MUSIC
Sir igau
SUPPLEMENT
1
MUSIC
SUPPLEMENT
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 1944
Annual Music Festival To Be Presented Ma
y
4-7
.
Salvatore Baccaloni To
Be Featured at Festival
Basso Buffo Combines Great Voice, Sense.
Of Comedy for Metropolitan Opera Company
Salvatore Baccaloni, proclaimed world's greatest basso buffo, will be
a featured artist of the Music Festival.
This rotund operatic star, who tips the scale at 300 pounds, possesses a
rare combination of a great voice and a sense of comedy. After his first
few appearances for the Metropolitan Opera Company, Oscar Thompson,
noted music critic of the New York "Sun," said, "In Baccaloni, with his
remarkable talents as a comedian and singer, the Metropolitan has made
the happiest discovery since Flagstad joined the company."
"Comparison's Futile"
As Pitts Sanborn of the New York World-Telegram wrote after one of
Baccaloni's sensational triumphs at the Metropolitan: "Comparisons are
futile. One would have to go back
MUAY FESTIVAL PROGRAM
Six Cofn1certS-FOUr Days, May 4, 5, 6, 7
TUE PIIILADELPIHA ORCHESTRA PLAYS AT ALL CONCERTS
to that great artist Charles Gilbert
to find Mr. Baccaloni's equal as a
comic basso.
"There is none of the clowning
that we often have foisted upon us in
fuffo parts, but a wealth of rich and
unctious humor, and an endless in-
genuity and polish in detail. Mr.
Baccaloni, with unfailing tact, knows
just how far to go and where to
stop in such a ticklish matter."
Born in Rome
This great star, who has gaused
such a stir on the operatic scene, was
born in Rome, Italy, where he re-
SALVATORE BACCALO(NI
ceived his first musical training, as a
chorister in the Sistine Chapel Choir
at the Vatican. He made his operatic
debut in the United States at the
Metropolitan in December, 1940.
Prior to this he sang with several
companies in foreign countries. Bac-
caloni has also appeared with numer-
ous orchestras and has sung on the
radio, in acdition to making many
recordings.
Restores Basso Buffos .
His operatic roles are governed
largely by his voice, since very few
are written for basso buffos. Nev-
ertheless, he is credited with restor-
ing the basso buffo to its former po-
sition of importance on the opera
stage.
It was the great conductor, Arturo
Toscanini, who was responsible for
Baccaloni's start in opera. Toscan-
ini attached great importance to the
basso buffo as a character and saw
in Baccaloni a means of raising it
from its secondary position. The
young basso bore out his confidence
by recreating the famous basso roles
conceived by Possini, Donizetti, Verdi
and others, into their original dom-
inant figures.
Philosophy of Roles
Baccaloni tells how he studies the
philosophy of the roles he interprets.
He says, "Dr. Bartolo, in Rossini's
"Barber of Seville" is a comic char-
acter-Donizetti's Don Pasquale, a
grotesque character. There is a big
difference, in spite of the fact that
most impersonators interpret them
alike. Dr. Bartolo is silly in his
fatuous belief in his own charms,
but Don Pasquale, likewise no longer
young, is a more pathetic figure, and
it is a tragic moment for him when
the young woman slaps his face, and
he realizes that he has been making
a fool of himself."
No Dietipg
The happy fat man is one theatri-
cal star .who doesn't have to worry
about reducing diets and exercise to
keep down excess poundage, for, aft-
er all, every pound is as good as a
smile, when you're a basso buffo.
"I owe it to my public," the 300-
pound basso explains. "It's part of
my stock in trade."
There was a time when Baccaloni
used to worry about his figure, but
later declined to capitalize on it.
History of May
g
Musical Society Started,
Celebration in 1894
After Cancellation
The first'May Festival which took
place in 1894 came about somewhat
as the result of an accident. A dis-
appointment arose in the cancella-
tion of a concert engagement. As a
result, the Board of Directors of the
University Musical 'Society capital-
ized on adversityaand developed the
Festival idea.
