Evening star. [volume], January 30, 1937, Page B-4, Image 18

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

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AUDITORIUM PROJECT OF INTEREST TO MUSICIANS
__ -A.___ _____ — — -- — **■ . — ■■■ ■ ■ 1 ... —
. — 1
Capital Realizes Need
Of Large Auditorium
Grand Opera and Other Impressive Com
munity Entertainments Would Bring
Prestige and New Prosperity to City.
By Alice Ever smart.
THE bad weather of Inauguration day has at last stirred those In power
to thlnlc constructively of how to fill Washington's great need for a
large auditorium. The question of an auditorium has been In the
minds of many for a long time, yet no one seemed energetic enough
to get vigorous action toward the solving of this problem until the heavens
took a hand in it. Now It seems that quite a number of people have for some
time Been cherishing individual pians
as to the construction of such an
auditorium and the different needs
that would be met thereby. But in
all the talk there has not once been
mentioned the need of a proper the
ater where opera could be adequately
given, or any spectacle requiring a
complete stage equipment.
As is almost daily proven, Washing
ton grievously lacks a large enough
hall in which to give opera or any
avent that requires a stage setting and
costume changing, and a smaller hall
for concerts that will not draw a large
enough audience to fill a place like
Constitution Hall. If an auditorium
Is to be built, why could not these two
crying needs of the city be included
in the planning?
We are quite willing to believe that
the importance of proper places in
which to house the musical progress
of the community has not occurred to
those who are not especially interested
in music, but the day has passed when
music is to be indulgently considered
as a pleasant but not so important
a cultural activity in the many con
cerns of the Nation's Capital.
'T'HERE are two angles from which
one may approach the argument
for two more concert halls. One is
from the point of civic pride and the
other from the point of good business,
neither of which is confined to the
relatively minority group which prac
tices or follows good music. The ques
tion of the best furtherance of good
music touches all citizens from one or
the other of these approaches. In
double measure should it be the con
sideration of those who are anxious
for a city beautiful or a thriving busi
ness center.
Under present conditions, Washing
ton can have just so much and no
more, nor greater musical events.
Under present conditions, we can never
have grand opera. This and other
spectacular enterprises must pass the
city by, because there is no place in
Which they can be held.
Several times opera and dance pres
•ntations have been tried at Con
stitution Hall, with poor success, yet
smaller capitals of other countries
and other less prominent cities of the
United States are able to have all
these things because of the proper
equipment. Must we always go on
denying ourselves the finest and most
inspiring presentations, because there
1* not a suitable hall to give them in?
Burely it is a shame that the capital
of the greatest Nation of the world
must lag behind the cities of the West,
for instance, where pioneers ventured
when Washington was already a fast
frowing metropolis.
UOW can we be proud of our mu
sical growth when we know, all
the time, that that growth can go
just so far and the reason of our
limitations is not the lack of desire,
but the want of a material necessity
such as an auditorium. What about
the coming generation, talented and
ambitious, which weekly is having its
tnthusiasm for opera aroused by the
f
broadcasts. If their desire to aee as
well as to hear opera cannot yet be
satisfied by having continuous per
formances of opera, they, at least,
might have an opportunity to learn
of it and Its manifold artistic sides
from occasional performances here.
As for a smaller hall, that, too, Is a
i real need. At present the hotel ball
rooms must act In that capacity. Con
siderable cpnsultatlon must go on be
tween local manager, hotel manager
and the artist's manager before a free
date can be found that is agreeable
to all parties. Clashing of activities
cannot be avoided under the present
system, when the hotels furnish the
only place where big events can be
given.
AS FOR the good business end,
whatever is done musically in the
city will bring with it a momentary
compensation to many besides musi
cians or those directly interested. The
charm of the Capital is felt all over
the country, and travelers feel It a
duty as well as a pleasure to visit It
some time in their lives. Were the
musical opportunities equal to those
offered by San Francisco, Chicago,
Philadelphia or New York, they would
prefer to develop that side of their cul
tural Inclinations in Washington,
where they could take advantage of
other things which only this city can
offer. The two halls could pay for
themselves if the planning were care
fully done.
It may be thought that music can
bring but little return in financial
gain to any but those particularly
active in it, but this is a mistaken
idea, very difficult to eradicate from
the mind of the ordinary Individual.
