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Home , Eileen (musical), Victor Herbert

News From VHSource, LLC Vol 6 June 2016 A Return to Ponderings

Herbert and Politics? for roughly a week, killing over 100 British soldiers before losing, and shockingly, suffering through the n May 14, 2016, I attended a fascinating discussion very public humiliation and execution of 15 of their at the New York Library of the Performing Arts leaders. To hear the details of that uprising in the entitled “: Nationalism, and safety of the library and to know that it was just 10 O th Musical Expression” presented by Marion R. Casey, days past a 100 anniversary was very eye opening. It Assistant Professor affiliated with Gluckman Ireland House also struck me that this was the first time I had heard of and New York University. I went primarily to gain a the British actually executing rebellion leaders – even different perspective on Herbert as seen through the eyes of more sobering. a definitely Irish point of view. It was a wonderful evening, full of very thorough preparation, and clearly presented. It was during this specific year 1916 that the very The audience was invited to focus anew on the Easter American composer Herbert was in fact more vocal Rebellion of 1916, an event of which I had clearly forgotten about the political plight of the Irish than he had ever far more than I remembered. been before. Ms. Casey raised a very real question -- “Why would a composer become so stridently vocal Having re-written the libretto of Herbert’s 1917 , I and political.” Fascinatingly, both Hebert biographers, had actually altered the libretto to come more into Edward Waters and Neil Gould, raised the same alignment with ’s (Herbert’s maternal question. None grandfather) book Rory O’Moore (1838) and the various of the three Irish rebellions that were prior to the year Eileen took really offered place. Given my research and the characters mentioned in much in the the original libretto, I placed the story on the day the Irish way of an rebellion of 1798 would fail - a librettist’s attempt to add answer. tension and conflict. T h i s i s I also found I had actually spent four months delving into therefore, my this very same period 1914-16 which Ms. Casey was a t t e m p t t o discussing that night. In preparation for listening to her answer that presentation, I re-read much of that material before question. As attending the New York Library of the Performing Arts a l w a y s t h e event so I could at least be familiar with the topics Ms. whole issue of Casey might be discussing. t h e E a s t e r R e b e l l i o n , Therefore I was most interested to be re-introduced to the H e r b e r t ’ s Irish Easter Rebellion of 1916. On Easter Sunday, April sudden political involvement, 24, 1916, a “time for action” committed portion of the Samuel Lover, Victor Herbert’s citizens in Ireland revolted against the rule of Great Britain and the coming Grandfather 2 News From VHSource, LLC Vol 6 June 2016 creation of his beautifully sophisticated score Eileen, Poet, painter, novelist and composer, who, in raised even more questions in my mind. the exercise of a genius as distinguished in its versatility as in its power, by his pen and First and foremost, I was certainly was never aware of a pencil illustrated so happily the characteristics time when Victor Herbert (1859-1924) was not steeped in of the peasantry of his country that his name the love of his birth country. Yet, he only spent a scant will ever be honourably [sic] identified with three years in before his father died in 1861, and he Ireland. and his mother moved in with her father, Samuel Lover in England. Lover (1797-1868), also born in Dublin, had That is powerful stuff for a seven year old to be moved to London by 1835 where he became a poet, exposed to, and Herbert never forgot. However, other novelist, painter and a writer of music hall songs. Herbert than exploring traditional Irish music (airs) and and his mother would have joined Lover’s household arranging them with his own unique touch, Herbert around 1862 and been submerged into what was truly a followed in his grandfather’s footsteps and never “salon” atmosphere within that home. NOTE: A reminder that returned to the Emerald Isle. He spent the rest of his “salons” are gatherings of artistic folk of all ilk in the childhood and young adulthood in Germany (primarily living/drawing rooms of either famous artists or patrons of around ) until he fell in love and married a famous artists. In this case Lover himself hosted such gatherings. lovely German opera star, Therese Forster. Shortly Artists of every description and devotion came through before, and probably hastening, their marriage, this Lover’s door to spend time with this true renaissance man. talented soprano would be hired by the Company for its 1886-1887 third season in New The young Victor Herbert loved every minute he spent with York City, America. Forster decreed she could not his grandfather. He would spend the rest of his life possibly come unless the Met granted a place in the expounding on that time and its influence on him. Was that their ’s section for her new husband to love of Ireland or love of all things Irish? There is a subtle be, cellist Victor Herbert. Thus it was that a 27 years distinction. Also perhaps the real love was the Irishness of old cellist sailed with his new bride for America aboard Samuel Lover, a true Renaisssance man, who fond of the Saale out of Bremen, Germany, arriving in New saying .... York City on the 24th of October, 1886.

