21, 1927 T2E MICHIGAN DALY ' CE m ,..._ . .. . Nine Famous Concert And Opera Artists To Participate In Festival Flagstad, Telva, Rethberg, Carron, Morelli, Pinza, Melehior Are Vocalists Dr. Moore, ilighee, Christian To AssistL Local Musicians Also To Participate Ip Festival May Festival Big Annual Event For Local Children's Chorus The Young People's Festival Chorus The first Children's Concert was Eugene List, Pianist, Toseph Knitzer Are To Par-iipa And Also (ContUilued froin Pagfe 7) American artist born in St. Louis, Mo. Eighteen months after leaving her native city to study in New York City, Miss Telva was signed by the Metropolitan, making her debut there in "Manon Lescaut." She is regarded as one of the company's most valued members. Among her outstanding performances there have been Adal- gisa in "Norma," Magdalene in "Die Meistersinger," Brangaene in "Tris- tan," Amneris in "Aida," and Susuki in "Butterfly." During the last two years, Miss Telva has appeared as soloist with Arturo Toscanini and the Now York Philharmonic Orchestra. English Dramatic Tenor Mr. Carron, a gifted English dra- matic tenor, born in Swindon, Wilt- shire, launched on his professional career in "Tannhauser," with an English opera company and sang most of the leading tenor roles with that company. He also made several guest appearances thereafter at Co- vent Garden. Late in 1935, Carron came to America for further study. In April, 1936, he won the Metropoli- tan Auditions of the Air, the prize being a contract with Metropolitan to sing in the spring season. He made his debut at the Metropolitan in "Pagliacci," and is now a regular member of the company. Mr. Melchior, famed historic tenor, has become known especially for his Wagnerian interpretations. A native of Denmark, Mr. Melohior first stud- ied in the school of the Royal Opera in Copenhagan, and later toured Eu- rop. In 1925 he was invited to sing at Bayreuth, where he has appeared frequently since. In the season of 1925-26 he first came to America for his debut at the Metropolitan. He has been decorated many times by the King of Denmark and also has been honored by other European countries. His song repertoire is es- pecially interesting, covering Danish, Scandinavian, Italian, German and English masterpieces, both classic and modern. University Graduate Mr. Morelli, a University graduate, was first brought to the Metropolitan to share the baritone roles with Law- rence Tibbett and John Charles Thomas. Among leading roles which JUVA HIGBEE PROF. EARL V. MOORE PALMER CHRISTIAN of 500 Ann Arbor school children an- nually points to the May Festival as its outstanding musical event of the year. The opportunity to appear in con- cert with several musical celebrities as well as a world-famous orchestra is a major event in the school musical program. The chorus, in addition, plays an important part in the Fes- tival, injecting a refreshing element into the general program. The chorus will again be under the direction of Juva Higbee, supervisor of music in the public schools of Ann Arbor. Permanent Feature The annual Children's Concert has become a permanent part of the May Festival, and, according to Charles A. Sink, president of the School of Music, "Not only have these young people offered entertainment of high quality to concert-goers, but they themselves have profited musically from splendid training, arid in after years, in many cases, they have be- come members of the Choral Union or similar choral societies throughout the land. In some cases, individual members have been stimulated to professional careers, and have won distinction in many fields of musical activities. United States so much. But I do not consider singing my real career -at least not in the way a man looks on his career. The career that I really want awaits me at home." given in 1913, 20 years after the be- ginning of the May Festival. That year the Young' People's Festival Chorus gave "The Walrus and the Carpenter," an interesting work by Fletcher, which they have repeated several times siice then. Trained By Potter The chorus was trained by Flor- ence G. Potter, then supervisor of schools, for a period of sixaoinRF music in the Ann Arbor public. schools, for a period of six years, but the children were conducted at the Festival by Dr. Albert Stanley, then musical director of the May Festival. In 1920 the children were conduct- ed by Russell Carter, who had suc- ceeded Miss Potter as school super- visor of music. From 1921-1924, George.Oscar Bowen was in charge of the chorus; from 1925-1927 Joseph E. Maddy presided; since 1928, Miss Higbee has trained and conducted the chorus. During all these years, the present music supervisor has been ably assisted by cooperation of the principals and members of the fac- ulty of the various schools throughout the city. At this year's Festival the chorus will offer a group of songs by Arne, Schubert and Scott as well as Gaul's Cantata, "Spring Rapture," sharing the program with Eugene List, pian- ist and the Philadelphia Symphony, which will also accompany the chorus. May Festival Is First Event InCenteniial History Of Music Series Offerings