"People usually ask me to describe Naples with its blue sky. Or to speak in raptures of people I have met. But to 'students' of your University I would pass on some humorous account of my singing career. Or perhaps discuss ideas as they come to mind." said Mr. Kipnis.

"Salient" took the opportunity of on encouraging beginning to tackle him on the subject of Modern Russia.

Music Under Stalin.

"Although I was born in S. Russia I left at an early age, joining a touring opera company. To-day in Russia student youth are given great encouragement to study music and singing. They receive splendid musical guidance and get their big opportunity at special State recitals—witnessed by outstanding artists and musicians. A student who reveals outstanding talent as well as a genius for interpretation and expression may receive the title of 'Free Artist'—one of the highest honours that is conferred in Russia. An artist so honoured is privileged to do certain things and commands great respect from the mass of the people."

"You have toured Europe and attended many Festivals. Could you give some comment on them?" asked "Salient."

"Yes. It is a wonderful experience to be at one of these musical festivals." continued Alexander Kipnis "I have been associated with many artists. May I mention some? Emmanuel List, Gigli, Lotte Lehman: and conductors—Toscanini, Muck, R. Strauss and Siegfried Wagner. I have a special attachment for Bayreuth. There one will find the old theater built by the great Wagner. His hand-writing on the door has been preserved through the years. It reads: To-night, after general rehearsal, you please come into my house. Yes, in every nook and corner I have felt the spirit of Wagner."

In the Universities.

"What impressions have you gained of musical taste shown by students in various countries?"

"In the older countries such as Italy, France, Germany, children have the incentive to pass on a fine tradition of song and music. Shall I say theirs is a rich inheritance" In younger countries like America, Australia and your own very beautiful land, I find the younger generation eagerly seeking to make acquaintance with the arts. The love and devotion for fine art is there—there is no doubt. I was tremendously impressed with the keenness and sincerity of student, at American Universities. They desire only the best and finest—in their own words they demand something Bigger and Brighter. They sponsor special recitals for younger high school students. I remember well singing to a tremendous gathering of young scholars. Firstly, I selected several traditional folk-songs of Russia, and in singing them I endeavoured to paint a vivid picture of Russian history, to recall how the oppressed masses expressed their varying emotions in song in their search for enlightenment, beauty and happiness."

His voice had become soft and appealing, his eyes were closed, yes. Dreaming perhaps.

Mr. Kippis will always appeal as a charming personality—with his keen sense of humour and priceless stock of humorous incidences. Let him illustrate.

A Barren Baron!

"No doubt you associate Chicago with gangsters. For me, however. The name brings back happy memories. As a member of the Wagnerian Opera Company I was to appear on this particular evening as Baron Ochs in R. Strauss "Der Rosenkavalier," described by critics as a comedy with music. During the first presentation I fooled a critical audience with unrehearsed burlesque. Baron Ochs, a rude boor of a nobleman, has sent one Octavian carrying the conventional offering of a silver rose to the young daughter of a vulgar plebeian, Octavian, however, falls in love with her and fights a duel with Baron Ochs, who, although slightly wounded dances about frantically, presenting a ridiculous figure—truly a buffoon.

"I realised that there was no response to my antics, no shrieks of delight from a silent audience. The thought of failure flashed through my troubled mind. When suddenly a tremendous burst of cheering and shouting filled the great hall, The seams in the gaudy trousers of my magnificent costume had parted under the strain! There was I, a truly ludicrous buffoon—Baron Ochs! A scene irresistible to the audience's sense of humour, They screamed with delight. Laughed and laughed until they ached. I managed to complete the scene, dancing impressive waltzes with a pillow while the house was in an uproar. Yes. The opera season was an undreamed-of success."

Music Under Hitler

"You have travelled a great deal in Europe, Germany and Austria especially. What is the reaction among artists towards the recent purging of German music?"

"The musical festival at Salzburg, with its glorious tradition, will no longer attract the great musicians and angers of to-day. The historic Music Halls will resound to a different types of music—synthetic and grotesque Fascism!

No more will the great Toscanini appear in any country under a Fascist regime, in giving a lead to fellow artists. Toscanini has exclaimed, A true artist cannot serve two masters. Art cannot play second fiddle to any political domination. We who profess to be artists cherish an ideal—to enrich the peoples of this world through the medium of the highest and noblest in artistic expression."

—R. P.