When once the itch of literature comes over a man, The young couple would return for a brief visit to nothing can cure it but the scratching of a pen. family and friends in Germany during the summer of 1887, they never came near Ireland. It would also be Fascinatingly, almost the exact same statement could apply last time they crossed the ocean until 1914. to his grandson with the exchange of a single word: “music” for “literature.” Herbert’s exposure to “all things To his credit, Irish” would prove exceptionally brief yet exceptionally Herbert joined every powerful. Gaelic group that asked him for Three years in Dublin as a toddler and four subsequent membership in New years with his grandfather in London could not have York City, never possibly imprinted Ireland per se on the composer’s soul. stopping his research In addition, by 1866, Herbert’s mother Fanny had remarried and arrangement of – a German doctor – and moved to Stuttgart, Germany. traditional Irish Herbert followed in 1867 and his revered grandfather music. However – passed on July 6, 1868 in Saint Helier on Jersey (one of the and this is important islands in the English Channel). That being said, Samuel – from 1886 to 1914, Lover must have been a towering personalty period. the composer never once held any A memorial in Dublin’s St Patrick's Cathedral, summarizes position of the Irish regard for this man who had not lived in his native leadership or country for 33 years: 3 News From VHSource, LLC Vol 6 June 2016 spokesmanship in any American or Irish American Now suddenly, in 1914, there was a major shift in organization. Victor Herbert’s Irish leanings. The composer suddenly surged into the public eye as an Irishman more than he Once he achieved his own ensemble by being named had ever done before. What appears to have been begun conductor of the New York 22nd Regiment Band (Gilmore’s with his trip to Europe in March of 1914 would end in Band) in 1892, arrangements for band of “Molly,” “Sweet an amazing, lovingly written tribute to Ireland, his Nancy” and “Belle O’Brien” followed soon after. /opera Eileen in 1917. He would become politically vocal and compose what can only be termed His first really major work composed in American was a “love letter” to Ireland – yet a romanticized Ireland, actually completed for the Gaelic Society in New York a sentimental Ireland, one filled with a deep longing. City. This organization, dating back to 1875, sponsored an Could that longing have actually been for his annual Feis Ceoil agus Seanachus (Music Festival and grandfather? Storytelling) in April of each year. For the event in 1892, Herbert hired a freelance ensemble to play his own newly On January 24, 1914, the composer had a brand new created Irish Rhapsody. A full scale orchestral work, this opera open at the Metropolitan Opera House (1411 piece would become a staple of major well into Broadway between 39th & 40th, [1883-1966]) the early 20th century. No one can listen to the Irish produced by the Metropolitan Opera Company itself. Rhapsody and not feel the emotion of the composer for all NOTE: Regular readers will remember the “sturm und things Irish. drang (‘Storm and Stress’)” surrounding the opening of Herbert’s three years earlier in Through the next February of 1911. Now the Metropolitan was suddenly three decades, the producer of this new Herbert operatic work – the H e r b e r t rather “ahead of its time” one act . The arrangements of instigation for this rather surprising re-kindling of a Irish music for the more positive relationship between the Met and Herbert various Irish is most likely found in the person of the leading lady, groups and events New Zealand born soprano, (1879- of New York -- the 1952), who may well have been in need of a starring Gaelic Society and vehicle and liked the work. It most certainly helped that the Friendly Sons in 1910 Alda married Giulio Gatti-Casazza (1869- of St. Patrick – 1940), the artistic director of the Metropolitan Opera were numerous Company (1908–1935). and often in the news. After 1904, Of more significance to posterity, was the calling of a his own Victor second meeting for the finalization of the founding of Herbert Orchestra was often playing for this Irish event or the American Society of Composers, Authors and that Irish event. But never a trip to Ireland. Always quick Publishers (ASCAP). The initial first organizational to proclaim his Irish loyalty and freely offer up his musical meeting was called for October 1913 at the famous outpourings, one can never find a word in political