National Emergency

Mexico has two top conductors. They do not like each other much. Conductor Carlos Chavez of the National Symphony Orchestra has referred (in print) to Jose Yves Limantour as a "calumniator, howler, fool, evil person . . . and despicable." Limantour of the Jalapa Symphony Orchestra is equally outspoken about Chavez.

Two weeks ago Chavez, who is head of the government's Institute of Fine Arts and the nearest thing to a government music boss, started rehearsals for a special "little" opera season. His foes said he was doing it to boost his own ego; he was trying to undermine the regular opera season ; whatever he did would be bad. Then, suddenly, Chavez' orchestra struck.

Would Mexico City get no "little" opera? Even Chavez' foes were horrified. Conductor Limantour phoned Chavez. "Maestro," he said, "I won't take back one thing I've said about you. But this is a national emergency. I give you my orchestra." Snapped Don Carlos: "You remain everything I've ever said you are. But I accept."

Last week, Chavez' opera season opened on schedule. Patriotism had conquered partisanship.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.