The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

May 12, 1928 WINNETKA TALK 19 1928 RAVINIA OPERA BEGINS ON JUNE 23 Brilliant Array of World's Out- standing Talent Retained for Summer Opera Season More world famous artists than have ever before adorned a Ravinia roster; a more extensive repertoire than has heretofore been planned by this insti- tution; an array of new operas repre- sentative of the most modern school; the return of all those singers who were the favorites of the last two sea- sons; the re-engagement of others who have aroused the acclaim of Ra- vinia patrons in seasons past; again the Chicago Symphony orchestra; an- other hand-picked chorus; an attrac- tive ballet; a wealth of new stage settings. This in short, sums up the principal items of interest in the pros- pectus of Ravinia opera and concerts for the season of 1928, just made known by Louis Eckstein. This announcement comes after months of work and planning. There is not a detail omitted that will make for success except those which cannot be anticipated in advance. The new season is to open Saturday night, June 23. It is to close Monday night, Sep- tember 3. Thus is the Chicago district assured of another ten weeks and three days of superlative grand opera of the sort which long since made Ra- vinia the summer capital of the music world and gave this metropolitan dis- trict a unique position on the music map. And it may be said in passing that the items so concisely set forth in this important piece of music news, form Mr. Eckstein's answer to the constantly repeated question: "How will it be possible for Ravinia to achieve greater artistic success than it has already attained in the past?" Answers Pertinent Question That question is asked every year and with good reason. The answer is always forthcoming on the day that the initial announcement of the season is made, for by the subtle magic which has always governed all Ra- vinia activities, the standards, high as they have been in the past, have been elevated year by year; the ros- ter of artists has become constantly more significant and the list of operas --from the standard works to the most intriguing novelties -- has steadily grown in proportions. And these answers to the annual question have been possible because Ravinia has ideals to which it rigidly adheres and because it takes its mission seriously. But the general public is more inter- ested in results than in ideals and it knows that Ravinia accomplishes re- sults. It is interested in knowing what artists will parade the stage of the Ra- vinia opera house during the season which so soon will be a reality. It wants to know what operas will be brought to performance. But even before these per- tinent inquiries are voiced, there is one point that is definitely settled in the mind of every music lover. He knows that long before the season's announce- ment is made, both artists and repertoire have been carefully considered in the light of their relationships to each other. There are no misfits at Ravinia. Only those artists are permitted to appear in a role who are eminently fitted for that role, and knowing that the public likes nothing better than variety in the interpretation of the great operatic parts, provision is always made that there shall be two or three artists able to sing these roles superlatively well. Now to answer the two leading music questions of today: What artists will be heard at Ravinia this summer and what operas are to be included in the re- pertoire? Elizabeth Rethberg Let us begin with the sopranos, has- tening to mention that again prominent in the dramatic soprano contingent will be Elizabeth Rethberg, today one of the greatest celebrities of the operatic stage who, as a producer of tone which is as beautiful as it is powerful, has no rivals. Mme. Rethberg's work in the great roles of the Italian, French and German schools, has won her acclaim in many of the world's opera houses and time and again last season she thrilled Ravinia audiences by combining with singing, the art of histrionism, and this in such a way as to make the operas in which she appeared, true "music drama." This artist has an extensive repertoire and this year she will be heard in a wide variety of roles. Yvonne Gall Mme. Yvonne Gall is to return. It will be remembered that this famous artist from the Grand Opera and the Opera, Comique at Paris, was brought to Ravinia for a limited series of per- formances last season in which she scored tremendous success. She sang the name parts of "Louise" and "Thais" in addition to other roles, arousing un- bounded enthusiasm on the part of her auditors. This year Mme. Gall comes to Ravinia for the entire season and of course this will make it possible for her to appear in many of the best known roles chosen from an unusually broad repertoire. Mme. Gall will be promin- ent in the new operas "Marouf"' and "L'Heure Espagnole" which are being added to the repertoire, being cast for the principal soprano part in both, and she will be heard as Toinette in 'Le Chemineau" which is among the re- vivals. Florence Easton Florence Easton, a dramatic soprano who has achieved many triumphs at Ra- vinia, in seasons past, is to return after an absence of several years. This Eng- lish prima donna ranks high as an in- terpreter of the highly dramatic roles of opera and she has a repertoire that is seemingly without limit. Few artists possess her thorough schooling, and her voice, which is of magnificent tonal qual- ity throughout is entire range, is like- wise equal to the most strenuous roles. Florence Macbeth, long identified with the coloratura section, will again be heard in the florid operas this year. She is an artist who has many friends among Ravinia patrons. Luecrezia Bori Mme. Lucrezia Bori is expected in August when she will be heard as Magda in Puccini's "La Rondine" which Mr. Eckstein is adding to the list. She appeared in this role in New York last winter winning the unstinted praises of critics and public. Tito Schipa is to sing opposite Mme. Bori in this work, being cast for the part of Ruggero, which he created when "La Rondine" was given its world premiere at the San Carlo in Naples in 1918. Ina Bourskaya Mme. Ina Bourskaya, who has long ranked high among Ravinia's mezzo- sopranos is coming back and will be heard in those roles she has inter- (Continued on Page 20) Mesh Only X-RAY JH BLUE BIRD best $1 Golf Balls. question. Mesh or Recess = { C---- State and Jackson--Chicago 65c Purple Flash 39c $4.68 A DOZEN [EISSSssesessssssrss ss sesssssrsssssssastesssrssssss Evanston Shop Open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday Evenings TEE@) us Henry C.Lytton & Sons Orrington and Church-- Evanston Mesh Only IN OUR EVANSTON SHOP New, Fresh 1928 Standard $1 Golf Balls « §5¢ Buy a Dozen--Try One--if in any way it doesn't measure up to your demands of a Golf Ball--return them all for full credit. oe each $6.50 a Dozen VER One-Half Million Golf Balls have been sold by this organization during the last three years. That's a mighty attractive volume to any Golf Ball manufacturer. So we' ve been able to do some extraordinary things to prices. No job lots, left overs or "'seconds"--but every ball of new, fresh 1928 stock, made up to the standard quality of the world's Your money will be refunded without The same guarantee on 1, 3 or 6 Balls! Mesh or 'Recess The Same Trial Privilege Offered on These 2 Balls o] Mesh or Recess 75¢c Red Crown 47c $5.50 A DOZEN