Farrarized Carmen

Geraldine Farrar's modernized version oi Bizet's masterpiece, Carmen (TIME, Apr. 21), will open at Portsmouth, N. H., on Sept. 26. After a tour of New England, it will enter Manhattan, surely with many triumphal trumpet-blares. The preliminary fanfare announces that this will be different from all other Carmens, including even Miss Farrar's own Metropolitan-Carman and her cinema-Carman. It will be an "operatic fantasie," with the score treated in a distinctly novel fashion and the whole production "completely severed from all operatic tradition.

Genuine weight, ponderosity even, is lent to this manifesto by the . explanatory information that Ned Wayburn, now turned impresario, is to be Miss Farrar's master of ceremonies. Mr. Wayburn is famed as chorus-master, inveterate, indefatigable scout and discoverer of twinkle-toed "ponies" and statuesque beauties for Mr. Ziegfeld's super-gorgeous Follies. He will introduce new and unusual lighting-effects, will, of course, reign as Tsar of the ballet.

For the eye, then, there will be superabundant scintillation. For the curious ear, "Jerry's" there will be whatever is left of "Jerry's" once resplendent voice. left of Best seats will sell at $5.00.

Two years ago the impetuous prima donna retired from the Metropolitan. She announced then that she would spend two years on the concert platform, after which she would stage her own Carmen. To this plan she has strictly adhered, without temperamental swerving.