Judge, 1922-12-09 · page 20 of 36
Judge — December 9, 1922 — page 20: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page celebrates three opera stars through humorous comparisons to birds. **Feodor Chaliapin**, a renowned Russian bass-baritone, is praised so effusively that other Mephistos (the devil role in *Faust*) pale beside him. **Lucrezia Bori**, an Italian soprano, is so beautiful and talented she makes nightingales and larks jealous—the "morning after" suggesting they're hungover from competing with her. **Edward Johnson**, an American tenor returning home, will perform at the "diamond horseshoe" (the Metropolitan Opera's prestigious box seating section). The satire is gentle mockery of opera world pretension: comparing singers to birds and using elaborate flattery. The "birdseed" title puns on bird references, playfully suggesting these celebrated performers are as attention-seeking as caged birds. This reflects Judge magazine's tradition of satirizing elite cultural institutions while acknowledging genuine talent.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
To Chaliapin, whose sonorous vocalism, marvel- ous histrionism and whose dominant personality have made all other Me- phistos look like the very devil AUT LL) Mishkin. Please Pass the Birdseed To Lucrezia Bori who, by her physical love- liness and consummate vocal artistry, has turned the nightingale green with envy and made the lark to feel very much like the morning after. To that sara avis, an American grand operatic tenor, Ed- ward Johnson, who has returned to his native land to fling his golden voice at the diamond horse- shoe. 13 comicbooks.com