Started With 1894 Concerts (Continued from Page 7) eral concerts each year and has per- formed all of the great oratorios and operas adaptable to concert perform- ance, including several American and world premieres. In 1913 when the Festival was transferred from old Uimversity Wall to Hill Auditorium, the general plan was expanded to include a large chorus of young people from the public schools of Ann Arbor. The offerings of this Young People's Festival Chorus of several hundred voices have supplemented the contri- butions of the Choral Union and have made possible the injection of at wider range of choral singing. Because of the resignation last year of Leopold Stokowski from act- ing directorship of the Philadelphia Symphony, Eugene Ormandy, newly appointed head, will lead the orches- tra in its second Festival program. ITI)RBI TURNS CONDUUTOR Jose Iturbi first attracted world attention as an orchestra leader when he played 26 recitals in six weeks in Mexico City. he sang with great success last sea- son at the Metropolitan were those of Marcello in "La Boheme," Rigo- letto in the opera -Rigoletto," and Amonsasro in "Aida." He will again sing this last part in the last Fes- tival concert. Mr. Pimza, born in Rome, Italy, early abandoned a career as a civil engineer to study singing, as did Mr.. Morelli. Hailed as the "Young Chal- iapin" in his performances in Italy, he was for three years the leading basso under Toseamii at La Scala. It was here that Gatti-Casazza heard him and induced himn to join the Metropolitan in 1926. He has sung there each season since. Born In New York The youthful violinist, Mr. Knitzer, was born in New York in 1913, but was brought up in Detroit. At the age of seven he started playing violin and two years later was accepted as a pupil by Leopold Auer with whom he studied until the great teacher's death. At 14 he made his debut as solist with the New York Symphony under Walter Damrosch, and then returned to study under Louis Per- singer. In 1934 he won the Walter Naumburg award and the following year the prize of the National Fed- eration of Music Clubs as well as the Schubert Memorial Award. Youngest Artist The second instrumentalist, Mr. List, is the youngest artist in the group of guest stars, being 18 years old. Within the past year he has appeared with the New York Phil- harmonic Symphony Orchestra, the Los. Angeles Philharmonic, and the St. Louis Symphony. He won in competition a scholarship at the Philadelphia Conservatory, on the conditions that he was not to be exploited as a wonder-child. Fla stad Prefers To Keep Simple Ioee ThanSing "No one seems to believe me when I say I would rather keep house than' sing, but that really is the truth," said Kirsten Flagstad, famous Metro- politan Opera Star, who will sing in the May Festival in the opening night, Wednesday, May 12. Miss Flagstad, Norwegian soprano, already proved herself a favorite in Ann Arbor when she appeared to open the current series of Choral Union concerts early last fall. Even though she does not cook and seldom sews, she still insisted that she would not mind exchanging the cheers and shouts of the "Golden Horseshoe" for the domesticity of a simple home. "Of 'course I am very happy over the welcome I had in this country and I confess the applause and ap- preciation thrills me," she admittd frankly. "But I am looking forward to that time in the future when I shall be a private person, able to do just as I wish every day, without the thoughts of rehearsals and per- formances. When that time comes I shall look back happily and grate- fully to this present time of work. But if I did not believe that one day I should return permanently to my home and family in Norway, I should not be able to enjoy my work as much as I do." Miss Flagstad confessed that she is not an ambitious person by nature and that if she had not had the en- couragement of her husband, she would never have carried her career to the point it has reached. On her second marriage six years ago, she said, she willingly gave up her public appearances, limiting her singing to the seclusion of their home. "I was perfectly happy doing this," she explained, "Then one day an opera soprano fell ill and they begged me to substitute at short notice. My husband agreed at once, so I did so. Gradually there were other appear- ances, and almost before I knew it I was a public person once more. "Naturally no one could refuse the honor of an invitation to sing at the Metropolitan Opera, so when I saw my husband really wanted men to ac- cept, I did so. I love my music and I have enjoyed my two seasons in the Imp- : . . ,. LM MM the 1937 MAY' FESTIVAL MAY 1-1-14 A .forA SEASON TICKsETS, SEASON TICKETS (Six Concerts) may be ordered at the main office of the School of Music, on Maynard Street. $6.00, $7.00 and $8.00 WITH FESTIVAL COUPON, prices are $3.00, $4.00 reduced to and $5.00 INDIVIDUAL CONCERT TICKETS will be taken from the unsold season tickets and will be offered "Over the Counter" later for $1.00, $1.50, $2.00 and $2.50 ORDER TICKETS 10'V. LA AII- 1. NOTICE -o SON TICKETS (Six Concerts) THE PRICES OF, SEA El 11 11 11 i