Ventnor news., June 30, 1923, Page THREE, Image 3

About Ventnor news. (Ventnor City, N.J.) 1907-1926

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it
New York Grand Opera
Written by an Old Critic in 1885
f There is no doubt of the genuine
■ success of the German opera in
| New York this winter. The operas
} have been admirably placed upon the
| stage. All the scenic accessories
? were satisfactory, and the music was
j thoroughly mastered by singers who
appreciated and enjoyed it, and who
/ were completely accomplished artists.
They had, moreover, a certain
national pride in the performance.
They felt evidently that the cause of
German music had been intrusted to
them. They were here as missionaries
among unbelievers, who, without
much knowledge, had been bred in
the Italian tradition. To win their
hearty and enthusiastic favor would
be a famous victory, and it was won.
A more satisfactory series of opera
presentations has not been known in
New York, and for the first time
“German opera” has not been an
occasional and curious experiment on
of evenings and with a chance
medley company, but it has been
approved and accepted by "fashion”
and “the town.”
This fact shows a great change in
the musical taste of “the town.” It
is now the taste of the Truffi and
Benedetti era. Indeed, to the boxes
of the Metropolitan Opera House
Truffi and Benedetti are unknown
or vague names. When they sang
in Astor Place, the corner of Broad
way and Fortieth Street was com
paratively a lonely field, Madison
Square was suburban, and Corporal
'Thompson’s cottage still stood to
cheer the pleasure-seekers on the
Bloomingdale Road. It was a little,
almost provincial, New York. The
Philharmonic Concerts were scarcely
begun, and were given in the old
Apollo Rooms, on Broadway below
Canal Street. It was even after
the great day of Truffi and Benedetti
that Thalberg came and gave his
concerts at Niblo’s saloon. Then
came the Sontag opera at Niblo's.
But when the Italian opera passed
from Astor Place to Fourteenth
Street, it saw its palmiest day with
Gerster and Campanini.
During all those years the Italian
opera “had the cry,” and it was the
opinion of “fashion" that German
music was heavy and unmelodious,
and that Germans did not know how
to sing. “They can not open their
mouths,” said the learned youth of
the boxes; “and no German woman
knows how to dress.” Meanwhile
Theodore Thomas was steadily sap
ping and undermining the exclusive
Italian taste. His indomitable
resolution, his remarkable skill as a
conductor, the high training of his
orchestra, and his astonishing energy
and activity, made him one of the
most effective musical influences in
the country. His summer-night
concerts at the Central Park Garden
introduced the Wagner music to
American knowledge and taste. His
May Festival three or four years ago
was a full revelation of the character
and charm of the modern music and
its interpreters.
This was followed by the Wagner
concerts of last year with Materna
and her companions, and so the way
was smoothed for the German opera.
Meanwhile “fashion" found that
Fourteenth Street was dow’ntown,
and the Metropolitan house was built.
The Academy in Fourteenth Street
thought to hold its own with the
familiar and accepted Italian operas
and the chief living Italian prima
donna. The new' house made its
contest with the most lavish outlay,
with a host of famous singers, and
“new and splendid” scenery. But a
double supply of the most costly
pleasure was more than even New
York could sustain. Patti’s prestige
and voice gave a seeming victory to
the Academy, and the Metropolitan
Atlantic Ave. bet.
New York and
Kentucky
Phone—Mar. 2500
Direction Stanley Company of America Two Blocks from the Boardwalk
Daily, 11 A. M. to 11 P. M.—Sunday, 1.15 P. M. to 11 P. M.
Today, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday
POLA NEGRI in “BELLA DONNA”
Beginning Wednesday
TOM MIX in “ROMANCE LAND”
I
Colonial Concert Orchestra—David Kaplan, Director. The only photo-play
theatre in Atlantic City maintaining concert orchestra
Herbert Henderson, Organist
CENTRAL THEATRE
ATLANTIC AVENUE near FLORIDA
Today—
All-Star Cast in OUTLAW OF THE SEA
Sunday and Monday—
Betty Compson, Bert Lytell, Mae McAvoy and
Gareth Hughes in KICK IN
Tuesday—
Grace Darling and Nita Naldi in FOR YOU
DAUGHTER’S SAKE
Fourth of July—
TOM MIX in TOUCH MY SMOKE
House was apparently exhausted.