Since 1879 the Society has annu-
ally provided a series of concerts
which for 15 years after the inaugu-
ration of the first May Festival was
brought to a close by the appear-
ance of the Boston Symphony Or-
chestra at a concert in May.
Boston Orchestra Scheduled
In the fall of 1893, however, when
the usual appearance of the Boston
Symphony Orchestra was announced,
the engagement could not be con-
summated. At that time Boston also
maintained a special traveling or-
chestra known as the Boston Festi-
val Orchestra.
This organization was engaged as
a substitute, but since the railroad-
ing costs had to be met entirely by
Ann Arbor, the Board of Directors
decided that three concerts would be
given instead of one.
Accordingly, they not only an-
nounced a May Festival, but they
boldly called it "the first annual May
Festival."
Festival a Success
The event was a tremendous suc-
cess. Newspapers publicized the
event widely. The railroads granted
special rates. All this resulted in a
huge migration to Ann Arbor for the
occasion.
Since few people took the precau-
tions of purchasing tickets in ad-
vance, many could not gain admis-
sion. To add to the confusion there
was a downpour of rain all day and
nearly all night. To make matters
still worse, through a combination of
unavoidable circumstances a special
train which was to leave immediately
after the Saturday evening concert,
was detained in the years in Detroit,
and the railroad station was crowded
with waiting passengers until early
morning.
Concerts Increased
The first Festival consisted of three
concerts, given on Friday evening,
Saturday afternoon and Saturday
night. The next year the event was
increased to four concerts; a few
years later to five and in due course
of time the present schedule of six
concerts evolved.
The Boston Festival Orchestra
journeyed to Ann Arbor for the first
See HISTORY, P. 3
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 8:30
Soloist: Salvatore Baccaloni, Bass
Eugene Ormandy, Conductor
Symphony No. 7, Op. 92 . . . Beethoven
"Le ragazze che son di vent'anni"
from "Astuzie Femminili" . . Cimarosa
"Son imbrogliato io gia" from
"Serva Padrona" . . . . . Pergolesi
Osmin's aria from Act I, "Die Entfuehrung
aus dem Serail" . . . . . Mozart
Salvatore Baccaloni
Intermission
"Non piu andrai" from "Marriage of
Figaro" . . . . . Mozart
"Udite ,tutti, udite" from "Matrimonio
Secreto" . . . . . . . Cimarosa
"La Calumnia" from "Barber of Seville" Rossini
Mr. Baccaloni
Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun Debussy
Waltz: "Tales from the Vienna Woods"
J. Strauss
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 8:30
Soloists: Kerstin Thorborg, Contralto
Charles Kullnan, tenor
Eugene Ormandy, Conductor
Symphony No. 35 in D major . . Mozart
Intermission
"Das Lied von der Erde" (The Song of
the Etarth), A Symphony for Tenor,
Contralto and Orchestra Mahler
Kerstin Thorborg and Charles Kullman
and The Philadelphia Orchestra
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2:30
Soloists: Pierre Luboshutz, Pianist
Genia Nemenoff, Pianist
Festival Youth Chorus
Saul Caston, Harl McDonald and
Marguerite Hood, Conductors
Suite from the "Water Music" Handel-Harty
Songs of the Two Americas (Orchestrated
by Eric DeLamarter)
Youth Chorus
Intermission
Overture, Roman Carnival, Op. 9 . . Berlioz
Pavane . . . . . . . . . Faure
Concerto for Two Pianos and
Orchestra . . . . . . McDonald
Pierre Luboshutz ancd Genia Nemenoff
Conducted by the composer
Serpina's Aria from "Serva Padrona" Pergolesi
"Deh vieni" from "Marriage of Figaro" Mozart
"Una voce" from "Barber of Seville" Rossini
Bidu Sayao
Intermission
Interlude and Dance from "La Vida
Breve" . . . . . . . . DeFalla
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5, for
Soprano and Violoncellos . . Villa-Lobos
"Come serenamente" from °"Lo Schiavo" Gomes
Mme. Sayao
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 8:30'
Soloist: Bidu Sayao, Soprano
Saul Caston, Conductor
Overture to "Die Meistersinger"
"Revenez, revenez. amour"
from "Thesee" . .
