Variety (Mar 1942)

Wednesday, Much 11, 1942 COMCBBT-OnEMA %9 The Metropolitait Opera: 1941-42 statistics and vital data for the 1941-42 season of the Metropolitan Optra which wUids up March 15 In New York City (with spring tour to follow) Includes these facts: . Nnmber of pcrtormances In N..T.; 111. Boad .partormaiieM; 60. ' Namber of Operas presented: 32. Nnmber of prlnelpal singers; 88. Most appearances: 45 by Wilfred Engelman, 36 by Thelma Votkipa. Opera wdrt presented; Tosca', seven times. Condttcters; Ettore Panlzza, 34; Erich Leinsdorf, 25; Wilfred Pel- letter, 12; Paul Breisoch, Bruno Walter, 11 each; Sir Thomas .Beecham, 10; Frank St. Leger, 7; Fausto Cleva, one. Six perlernunees; 'Aida'i 'Lohengrin'. ' Flv^ performances: 'Rosenkavalier', 'Ti'aviata', 'Carmen', and T^nnbauser'. ' Four pcrformanoes: Noz2e dl Figaro,' L'Elisir D'Amore,' 'Otellb,' ■ 'Don Giovanni*. 'Magic Flute', 'La Fille du Regiment', 'Barber of Seville', 'Rigoietto', 'Boheme', -Pheobus and Pan'. Three pertorraanees: 'Samson et Dalila', 'Orfeo', 'X.akine', 'Le Coq - • • D'Or', The Bartered Bride', Taust', "The Island God', 'Pagliacd', 'Walkeure'. 'Parsifal'. Two pertsrmanoes; 'Ballo In Maschera', 'Siegfried' and 'Gotter- daeminerung'. ' Given once: 'Butterfly' and 'Das Rhelngold'. (Of the' announced operas 'Mlgnon' and 'Meistersinger' were not given.) Performances by men: John Dudley 42; Alessio de Paolis, Norman Cordon, 38 each; George Ohanov^, 32; Emery Darcy, 30; Arthur Kent, 29; Salvatore Baccaloni, 22; Lauritz Melchior, John Browhlee. 19 each; Leonard Warren, 17; Ezlo Pinza, 16; Charles Kullman, 15, Raoul Jobln, Emanuel List, 13; Alexander Kipnis, 12; Arthur Carron, 10; Fredericbr Jagel, Francesco Valentino, 9 each; Julius Huehn, Herbert Janssen, Alexander Sved, eight - apiece; Frledrlch Schorr,- seven; Richard Bonelll, six; Giovanni Martlnelll, ■ Lawrence Tibbett, Jan Peerce, five each; Rene Maison, John Charles Thomas, Robert Weede, four each; and Richard Crooks, Nini Martini, Jan Kiepura, three. Performances by women: Irra Petlna, 25; Maxine Stellman, Helen Oldheim, 22 each; Kerstin Thorborg, 18; Jarmila Novotna, 15; Llcia Albanese, 14; Bidu Sayao, Astrid Varney, 12; Karin Bran- zell, 10; Rose Stevens, Elisabeth Rethberg; Stella Roman, nine each; Lily Pons, eight; Grace Moore, sev'&n; Rosa Bok, six; Lotte XiehmanD, Helen Traubel, Rose Bampton, Bruna Castagna, Josephine Antoine, Lily Djanel, five each; Helen Jepspn, one. ' N. Y. Concert Reviews JASCHA HEIFETZ Violinist Carnerie Hall, N. T., March 4, 1942' When a. virtuoso reaches a position whereby even his rivals call him the world's greatest, the critic merely reports, merely enthuses: 'Beauty of tone,' 'superlative in- terpretative abilities,' 'staccati work oi. ' an unbelievable character' and 'extraordinary brilliance.' _ It Is possible other violinists may have played better. It is not prob- able. Eddy. The N. Y. Daily Critics Said Times (Straus): 'Superb form, rcflnement, flhesse, restraint, master- piece of interpretative art. uncanny brilliance, feathery lightness of bow, perfection of splccato, elflnlike, ethereal delicacy.' Tribune (Perkins): 'Superlative... remarkable . . . wide, finely graded raiige of color and dynamic shading. Deceptive sense of entire ease . . . Ingratiating quality.' VLADIMIR HOROWITZ Pianist Carnerie Hall. N. r., March C, 1942 Vladimir'Horowitz is playing in a style these days to virtually stop comparisons with any other pianist now before the public. ' 'At his Car- negie ' HaU recital he reached an apex in the Chopin B Sat minor sonata which contained the ingre- dients of delicacy, warmth, power, majestic line, fiery