But the prosperity of the victor was
apparent only. There was a universal
feeling that the day of the exclusive
glory of the Italian genius had passed.
There was a large and beautiful
opera house with every necessary
appointment; there were fatigue and
satiety with the old opera, interest
in the new, a younger generation, a
changed taste, a genuine enthusiasm
for the modern music such as we
read of in the stories of the Italian
opera fifty and sixty years ago.
There were needed intelligence, vigor,
and skill to seize the opportunity.
These Dr. Damrosch supplied, and
under his baton German opera has
triumphed, and “fashion" approv
ingly smiles and nods. This winter,
therefore, will be always noted in the
musical annals of the city for the
admirable representations of German
opera, and for the enthusiasm and
appreciation with which they were
received. Not less will the sudden
and sad death of Dr. Damrosch at
the very end of the season, and in the
height of his great and well-earned
success, be always recalled, with
ample honor to his memory, when the
striking operatic story of this winter
is told. In the very scene of his
triumph his obsequies were performed,
and his service will be gratefully
remembered.
But Mr. Thomas, who has made
this triumph possible, does not relax
his great work. He will give during
the next season a series of popular1
concerts, and the arrangements which
are made for them will secure what j
has long been desired—a permanent
orchestra. The concerts will be
continuous through the winter, and
the music will be selected with the
singular felicity which Mr. Thomas
has always shown in preparing for
popular concerts, choosing from the
best music that which is most
acceptable to the popular taste, which
is thus both trained and pleased
This charming skill of the conducto
has been illustrated in the Young
People’s Concerts of the last two.
seasons, which have been thronged
by those for whom they were intended
and whose associations with the great
masters will be always delightful
from this intelligent introduction.
The People’s Concerts also, which are
wholly free, and the enjoyment of
which is secured by careful arrange
ment to those for whom they are
designed, are one of Mr. Thomas’
musical ministries of the best kind.
The opera is, of course, always a
luxury. But cheap “music for the
million’’ is one of the most refining
and civilizing agencies. “It is a
cruel thing,” wrote George Eliot in
1859, “the difficulty and dearness of
getting any music in England—
concerted music, which is the only
music I care for much now. At
Dresden we could have thoroughly
enjoyable instrumental music every
evening for two-pence, and I owed so
VIRGINIA THEATRE
BOARDWALK AND VIRGINIA AVENUE
Direction Stanley Company of America Phone—Marine 2500
Daily, 11 to 11; Sundays, 1.15 to 11
Starting Today—For One Week Only
BLASCO IBANEZ’S
“ENEMIES OF WOMEN”
with
Lionel Barrymore
and Alma Rubens
“Without doubt one of the most lavish films ever offered
to the public. Prom beginning to end it is embellished with
a wealth of beauty.”
SUPERB ORGAN MUSIC by WALTER J. SEIFERT
r'DITCQinW TUFA TO I? boardwalk oPPo.
Vi\i A Uixtvn m a uun a i\u aiLtL nc.K
The Great B:'g Comfy House with the Little Entrance
Direction Edward J. O’Keefe—Mat., 2 to 5.30; Eve., 7 to 11
Continuous Performance Saturday, Sunday and Comedy Days, 2 to 11
Nell K. Morse at the Organ
Today—
POLA NEGRI in GYPSY BLOOD
The love lyric of a wonder woman. Based on the famous opera, “Carmen”
Sunday and Monday—
THE GO-GETTER with Seena Owen, T. Roy Barnes
and William Norris
Peter B. Kyne’s great story of the man who got things he was sent for
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday—
DIVORCE, starring JANE NOVAK
Modern life held up to a dramatic searchlight that bares the evil that
threatens to engulf civilization.
CITY SQUARE THEATRE
ATLANTIC AVENUE BELOW SOUTH CAROLINA
Direction Edward J. O’Keefe Continuous Performance, 2 to 11 P. M.
