Perhaps the most violent Carmen in operatic history was offered last week at Manhattan's Waldorf-Astoriawith a real soldiers' chorus. The idea germinated in the head of 23-year-old Corporal John Harrold of nearby Fort Hancock, former student at Philadelphia's Academy of Vocal Arts. Corporal Harrold himself sang Don José. All other male roles were also sung by sweating Fort Hancockers. The Fort Hancock band blasted out a Carmen medley in lieu of the usual overture. Private Lanni Russell hurled himself into an interpolated tap dance (music not by Bizet).
The female singers were supplied...
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