Evening Star Newspaper, May 10, 1931, Page 89

— THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, MAY 10, 1931 17 USIC WEEK proved many inter- esting things, and among them the fact that next year it should have taken it upon themselves to give this grand old art such a helping hand, and prominent groups have shcwn that they are not afraid to come out and sing in the great open spaces, the various music elements sheuld compete with each other all the more seriously next season. And the standards set and presented by these should be all the higher. ‘While many proud fathers and mothers sat in the Fox Theater last week and heard their hopefuls pour forth their all, there was another particular family in town breathlessly sean- ning the papers, waiting for the telephone and scrambling for the mail. This family—the Wallacks—all of a sudden had been told that the lady of the hcus: had reaped great fame. In fact, it may be said that not since a cer- tain prominent local songtress was signed by the Chicago Opera has there been so much excitement. O the case of Edith Wallack, most impressive of recent Washington musical Cinderellas, eontinues to draw the admiration of the local world—as well as staid New Yorkers, before whom she has now come and conquered. Says her husband, Nathan A. Wallack, “I've been married to her for nine years—and never knew she could sing until two years ago.” Two years ago Mrs. Wallack, housewife, mother of two children, an artist at heart, but living the quiet life of the wife of a prominent local radio merchant, bethought herself of tak- ing a few singing lessons ‘on the side in order to sing in one of the local church choirs. Her husband encouraged her. Others discouraged , “Your voice is too loud. Your voice is But Mrs. Wallack persevered. She took les- sons from A. Iannuzzi. He taught her Italian, He sald: “You must learn the Italian method. The Caruso learmed.” He said: It is the most difficult Mrs. Wallack studied hard. She learned Ital- and she sang in Italian. One night she home to her husband with her teacher. sang the whole of “Aida” to him. Her teacher was solicitous. “Are you very tired?” “Let’s do the whole thing over again.” metmeMnuwm role in the opera “Aida” before an audience of several thousand at the Mecca Auditorium, in New York. In the cast were Matzehauer, Santiago Font, a large chalif ballet and A. Jannuzzi, her former teacher. ‘Without a word she had gone to New York, learned of the contest -‘which was to decide the fate of a new American soprano, had won over 30 contestants. S8he wired her husband. He scratched his head. He didn't know what i was all about. Then it dawned on him. *“I always knew she could sing,” he said, “but VE months ago Mrs. Wallack won one of the prizes offered by the National Fed- eration of Music Clubs in its annual contest here. That prize and her share of the pro- gram on the Iannuzzi recital program are all she has to show betwecn the debutante stage and the prima donna stage. She preferred to be by herself. She was asked to sing here, there and everywhere. She refused. She was too busy with her children, her husband and her Italian lessons. Then she ran off quietly to New York and plucked fame for herself in ostentatious fashion. New York has feted her. Newspapers have written editorials about her. Cameras have made her blink. The spotlight has singed her hair. But she hasn't flinched. She has courage as well as a golden voice. NNOUNCEMENT has been made from the offices of Mrs, Wilson-Greene as to what this energetic impressorial concern will present next season in the way of important musical attractions. Although it is perhaps a little early in the game to reveal the exact time and the exact place, it is no secret to say that Constitu- tion Hall will be the scene of most of the events —and that the events, in the words of musical comedy, seem “bigger and better than ever.” Two afternoon series of five concerts each and one Saturday evening series of six con- certs are at present signed for on the books. And while it is rather dissappointing to see that the Boston Orchestra is scheduled for but one sppearance, there is much to make up for this obvious loss. Among the great artists who will definitely appear are Lily Pons, in her first Washington concert appearance; John McCor- mack, Mary Wigman, Rachmaninoff, Kreisler, La Argentina, the