Symphony No. 6, Op. 74
Tchaikovsky
SUNDAY, MAY 7, 2:30
Soloists: Nathan Milstein, Violinist
Gregor Piatigorsky, Violoncellist
Eugene Ormandy, Conductor
All-Brahms Program
"Academic Festival" Overture, Op. 80
Concerto in A minor, Op. 102, for Violin, Violon-
cello and Orchestra
Nathan Milstein and Gregor Piatigorsky
Intermission
Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98
SUNDAY, MAY 7, 8:30
Soloists: Rose Bampton, Soprano
Thelma Von Eisenhauer, Soprano
Kerstin Thorborg, Contralto
Charles Kullman, Tenor
John Brownlee, Baritone
University Choral Union*"
Palmer Christian, Organist
Hardin Van Deursen, Conductor
Elijah (a dramtic oratorio) . Mendelssohn
Soloists and Choral Union
Assisted by University Women's Glee Club,
backstage. Wilson Sawyer, Director
Wagner
Lully
Old, New Artists
To Be Featured
Six concerts Will Be Given, Ushering
In Second Half-Century of Programs
This year's May Festival will usher in the first of the second half-
century of Festivals which have been presented in an unbroken series
by the University Musical Society.
In response to many requests, particularly from those in the service,
the Festival dates this year have been advanced one day, beginning Thurs-
day, May 4, and continuing through Sunday, May 7.
As in previous years, six concerts will be presented in the four-day
period. Four soloists who are new to Ann Arbor audiences, Bidu Sayoa,
Brazilian soprano; John Brownlee, Metropolitan baritone; and the two-
piano team of Pierre Loboshutz and Genia Nemenoff will appear on the
program.
Old Festival favorites such as Rose Bampton, Charles Kullman,
Kerstin Thorborg, Salvatore Baccaloni, Thelma von Eisenhauer, Nathan
Milstein and Gregor Piatigorsky, also--
will be heard.
Ormandy To Conduct Musical Societ
Returning to Ann Arbor for his
seventh May Festival appearance, ~ 1T
Eugene Ormandy will conduct the O Oral UniOn
Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra.
He will be assisted by Saul Caston, Started in 1897
its assistant conductor, and Harl Mc-
Donald, guest conductor. The Uni-
versity Choral Union under the lead- ess C as
ership of Hardin Van Deursen and Originally Formed To
the Festival Youth Chorus, con-
ducted by Marguerite Hood, will alsog'
participate.Th
Salvatore Baccaloni, basso buffo . The history of the University Mu-
of the Metropolitan, wilt open theh d SocietyChorlUnisn Con
Festival at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, May Series starts in 1879. ts .first cn-
4, with a concert in which he will cert was given in the Congregational
sing Cimrosa's "Le Raggaze Che Son Church, its second in the Metho ist
Di Vent' Anni," Pergolesi's "Son Im- and its third m the Presbyterian.
brogliato Io Gia" and other selections Its history comprises the old story
of"great oaks from little acorns
by Mozart, Cimarosa and Rossini. grow." In the fall of 1879 members
Youth Concert Included of the choir of these churches and
In the Friday night concert Ker- the Episcopal Church united together
stin Thorborg and Charles Kullman to form a singing organization. They
will sing "Das Lied Von Der Erde," a called themselves the Messiah Club,
song symphony for orchestras and performed 'Messiah'
soloists by Mahler. The chief interest of the members
Genia Nemenoff and Pierre Lubo- of the Messiah Club was to sing
shutz will conclude the Saturday aft- choruses from Handel's great ora-
ernoon concert with "Concerto for torio. At the meetings, which were
Two Pianos" by McDonald. Others held at frequent intervals, time was
on this program will include the Fes- spent in discussing procedure, choral
tival Youth Concert under the lead- rehearsals, and in social entertain-
ership of Marguerite Hood and guest ment.