emotionalism, pathos and interpretative ability. Especially in the hackneyed third movement, the funeral march, he lifted an enraptured audience. The word, of course, is 'great.' Eddv. The N. Y. Daily Critics Said.. Times (Taubman)—'When greater virtuosity Is lavished on the art of playing the piano probably Vladimir Horowitz will do the lavishing.' Tribune (Thomson)—'Supernormal —played the Liszt pieces faster, louder and more accurately than anyone else ever plays them . . . tremendous .. .justly acclaimed tech- nical powers.' ■ OUIOMAR NOVAES Pianist Town Hall, N. T, March 7, 1942 Rated by many as the 'world's greatest woman pianist* for the past wo decades, Guiomar Noyaes, of °™5". again showed playing marked with extreme delicacy, tremendous crashing power when needed, a seh- slUue understanding of her text and scmtilating technical abilities. Her poetic treatment of the 24 preludes of Chopin was the high point of a program v/hlch had virtually no flaws m rendition and held the listener in a spell. Eddy. The N. T. daily cWHc* said: Times (Straus)—'Special niche of ner own aniong contemporary pian- ists. Technical perfection and in- exhaustible fund of color. Charm... extraordinary wealth of ..tinte and nuances.' BERNARDO SEOALL Pianist Town Hall, N. T., March 8, 1942 Brazilian pianist possesses an ex cellent technique, is at home on the platform, and plays with abundant fire and imagination. His tone is pure and large. Artistry and intelligence is present. A capable, good performer. Eddy. The N. -Y. daily critics said: Tribane (Lawrence)—'Recital far above average. Excellence of finger work, rhythm and design. Fine basic musicality. Did not always touch a profound emotional core.' Times—'Wealth of interesting con- trasts . . . silvery tones^. . excellent . . . whole performance had the rapt absorption that keeps an audience hanging on every note.' JULIUS SCHULMAN Violinist - Town Hall, N. T., March 8, 1942 Youthful violinist plays with good technique and is Intently serious about his work. Although intona- tion is good, lack of freedom and abandon in his playing made a rather dull afternoon. The spontaneity that Is the essence of. master work was missing. Audience was treated to a succession of correctly played notes in con-ectly rapid or slow fashion, with abundant shading but sans heart. Eddy. The N. Y. daily critics said: Times (Straus) — "Well schooled technique. Tone pure voluminous... intelligent refined tbi)$. Insufficient color variety sweep or Are to. escape monotony of effect.' Tribune (Lawrepce)—'Playing con- sistently well schooled and technic- ably able. More imagination, how- ever, would have brought a greater degree of Interest to the recital.' HENRI TEMIANKA Violinist Town Hall, N. T., March 2, 1942 Playing with a fiery brilliance and intensity, Henri Temianka ripped through a difficult and unhackneyed program at his Town HaU recital with consummate, ease. The violin- ist's tone was rich and full, his ca- denzas clean-cut and accurate-as -to- pitch, his musicianship of the best. His interpretative abilities were sufficient to covir the widely di- versified list of composers without suffering in the transition. Eddy: Met Opera Reviews 'Carmen' on Monday night (9) was an uneven performance of the Bizet thriller due principally to Lily Djanel in the- title role failing to make the character Live. Singer was vocally and dramatically noissing the grand style. Leonard Warren had the voice for Escamillo, but his wasteline warred with the'.idea he was a bull- fighter. Licia Albanese stopped the show with an excellently sung' 'Je dis che rien.' but her costuming was still faulty. ^ . Sock of ih'e production -was Jlaoul Jobin, whose fine French, excellent acting, and almost flawless singing was -climaxed in a show-stopping 'Flower Song.' Sir Thomas Beecham directed. 