However, "figures never lie,” and a
very interesting list of these can be
obtained to refute the opinion that
adding bigger and better musical,
dance and theater attractions, proper
ly housed and produced, would in
evitably mean increased deficit.
It is to be hoped that the leaders
in musical activities will energetically
unite and bring each their own con
vincing proof of why another large
auditorium, with a completely equip
ped stage and a smaller concert hall
are absolutely necessary to the future
progress of the city in cultural ways.
Those who could further the idea and
who possibly have never given it a
thought would be willing to give this
! consideration as of equal importance
with providing a place for conventions
to meet or a drill hall.
Surely the growth of the National
Symphony Orchestra and the large
attendance at other concerts is visible
1 proof of the widespread interest in
music here. And just recently, Mr.
Johnson, managing director of the
Metropolitan Opera, when approached
as to the possibility of bringing the
famed company here this season, re
sponded, “What hall have you big
enough, with a properly equipped
stage, where opera can be given?” The*
whole idea was nipped in the bud by
that question.
Rosenthal
Plans Tour
Next Fall
Polish Pianist Makes
.Washington One of
Scheduled Cities.
IZ ROSENTHAL, the aston
lshinig 74-year-old Polish pianist
and pupil of Liszt, who thrilled and
delighted a Constitution Hall audience
last Sunday afternoon, will return
to the United States for another tour
next season, according to word re
ceived by Dorothy Hodgkin Dorsey,
Washington concert impresario, who
presented Rosenthal here last Sunday.
Rosenthal’s American manager has
advised Mrs. Dorsey that despite the
pianist’s avowed intention, when he
first arrived, of remaining in Europe
next season, he had been so warmed
and delighted by the enthusiastic re
ception accorded him by American
critics and music lovers that he wel
comed the opportunity to return next
aeason for a short tour that would
begin in January. 1938.
On receipt of this word, Mrs. Dor
»ey promptly advised the Rosenthal
management that she wished to in
clude the noted pianist in one of her
aeries of Sunday afternoon attrac
tions next season, and a tentative
date was set aside for the recital.
-•
SEGOVIA, GUITAR
ARTIST, TO PLAY
^NDRES SEGOVIA, famous gui
tarist, is giving his first recital in
America this season in Town Hall,
New York City, tomorrow afternoon.
Last Sunday Senor Segovia was heard
on the “Magic Key” hour over the
radio, playing Bach and two Spanish
numbers. His appearance in the
United States will mark his ninth
American tour. He will be heard in
recital In Washington Thursday night,
February 25, at Wardman Park
Theater, under the management of
Concerts In times, Elena de Sayn, di
rector.
It was by special request that Se
govia's concert In Washington this
year will be given In the evening, since,
owing to the afternoon hour last
season, many of his admirers were
unable to attend. Fresh from his tri
umphs abroad, where Senor Segovia
fulfilled a number of engagements,
he will play a taxing program In New
York tomorrow afternoon, including
numbers which have been recently
dedicated to him.
Tickets for Segovia’s recital are on
•ale at the Talbert Ticket Agency, the
Mayflower newsstand and Sophocles
Papas, 1508 Nineteenth street north
* jrest. v
Concert Schedule
Today.
Mme. Sara Flakshaar, lecture
recital, Sanford Donaldson as
sisting, Grafton Hotel, 8 p.m.
Tomorrow.
National Symphony Orchestra,
Dr. Hans Kindler, conductor;
Winifred Cecil, soprano, soloist,
Constitution Hall, 4 p.m.
j William Penny Hacker, piano
recital, Roosevelt Hotel, 9:30 p.m.
Monday.
Gertrud Wettergren, contralto;
Lauritz Melchoir. tenor, joint re
cital, Mayflower Hotel. 11:15 a m.
Navy Band. Hour of Memories
program, 2 p.m.
Tuesday.
Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene
Ormandy and Viscount Konoye,
conducting; Gregor Platigorsky,
cellist, soloist, Constitution Hall,
8:45 p.m.
Navy Band Symphony Orches
tra. 8 p.m.
Marine Band, Shut-Ins Dream
Hour, 3 p.m.
Soldiers’ Home Band Orchestra,
5:30 p.m.
Victrola concert, Public Library,
7:30 p.m.
