Notes

Merger. In London last week, the Covent Garden Syndicate merged with the British National Opera, offspring of the old Beecham Opera Company, thus joining the entire operatic forces of Great Britain. The new Covent Garden Opera Company expects a twelve-month season in London and the provinces. Sir Thomas Beecham, who originated the idea, may be included as one of the conductors.

Rosenstock to Metropolitan. Josef Rosenstock, 34, will succeed Artur Bodanzky as conductor for next season's German repertoire of the Metropolitan Opera. He will reach the U. S. in September, speaking little English. Since taking honors at Vienna's Academy of Music, he has held posts with the Vienna Philharmonic choir, the Berlin opera school, the Wuerttembergische Landstheater in Stuttgart, the Wiesbaden Opera. Der Rosenkavalier with Mme. Jeritza, compatriot, whom he has never met, may introduce Herr Rosenstock to Manhattan.

Philharmonic Travels. Next spring, between the close of Manhattan's symphony season (April 20) and Arturo Toscanini's engagement for the 1930 Bayreuth Festival (July), Mr. Toscanini will conduct the New York Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra on a European tour similar in time and locale to the Boston Symphony Orchestra's tour (TIME, July 8).

Gahagan. From Czechoslovakia came a despatch hailing Helen Gahagan, U. S. actress, as "outstanding American success of the Continental opera season." She had sung Tosca at Moravska-Ostrava well enough to be invited to perform in the Salzburg Festspiel, to sing Tosca, Thais and Manon at Bad Reichenhall and in Vienna. Miss Gahagan began taking her voice seriously only one year ago. On the U. S. stage ("Second Ethel Barrymore") she played in Manhattan (1922), Trelawney of the Wells, Young Woodley, The Enchanted April, The Sapphire Ring.