support Lüchow’s German restaurant on 14th Street. nor the acceptance of any leadership role in any of the Irish Unfortunately, it really was a “dark and stormy” night, organizations. Throughout this same time period, Victor and only nine men appeared: Victor Herbert Herbert was also a very vocal champion of all things (composer), Raymond Hubbell (composer), Nathan American – especially composers, conductors, and Burkan (attorney), George Maxwell (Riccordi musicians. publishers), Silvio Hein (Composer/orchestrator /producer), Louis A. Hirsch (Composer), Gustave A. Observation: Victor Herbert was perhaps more enamored Kerker (composer/music director), Glen with his amazing grandfather’s Irishness than he was with MacDonough (librettist), and Jay Witmark the Irish people themselves. He had certainly had almost (Publisher). Never one to be affected by a little matter no exposure to the actual citizenry of Ireland. of weather, Herbert would not allow anyone to go 4 News From VHSource, LLC Vol 6 June 2016 home. The little band had a fine dinner, discussed the The family had not been in England more than a few validity and need for forming such an organization, and days when disaster struck on April 22. Herbert was planned an early 1914 meeting to attract more support. This suddenly felled by an acute attack of appendicitis. next meeting was scheduled for February 13, 1914 at the British doctors worked hard for three days, almost Hotel Claridge in and became forever losing the American composer several times, before known as the founding date of ASCAP. Regarding the they announced him well enough to live but not to importance of ASCAP to the composer, Herbert accepted travel. He chose to recuperate in Brighten, most likely his first ever position of leadership – Vice President of in the company of his daughter Ella who had begun ASCAP, having turned down the presidency. serving as his secretary. In hopes of not making the whole trip a disaster, he sent Therese on to her family On April 13, 1914, Herbert, his wife and daughter Ella and friends in Germany. All told, Herbert was in sailed on the relatively new (1906) Mauritania to begin a England from his arrival in April to mid-June before he second trip to Europe with two major purposes in mind: (1) could safely travel back across the Atlantic. winning productions of Madeline in London, Paris and Germany, and (2) allowing his dear wife, Therese, to renew Herbert was as close to his homeland as he had been old friendships and family ties in Stuttgart before it was too since age seven, and yet was either unable or reluctant late. NOTE: No mention of a side trip home to Ireland. to make the visit without his wife. This failure may very well have caused a significant helping of guilt. It A round of typical sightseeing brought the composer to the did grant him roughly two months of down time during attention of the British press, and Herbert proved to be which, in typical Herbert fashion, he sketched out and almost as good an interview as had began work on two new : The Only Girl always been. Both Americans loved to talk and especially which opened on November 2, 1914 and The give their opinions to the press, and Herbert was not at all Debutante which opened on December 4, 2014. shy about sharing his thoughts on: the growth of London since he was last in the city (as a child); no, he was not In mid-June the family was finally cleared to sail home going to have time to visit Ireland; yes, he was going to with reporters relating that Herbert looked to be give a concert of his work in London; and yes, Irishman completely recovered and was his usual jovial self. Edward Henry Carson should stop opposing Irish Home However, that guilt of being so close and yet so far, as Rule. The latter was probably best left unsaid in London. well as decades of talking a great line of love and loyalty, yet never actually acting on those Irish emotions, may very well have been the reason why, on November 14, 1914, Herbert allowed himself to be elected President of the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. There was also the little matter of a war being launched in Europe on July 28, 1914, with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the heir to the throne of the Austria-Hungary empire, by a young Serbian nationalist. This caused Austria-Hungary to make demands on The Kingdom of Serbia and since both sides had tremendously complex family and diplomatic ties, every major power from Russia to England, within months found itself forced to choose sides.

