Word: conductor
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Dates: during 1950-1950
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...next by became known as "Oliphant's Folly." Under his direction, a single copper wire conductor was run around the base of the gutter of the main courtyard in Lowell House. Tests showed that Lowell obtained wonderful reception. So did Worcester...
...author, Benjamin Britten, a leading composer of modern operas, must have had a wonderful time writing this. The complete originality of the first act either charms or annoys the listener, depending on his own responsiveness. The children appear as awful amateurs who have only enthusiasm. And when conductor Norman Del Mar comes out to rehearse the audience, the thing really gets silly. His charm and cunning slowly leads the audience into loud and violent song. At one point, they must imitate birds, and the "Kaaahs" and "To-whoos" ring out through the theatre...
During the second act, the uniqueness fades. Mr. Del Mar changes from his informal, rehearsal garb of the first act to conductor's full dress, and the opera begins. It is here that Benjamin Britten's music comes out as the intriguing element. Between the scenes of the first act, music written for four hands on a plane and percussion gave hints of what follows. Britten unfolds music of gay brightness, reminiscent of his work in the humorous opera "Albert Horring." The plot of the bedtime story is naturally flabby, and the acting of the children, though excellent...
...substitute fast. Roberta had memorized the role and, at 5 ft. 2 in., was a neat fit in Conner's costume. After an afternoon of cramming sessions with Stage Director Herbert Graf, Assistant Manager Max Rudolf and some final tips just an hour before curtain time from Conductor Fritz Reiner, Roberta was waved onstage. She turned out to be just about the only bright light in an otherwise lusterless performance...
...Conductor Reiner's tempos were fast enough, but even so, it was a Don done in slow motion. Roberta had to take her first note against a Don (Baritone Paul Schoeffler) singing off-key; she hit it on the nose. Acting with confidence and pinpointing her coloratura targets in a clear, clean little voice, Roberta managed to win the biggest hand of the evening...