PAGE TWO THE MICHIGAN ]DAILY SUNDAY, NOVRM$ER 22,x964 PAGE TWO THE MICHIGAN RAlLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1964 W ,.., 7-- ARTS and LETTERS By Steven Haller To Translate, or Not To .. . Of the two operas being pre- sented by the University Musical Society today, Franz Lehar's "The Merry Widow" will be sung in an English translation and Charles Gounod's "Faust" will be sung in the original French. Thus the ever-present controversy is stim- ulated once again: should a for- eign-language opera invariably be translated into English when sung in this country? Prof. Ralph Herbert of the school of music, who has sung with both the New York City a foreign language. If the opera is a drama, you lose the dramatic effect if you can't understand the words; if it is a comic opera, you have to understand the witty lines in order to get the point of the joke," Herbert points out. High Society He adds that there is one major camp in this country made up of what he terms the "snobs." This category is not meant to include educated people, but is made up mainly of people who don't under- stand a word that's sung and don't really care, since they show up only to be seen, or to enjoy the singing (as opposed to the songs). "Many times the audience might not understand what is going on due to the diction of the singers; even with a French production, many French members of the audience don't know what the singers, in their American drawls and twangs, are saying. Some other members of the school of music, however, hold different views on the subject. They feel that many dramatic operas, for example, need not in- variably be translated, since the audience can listen to the opera in terms of the general manner of characterization and not neces- sarily grasp the details of the plot. For such theatre-goers, a basic feeling for the drama itself is all they need; their concentra- tion is directed to the music, not the words. Who's A Snob? In fact, they claim that this is as it should be, pointing out that opera was originally drama per musica, "drama through music." Shuddering at a broad usage of a term such as "snobs," they remind the partisan of translated opera that most knowledgeable people wouldn't think of listening to the opera in any language except that in which it was written. This second camp also points out that in the music anyway; Verdi didn't write the words to "Aida" and Puccini didn't write the. text of "La Boheme." If the composer is successful with his music, he will be successful with the public, these individuals sug- gest. Despite the claim by many original-language partisans that the majority of operas are not well suited to being translated into another language, Herbert feels that most operas can be "just as beautiful, if not more so, in an- other language. He points out that the text of the opera "Salome" was taken from a poem by Oscar Wilde, who is no German-yet just because the composer of the opera, Richard Strauss, was Ger- man, the beauty of the original text has been forsaken. Unripe Figs He adds that there is one place in the text where the metaphor "falling like unripe figs from the fig tree" is used in the German text, even though the original English poem more accurately says "ripe figs." Herbert suggests that there is no good reason for per- petuating such a statement. "In case a French opera such as 'Faust' is sung in impeccable French-not American "French" -by a French touring company, it would be a different story. As it is, however, I would prefer that the original language be reserved for recordings or for a special language-or if the singers can't speak English, as is often the case with a touring company," Her- bert concludes. Big Deal The members of the other camp, on the other hand, suggest that if the opera is of high quality and is given as such, a translation might be a good idea; but for most productions it really doesn't make that much difference if only a synopsis is offered rather than a full translation. One of these individuals sums up his views by quoting Mozart: "The words must always be the obedient servant of the music." City To Vote On Scheme For College Petitions circulated to place a proposal for the establishment of a community college on the Jan. 15 ballot were recently filed with the Washtenaw county clerk. The proposal for the establish- ment of the college will also in- clude the election of a six-man board of trustees if the voters pass the proposal. By a special vote of the execu- tive board of the citizens com- mittee, the election date was mov- ed to Jan. 15 from Jan. 19. State law prohibits elections being within 40 days of each other. Ypsilanti had scheduled an elec- tion on their own school issues Feb. 24. The entire county will be able to vote on the community college proposal, Jan. 15. URGES OPEN DEBATE: Professor Condemns Intellectual Gossip Dial 665-6290 Dial 665-6290 Shows at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9:05 p.M. By MICHAEL HEFFER j "It's important for the student to enlarge his realm of discourse," Prof. Stephen Tonsor of the his- tory department said Thursday. Speaking at Frost House on "Secularism, Gossip, and the In- tellectual," Tonsor said "we resort to gossip groups where our ideas find acceptance," rather than