Thursday.
Washington String Quartet,
Frances Nash, pianist, assisting,
Sulgrave Club, 5 p.m.
I Army Band, 4:30 p.m.
Soldiers’ Home Band Orchestra,
5:30 p.m.
Friday.
Evelyn Scott, violinist; Dorothy
Tyler, soprano; Maude Sewell,
lecturer, Friday Morning Music
Club, Barker Hall, Y. W. C. A.,
11:30 a.m.
Saturday.
Soldiers’ Home Band Orchestra,
5:30 p.m.
YOUNG MUSICIANS
IN STATE CONTEST
'J'HE biennial State contest for young
artists and students, sponsored by
the National Federation of Music
Clubs, will be held at Barker Hall
Y. W. C. A. on March 6, hour to be
announced. All applications for this
contest must be sent to the District of
Columbia chairman, Charlotte O. Up
pitt, 125 Eleventh street northeast, not
later than February 6, as they are re
quired 30 days prior to the contest.
The district contest will be held at
Petersburg, Va., April 9.
Program at Howard U.
TPHE fourth concert in the Howard
University concert series will be
given by Frank Harrison, baritone,
Tuesday evening, February 9, at 8:30
o'clock in Rankin Memorial Chapel.
Mr. Harrison is a graduate of the
Howard University School of Music
and is now head of the voice and
music history departments at Talla
dega College, Tallatoa, Ala.
World Famous Artists Add Glamour to Week’s Music
_ r
Hindu Ballet
Offers Rich
Pageantry
Uday Shan-Kar Will
Bring His Company
to the National.
T JDAY SHAN-KAR, outstanding in
^ terpreter of the world today o'
the dances of India, will bring his
Hindu Ballet in a program, under au
spices of William A. Albaugh. to the
National Theater on Tuesday after
noon, February 9. at 4:30 p.m., for a
single performance.
It has been several seasons since
Shan-Kar presented his first program
in Washington, with marked success.
Different dances will be featured this
time. It was Pavlowa who first
brought the young Hindu artist, Uday
Shan-Kar, to the public attention.
She was keenly interested in his
marked gift.
Shan-Kar brings his American au
diences one of the strangest, most ex
otic and most stirring spectacles
in Western experience. Shan-Kar’s
dances deal principally with "love" and
develop all of its various aspects from
an Oriental point of view. The gods of
the Far East are subjects of dance
dramas which have noble symboliza
tion. Folklore contributes to the
dances of the soil, many of which are
humorous.
With musicians who play skillfully
on Hindu Instruments to accompany
his dancing group, Shan-Kar returns
to America after a triumphant tour of
Europe and Asia since his last appear
ance here. He brings rich pageantry
and traditional costumes of old India
and its rituals, religious and other
wise, in the program February 9.
Reservations for this event can be
made at the box office, National The
ater, or at Kitt’s music store, 1330 G
street northwest.
MISS NASH WITH
STRING QUARTET
pRANCES NASH, pianist, will play
A with the Washington String
Quartet at the second in a series of
four concerts at the Sulgrave Club,
1801 Massachusetts avenue, Thursday
at 5 o'clock. Members of the quartet
are Milton Schwartz and Paul Bright
enburg, violins; George Wargo, viola,
and Howard Mitchell, cello.
The program will include Ottorino
Respighi’s “Quartet in D Major,"
Juaquln Turina’s “La Oracion del
Torero” and Cesar Franck’s “Quin
tet in F Minor” for piano and strings.
Miss Nash, who studied in this
country, made her first big success as
guest artist with the Berlin Philhar
monic Orchestra. She has played ex
tensively in the United States, as
well as in Europe and South America,
appearing both in recital and with
well-known symphony orchestras.
Washington music lovers have heard
Miss Nash most recently as guest
soloist with the National Symphony
Orchestra.
Tickets for this concert will be
available at the Sulgrave Club before
the concert.
Noted Pianist
WILLIAM PENNY HACKER,
Pianist and conductor of the
Albany Symphony Orchestra,
who will be heard in recital
tomorrow evening at the
Roosevelt Hotel.