Therein was the rub! Ireland and Irish Americans chose Germany over England. Suddenly Herbert as President of the Society of Friendly Sons of St. Patrick quickly became a very prominent Irish spokesman and Therese, Ella and Victor circa 1915 the press took advantage of this at every opportunity, 5 News From VHSource, LLC Vol 6 June 2016 almost to the point of making Victor Herbert the face of in fact a much more angry militant American group. Ireland in America. Herbert quite possibly did not have any idea what this group was all about. January 26, 1915, saw him The Glee Club of the Society, a group he himself had founded, at an after dinner concert in the Hotel Astor. The newspapers next announced Herbert would be the accompanist for Irish singer Thomas Egan during a concert at Carnegie Hall. St. Patrick’s Day, 1915 found President Herbert serving as the presiding officer and toastmaster at the 131st Anniversary Dinner of the Society, opening his remarks with a phrase some readers will recognize – “céad míle fáilte” (kade milla foalsha – A Hundred Thousand Welcomes). On that occasion Herbert spoke eloquently in support of the Irish Home Rule Bill before the British Parliament just as the New York legislature in Albany was getting ready to vote on the same type of act for New York City. Herbert would serve only one year as president but he went on record as ready to fight for the Irish as victims of Fascinatingly, the Bazaar proved to be very poorly English oppression. attended with the majority of those on hand actually Germans which quite properly should have been a Meanwhile the composer never stopped composing his warning sign. Herbert had written out his remarks in normal output of theatrical works. 1915 saw the opening in support of the Irish beforehand and either did not notice September of , a creation of Herbert and or perhaps chose to ignore the fact that most of the Henry Blossom centering around the hunt club group of booths celebrated Germany and Kaiser Wilhelm II as Long Island with a tiny Irish twist – the lead character was did most of the attendees. named Patricia O’Connor and Herbert wrote a delightful song for her, “Two Laughing Irish Eyes.” Even so Herbert America was now within six months of declaring war was finding more and more demands on his time to stand up on Germany and its allies. The newspapers were filling for the Irish brethren he had not had any face to face with more and more details of the conditions in France contact with since he was three years old. and Russia as well as debating whether America should or should not enter the fray. It was into this growing swell of American Irish support for the homeland, that the Easter Rebellion in Dublin Perhaps the bazaar opened his eyes; perhaps he felt the materialized on April 24, 1916. This time with the whole affair was getting out of hand; perhaps he just execution of 15 leaders blatantly carried out. Herbert found decided to focus on finishing his next operetta, Eileen. himself at the head of a huge gathering filling Carnegie For whatever reason, this bazaar marked the end of Hall in memory of “The Irish Martyrs of 1916". In Herbert’s nationalistic endeavors. addition, an Irish Relief Fund Bazaar was planned to raise money to aid the Irish homeland. Since the American Irish However, it was not quite so easy to extract himself. were so clearly on “their” side, the German American For two years, Herbert had been thrust into verbal population decided it would like to assist by co-sponsoring support of a very difficult political position – being the Bazaar. On October 14, 1916, the Bazaar was held in pro-German during a massive worldwide war instigated Madison Square Garden (East 26th Street and Madison and maintained primarily by Germany. The press would Avenue). Herbert was now President of not only The not accept him simply stopping. To make matters a Friendly Sons of Erin but also, accidently, the Friends of trifle worse, in June of 1916, the composer made Irish Freedom. The latter group had elected John W. Goff American history with the composing of the first as its president and for some reason, he resigned the next original scoring of a full length film – a seriously, day, and Victor Herbert was elected to the office. This was amazing American first. 6 News From VHSource, LLC Vol 6 June 2016

