Variety (May 1942)

88 COMCEBT-^PERA W« jnc«d«yT May 6, 1942 War Regulatioiis Haven't Cut Deeply Into Concert Biz So Far; Many Omens Remain Favorable War miseries so far have not cut very deeply Into the concert world since many of the new regulations concerning do's and don'ts came after bookings for 1942-43 had' al- ready been set, Fortunately for the concert world the war outbreak straddled the seasons, and thus far no real effect has been seen. Concert managers, however, are not so sanguine about the possibilities of a completely .successful season. The blackouts are pointed out as one example of hurt business. It is not only a question of actual blackouts, but also the threats of blackouts and the aftermaths of them that will ruin attendance. 'Cars being allowed to travel only at 20 miles an hour with parking lights and no passing will preclude long distance attend- ance. Some of the eastern cities where the effect will be felt or is already felt are Stanford. NorwaUc, Bridgeport, New Haven, Providence, I^ew Bedford, Atlantic City, Ocean Grove, Charlestown, Savannah, Palm Beach, Miami, Daytona Beach, etc' Then the gasoline and tire shortage, not felt considerably , so far, is ex- pected to hurt considerably, as In coroinunlty and civic towns people frequently travel 75 to 200 miles to attend a concert. Hardest to Get Patronsg* Lastly,' and most unfortimately. It Is recognized by even the most avid of concert buyers that music Is the least attractive and hardest to se- cure' patronage of all th« enter ta'lnment Held. It has depended for Its existence upon the fanatical sup- port of a small group of influential music lovers, usually^ wealthy pa trons, whose push and social prestige dragged out others in the community. With a war In existence, these people are busy with the Red Cross, canteens, defense- bonds, USO, etc., and cannot devote the time or jnoney they had on previous occasions. . It is expected that the number of concerts will not be considerably lowered but it is expected that the majority of higher priced artists who are receiving $1,500 and up per en- gagement will be forced to lower their fees in smaller communities. About 95% of all concert artists receive, net incomes of $25,000 or less. The other 5% gross 50% of the business, so that while the num- ber of dates may not be cut, fees may be, and both the managers who carry lesser artists to round out series and the higher bracketed artists will suffer. $25,000 or More Clasa If the $25,000 net income level is put Into efffect approximately 15 sing, ers and Instrumentalists among the thousands In the field will be af- fected. They are of course the draw- ing cards, but there has as yet bsen no protest, and only a determination to ylay»'-otit^--tfae^r-.. schedule >'fori-.' nothing if necessary. No cuttings of the number of concerts will be made. An artist cannot afford not to be heard by the public, so from a self- ish-viewpoint alone to prevent the possibility of future oblivion, they win continue whether they are working for the government or themselves. Of the $5,500,000 grossed annually by the concert business, some $1,500,000 to $1,750,000 comes from 200-odd college courses and 300 schools. The college courses buy an average of 1,000 attractions yearly and pay over $1,000,000 for them, and the schools over $500,000 for 1,500 attractions. With a large cut In male student enrollment this year due to the war, these courses are not cutting their number of presentations, but are buying closer, and clipping from $100 to $1,000 from the prices paid for attractions. It means that the concert business wiU gross $250,000 less on college courses and $100,000 less on high schools this year. Art- ists are not objecting over much, since they prefer td play to the more intelligent, more appreciative audi- ences the courses provide. N. Y. Concert