At top are the two Metropolitan Opera artists giving the
program. Monday morning at the Mayflower Hotel. Left: Gertrua
Wettergren, contralto, in the role of "Carmen.” and Lauritz
Melchior, the great Wagnerian tenorf as "Siegmund.” Below,
left, is Gregor Piatigorsky, celebrated cellist, the soloist of the
Philadelphia Orchestra Tuesday evening at Constitution Hall,
when the program will be directed by Eugene Ormandy and the
noted Japanese conductor. Viscount Konoye. Right: Winifred
Cecil, soprano, already well known to Washington, returning
as soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra tomorrow
afternoon at Constitution Hall.
Philadelphia Orchestra
Gives Fourth Program
Ormandy Organization to Present Two
Famous Artists, Japanese and Russian,
on Visit to Capital Tuesday.
—
EUGENE ORMANDY. conductor of the Philadelphia Symphony Or
chestra. will present two brilliant musical artists cm the fourth pro
gram, and final one, he conducts here this season, Tuesday evening, at
8:45 o’clock at Constitution Hall. The gifted Japanese nobleman, Vis
| count Hidemaro Konoye, will make his debut in the National Capital in the
role of conductor, being guest leader for the two opening numbers on the
program—aeeuiovens overture Known,
as “Leonore No. 1” (opus 138) and the
same composer's “Second Symphony."
After the intermission, when Mr.
Ormandy will hold the baton, the
other guest artist of the evening, the
young Russian violoncellist, Gregor Pi
atigorsky, will be soloist in Haydn's
“Concerto in D Major for Violoncello
and Orchestra.” Mr. Ormandy will
conduct the final number of the eve
ning, “Daphnis and Chloe," suite
No. 3, by the contemporary French
composer, Maurice Ravel.
The final, fifth, program by this or
chestra in Washington will be con
ducted by Leopold Stokowski.
Mr. Stokowski, who presented Vis
count Konoye’s own composition,
"Etenraku," last season, has most en
thusiastic praise for Konoye’s ability
both as composer and conductor. In
his native land Viscount Konoye is
the moving spirit of most musical ac
complishment.
Gregor Piatigorsky, who made his
>
Washington debut under the spon
sorship of Mrs. Lawrence Townsend
several seasons ago, is undoubtedly
one of the geniuses of the world. He
was born in the Ukraine April 17,1903,
and has suffered many varieties of
hardship and privation in his upward
struggle and the chaotic conditions in
his country and in Germany, where
he later went to study and for his first
continental successes outside Russia,
before he finally came to the United
States, where he has won constantly
increasing acclaim.
The T. Arthur Smith Concert Bu
reau, 910 G street northwest, is pre
senting the Philadelphia Symphony
Orchestra in this program, as this
bureau has presented this orchestra
since 1900. Reservations for seats can
be made by telephone.
HACKER CONCERT
AT THE ROOSEVELT
WILLIAM PENNY HACKER, pian
ist and conductor, who for the
past two years has directed the Albany
Philharmonic Orchestra, will give a
concert tomorrow evening at the
Roosevelt Hotel, at 9:30 o'clock.
Mr. Hacker has been playing the
piano since he was 4 years old and
has been giving concerts since he was
10. For the past three years Jose
Iturbl has been supervising his work.
After spending some months in Eu
rope. where he was associated with
Wanda Landowska, harplschordlst, he
was invited to take charge of the Al
bany Orchestra.
He has recently returned from
Havana, where he scored a brilliant
success as guest conductor of the Phil
harmonic Symphony Orchestra of that
city.
SPRING CONCERT
TO BE REHEARSED
'DXHKAR8ALS for the Spring con*
lv cert of the choral group of the
Arts Club, 2017 I street northwest, will
start Wednesday evening at S o’clock
in the auditorium of the club house.
Otto Simon Is musical director, with
Katherine Morrison at the piano.
Many new members have been en
rolled, and an Interesting program of
new music will be rehearsed. All
members are requested to attend
promptly.
Officers and members of the Ad
visory Council are: Mrs. Charles Bit
tinger, William Hugh Dunn, Col.
Charles Penis, Dr. George B. Oirty
and Pulton J*. Lewis.
OTERO-ECHANIZ
JOINT RECITAL
gMMA 'OTERO, coloratura soprano,
and Jose Echaniz, palnist, have
been engaged for a joint recital, to take
place on Monday evening. February
15, which follows the brilliant success
won by both artists in appearances
here last season.