'Tosca,' repeated Saturday evening (7), was an imeven peiiormance. Jan Kiepura again indulged in his quaint'east European stage manner- isms, but the ' tenor's ringing' top tones stopped the show again and again, and it was for him that the audience reserved its real acclaim, despite the corny acting he Ibves. Stella Roman in the title role was most confortable in 'Vlssl d'Arte,' which was artistically phrased and sung, but all of her top notes.were not true to pitch. John Brownlee, appearing as Scarpia for. the first time this year, was .smothered by the orchestra, but sang artistically and acted with cool restraint. His was probabl.v the be.<!t Scarpia of the year at the Met. Gerhard Pechner, Arthur Kent and Alessio de Paolis contrib- uted inore than their share in minor roles, and Ettore -Panlzza kept the entire production moving at a rapid pace. Experiment with 789^t Fiimarte As 3d Recital House in New York TIBBETT DROPS TOWN HALL Baccaloni Traapie t« Substitute on Maroh 18 Dlness of Lawrence Tibbett has caused that baritone to cancel his Town HaU endownment appearance in N. Y. on March IS. He will be replaced by Salvatore Baccaloni's touring opera company with Florence Cieorge, Elizabeth Wysor, Franco Perulll, Ivan Petroff and Earl Wrightson. The comic basso of the Met'will iPresent scenes from "Boris Qodunov,' 'L'EUslr D'Amore* and Don Pasquale' as well as -a sprinkling' of operatic arias.' His company closes its formal tour in-Hartford, Cohn., March 19. The N. Y. Daay Critiea Said Tribnne (Perkins): Technical slrill, musiclacship, taste, appealing in timber . . . spirit . , . well wrought coloring.' Telecram (Biancolli):.'Fiery form. . fresh vital guise. Temperament and technique , . . fingers fairly sizzled.* Chi Opera Opens Not. 9 Chicago, March 10. The Chicago Opera season 'will open on Nov. 9 and run five weeks through Dec. 9. 'While no opener has definitely been set it is reported 'Gioconda' is being considereoL Alexander Kipnis stepped into the Saturday matinee performance of 'Don Giovanni' and delivered an ex- ample as Leporello of great artistry against the disadvantage of a cold, that constant enemy of opera singers. The bass .nursed his voice and em- ployed a wealth of stage skills to bring his conti'ibution to a high level of professional competence. As .sheer technical conquest it was Kipnis' afternoon, although more obviously the huge, clear- voice of Ezio Pinza wr-ipped up the Vocal honors. Bidu Sayao was a charming co- quettish Zerlina, singing both her arias with impeccable musiciansh'p. grace of manner and with beautiful tone. Norman Cordon was a full- voiced Commendatore, and Charlcd Kullman a weak-sounding Ottavio, not at all impressive vocally or dra- matically. VarmUa Novotnn was a lovely pic- lure as Elvira, but her top tones were not superior. Her acting was superb Rose Bampton struggled hard and sincerely with Donna 'Anna, but the part was still not for her. Mack Harrell appearing for the first time as Masetto was weak of vplc.e and not too free in his acung. Bruno. Walter conducted with abun- dant fire and regard for the score. 