Renews Sn>OB BELABSKT Town Hall, N. T, AprU tt. lM Singing the songs of bis natlv* Russia, Sldor Belarsky revealed a fair-sized bass with the' rough pow- erful qualities sometimes associated with singers of his nationality. His interpretations were all good and set forth a straightforward musical fashion, but the program of the sama type of music became monotonous as the evening drew to a close JSddy. The N. Y. daUv critics sold; Tribune (Lawrence)—'In excellent voice. Not always a wide variety of color or mood to his singing.' Times (Parmenter) — 'Sincerity, warmth of feeling and sensitive un- derstanding. Fine voice.' LILLIAN STEPHENS Soprano Town Hall, N. T.. April 29, 1942 A voice that has much sweetness, but is short on top and bottom, la possessed by Lillian Stephens. When she sang within her medium. Its freshness and delicacy, as well as the artistic use to which she put It, were excellent. But the recital be- came monotonous due to lack of abil- ity by singer to vary the. color and shading or provide suitable climaxes. ^ Eddv. BEECHAM TELLS OFF AUDIENCE INMONTL Montreal, May B. Sir Thomas Beecham shouted 'Si- lence! Respect the orchestra,* to a ritzy crowd who had jammed the St. Denis theatre here Tuesday (28) night to hear him conduct 'Romeo et Juliette.' . They had applauded a singer before th6 orchestra had fin. ished playing. 'When Sir Thomas returned to the podium' for the next act he was greeted with mingled boos and ap- plause, but the orchestra rose and applauded htm. At the close of the opera the temper of the crowd had changed and he was accorded an ova' tion. The N. T. Daily critics said: Telegram (Bagar): 'Sincerity and willingness. 'Voice best at the lower end. Top weak and unfocused.' Times (Strsns): 'Pure velvety volc« of unusual beauty only partly realr. ized. Unsupported breathy tones in- capable of acquiring much vartetf in coloring.' GRACE CASTAGNETTA FUnlste Town Hall, April 28, 1942, An excellent Interpretative artlstt, Grace Castagnetta's abilities at Im- provisations are even better than her ability ' at ' Interpretation. Pianist* showed remarkable ability at vltu- osity In works of Mozart, Chopin and Bach, but her ability at creating ■ sympathetic v/oxic. out of popular or semi-classic songs, and other com^ posers' music, was Indicative of near- genius. It was a thoroughly delight- ful recital by a thoroughly excellent artist, Eddy. The N. T. Daily critics sold; Tribnne (Perkins): 'Laudibl* clar- ity and balance, lyTl«ism of tone and delicacy of hue.' Times (Parmenter): Uncommonly Intelligent and serious musician... aroused the delighted wonder of th* large audience.' PHILLYDELLIN $M DRIVE 4 Waterbuiy Recitals Waterbury, Conn., May 5. The Fine Arts Series of the Matta tuck Musical Art Society has booked four concerts in its 1942-43 series. Artists to appear will be Laurltz Melchoir and Astrid Vamey in joint recital, Nov. 9; 'The Marriage of Figaro,' Dec. 15; Maria GambareUI and her dance troupe, Jan.' 12, and Bartlett and Robertson, Feb. 0, JOSEPHINE ANTOINE Soprano KARIN BRANZELL Contralto FREDERICK JAGEL' Tenor JOHN BROWNLEE Baritone These four leading. Metropolitan Opera. Stars under exclusive management WGN CONCERTS AUSTIN WILDER Director 74S mtth Ave'. • '44L M. Mlchlcan New Tork Chicago AVAILABLE OPERA, CONCERT, RADIO Hans Sdiwe^er, Soudieni Spph Dir, Philadelphia, May >. A campaign to raise between $15,000 and $20,000 for underwriting the Robhi Hood Dell this season got underway yesterday Monday, The sum is. needed to make up the differ- ence between'the operating cost and the expected intake at'the gate.' . The season is set to open June 22 with Lawrence Tibbett, and Eugene Ormandy conducting the Philadel- phia Orchestra. Lonls Pollock Sigiui Stolz for Chi Concert Loula.PoUocIc; formerly eastern ad publicity manager-for Universal Pic- tures, hat :lgntd Robert Stolz, Vien- nesa composer-conductor and will present him conducting the Chicago Symphoi^ at the Civic (jpera Hotise In Chicago May 28-30. Stolz was muslcal.4Uractor of the Theatre an der Wltn,' In Vienna, where, before Ansohlusik ha directed the world pramleras of tha most notable oper- ettas In musical annals, Including Franz Lehar*a Tha Merry Widow* and Oscar Straus* 'Chocolate Soldier.' He Is a prolific composer of hits with nearly 1,000 songs, films, and oper- ettas to his credit, among them 'Whit* Hots* Inn* and "Two Hearts In Tbrc«-Quart*r Tim*.' CROOKS BOOKED FOR 70 DATES IN'4243 Richard Crookf, aft*r finishing a year In which h* earned upwards of $250,000, Is i*t for ov*r 70 concerts by Columbia Concerts for next sea- son. T*nor opens Oct is in Eaton, Canada. In Oct, h* ranges from Canada to Savannah, Georgia, and th* mld-wtst, playing about-29 dates up to Daccmber.when h* rejoins the Metropolitan Op*ra Co. Durlns Januray h* tours New England and i| booked solid In Feb- ruary, March and April, 1943, along th* W*st Coast, and into western Canada down to th* end of Cali- fornia. H* r*cords another Victor album this month and will probably r*ii*w his Firestone air program for hla 11th luccesslv* season. Crooks' asking prle* is $2,800 per engage- ment, with his 28 radio programs giving blm HBOO per. H* Is th* most prollflo recorder of plasslcal and seml-dasslc songs sine* John McCormack. ' « Columbia, S. C, May 5. XT. S. District Attorney Claud N; Sapp has announced Hans Schwel. ger, dhrector of the Southern Sym- phony orchestra, has been ordered confined In an Internment camp for duration of the war. Federal authorities disclosed Schweiger, prominent In. southern musical and concert circles, was. taken Into custody here last Decem- ber . at. headquarters of Southern Symphony j)rchestra. D. A. made it plain that action did not mean neces. sarlly that he had been found guilty of committing any overt act against the United States, but said sufflcieni evidence was In hand to convince federal officials that to allow him to remain at liberty would be detri- mental to the safety of the nation. Office also disclosed that Schwei- ger was sent to Fort Scriven, near Savannah, Ga., returned here for hearings before district enemy alien board, and' Is now back at Fort Scriven. D. A. .said there was no evidence Schweiger had been hi con- tact with Nazi party shice coming to America six years ago, but that the musician had by his. own admission served the party in spreadhig Ger- man propaganda in Japan before coming to the United States. The D. A. said letters from Nazi Propaganda Goebbfels and Rudolf Hess, former party leader, were found In Schyirelger's possession. Contents of the letters were not dis- closed. Schwelger's wife Is em« ployed at a Savannah beach hotel Mrs. Schweiger, a Dutch national. Is not In-custody and no charges have been preferred against her. TEXAS TOWN SPENDING 5G FOR CONCERT STARS Squelcb Effort to Cancel Annual Milw* Outdoor Concerts on War Excuse Milwaukee, May S. Efforts to take advantage of a war- time cancellation clause in contracts and. call ofl the annual summer 'Music Under the Stars' series of .cohctrte.Jn..Washington .Park havA been finally and definitely squelched, according to Don Griffin, Milwaukee county's recreational director, and, barring some overwhelming disaster, the show will go oh as scheduled. It's also figured that, as a bolster of public morale, the program should be given even more attention than in peace time. Artists will collect a total of $30,000 on the basis of contracts en tered into, or about $2,500 more than was spent in previous summers. Lily Pons and Andre Kostelanetz are the top money stars of' the series and wUl collect $3,500 for their single night's appearance. Rose Bampton, soprano, and Wil' frid Pelletier, guest