chance open debate. Talking about "how intellectuals ought to be- have," he said "most intellectual talk is gossip." After defining gossip as "ordi- nary discourse about a narrow range of topics associated with one group," Tonsor spoke of "in" groups. In these groups intellec- tuals "gossip" about each other, and "remove themselves from society," he said. Separation They are separated from the community when they talk among themselves, and no one else bene- fits, he continued. Groups professing the same doc- trine, he said, often "withdraw from the world into sects." He said this is common of most fields ex- cept science, which "doesn't per- mit sectarianism." However Ton- sor pointed to the case of Dr. Andrew C. Ivy and a few others who "refused to accept debate within the scientific community' on the value of the drug Krebiozen.' Sectarianism Tonsor thenrelated "sectarian- ism" to the intellectual life onj campus. He said he found that the various departments in the Uni- versity are separated. "Professors do not know what is going on" in other areas, he said. He noted that several depart-j ments, such as history, political science, and sociology all have something to saygto each other, but they do not get together., Observing that today's students are too "inward" looking, he urged students to try out ideas on others. "Why don't you challenge your lecturer or classroom instruc- PROF. RALPH HERBERT Opera and the Metropolitan Opera for several years, explains that there are two different schools of thought on this sub- ject: some say that any opera given in this country should be sung in English. Others are equal- ly emphatic in expressing their preference for hearing the opera in the original language. In gen- eral, he includes himself among the latter number. tor?" he suggested. Tonsor urged that "debate displace gossip" among students. Hazard In answer to a question on the college system, Tonsor said he thought acceleration "is a hazard to education." Referring to the taking of 18 or 19 credits and the "temptations of the trimester sys- tem" on the student to graduate in three years, he said that stu- dents are in too much of a rush "to get on the labor market." Tonsor urged students to read more, and widely. He recommend- ed the journals, where "intellec- tual life takes place." In the articles written there, he said, the great intellectual debates occur. Enrollees Set Midwest High Total residence credit enroll- ment at the Big Ten universities and at the University of Chicago is at a record 316,492, an in- crease of 24,874 over last year, according to University Registrar Edward G. Groesbeck. The totals include approxi- mately 64,000 freshmen, an in- crease of about 9000 over last fall, Groesbeck indicated. "The enrollment picture has changed rapidly during the past y e a r," Groesbeck commented. "Some of the 11 schools had to control their enrollments for the first time this fall.'' However, Groesbeck expressed belief that all qualified in-state students will find room in their respective state universities next year. But, he added, in many in- stances the applicants may not be able to enroll in the fall and may have to choose the summer or win- ter term. The 11 universities are members of the Committee on Institutional Cooperation, a group formed sev- eral years ago to stimulate vol- untary cooperation and to elimi- nate extensive duplication in ad- missions' procedures. .OIV t 0 0 9 \ in t 'Te lif- V, N .- TboiaGntv+3Fwr rnp. r ctong debbie pat eutsreynols ; on Janna Barnes/ILaura Deain : ivalter matthau.. David Weisbart /fVincente Minnei /Hanry Kumrit A Vnce Nweionrga .*n,"..sCiainaSaop."color by De L. Taking another ho-hum vacation because you think traveling is expensive? Cut it out. ----.----."---------"--------- in m COLLEGE RELATIONS DIRECTOR Sheraton-Park Hotel Washington, D.C. 20008 I Dear Sheraton: Please rush me an application for a | free Sheraton Student ID Card. I understand it will get me discounts on room rates at Sheraton Hotels & 1 Motor Inns. Good Deal! Name Address 95 Sheraton Hotels & Motor inns' - ----"----""""""" m "'" """""""""-""" 'ei CORRECTION "It's asking too much average audience to sit three hours of an opera for the through sung in PROF. HAROLD E. WE THEY of the history of art department was named the 1964 Henry Russel Lecturer, Friday, by the Regents. The Daily ran the wrong picture of the recipient of the award yesterday. i G E T T T p m sc P P L G "', A The Week To Come: A Campus Calendar SUNDAY, NOV. 22 the electrical engineering depart- phony Orchestra, directed by Josef 2:30 p.m.-The New York City ment will talk on "Electron Blatt, will give a public concert pera Company will present in Physics" in the fourth of the in Hill Aud. nglish, Franz Lehar's "The Merry "Electronics Showcase" series of FRIDAY, NOV. 27 Vidow" at Hill Aud. programs in 1042 East Engineer- 8 p.m.-The Professional Thea- 3 p.m.-The Ann Arbor Civic ing. tre Program will present the As- 'heater will hold try-outs for TUESDAY, NOV. 24 sociation of Producing Artists in Night of the Iguana" in the Civic 12 Noon-Rev. Donald P. Smith an extra performance of Pisca- heater Bldg., 803 W. Washington. will speak on "A Single New tor's "War and Peace," adapted 4 p.m.