome Kern,
Richard Rodgers, Cole Porter,
Frederick Loewe, Burton
Lane, Arthur Schwartz,
Harold Rome, and Leonard
Bernstein. to mention but a
few names.
The occasion is the OPEN
ing on Wednesday of a gar
gantuan exhibition illustrat-
ing the growth and vitality
OF the American musical
theater in the Goth century,
Memorabilia
To be shown for an in
definite period are musical
and literary manuscript mat
erials, rare first editions of
sheet music, printed scores,
pictures, and memorabilia
selected from the Library's
vast collections in this field.
Pictures Of performers, post
ers. correspondence, sketches,
drafts, and many unique
. items also will be exhibited.
The American musical
theater is surely one of the
nations most distinctive and
significant contributions to
Western culture as a whole.
and 1t is fitting and proper
that the Library Of Congress
should be an unparalleled
source Of authentic informa-
ton about the American op-
eretta, comic opera, review,
musical comedy, and musical
play.
.. Spiritual Heirs
We do not too frequently
think Of George and Ira
Gershwin, Rodgers and Ham
merstein, or Lerner and
Loewe in such terms, but they
land their colleagues work.
ing on Broadway yesterday
and today are, in fact. the
spiritual heirs Of such highly
regarded figures as Jacques
Offenbach, Franz Won Suppe.
Johann Strauss II, and Gil
bert and Sullivan. We do well
to honor them.
If you want to give the kids
and yourself. too. for that
matter-a special Christmas
treat land a reasonable one
at that), you might do worse
than take them for a walk
around the ground floor Of
the Main Building Of the Lii
brary Of Congress.
original Scores
You'll be able to see such
things as the original scores
Of Babes in Toyland," "okla-
homa!," "Finian's Rainbow"
"The Student Prince" Brig
sdoon," and dozens of other
hit shows.
And I'd like to see anybody
who has reached the age OF
discretion come away from
there without humming a
few Of the magnificent songs
on display. many of which
will surely bring back nos
talgic memories Of more in
nocent and less complicated
times In these United States.
NATIONAL SYMPHONY
CRISIS
Last week. Milton s. King.
president Of the National
Symphony Orchestra Associa-
ton. announced that despite
booming business at the box
office, the deficit (now In
excess Of $l50,000) is the
largest the NSO has faced. II
the deficit continues TO grow,
said Mr.. King, II is virtually
certain that the orchestra
will not be able TO continue
TO operate without retrench-
ment.
II the sum Of $320,000 set
as goal for this years sus-
tanning fund is not reached,
the orchestra will have 10 cut
back It's services and per-
sonnel.
The NSO MANAGEMENT
seems scared stiff by the
proposed National Cultural
Center, which is expected TO
be doing a bit Of fund-rais-
ing Of It's own on the local
scene.
In his written statement.
Mr.. King noted:
1--WE are naturally concern
ed with the effect on the