Columbia Missourian Newspaper 1967-05-08

              JI 5 r air rr a ar r i s s Nom 6 h Y S r e 4 e g gd gYa d Ya z Vf i r VP y s b a c D 1 Cowan Drive greets an old friend Metropolitan REUNION IN COLUMBIA Former singer Jane opera star Rise Stevens at Christian College Froman left now Mrs Rowland H. H Smith awards banquet Saturday night Career Opportunities Concern Opera Star By PAT LINCOLN As general co-general manager of the Metropolitan National Opera Co in New York and one of the nations nation's leading performing artists in opera for many years Miss Rise Stevens is ex extremely ex- ex extremely concerned about the opportunities available a v a i I a I I e to young singers in this country today For this reason she has in in- involved involved herself in the manage manage- management management ment of this company which she feels offers opportunities unique in this country Miss Stevens was in Colum Colum- Columbia Columbia bia this past weekend to re reo receive receive the Distinguished Women of America Awards from Chris Chris- Christian Christian tian College at the annual homecoming banquet at pm p.m. Saturday in Ll the William WilliamH H H. Dulany dining hall THANKS to the Metropolitan National Opera Co young per per- performers performers formers are now able to pursue operatic careers within their own borders and on their own soil Miss Stevens said The company was really started by the late President Kennedy in 1963 as a cultural gesture toward the country she said It was to be a part of the lives of Americas Americans Americ s no matter where they were from ac according cording to Miss Stevens Just before he was assassinated nat d President Kennedy met with Anthony Bliss BUss president of the Metropolitan Opera Board Rudolph Bing general manager of the opera and Roger Stevens adviser on the arts to the president Shortly afterward from the steps of the White House Kennedy an an- announced announced the formation of this company with the sole purpose that it would belong to the na na- na- na tion Before the formation of the company the U. U S. S didn't have enough outlets for American singers They had to turn to Europe for the type of training they needed This situation now is being remedied some some- somewhat somewhat what Miss Stevens said THE COMPANY in their 1966 67 season toured 40 cities in the US U.S. and Canada and gave performances within the year Members of the group have eight weeks of preparation and rehearsal for forthe forthe forthe the roles they are assigned within the company They work with top quality technical directors musicians m u 5 i cia n s and coaches in diction and lan Ian languages languages during this time The company members per per- perform perform perform form operas in their original languages as well wen as in Eng Eng- lish They must be able to switch if necessary from the original language to English from one performance to the next Miss Stevens said An opera singer is an in in- singer said the attractive Metropolitan star You must be able to sing an opera in as many languages as necessary Miss Stevens began her ca ca- career career ca- ca career reer in Czechoslovakia where she sang in 11 German In her job as general co-general manager she helps select and audition singers orchestra and personnel and has charge of aspects such as budgets status and artistic integrity In most cases the company will adver adver- advertise advertise advertise tise auditions in advance be be- before before before fore they get to a town The musical staff screens all applicants applicants cants in a preliminary audition and promising singers are pre pre- presented presented presented to Miss Stevens in a second audition before the fi final fi fi- final nal selection is made The company has a total of persons including person person- personnel nel and management There are 26 principle singers 32 en en- ensemble ensemble members and 45 or or- orchestra orchestra orchestra chestra members Most of them are between 20 and 30 years of age MISS STEVENS cites the marvelous artistic and crit- crit reception of opera by the new audiences as evidence of the growth of the art form formin in this country The audiences are really hungry for this type of art es especially es- es especially in areas where they've had little or no contact with opera she said She credits the schools with the broader insight into all the arts which she sees in young people today Graduates who have developed an interest in inthe inthe inthe the arts in school will stimulate the same interest as they re re- return return re- re return turn to their respective com com- communities communities communities she said IN MANY CITIES the com com- company company company pany visited Miss Stevens said the audiences were packed on 00 the first night mostly out of curiosity cur The enthusiasm and vital reaction with which they were received is one of the most satisfying aspects of her job She feels the company is obligated ob ob- obligated obligated to do the classic operas or chestnuts for people who have never seen an operatic performance Most people will recognize some part of the mu mu- musical musical musical score which they have heard elsewhere out of con con- text In this way she said the company is able to establish a patronage Once you win an audience with these works she ex ex- explained explained explained you can introduce them to the more contempo contempo- contemporary contemporary operas Next years year's schedule for the company has been cancelled because of the heavy financial burden on the Metropolitan Op Op- Opera era A million dollar gift from from Mrs DeWitt Wallace of Read Read- Readers Readers' Readers Readers' Readers Readers' ers' ers Digest has triggered con con- consideration consideration consideration of extending the program pro pro- program program gram for at least another three years Contributions have also been received from individuals and foundations June 30 will mark the end of ol the company's present season If the decision is made to con con- continue continue continue the program Miss Stev Stev- Stevens Stevens Stevens ens will then begin to put the company together again She has no personal plans for future performances Ive had probably one of the most beautiful careers any American singer has ever had she said If the company is not contin contin- continued continued continued Miss Stevens' Stevens indefinite plans include an extended vis via visit it in the Virgin Islands where she is building a new home