conductors, Saul Caston and Harl The club pledged itself to give four
McDonald. concerts for the benefit of the ladies'
Two Concerts Sunday societies of the four churches. How-
The Festival will end Sunday with ever, time passed so rapidly that by
two concerts. On Sunday afternoon the end of the University year only
an all Brahms program will be pre- one of the four scheduled concerts
sented. Nathan Milstein, -violinist, had been given.
and Gregor Piatogorsky, violin cellist, Reorganized Group
will play Brahm's "Concerto in A Not defeated, the group reassem-
Minor" for violin, violoncello and or- bled the following fall. They found
chestra. The Philadelphia Orchestra that about half of their membership
will conclude the program with had fallen away, either through
Brahm's Symphony No. 4 in E minor. graduation from the University, or
Rose Bampton, Thelma von Eisen- removal from the city. In spite of
hauer, Kerstin Thorborg, Charles these setbacks the group set out to
Kullman, John Brownlee, the Uni- fulfill its ambitions of the previous
versity Choral Union, Palmer Chris- year.
tian and Hardin Van Deursen, all The name of the group was
will participate in the final concert. changed to "Choral Union." Singers
Mendelssohn's "Elijah" will be pre- from other churches were admitted
sented by this group. but the originaltmembers of the
-- group saw to it that the group re-
mained faithful"to its original pledge
Mon th htogive benefit concerts for the four
churches.
* * Cady Chosen Conductor
TO Partielpate The second performance of the
Tor ic pchorus took place in the Methodist
In M ay estival rchin the earlywinter. Another
concert was given at the Presbyterian
Church shortly afterwards.
Again this year the Youth Chorus, Calvin B. Cady was chosen first
directed by Marguerite Vivian Hood conductor of the group. He remained
and composed of young singers from in that capacity until 1888, during
Ann Arbor public schools, will par- which time the chorus participated
ticipate in the May Festival. in many public concerts, in some of
Organized in 1913, the Youth which solo roles were taken by artists
Chorus sang in the first Festival in imported from Detroit, Chicago and
Hill Auditorium. Since then, it has New York. Attendance at the con-
been an annual feature of the Festi- certs was meager, and on most occa-
val and has drawn much favorable sions the income was not sufficient
comment from those who have heard to pay expenses.
it. Gained Reputation
Wide Range of Experience Definite progress was made year
Miss Hood, Supervisor of Music in after year, in spite of the lack of
the Ann Arbor public schools and interest by outsiders, meager support
Assistant Professor in the University, from the public, and insufficient
has had wide experience in the field funds.
of music. By 1888, the society had earned a
She has tacght on the faculties of creditable reputation; the repertoire
four major universities, including of its performances was growing and
the University of Montana, Eastern its offerings became more substan-
Washington College of Education tial.
and the University of Southern Cali- Stanley Conducted
fornia, besides filling the position of Dr. Albert A. Stanley, who suc-
State Music Supervisor of Montana. ceeded Mr. Cady as conductor,
Author of Songbooks brought new enthusiasm into the
Her work in music has included organization. For the three decades
the authorship of numerous song- in which Dr. Stanley guided the
books, teachers' manuals, pamphlets society's artistic destiny, the chorus
and articles on music subjects. She grew in number and new choral
has also addressed many important works of greater importance were
music educators' groups. As conduc- presented.
tor of the Youth Festival Chorus, she The number of concerts was in-
AMERICAN PRODUCT:
Soprano Rose Bampton Will
Close May Festival Program
Rose Bampton, distinguished dra-
matic soprano of the Metropolitan
Opera Company, who closes the May
Festival concerts on Sunday, May 7,
was one of the first singers to break
the moth-eaten unwritten law that
no singer could hope for operatic
success without European training.
