With Real Soldiers

Perhaps the most violent Carmen in operatic history was offered last week at Manhattan's Waldorf-Astoria--with a real soldiers' chorus. The idea germinated in the head of 23-year-old Corporal John Harrold of nearby Fort Hancock, former student at Philadelphia's Academy of Vocal Arts. Corporal Harrold himself sang Don Jose. All other male roles were also sung by sweating Fort Hancockers. The Fort Hancock band blasted out a Carmen medley in lieu of the usual overture. Private Lanni Russell hurled himself into an interpolated tap dance (music not by Bizet).

The female singers were supplied by Manhattan's Metropolitan Opera, including its svelte headline sopranos Lily Djanel and Licia Alabanese as Carmen and Micaela, respectively. At times the proceedings, which raised an estimated $2,000 for the United Forces Opera Fund (opera seats for servicemen), resembled a football scrimmage with Lily Djanel as the ball. When it was over, she smilingly smoothed herself and said: "It was strenuous, but I enjoyed very much to do it."

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