Miss Otero’s past appearances in
Washington include a joint recital
at the White House with Alfred Wal
lenstein, noted cellist; a joint recital
with Richard Crooks in Mrs. Lawrence
Townsend’s musicales at the May
flower; a concert with Edward John
son, now general manager of the
Metropolitan Opera, at Constitution
Hall, in the late Mrs. Wilson-Greene’s
series; and a recital at the Pan-Ameri
can Union. Since the age of 17, when
she made her ausplcous New York
debut at Carnegie Hall, Miss Otero
has rapidly won recognition as one
of the greatest coloratura sopranos.
Echaniz won his first concert suc
cesses as assisting artist with the
famous Italian tenor, Tito Schlpa.
Tickets and programs for this con
cert may be secured at Kitt's, 1330
O street northwest.
Lectures on Beethoven.
'T'HE course of 12 lecture recitals
by Henry Gregor, sponsored by
the Junior League of Washington, on
“Beethoven” began Tuesday at the
Phillips Memorial Gallery, 1600 Twen
ty-first street northwest. Mr. Gregor
will play the 10 piano sonatas of the
third and last period of Beethoven’s
life and speak about them In connec
tion wlthiBeethoven’s life history.
Jose Iturbi,
Pianist, to
Give Concert
Fine Program to Be*
Offered on First
Visit Since ’35.
JOSE ITURBI, the celebrated Span
ish pianist and conductor, will
appear here In a full-length piano re
cital at Constitution Hall, Sunday
afternoon, February 7, at 4 o’clock,
under the management of Dorothy
Hodgkin Dorsey. Iturbi has not played
a recital here since 1935.
A superb program has been selected
by Iturbi for next Sunday afternoon.
Two sonatas—Mozart's ‘ Sonata in F
Major (K. 332>” and Beethoven’s "C
Major Sonata, Opus 53”—will occupy
all of the first part of the perform
ance, and after the intermission Iturbi
will play Schubert's "B Flat Major
Impromptu,” two mazurkas and a
polonaise by Chopin, Granados'
‘Plaintes ou la Maja et la Rosslgnol”
and Albeniz's ’‘Navarra.”
Eight years have elapsed since Josi
Iturbi first appeared in America In
the Fall of 1930 and began a short,
three-month tour that at once estab
lished him as a virtuoso of outstand
ing attainments and a musician of
impregnable artistic ideals. Since
that time, Iturbi has been returning
every year to play for a greater audi
ence each season until today, his
name la literally a household word in
music.
Coincidental with his achievement
of high rank as a pianist has been
Iturbl’s almost phenomenal develop
ment as an orchestra conductor, a
development which began in Mexico
City some four years ago and which
brought him. last season, the post of
conductor of the Rochester Symphony
Orchestra as well as engagements to
| conduct such orchestras as the Phila
delphia, Detroit, New York Philhar
monic and Cleveland.
Seats for the Iturbi recital are
available at Mrs. Dorsey's Concert Bu
reau, in Droop’s, 1300 G street north
west.
Two other February recitals are also
announced by Mrs. Dorsey, both at
Constitution Hall. The first of these
will be the Constitution Hall debut
of Kirsten Flagstad, Norwegian so
prano of the Metropolitan Opera As
sociation, who will appear as the third
attraction of Mrs. Dorsey’s evening
concert series on Tuesday evening,
February 16, at 8:30 o'clock, while the
other will be the violin recital of
Jascha Heifetz the following Sunday
afternoon, February 21, at 4 o'clock.
IN LOCAL MUSIC
CIRCLES
J7VELYN SCOTT, violinist; Dorothy
Tyler, soprano, and Maude Bew
ail, lecturer, will present the program
for the Friday Morning Music Club,
Friday, at 11:30 a.m. Barker Hall, Y.
W. C. A.
Regular rehearsals of the Rubinstein
Club will be resumed for the Spring
concert. Those desiring auditions for
voice test may call Edith M. White,
1435 Spring road northwest.
The music hour tomorrow at the
Y. W. C. A. at 5 o'clock will be given
by Alice B. Haig, soprano, and Kath
ryn Latimer, pianist and accompanist.
The public is cordially invited.