Unfortunately, its topic would provide even more anti- from completely ruining his composing career was his Herbert fuel. It’s title was Fall of A Nation – yes, a sequel huge popularity from the previous three decades and to D.W. Griffiths’ Birth of A Nation. The film’s plot dealt the fact that he was a musician – after all “what could with a country (not unlike America) which was invaded by a musician really know about anything political.” He a foreign power (not unlike Germany) and defeated had also, unlike many European musicians in America, primarily because it was unprepared for such a happening. become a citizen in 1902. That being said, This country was forced to live under the conquering heel unfortunately, the more pro-Irish Herbert became, the until a group of women took matters into their own hands more he lost standing both at home and abroad. and saved the day returning the country to freedom. Herbert himself was concerned enough about the “message” being sent, that he raised the issue with the film’s creator Thomas F. Dixon, Jr., concern care to NOT make a Germany/ America comparison so blatant. While it’s ultimate message was pro-preparedness and should have come down on the side of America, Herbert’s Irish support of Germany did not help a general anti-Herbert feeling that was definitely growing less than one year away from America’s declaration of war against Germany. NOTE: The Fall of A Nation had very little commercial success and has been entirely lost as a film although Herbert’s scores remain.

Through these amazing years of political angst, Herbert never, ever wavered from supporting America’s political position. His loyalty to and love for America was always stronger than his love of Ireland. However, the damage had unfortunately been done in the American public’s eyes. In that respect he and dear friend Oscar Hammerstein Even though Herbert walked away from all political I were almost cut from the same cloth. As the press involvement after that October Bazaar, the effect of the descended to interview Herbert during this period, he prior two years would take its toll the next March when his unfortunately often responded with rather passionate, most personal work – his Irish operetta Eileen – would fiery language. Herbert allowed his Irish emotions to open on Broadway. take over in front of the press all the while remaining, rather silently, steadfastly loyal to America. He simply In order to achieve the January 1, 1917 official first was asked to opine on the particularly Irish topic and he performance date in Cleveland, Ohio at the Colonial did. Theatre, Herbert had to have written large portions of Eileen at his Lake Placid vacation home during the summer Even so, when Eileen opened officially on March 19, of 1916 amidst all the “Irish cause” hoopla caused by the 1917, some critics did raved: Easter Rebellion. In a very real sense, his nationalism stoked his musicality. His Irish emotions were at fever If ever there was a labor of love performed by pitch, and the music reflects that passion. How ironic that a composer, it was Victor Herbert’s writing of both Eileen’s opening on Broadway on March 19, 1917 and … Eileen. America’s official entry into the Great war on the side of England on April 6, 1917 came less than one month apart. On the first page of his score, Herbert wrote the following: Now, that we actually have walked through these two years for the first time in a long time, it is clear that our composer “In this score I have not made use of any got caught up between a healthy amount of guilt for not traditional Irish airs, but have endeavored, to “putting his actions” where his musical heart lay and a the best of my ability, to write all ‘Irish’ sudden swirling of American Irish involvement in the happenings across the ocean. What probably saved Herbert 7 News From VHSource, LLC Vol 6 June 2016

numbers in the characteristic spirit of the music of backward than daringly forward and to his credit the my native country – Ireland.” composer accommodated his bosses just as he always had. Fortunately for us, Herbert turned his prodigious However, it might well have been more advantageous to talents in other directions – Ziegfeld’s Follies, have waited at least a year before bringing this particular overtures for Hearst movies, and a sophisticated work work before the public. There is no question that this is one for ’s orchestra. of his finest scores, filled with so much “heart” it fairly leaps out at the audience. However, one reviewer rather NOTE: If you find this line of discussion at all interesting callously called the work more “propaganda” than operetta and wish to read in more depth, we direct you to the e-book and wondered “how anyone could deny the Irish anything? Foundations and the VHSource newsletters Vol 2 Feb Faith, they plead for it so sweetly!”(Musical America, Mar 2012, Vol 3 Mar 2012, Vol 4 April 2012 and Vol 5 May 24, 1917) 2012.

In fact, this amazing score never achieved the sort of Upcoming Herbert Events respect and place in Herbert’s hierarchy of work which it so justly deserved. Rarely revived and almost totally unknown Saturday, June 18, 8pm to Sunday, June 26, 2016, 2 from a melody point of view, only the love song “Thine pm, Lyric Theatre of San Jose will present The Alone” truly survives. Joyously, as the operetta’s (or opera Serenade (1897) with full orchestra at the th as Herbert labeled it) 100 anniversary is coming next year Montgomery Theater in downtown San José, complete with a VHRP LIVE! celebratory production in . If you live in the western half of the country April. Eileen is well on its way to being remembered today, you don’t want to miss this event. Get your ticket including a really superb new recording done in Ireland in information at the Lyric Theatre’s website. This is the 2012. If you have never heard this work, treat yourself to first hearing for a total computer restoration of the probably the finest Victor Herbert CD created to date. orchestrations for this major Herbert work. Stop by the theatre at 6:30 to hear a discussion of both the intrigue Interestingly, the producers hiring Herbert after Eileen surrounding the original work and the value of which was produced by , slowly declined in their computer restoration to a Herbert revival. You do not experience. After the passing of Henry Blossom in 1919, want to miss this truly major achievement in American the producers had a tendency to be neophytes eager to have theatrical history. You can get a taste of this work by their name linked to the great Victor Herbert, and visiting www.vhrplive.org and checking out the video delivering to him the old tried and true Harry B. Smith to of the VHRP LIVE condensed version. pen the librettos - often producing old fashioned, “well past their day” plots. One must admit that after Eileen Victor Wednesday, November 16 and Thursday, November Herbert’s theatrical offerings from 1917 until his passing in 17, 2016, the Victor Herbert Renaissance Project 1924 were not his best nor even terribly memorable. With LIVE! will open its third season with Victor Herbert’s the lone exception of Orange Blossoms in 1922, few of the 1915 operetta The Princess Pat. This will be the first eight subsequent works would even be recognizable titles offering in an all Irish season. Visit www.vhrplive.org to those folks other than major Herbert fans. for more information and an announcement of the commencement of ticket sales. Was that decline tempered at all by the American backlash to Herbert’s strident Irish nationalism? Good question! Wednesday, March 8 and Thursday, March 9, 2017, Perhaps that’s an even better question than “how could the the Victor Herbert Renaissance Project LIVE! will composer have been seduced into such a problematic stance continue its third season with Son of Dublin, a in the first place?” There were lots of other factors, but the marvelous gathering of songs written and/or arranged Great War took a huge toll on all of mankind. The world by Victor Herbert as well as a choice offerings of work populace was bent on forgetting the death and devastation by his grandfather, Samuel Lover. This will be the as quickly as possible and the “roaring twenties” were a second offering in an all Irish season. Visit direct result. Herbert’s particular producers during those www.vhrplive.org for more information and purchasing last years were far more determined to look safely tickets. 8 News From VHSource, LLC Vol 6 June 2016