Miss Bampton, who was born in
Cleveland, is. a completely Ameri-
can product and never set foot
outside the States until long after
her fame had spread to foreign
shores. The basis of her training
was the five years she spent as a
scholarship pupil at Philadelphia's
Curtis Institute of Music.
After beginning in opera, she
turned to concert and oratorio offers,
one of which was with Leopold Sto-
kowski and the Philadelphia Sym-
phony. In 1932 Miss Bampton made
her 'Met' debut on her twenty-thud
birthday. Her sensational success
was one of the most fitting presents
a singer could ask for.
Sings in Argentina
Her eagerness to learn and im-
prove her roles and repertoire led to
the great ovation with which Argen-
tinians greeted her recent appear-
ances in Buenos Aires. Time wrote
that her debut in "Armide" was "the
No. 1 box office hit of the season."
For the past two summers, Miss
Bampton has spent her vacation
on tours in South America and
has rung up many triumphs in
that intensely music conscious
continent.
Argentinians were privileged to
hear her in several new roles which
she has yet to perform in the United
States. The soprano again used to
advantage these tours to prepare for
such roles as in Beethoven's "Fide-
lio," "Marriage of Figaro," Elsa in
"Tannhauser" and Kundry in "Par-
sifal."
American Composers Her Favorites
It is her strong conviction that
America's music is its best ambassa-'
dor and she has constantly included
in her concert repertoire songs by'
American composers.
She feels that American music,
especially contemporary pieces, has
an unlimited future and is very
proud to have sung premieres of
many American compositions.
Dr. Sink States
Festival Aims
For the fifty-first consecutive
year the University Musical Society
announces the programs for the
annual May Festival. The Society
believes that during these perilous
days when all are confronted with
serious problems, good music fills
a particularly definite need. Spirits
need to be lifted up, our minds
must be stimulated to confident
and constructive efforts. Special
attention, therefore, has been paid
to the engaging of personalities of
substantial as well as established
reputations; and the building of
programs of pronounced worth.
These programs are submitted
with the hope and in full confi-
dence that they will be enthusi-
astically received by those in
service, as well as by civilians in
general.
The Board of Directors again
thanks all who through the years
have approved its efforts. This
cooperation, in large measure, has
been responsible for the Society's
successful activities for so long a
time, and has been helpful in
bringing to fruition the Society's
legend, "Ars Longa Vita Brevis."
-Charles A. Sink, President
University Musical Society
ORMANDY CONDUCTS:
Philadelphia Orchestra Will Play at Festival
The Philadelphia Orchestra, under
the direction of Eugene Ormandy,
will present its fifty-fifth May Festi-
val Concert on May 4 at Hill Audi-
torium, as the orchestra begins its
ninth consecutive year of participa-
tion in the Festival programs.
Established in 1900
Although the Philadelphia Orches-
tra was established on a permanent
basis in 1900, its ancestry may be
traced back to the first public con-
d+ n thlralrha by a -n- of
the Germania Orchestra, and in 1900,
this group disbanded and the present
Philadelphia Orchestra was founded.
The first concerts of the new Phil-
adelphia Orchestra, under the direc-
tion of Fritz Scheel, were benefit per-
Ormandy To Go on Tour
In Australia after Concerts
Engne Ormandv. conductor of
formances given for the relief of
"Families of the Nation's Heroes
killed in the Philippines," and the
enthusiasm of the public for the or-
chestra helped to establish it on a
permanent basis.
Stokowski Becomes Conductor
Leopold Stokowski became conduc-
tor of the orchestra in 1912, and in-
creased the size and quality of the
orchestra by obtaining outstanding
instrumentalists from Eurone and