A new class in dalcroze eurythmics
will be started in the near future,
meeting on Friday afternoon from 5
until 6 o’clock. Iris Bland Smith,
graduate of the Paris, London and
Geneva schools, is the teacher for this
class. Information may be secured
from the music department at the
Y. W. C. A.
Tomorrow evening, beginning at 8
o’clock, in the Mount Pleasant Congre
gational Church, the Mount Pleasant
Chorus, under the direction of Norton
M. Little, with Claude Robeson at the
organ and Evelina E. Cllnchy, so
prano; Charlotte La Pond, contralto:
Raymond T. Flgott, tenor, and Carroll
E. Robb, bass, as soloists, will present
the second musical service of the sea
son. The program will be entirely of
the works of Tschaikowsky, his con
tributions to the liturgy of the Rus
sian church and his adaptations of
some of his songs and larger works.
The is cordially invited. |
Popular Opera Works
On Symphony Program
Dr. Kindler to Respond to Popular Demand
•and Present Selections From Great
Compositions—Miss Cecil, Soloist.
RESPONDING to persistent requests for favorite opera excerpts from
hundreds of the orchestra's followers, Hans Kindler, conductor, will
present the National Symphony in a program devoted entirely to popu
lar opera works at 4 p.m. tomorrow afternoon in Constitution Hall.
With Winifred Cecil, the popular American soprano as assisting artist, Dr.
Kindler will present his audience with selections taken from the world's great
operas, ut. jimoiers an-opera pro-*i
gram last year was one of the most
enthusiastically received concerts In
the orchestra's history. Since then
the demand for more music of the
opera field has been so steady and so
Insistent that Dr. Klndler, soon after
the current season opened, laid plans
for a concert devoted, again, to opera
exclusively.
This demand, Dr. Kindler believes,
is proof that a great need for the pre
sentation of opera exists in the Capi
tal, and while his program this Sun
day will have a wide public appeal, it
la also designed to meet that need.
The numbers on the program repre
sent the greatest operas and survey
the history of opera from Its beginning
to modern time.
The program will be as follows:
■“}*• T - - - Gluck-Mottl
(a> Introduction (Don Juan)—"Air gai
and Lento"; tlphlgenle in Aulis) —
„ , Air gal Repeated."
<b) "Dance or the Blessed Spirits."
/ v ..w .. Orpheus
{£> ‘/Musette" Armide
Fanfare" flphigenie in Aulis*.
“ace. Race. Mio Dio" from "La Rorsa
del Destlno" Verdi
, . . , Winifred Cecil.
Introduction and "Cortege de Noces."
.from Le Coc d Or" Rimskr-Korsakov
Song of the Rhine Maidens." from
"Gottardammerung" Wagner
"Du Gist der Lens." from "Die
Walkure" Wagner
"Dlch Theure Halle." from "Tann
hauser" __ Wagner
Winifred Cecil.
Dream Pantomime." from "Hansel
and Gretel" _ Humperdinck
Dance of the Comedians.” from "The
Bartered Bride"_ Smetana
'J'HE National Symphony is fortunate
in having the services as soloist
of a brilliant young artist, who in the
last two years has become a favorite
with American audiences. Miss Cecil,
who appeared with the orchestra in a
"sunset symphony" concert in 1935,
has had phenomenal success since the
launched her concert career a few
years ago. A native New Yorker, she
made her debut in Town Hall in New
York in 1933.
Since that concert, and also since
her Summer appearance with the Na
tional Symphony, she has concertized
widely throughout America, appearing
as soloist with the leading orchestras
and in recitals. She is at present a
featured soloist on many coast-to-coast
networks, including such important
hours as "Palmolive," "Maxwell House
Coffee," and others.
Planning to add operatic achieve
ment to her already notable career.
Miss Cecil last Summer went to
Europe. At the suggestion of Edward
Johnson, manager of the Metropolitan
Opera Association, she made a special
study of Italian roles. While In
Europe she filled several engagements
In Italy, In London and in several
Swiss cities. Her success abroad was
so definite that she will return to Italy
this Spring to fill several operatic en
gagements in leading opera house*
there. Meanwhile she has a busy sea
son in America to complete.
