MONDAY, MARCH 12, 191? UNION OPERA EXTRA PAGE THREE MONDAY, MARCH 12, 1917 PAGE THR~ HISTORY OF PAST OPERAS SHOWS FORWARD STRIDE AN NUAL PRODUCTION iSECOND T1 0 FOOTBALL ONLY IN I'NTEREST Second only to one of the big foot- ball games, stands the Michigan Union Opera as a big event in the college year. After the Union discontinued its circus and county fairs, the first at- tempt in the line of operas, "Michi- Fox, '12L, as "Doris" and the song "Just Eyes" were the much applaud- ed features of the play. Just a year later, "The Crimson Chest," written jointly by Arthur Moehlman, '12, and Francis Riordan, '12, made its appearance. Robert T. Moreland, '11, Arthur Fornier, '121, and Eari V. Moore, '12, share the honors of having written the music. "Carissima" outdid Michigan's senti- mental songs, while the acting of New- ton Fox, was a pleasure to the audi- ence. Frank Bechman, '11, made a campus reputation for himself with the singing of "My Dear." Though the setting of the opera was not in Ann Arbor, Michigan customs and expressions were strikingly em- ployed. Depicting an Egyptian King who, after 40 centuries awakens in Ann Arbor, "The Awakened Mameses," af- forded a novel thing in the line of the Union operas. Joseph Hudnut, '12E, the author reverted back to Univer- sity scenes, using the college atmos- phere, and "taking-off" well-known professors. Rowland Fixel, '12-'14L, composed the music; Karl B. Mat- thews, '13L, and Frank Picard, '12, contributing the lyrics. Arthur Cohen, '13L, acted the part of "Rameses," while "College Love," and "My Girl at Michigan," sung by Fixel, became the best sellers. The spring of 1913 saw "Contrarie Mary." the sixth opera, played. "Things They Never Say" was the song success, though closely rivaled by "Wildflower," which was sung by Kenneth Westerman. Waldo Fellows, '14, and Durward Grinstead, '16L, be- gan their opera career with "Con- trarie Marie." The book was the work of Robert G. Beck, '13L, the music of Willis Diekema, '14, and Rowland Fixel, '12-'14L. "A Model Daughter," shown in March, 1914, ranks as the most suc- cessful of all the operas from a finan- cial standpoint, as well as being ac- credited as the most finished play. Ar innovation this year was the substitu- tion of a dancing chorus for the form- er "broilers." W; R. Melton, '13, was the author of the plot, Willis Diekema, '14, and Waldo Fellows, '14, composed the music, while the lyrics came from the typewriter of Sylvan S. Grosner, '14L, the writer of the next year's opera. The scene of the play was laid in a studio of Paris. Compositors of the music were, Wil- liam It. Mills, Abraham B. Gornetzky, '19L, and Seymour B. Simons, '17E. W. A. P. John, '16, wrote the lyrics an(i collaborated with iiarold Schrad- zki, '15L. in writing the book for "Tres Rouge" which appeared a year ago. while Abraham Gornetzky, '19L, pro- duced all the musical numbers. Wal- ter Atlas, '18, as Ilezekiah Gregg made the soberest of the audiences laugh. Grant Cook, '16, taking the difficult part of Mrs. Gregg performed admir- ably. A[ A- ~ ~ ~ IfD 5I7 St. Patrick's Day in the old days was a dress-up event, and times have not changed. As each lad tried to look his best for his colleen then, so it is now. And St. Patrick's Day comes at the right time-just as you really need Spring Clothes. We don't know who Si. Patrick's tailor was but we do know who ought to be your tailor. "DRESS SUITS FOR HIRE" J. K. MALCOLM 604 East Liberty St. Malcolm Block Earl V. Moore, Musical Director. genda," was produced in February of 1908, at the Whitney theatre. Since then the Whitney has been the scene of all the operas, some of which ap- peared in the fall of the year, though recently the time has been switched to -the spring months in order to give more opportunity for polishing the plays. "Michigenda" was written by Donal H. Haines, '08, who has since success- fully entered the field of short story writing. The music was composed by Roy Welch, '09, now a professional song writer. Harold Patterson was the star of the play, while Robert Bazley, '11E; sang the song hit," When Night Falls Dear." A noticeable thing about the first opera is the fact that it was rehearsed and played within 17 days. Public opinion warranted the per- petuation of the affair as an annual event, so the Union made plans for the second opera, "Culture," showing it in the fall of 1909. The book and the lyrics were again contributed by Haines and Welch. Earl V. Moore, '12, at present head of the organ de- partment of the school of music, bi oke into competition for the music writ- ing of the operas with one song for "Culture." Local color,: with Ann Ar- bor as the setting, and Ypsi frequently alluded to, was a characteristic cf the second production. Then in December of 1909, "Koanza- land" brought in foreign setting and color, one of the scenes being laid in the Dark Continent's jungles. Donald Kahn, '11, and Fred Lawton, '11, wrote the book and lyrics, ivith Earl V. Moore, '12 and Robert T. Moreland, '11, composing the music. Newton, Carlos Z.-I e11i as "T'he Spanish (Girl" D irector Charles P. Morgan Jr. MAJESTIC BILLIARD HALL Pool and Billiards 30c an hour The place for Students to spend their time when out of their work. Fresh tobaccos, cigars, pipes, cigarettes and Candies. Special whole- sale prices for Fraternities. We cash checks without objection., CHAS. the mananger. BELL 'PHONE No. I Copyright aifot College4 Cl C 1othes for College Men Call No. 1 and get the finest printing office, of its size, in the state. Operating day and night. Official printers to the University of Michigan. We can print anything for you from your name on a card to a book in English, Spanish, or French. This paper came from our presses. 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