'Alda' Friday (?) was a routine performance 'with some good spots. Elisabeth Rcithberg in the title role may have lost a bit of the quaUty and breath control that was hers a decade'ago but her poignant, sincere acting and excellent musicianship cover this up.' She made the top 'C* in 'O Patria Mia' with yards to spare and generally dominated pro- ceedings as a superb artist. Leonard Warren as Amonasro was in excellent bellow. He' chewed scenery as stage direction permits in this role. Hysterics adequate. Ar- thur Carron pushed as Rhadames and his make-up was no triumph. Bruna C^stagna's acting was stately and dignified-but the contralto's top tones seemed frayed. Lansing Hat- field was an adequate King and Nicola Moscona a routine Ramfis. Wilfred Pelletier, conducting his first 'Aida,' set the pace for speed. 'Tanntaanser* for the last time this season on Thursday (6) had Irene Jessner in the role of Elisabeth. Soprano' was in generally good voice and her 'Dich teurle Halle! wSs but- standing. Some of hei top tones were somewhat shrill and spread but this was minor to a fine introduc- tion. Her acting was dignified, her diction excellent, and her stage de- -portmenL regal'. Lauritz. Melchior in the title role again poured out a wealth of tremendous tone which never seems to weary. Kerstin- Thorborg found Venus's music high and her attempts to seduce Melchior were not particularly convincing from a thespic standpoint. Julius Huehn was imposing as Wolfram but vocally inadequate. -Other rolc.v were in familiar hands and Erich Leinsdorf led the orchestra. 3 MET OPERAS IN T HE BUCK The Metropolitan Opera ended Its 15th week of the season Monday (0) with an estimated loss of aro.und $3,600 based on an tstlmatad gross of 169,500 out of a possible $87,900. (Met scales to $7.70 top with 3,SO0 seats in th« house.) Estimates for the week are: Wednesday (4), "Phoebus and Pan' and 'Le Coq D'Or* tsUmated at $6,- 5O0, loss, $5,500. \ Thursday <6), Tannhajiset,' prob- able gross near-10,500, li»s, $2,900. Friday (8), 'Alda.' j»erhaps $12,000, even break. Saturday afternoon (7), 'Don Gio- vanni,' at a guess, $14,000, profit, $2,- 000. - Saturday evening (7), Tosca,' sized up as $10,000, profit %X,000 (at $4.40 top). Monday (9), 'Carmen,' estimaUd take of . $13,S00, profit, $1,500. MELCHIOR TO COLUMBIA AFTER 15 RCA YEARS Lauritz Melchior, Victor recording arOst for close to 15 years will not renew his contract and wUl shortly shift to Ciolumbia Recording Co. Melchior recently shifted manage- ments from NBC to Columbia Con- certs Corp^ He has been leading Wagnerian tenor of the Met since 1926. An attempt to establish a third rt< cital hall in Manhattan on Wesjt 98th street at the site xst the old Filmarte theatre, to rival Carnegie Hall and l^>wn.Hall, wlU be started March 80. wheo) ^bert Speller, president of Record Concerts Corp., will launcdt • ne^ orchestre, the American Sym« \ phony under Frederick Drlwll, fO]r> mer Boston. Symphony ■ conductor, with Mirgaret Metzenaper as solo- ist The program will consist of arias from, 'Samson' and the 'St. Matthew Passion' plus Beethoven's 'Ah Perfldo* by 'the- veteran con- tralto, and Hayden's .Symphony In D and American works for the or- chestra. On April V, the theatre will pre- sent Elizabeth Wysor, contralto, and John Walsh, baritone, in a joint con- cert, and- on April 13, Otto Klem- perer will conduct the AmericaM Symphony with Elizabeth Schumann, soprano, and Sonda Blanca pianist, as soloists. lYom Ave to 10 Mon-.. . day eveninc concerts are planned ie- ttest the reccptiTlly of the N. Y. pub- 11c w a new intimate concert hall.