'THE “Pace, pace, mio Dio,” from
A Verdi's “La Forza del Destlno"—
her opening number at her Constitu
tion Hall appearance—is an aria for
which Miss Cecil's rich and flexible
voice is admirably suited. No less to
be anticipated are the Wagnerian se
lections which she will sing with the
orchestra in the second half of the
program. Her innate sense of style,
as well as of the dramatic, makes her
a superb interpreter of “Du blst der
Lenz,’’ from “Die Walkure." and “Dich
Theure Halle,’’ from “Tannhauser.”
The Gluck suite with which Dr.
Kindler opens the program includes
some of the most entrancing music
ever written. The four movements
of the suite present gems from four
operas, all remembered though they
are centuries old. Concluding the
first half of the program will be
excerpts from Rimsky-Korsakov's “Le
Coq d’Or,” Dr. Kindler will present
two famous selections, the introduc
tion and “Cortege de Noces."
While using these members to fill
an important part in his operatic pro
gram, Dr. Kindler at the same time
pays tribute to a great Russian poet,
whose work became the foundation for
so many immortal operas. Alexander
Pushkin. That poet, who is the author
of the story on which “Le Coq d'Or”
is based, died just 100 years ago, and
the playing of the introduction and
“Cortege” this Sunday is in commem
oration of the centenary of his death.
TN addition to the Wagner number
which Miss Cecil will sing. Dr. Ken
dler will conduct the music of “The
Song of the Rhine Maidens." from the
opera "Gotterdamerung." This is one
of the best known of Wagnerian selec
tions, and one that is as firmly estab
lished in the repertoire of concert or
chestras as it is in that of opera com
panies. The serene “Dream Panto
mime,” from Humperdinck's opera
"Hansel and Gretel.” and the “En
trance of the Comedians.” from "The
Bartered Bride,” by Smetana bring
the program to a dramatic close.
Outstanding Artists
To Sing Here Monday
TWO of the greatest singers on the Metropolitan Opera roster. Gertrud
Wettergren, contralto, and Lauritz Melchior, tenor, will be presented
by Mrs. Lawrence Townsend on Monday morning at the Mayflower
Hotel. This will be the first time these outstanding artists have been
heard in this city.
Gertrud Palson-Wettergren was born in Esiov in Southern Sweden.
Her father and mother had trained*:
voices and they encouraged her to
develop her voice, the three often
singing together in recitals in their
native town. The Crown Princess
Margaretha of Sweden. Duchess of
Skane, which is the province where
Eslov is located, took a personal in
terest in the girl and offered her an
opportunity to go to Stockholm to
study at the Royal Academy of Music.
She made her debut at the Royal
Opera of Stockholm as Cheruoino in
“The Marriage of Figaro." But it
was as Carmen that she established
her right to rank among the leading
artists of the Stockholm Opera and
during the 10 years of her active
career has sung this role more than
a hundred times. She also has ap
peared in two Swedish talking pic
tures.
Vf ME. WETTERGREN, who is the
wife of Erik Wettergren, direc
tor of the Swedish National Museum,
was invited by Edward Johnson to
come to the Metropolitan Opera for
the season of 1935-36. She made her
debut as Amneris in “Aida" on De
cember 20, following this with ap
pearances as Brangaene in "Tristan
and Isolde." Venus in "Tannhauser” :
and the title role in “Carmen."
Lauritz Melchior is considered the
foremost tenor in the world today.
For 11 years his distinguished Wag
nerian Interpretations have been high
lights in the New’ York operatic sea
son. He has also appeared extensively
at Covent Garden in London, San
Francisco Opera, Vienna Staatsoper,
the Grand Opera in Paris, Teatro
Colon in Buenos Aires, Staatsoper in
Berlin, as well as at Bayreuth and
other festivals.
A native of Denmark, Mr. Melchior
first studied in the School of the Royal
Opera in Copenhagen, where his voice
attracted such attention that he was
soon invited to sing important operatic
roles. His European reputation grew
rapidly, and in 1925 he was invited
to sing at Bayreuth, where he has
appeared frequently. In the season
of 1925-26 he first came to America
for his debut at the Metropolitan.
Although he is best known here for
his Wagnerian interpretation, he also
has appeared in many other operas,
covering the Italian and French, as
well as German repertoire.
1JE HAS been decorated many time*
by the King of Denmark, and
also has been signally honored by the
other European countries.