first local performance of the continental revue, “The Blue Bird,” the Don Cossack Chorus, Grace Moore, Lawrence Tib- bett, Gigli, Jose Iturbi, who caused such a commotion at one of Mrs. Lawrence Town- send’s morning musicales this past seasen, and many other interesting and vital artists, Local Groups Present Varied Programs as Mousic Season Wanes—Mrs. Wallack Is Featured in Week’s Spotlight. Pictured above is Edith W allack, local soprano, who made her debut in opera last night in New York, appearing at the Mecca Auditorium in “Aida”; lower left, Maria Zalipsky, who will present “Acts From Opera” at the Wardman Park Theater on Tuesday, and lower right, Willa Semple, pianist, one of the week’s soloists “Pjece Herolque,” Pranck, and other interesting works. ARIO!TALbythepuplhalBufle)'.'fld will be given at the Women’s City Club on Friday evenirg at 8:15 oclock. ‘Those who will participate include Marjorie Ennis, Ger- trude Payne, Ernest Schneider, Margaret War- dred Sherwood, Olive McKnight, Thelma Mills Rector, Lura J. Fowkes and others. PROGRAM of song and dance is being rresented tonight by the King-Smith School at Miss McKinley’s studio, 1731 I street lumbia Chapter of the American Guild Organists, of which Charlotte Klein, F. A. G. O,, is dean, the following officers were elected: Continued on Eighteenth Page - Chaminade Glee Club Anniversary Concert. HE Chaminade Glee Club, Esther Lin- kins, organizer and director, will cele- brate the closing of its tenth season with an anniversary concert in Barker Hall Wednesday evening, May 27. Ceclle C. Chaminade, eminent French woman composer, for whom the club is named, is said to maintain a keen interest in its activities through correspondence, and May Brooks Ramsdell, Mary A. Cryder and Homer L. Kitt are honorary members of the club and have done much for it in the past. This club has been especially. honored by the following American composers, who have com- posed and dedicated songs to them: Henry Clough-Leighter, Dorothy Radde Emery, Karl Holer and Henry 8. Gregor, all members of the Washington Composers’ Club, and Florence R. institutions in and around Washington, includ- ing Christmas caroling all 10 seasons. The Club accompanists have included such out- standing pianists as Helen Nash, Winifred Michaelson, Helen T. Murray, Gertrude Walter and Mrs. Jessie B. Blaisdell. Mrs. Howard Blandy, well known choir director and accom- panist, is the present accompanist of the club. : l Musigraphs I LORA McGILL KEEFER announces her students’ Spring recital on Tuesday eve- ning, June 2, at 8:30 o'clock, in the ball room of the Willard Hotel. The public is eordially invited. Anna Sloan, cellist, was guest artist at the Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church last Sune- day. - Soloists on the annual ladies’ night program to be given by the Vaughn class, Calvary Bap~ tist Church, on Tuesday evening will include Dorothy Sinnott, contralto, and Wills Semple, this evening. He will play the first three move- ments of the Vierne “Fifth Symphony.” Genevieve Pitot will give a program of modern music and Bach at the Play House this Priday. This will be Miss Pitot's first recital in Wash- include Debussy, Casclla, Honegger and Proko- fieff. The Sing Song Glee Club of Friendship House will present the operetta “Goldilocks and the ‘Three Bears” mext Saturday afternoomn at 2:30 in Pierce Hall of All Souls’ Unitarian Church, under the joint direction of Alice Byers, Sara church on Wednesday at 8:15 p.m. for the benefit of the Columbia Bible Tra Artists appearing on the program will- be sill, soprano; J. E. S. Kinsella, bass; Florence E, Marshall, reader; Marian Mellichampe, pianist, and Edith B. Athey, organist, Anna D. Straub, soprano, and Velma Snow, mezzo0, presented the musical program, with Saturday Helen Smeltzer, soprano, and Robert Simmons, tenor, gave the program, with Eula Alexander at the piano. The program was under the direction of Flora McGill Keefer. | ‘The Apollo Male Quartet gave two groups of numbers on the program An Oppertunity for Eurepean Training at.io... flm.miummu‘ “An Established c-icrv’"bry en European WASHINGTON CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC, Inc. New Located at 1416 20th St. at ™ X $_Cirele. TEEM , ete. Artist . North Studenis’ Orches- Children’'s private and group tes, Special rates to Govt. employes. C:'cloc. @