- The price scale will be B3 cents to ' $2,7B and the bouse seats 789. Ciircy Goes Ahead With Suihmer Opera Season Cincinnati, March 10. Unless war Intervenes, the Cincin- nati Summer Opera Association will hold its annual six-week summer season this year at the Zoo. A later curtain because of war time and new amusement tax regula- tions were discussed by association offidads In a huddle last week vrith Oscar F..Hild, head of the musicians' union, and Park board and. Zoo execs. MclLHENNY RESIGNS Strawbridfe Succeeds Him as Head of Robin Hood Dell Concerts, Inc. _Philadelphia, March 10. Henry McDhenny, president-elect of the Robin Hood Dell -Concerts. Inc.. for the 1942 season, resigned Friday (6), at a meeting of directors after he announced he was entering the armed services. Mcllhemiy, who is 33. is curator of decorative arts at the Philadelphia Museum of Arts. Francis H. Strawbridge. Jr., a broker and treasurer of the Dell, was named to succeed. McUhenny. Mor - ton Howard, concert pianist and pro ■ prietor of a record shop here, was named treasurer. 'Music and War' Talk by State DepL Spokesmen Milwaukee, March 10. Charles A. Thomson, Chief of the divlsioo- of cultural relations. oi the state department, will make the key-^ note address- at the - IfationBl Con-- ference of Music Educators here- March 26 to April X with 'Music in the National Effort' as his theme, and Btresslnif the need for tiiiltural exchange In wartime tp Tnaintatn the solidasity ot the United Nations. '.. War departihentx>fflcl«U«Is4 will be - here to advise the educators- on- mobilizing musical- education forces in defense:. 'Chile and Brazil Ixitb will be represented at the confer- ence. DET. SYMPHONY SETS SOLOISTS FOR M2-'43 Detroit, March 10. With its annual deficit trimmed to only. $15,000 through the staging of ' the AUied Festival, the Detroit Sym- phony Orchestra has. announced K. modified jaeet ' conductor prograin for its 1942-43 season. Three conduc- tors will appear for the series 'of ° 14 subscription concerts. Desire De- fauw. Sir Thomas Beecham and Vic- tor Kolar, A partial list of the soloists lined up for next ^1 includes Rudolph Serlfln and Betty 'Humby, pianists; Albert Spalding, Roth Posselt and Ilya Schkolnik, violinists; Dorothy Maynor, soprano, and George MI- quelle, cellist, with the Michel Foklne Ballei Theater also scheduled to bring in Irina Baronova, Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin. NCAC Expands List The National Concert & Artists Corp. has added seven additional artists to its formerly published list New people are Zinka Milanov, soprano; Dorothy Sarnoff, soprano; Doris Doe, contralto; Earl Wrightson, baritone; Alexander Sved, baritone; Bronlslaw Huberman. violinist, and Roman Tbtcnbcrg, violinist. Ft. Wayne Set for '41-'42 Foi t Wayne. Ind.. Marqh 10. Fort Wayne Community concerts for next season include Cleveland Symphony Orchestra; John Charles Thomas, baritone; the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo; Astrid Varnay. soprano, and Adolf Busch and Rudolf Serkin, violinist and pianist. Mrs. W. H. W. Peltier Is president of the Concert Association. Current season closes March 17, with Lotte Lehmann and Lauritz Melcholr. .SAUERKRAUT Arthur Fiedler ^Rldicnles Percy Grainger's 100% Ban Proposal Boston, March 10. Percy Glainger's idea to ban mu-* sic created by enemy composers was labeled 'ridiculous' by Arthur Fied- ler, conductor of the Pops Concerts at Symphony Hall and of the Espla- nade Concerts here; 'It boils down to the same old wheeze of the last wai*—renaming sauerkraut, liberty cabbage,' and giving every poor dachshund a drawingroom snub,' Fiedler declared.' 'Fundamentally, music is a univer- sal language. The sounds of the human voice and the sounds pro- duced by instruments are the same all over the world. However, I do object to playing anything that def- initely portrays the Crerm'anlc and am opposed to. using music wrttten by HlUerian composers in Germany who would receive royalties -every time their composition is played.'