SHIRLEY MASON in her most recent success, PAWN TICKET 210
Added—Taking Orders with famous child artist. Baby Peggy
Sunday and Monday—
MILTON SILLS and ETHEL GREY TERRY in WHY WOMEN REMARRY
Is it for Love, Children, Home. Money or Pleasure? See the answer
in this absorbing photo drama. Added—Apple Sauce, a Sunshine comedy
scream._ _
Tuesday—Our Regular Semi-Monthly Fun Feast—ALL-COMEDY DAY
Snub Pollard in his newest laugh, “Before the Public. Bobby Dunn in
“Chicken Feed.” “Where There’s a Will—A screaming Sunshine comedy.
Harold Lloyd in a revival of his laughing hit. "The Eastern Westerner.”
And the novelty reel of the season—“How to Make a Radio for Sixty
Cents.” One great two-hour show.
Wednesday and Thursday—
WILLIAM RUSSELL in his most recent success, A MAN’S SIZE
Added—Round Five of Fighting Blood. H. C. Witwer’s sizzling Col
lier’s series. The greatest short stories ever produced in pictures; each
and every one complete.
many thoughts and inspirations of
feeling to that stimulus.”
Next Week
If you hanker after a high |
speed thrill, if you relish a hearty \
laugh, if you court the ecstasy j
of a love symphony played on
your heart strings, and if you
are interested in a gripping mel
odrama, come to the Apollo the
atre on Monday, July 9th, and
witness “Thumbs Down.” This
play which is being presented by
C. C. Wanamaker of the Walnut
Street Theatre, Philadelphia, was
written by Myron C. Fagan, a
playwright who has to his credit
“The Siren,” “The Vampire,” A
Romance of Youth” and was co
author of “Bella Donna” played
by Madame Nazimova and “Haw
thorne, U. S. A.” played by Doug
las Fairbanks. It wouldn’t be
fair to tell the story of “Thumbs
Down.” Mr. Fagan treats in an
original dramatic manner a hu
man subject that carries the
heart interest and appeals to the
finer senses of playgoers. It
BABY
INCUBATORS
An Institution for the
Preservation of Infant
Life
On The Boardwalk
Opposite Young’s Million
Dollar Pier
abounds with thrill, romance,
surprises and comedy. The play
will go direct to New York after a
brief tour. Among those who will
take part is Howard D. Lang,
late leading man with “The
Monster” and who is recognized
as one of the leading actors on
the American stage; William In
gersoll, who will be remembered
as a featured player with Ethel
Barrymore in several of her
plays—in “Scandal” with Charles
Cherry and in many other well
known successes; Sue MacMam
amy who created the leading role
in “The Bat” and is recognized
as one of the cleverest of the
younger leading women of the
day; H. Dudley Hawley, the well
known juvenile, Reginald Bar
low, John Marston, Helen Trav
ers, Philip Lord, Tom McKnight
and others.
STEEL PIER
VIRGINIA AVENUE A BOARDWALK
VESSELLA’S CONCERT BAND
11 A. M. and 8.45 P. M.
MERRICK’S SYMPHONY
ORCHESTRA
3.30 and 8 P. M.
MURPHY’S MINSTRELS
3.30 and 8.45 P. M.
MOTION PICTURES
3.30 and 9.30 P. M.
CHILDREN’S CARNIVAL
Tuesday and Thursday, 8.45 P. M.
CAKEWALK
Mon., Wednesday, Saturday, 8.45 P. M.
DANCING DAILY
4 to 5.30 and 9 to 11 o’clock
Special Orchestra Concert
| With Vocal Soloists
Music Hall Sunday Evening
8.45 o’clock
CAFE BEAUX ARTS
St. James Place and Boardwalk
ED HUTCHISON Pre.ent*
''The Cabaret Girl*
with
FLORIE FLORIE
AND POPULAR BROADWAY FAVORITES
And a Bevy of Beautiful Girls
DANCING
By Pennsylvania*! Foremost Dance Orchestra
The Scranton Sirens
For Reservations—Call Marine 4763-64
I
I
flraiHMdi
»# theatre
BOARDWALK AND NEW ¥
One Week, Com. MONDAY, JULY 2—Mats., Wed. and Sat.
Engagement Extraordinary—WAGENHALS & KEMPER
Present Mary Roberts Rinehart’s New Play
THE
BREAKING
POINT
A THRILLING HUMAN DOCUMENT
With a Star Cast
Evenings, SOc to $2.50 Matinees, 27c to $2.00