-Recitals will be given by Humanity" at a luncheon in the from the novel by Leo Tolstoy, in iano majors in the School of International Center. the Lydia Mendelssohn Theater. [usic Recital Hall. 3 p.m. - Ben H. Bagdikian, SATURDAY, NOV. 28 7 p.m.-The India Students As- author, critic and editor, will 8 p.m.-The PTP will present ociation will present "Nehru- speak on "How Political is the the APA in an extra performance [an of Two Worlds" and "Nehru American Press" in Rackham of Brendan Behan's "The Hos- asses Away" in the Multi- Amph. tage" in Lydia Mendelssohn urpose Rm. of the Undergraduate 4:15 p.m.-Dr. Peter Rossi, di- Theater. ibrary. rector of the National Opinion SUNDAY, NOV. 29 7 and 9 p.m. -- The Cinema Research Center, will speak on 12 Noon-Richard L. Cutler, in- uild will present Orson Welles' "Problems of Local Community coming vice-president for student Macbeth" in the Architecture Organization" in the Social Work affairs, will host "Childhood: ud. Aud., Frieze Bldg. Worlds to Discover" on WWJ-TV 8:30 p.m.-The New York City 8:30 p.m.-The University Sym- Channel 4, Detroit. 35th Season Lansing Symphony 11 MORE MUSIC FOR MORE PEOPLE DAVE BRUBECK Internationally acclaimed as the world's foremost Jazz personality, with his quartet. Gregory Millar and Ray- burn Wright conducting. SUNDAY, NOV. 22 CIVIC CENTER-8:30 P.M. Tickets available at Paramount Newsstand in Lansing or through Lansing Symphony Office, P. O. Box 1334, Telephone IV 2-0573, and at Box Office of Lansing Civic Center on Concert Night. ii Leave this brochure where your dad can see it. Want to spend 45 fascinating days touring the continent? Leave BOAC's brochure where it'll do the most good. You won't be sorry. It's a chance not just to see Europe, but to get to know it. A chance to meet students and teachers of other countries. A chance to visit the museums and art galleries you've always read about. A chance to hear great music, and see great ballet. A chance to talk to people-to find out how they live, and think, and feel about things. It's also a chance to relax and get a tan (the tour includes sunny places as well as cultural ones). How much does the whole wonderful holiday cost? $1099.30* from New York. If dad thinks that figure is a little high, remind him that you'll be away all of 45 days and that the price is all-inclusive. *Price based on economy air fare and double occupancy in hotels. It could get you European tour. r-British Overseas Airways Corporation Dept. BE-178 530 Fifth Avenue, New York, N. Y. 10036 Please send me your free brochure describ. ing all of BOAC's 1965 student tours. AndI don't limit it to the 45-day trip. Just send it soon. Dad's been in such a good mood lately.' NameI # Street SCity State Zip Code I Phone Number__ My Travel Agent Is_ L.... ...... 0703 a free All over the world BOAC takes good care of you AND 0i0A C-.UNARD SERVICES OPERATED FOR SOAO.CUNARD BY BOAS Opera will present "Faust" in French in Hill Aud. MONDAY, NOV. 23 12 Noon-Rev. Donald P. Smith, personnel secretary of the Com- mission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations, United Presbyter- ian Church, will speak on "A Single New Humanity"-a dis- cussion of the ecumenical mission around the world-at a luncheon at the International Center. 4 p.m.-Prof. Albert Ando of the Wharton School of Commerce and Finance will speak on "The Extreme Quantity Theory and the Naive Keynesian Model" in Rm. 101 of the Economics Bldg. 4 p.m.-Irwin Scollar of the Rheinisches Landesmuseum, Ger- many, will speak on "Five Years of Archaeological Discovery from the Air in Rheinland" in Aud. B. 7:30 p.m.-The Young Socialists Alliance will sponsorJack Barnes, national YSA leader, in a lecture entitled "The Myth of American Liberalism" in 3529 Student Ac- tivities Bldg. 7:30 p.m.-Prof. J. E. Rowe, of TICKETS-$3 Reserved Seating -$2 General Admission Forget to pick up your ticket for the WILLOWPOLITAN Bus on Nov. 25 AUSTIN DIAMOND 4 DON'T And don't forget,seating for the Philharmonic Series- BRUBECK-MANCI NI-SPECTACULAR is available at $7 reserve, and $4 general admission. Tickets to Metropolitan are and to Willow Run $1.25 $1.50_ 1209 S. University 663-7151 I Buses will leave every 2 hours be- tween 12:30 and 6:30 I Tickets may be purchased in the Fishbowl on Nov. 23 and 24 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. cwrww..w.. y............,..........iw.w......w...u. .w.w.rw.w..ww....wwwwa.smwm R U : LAST TIMES TONIGHT MACBETH " I Orson Welles' originally controversial, now classic interpretation of William I Shakespeare's great tragedy. 1 U R R R R U IN ~THE ARCHITECTURE AUDORUM " I R R * ADMISSION: FIFTY C ENTS ''" "---"-- - - --- - -'""--R--""--"-- ---- - ------""m"in in"mi* Ilk A Dial 662-6264 Shows Start at 1 :00 2:40-4:45-7:00 & 9:05 The Big One Of The Great Southwest! I I UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN STUDENT EMPLOYEES UNION GENERAL MEETING SUN., NOV. 22 Room 3C-Union--7:30 r THIS is what's } happenin'! 1., 2. 3. Major policy decisions Filling of vacancy on Executive Comm. Progress report I /N CONCER T HAL ZEIGER presents NA NCY WILSON WITH PULL ORCHESTRA DON'T GET STUCK WITH THE SHORT END OF THE WISHBONE ALL STUDENTS WELCOME ' I I l Get Your Tickets BEFORE Thanksgiving to LEONARD BERNSTEIN'S \A/ o 1 ~,~S&IrINE and introducing IB IL L:................:: i I IIII i I