Program.
Erik's Aria from the opera "Prode."
Julius Bechgaard
Mr. Melchior.
"Ich liebe dich’’_Beethoven
"Vor mir die steppe"_Gretchantnolf
"Zueignung”__R. Strauss
Mme. Wetteraren.
' Aakande”_Lange Mueller
"Jomfru du maa ikke sove" ( "Ser
enade"'__P. Heise
“Hoerer du"__Sverre Jordan
Mr. Melchior.
"Naeppe tor leg tale” ("Hardly Dare I
Tefr>_P. Heise
Prom the Dyvekes’ Songs.
"Mot kveld" ("Eventide")_A. B. Grondahl
"Jungfrun under lind" 'Swedish).
Wihl. Peterson-Berger
("The Maiden Under the Linden Tree.")
"Til Majdag" ("Mayday"),
Wlhl. Peterson-Berger
Mme. Wettergren.
"Der Doppelganger"_Franz Schubert
"Der Atlas"_Franz Schubert
"Traum durch die Dsrameruns ".R. Strauss
“Helmllche AulTorderung"_R. Strauss
Mr. Melchior
"Saf. Saf. Susa" ("Reeds. Reeds.
Rustle")_Jean Sibelius
"Svarta Rosa” ("Black Roses").
Jean Sibelius
‘‘Far Across the Desert Sands."
Amy Woodford-Pindea
“Allah Be With Us."
Amy Woodford-Flnden
Mme. Wettergren.
Aria, “Orahlerzahlung" ("Lohengrin"),
Richard Wagner
Mr. Melchior.
Kurt Ruhrseitz at the piano.
'CHACE DANCERS
TO GIVE CONCERT
MARIAN CHACE DANCERS will
present a concert in Alexandria
on February 6, at the George Wash
ington High School auditorium at
8:30 p.m., under the auspices of the
Mount Vernon Chapter, D. A. R.
Miss Chace has been associated
with Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn
and the Denishawn company and all
of the dances on the forthcoming
program are of her own composition.
Including South American and East
Indian native dances.
The high school and junior high
group will dance the "Rondo Capri
cioso" by Mendelssohn, and a “Hu
moresk.” Miss Chace will appear in
solo numbers to music by Brahms,
Granados and Cyril Scott. Other
solos will be lyric, dramatic and sati
ric interpretations of compositions by
Bach, Debussey, Strauss, Bloom and
others.
Miss Chace’s men’s group, which is
the only concert group of men dancers
south of New York, will present Rach
maninoff’s "Prelude in G minor” and
assist the senior group in other num-'
bers. The ballet, "Puppets,” a satire
on the dance itself, and adapted to
music by Lyman McCrary will portray
technique, ballet, free dance, aesthetic
interpretative, esoteric, modern and
distortion in amusing aspects. Con
trary to report, Miss Chace will defl
L>
nitely not present "American Hori
zons,” which includes "Nine Earnest
Men,” a satire on the United States
Supreme Court and much-discussed
number of her reportoire.
The following dancers will take part:
Junior group—Virginia Elmendorf,
Vilda Renee Goyette, Eleanor King,
Ann Powell, Nancy Riley, Marlan
Lester Shafer. Senior group—Helen
Hoyem, Jean Maillette, Karel Veya,
Mary Williams, Kate Hall, Anna Green,
Louise Haskin, Avis Belt, Mary Hen
shall, Joanne Leasure. Jean Mackenzie.
Men’s group—Leonard Levenson, Jcssa
Mello, Morris Short, Fred Stevenson.
Accompanist—Lyman McCrary. Vio
linist—Grace Powell.
EDWARD J. HENNE BERRY
Pianist and Teacher
Oraduate of New England Conservator?
of Music In Boston
Stadia 1330 16th 81.
Lessons at Home by Appointment
Mat. I6A0_ _WIs. 3300 •
Warren F. Johnson, Organist
Church of the Pilgrims
Sunday Evening
Fantasy for Flute Stops, from
“Suite for Organ” _8owerby
Eventide. Op. 58_ Harwood
Armando Jannuzzi
Grand Opera Dramatic Tenor
Voice Specialist
Italian Method
School of hcl canto.
Diat. 1403
.ISIS Oak St. N.W. (Cor. l«th)
V *
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