Wednesday, April 26 and Thursday, April 27, 2017, the much fun to rise at 2 or 3 in the morning to watch a Victor Herbert Renaissance Project LIVE! will end its third live stream at 8pm Eastern standard time? Do let us season with the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Victor know what you think of this new piece of technology Herbert’s 1917 operetta Eileen. For the first time, since the we are so pleased to offer to you. Is the process easy? historic concert reading of Herbert’s grand opera, Natoma, Is the video good quality? Is it smooth or jerky? How the company will utilize a small orchestra for a glimpse of is the sound quality? Please feel free to both try it out Herbert’s true genius – orchestration. VHRP LIVE will and give us feedback. also add yet another video to our growing collection. This will be the last offering in an all Irish season. Visit I know I said I was done writing long articles for this www.vhrplive.org to stay up to date on all information newsletter, but I got caught up in the whole question of concerning this Third Season. why Herbert went political between 1914 and 1917. Then that led to other pondering – from where exactly did Herbert love of Ireland arise – and finally did that Alyce's Musings . . . nationalism contribute to the decline of the composer’s output after the 1917 Eileen? I had a lot of fun onderful news! VHRP contemplating those ramifications – I hope you enjoyed LIVE! has just launched our the journey with me. Wfirst pay-per-view concert offering to the world. What on earth Reminder: Your favorite organization can launch its does that mean you may ask. It means own Herbert revival production. Performance materials that if you have an internet published by VHSource, LLC are available for an amazing connection, you can now see the number of Herbert works and more materials are being VHRP LIVE’s production of The created every year. All the information you need is in Serenade. You no longer have to live in the New York City Shop VHSource or available in the Resources Menu under area to enjoy our Herbert revival company. It also means Web Links or E-mail Contacts right now. E-mail us that suddenly you can see a work that was originated 119 with any questions. Please send us your Herbert years ago. Isn’t technology wonderful? programming dates so we can fill up the calendar with great events. If you visit www.vhrplive.org and look to the right hand portion of the home page, you will find a video image from We leave you with.... our most recent event, Victor Herbert’s 1897 , to click on. The action will take you directly to “The great bane of modern education is a page featuring the performance of the song “Don Jose of classification, there are too many index card Sevillé.” Once you have enjoyed watching that little slice minds.” – Victor Herbert for free video, read below the video and follow directions to register for $5.00 to watch the entire work as often as you would like for 48 hours. See you next month!

You now have the freedom to live anywhere in the world and still attend one of our productions. It also does not matter what time zone you are in. Watch at your convenience - how cool is that?

We’ll do the process again for next season’s 100th Anniversary of Eileen. We really were hoping to be super cutting edge and stream live our performance but our venue was not quite high tech enough. However, in thinking things through a bit more, we have a feeling that a subscription viewing is actually far better. It is certainly not