Laboratory

The West Point Army Band, accompanied by the penetrating soprano voice of Nannette Guilford, delivered the National Anthem. Margaret Anglin, tragedienne, gave a dramatic reading. Frederick A. Wallis, Commissioner of Correction, made a speech on "spiritual tendencies." A battery of "seventy-fives" roared a salute of thirteen guns. One of the gunners caught his hand in a breechblock. A physician had to be called. . . .

All this happened by way of celebration of the laying of the cornerstone of what is to be the "American Institute of Operatic Art" at Stony Point, N. Y., on the 145th anniversary of Mad Anthony Wayne's famous victory over the Redcoats on that spot. Max Rabinoff, impresario, is the guiding spirit of the enterprise, although the act of laying the stone was performed by William H. King, junior U. S. Senator from Utah, and although the principal address was delivered by H. W. L. Hubbard, critic for The Chicago Tribune.

"This institute," explained Mr. Hubbard, "is not to be a school, but a laboratory, where honor pupils of conservatories and music schools can be tested out and developed as their talents merit. If they have no ability at all, they will be advised to enter some other line. Those who pass the tests successfully will be kept here from May to October. They will have the best teachers and will be trained in six or seven operas. In October a company will be sent out to tour the country. It will give really good opera at a price most people can afford -perhaps $3 or $4 for the best seats. In coming years, it is expected that at least six or seven companies will be sent out.

"The operas, too, will be translated into English and sung in that language. The idea is to make it a centre for American operatic art -for singers, composers, dancers, scenic artists and all who have to do with operatic production. The ultimate investment will be over $1,000,000."

The Stony Point stage is to be built of rough stone, and will equal that of the Metropolitan in size. The theatre will be of Greek or open-air type. Seats will be provided for 600, but 12,000 to 15,000 more will be able to watch the performances from the adjacent grassy slopes. There will also be dormitories and a library of music and folklore. Maestro Rabinoff, who lives nearby, has already built the "largest scenic studio in the world" on the spot. Here have been painted several of those canvases which subsequently flapped so merrily in the backstage breezes of the Metropolitan.