The Peoples Grand Opera Association

              1929

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EDNA BLANCHE SHOWALTER AS PAOLETTA
FOUNDER. PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER OF
THE PEOPLES GRAND OPERA ASSOCIATION
SUITE 405 AUDITORIUM BUILDING
CHICAGO
TELEPHONE HARRISON 4029

Mrs. La Boy Teaux Bittersweet 6351


EDNA BLANCHE SHOWALTER
was proclaimed by the press of New York City, at the time of her operatic debut, as THE FIRST REAL AMERICAN PRIMA DONNA.  She studied in this country and when she went abroad it was to SING.

Mme. Showalter was the original American Minnie in Henry W. Savage's English production of The Girl of the Golden West. Prima Donna in John Phillips Sousa's last opera, The American Maid. Five years soloist with Walter Damrosch and the New York Symphony Orchestra in New York and on tour.  Nicholas, in Walter Damrosch's production of The Children at Bethlehem given in operatic form.  Soloist with nearly all the great Symphonies both here and in England.  A Prima Donna of the Metropolitan Opera Company.  Soloist with Kurt Schindler's French Madrigal Choir of New York City.  Joint Recitals with David Bispham, the American Baritone, whose protege she was from her twelfth year. Prima Donna of Paoletta by Pietro Florida (the first opera to be written in the English language in the United States) in 1910, at Cincinnati, Ohio, Music Hall, by the Ohio Valley Exposition.  Toured Belgium, France, England, Canada and the United States several times in Concert.  Oratorio, Opera and with symphony Orchestras.  In drama for eight years as an actress.

Mme. Showalter is also an accomplished Pianist, having played with Symhpony, etc.  Her life has been devoted to the CAUSE of Opera in our mother tongue and her work has proven that ENGLISH CAN BE UNDERSTOOD when well sung and that the public WANTS IT.

JOSEPH MAURITZ WAHLTON
Artistic Director of The Peoples Grand Opera Association and himself a singer and actor of wonderful ability, brings to his post the added arts of Organist and Pianist.  He graduated in Organ and Voice from the Royal Academy, Stockholm, Sweden.

Was principal of the Music Department, Upsala College, New York, two years previous to his entering into overseas service in the A. E. F. After his return from France he had charge of Community Choruses in New York under the auspices of The National Song Leader's Association of which he is a member.

(Productions are under the direct supervision of these two artists, Mme. Showalter and Mr. Wahlton.)

The Peoples Grand Opera Association
has been formed for the purpose of popularizing American Grand Opera in the vernacular.

Our motto is America First in Music as in all else.

Our ambition is to make Chicago the musical center of the world.

Our aim: Grand Opera, OF, FOR and BY the people.

Plans have been made and blue prints have been drawn for the proposed $6,000,000 Theatre to be devoted entirely to the advancement of Grand Opera in English and productions on a magnificent scale.

The Opera selected for our opening is the work of one of the world's greatest living composers, who is an American citizen and who has lived here for forty years consecutively.  The libretto is by a Cincinnati man.  The Opera is as great, (judged from any standpoint, musically, dramatically, artistically or spectacularly) as any production ever shown in America or any foreign country.

A Large Symphony Orchestra
will be used in the production and also for Symphony Concerts, where artists (some unknown, but who should be known, will be used, and others who are already well known in music) these will be given opportunity to appear before their public in a proper setting and under favorable conditions for success.  This will fill a long felt want in this direction.

Madam Edna Blanche Showalter, a Coloratura Soprano of international fame with a repertoire of ninety-five Grand Operas in four languages, is Founder, President and General Manager of the Association.

The establishment of Opera in English has been the predominant object of her life and her ambition is now about to be realized, to Americanize Music in America.

This will mean the direct employment of several hundred people, besides the large amount to be spent in costumes; scenery and other necessities of production on a large scale.

We feel that this is a National matter, as well as one that should stir our civic interest and pride, therefore we are asking the cooperation of all true Americans.

At last there is an opportunity RIGHT HERE, without going abroad, to appear in Grand Opera and for the American people to hear their own language, sung by their own people.




The Peoples Grand Opera Association

Endorsement of the Production of Opera in the English Language
Alderman Grossman presented the following resolution: WHEREAS, To produce Grand Opera in the English language with American Artists, who will not only earn their money here, but will also spend it here, is commendable; and
WHEREAS, This aim and purpose of the People's Grand Opera Association strives to make good music possible for the masses so that Americans may sing in Grand Opera in America for the American People in our mother tongue at prices which the people can pay; and
WHEREAS, The City Council of the City Chicago, appreciating as it does grand opera by international artists of renown, likewise endorses the efforts to Americanize grand opera in America, to encourage composers, librettists, stage directors, costume makers, scenic artists, ballet dancers and musicians in the United States in America; therefore be it
Resolved, That without discounting or discrediting the foreign artists, every movement which gives encouragement to the artists who live in this country that they may have an equal chance to make their living and make known their talents before their own people without having to be millionaires, or having to change their names or go abroad to sign contracts to sing here, is a step towards the writing of a musical Declaration of Independence.

Unanimous consent was given to permit action on said resolution without reference thereof to a committee.

Alderman Grossman moved to adopt said resolution.

The motion prevailed.

This Association offers unlimited opportunities to a great number of people who are, under the present system, unable to make any use of their talents, in a big way.

Honorary Membership, $100.00.

Associate Membership, with all the privileges offered the active members, $10.00,

For further particulars call or write to
The Peoples Grand Opera Association
Phone Harrison 4029  CHICAGO  405 Auditorium Bldg.