conductor, will open the concert series June 23, to be followed June 30 by Richard Crooks, tenor; July 7 by Margaret Speaks; July 14, by . Lawrence Tib bett; July 21, by the Metropolitan quartet composed of Eleanor Steber, Anna Kaskas, John Carter and Robert Weede; July 28 by Lily. Pens and Andre Kostelanetz; Aug. 4 by Lansing Hatfield and Mona' Paulee*, Aug. 11 by John Charles Thomas, and Aug. 18 by Jean Dickenson. The Wisconsin Symphony orches- tra, directed by Jerzy BojanowskI, will play for the nine concerts, but as a concession to wartime strain ■ ;ill play only the lighter music and nothing, running more than 10 min ute's, as against some in the past than ran as long as 28 minutes. Special emphasis will-be placed on Pan-American music, and programs will be opened this year, instead of closed, with the National Anthem. Single, concerts in the 'Music Un- der the Stars' program have drawn as high as 50,000 persons, and the re- serves this season have been in- creased to 11,600, the sale of which opened Friday (May 1) with a rush exceeding anything experienced heretofore. Prices range from 20c to $1 plus tax. MUSICAL PORIKAITS INIKODUCED IN CINCY Cincinnati, May 6. New works by Aaron Copland, Jerom* Kern and Virgil Thomson will b* Introduced May 14 at the concert of the Cincinnati-Symphony under Andre Kostelanetz with Lily Pons as soloist Th* conductor com missioned th* hew . compositions shortly after America's entry Into th* war, and each portrays a differ- ent ' great' American. Copland's work .Is 'A Lincoln Portrait,* Kem*s Is 'A Portrait for Orchestra of Mark Twain' and Thomson's Is 'The Mayor LaGuardla Waltz^si' A work about Dorothy Thonftpson, by. th* same composer, will be played at a later concert. ' Kostelanetz and Miss Pons wUl feature-til* works--in their summer schedule and they will be played in Toronto; Philadelphia, Montreal;' Mil- waukee, C^cago, and Washington. Rochester Soloists Rochester, May 6. The .Rochester Philharmonic Or- chestra, setting dates for next season, has Induded Laurltz Melchoir as so- loist Nov. 12 and Jose Iturbi,- con- ductor and pianist, March 23. The concert series will Include Zino Francescattl, Jan. 8; Robert Casadesus, Jan. 22, and Jascha Hei- fetz, Feb, 10. Edinburg, Tex., May S. Under the auspices of the Cultural Arts. Inc,. this-tiny border town will spend over $5,000 on concert artists for its 1042-43 season. Course will Include Paul Draper and Larry Adler In December; Zino Francescattl in January; Rose Bamp- ton in February, and Richard Crooks in March. Rise Ste?ens Wifl Open Pasadena's Wilson Series Pasadena, Cat, May 5. Th* Elmer. Wilson series hers opens Oct. 20 with Rise Stevens as soloist. Prices charged range from $5.25 to $15 for the series. Other artists are Gregor Piati- gorsky. Serge Rachmaninoff, Richard Crooks, Robert Weede, Zino Fran- cescattl, Luboshutz - and Nemenoff, the L.A, Philharmonic and the Monte Carlo Ballet. John Charles Thonuu's concert at the Civic Auditorium, Portland, drew 3,400 attendance with a take of $6,- 800'at a $2.75 top. ' Alfred H. Morton, president of Na- tional Concert & Artists Corp, re- turned Monday (4) from'a business trip to Chicago, Hollywood and San Francisco. " MARTHA GRAHAM and DANCB COHFANT America's Greatest Dance Attraction ' Exelnilve Manasemcnt WON CONCEBTS ' Austin 'Wilder. Dir. . 746 Blfth Ave., IJew -Jfork 441 M. Mlchlsan, Chlrwo KOW BOOKING 1S42-1B4S BKASON ALLAN JONES Tenor AVAILABLE CONCERTS and OPERA WGN CONCERTS AUSTIN WIIiDEB, Dir. ^. ^ 74S Fifth Ave. 441 N. JUchlf^ Netv York OUcaco Oraee Hoore expects to leave for Mexico in September for opera and concerts as well as concerts in Guatemala and Costa Rica. .. . • S. HUROK Presents America'* Foiremoat Tenor JAN PEERCE Metropolitan Opera-'a Newest St*r Mow Boolclns—Opera, Concert, Badio HUROK ATTBACnONS, InOt 711 Filth Ave. .. New lo*