European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - December 10, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                James Levins artistic director of the new York metropolitan opera conducts soloists Patta Burts Nulamae Thomas Hampton apr Ito Millo and Anne soils von offer Back to front opera its alive Story and photos by Anita Gosch staff writer Pera is an Art form Ihal is in danger of becoming obsolete say leading members of Iho International classical music yield. But they add through the help of such organizations As the Maria Callas foundation which promotes and supports Young singers opera has a Chance nol Only 1o survive bul to thrive As Welt. It is important to nurture the Garcal talents that come along to encourage them support them and Leach them said James Levine artistic director of new York s metropolitan opera during a press conference monday Al Frankfurt s alte oper Levine was in Germany to conduct the Frankfurt orchestra in a Callas gala tuesday night in Honor of the late opera Star and to introduce Lour Young soloists who received the prestigious new Callas prize for 1986. Joining the Maestro in he conference were the founder and president of she Maria Callas foundation. Vasso Devetzis and the four singers americans Thomas Hampson baritone and aprils Millo Mezzo Soprano russian  Bassand Anne Sofie von Oiler Soprano of Sweden the main problem facing opera in inc 201 h Century said Levine is that it has became increasingly difficult for conductors and artists to re create lha music of the past faithfully and credibly. Everyone would acknowledge that there s a Elisis in How to play music of he 18th Century do we play on modern instruments do we play on old instruments Etc. As we get farther from the 19th Century. We have the same kind of crisis he said. We re simply not living in the period in which thai music was contemporary. Therefore we have to work hard to understand the composer s purpose and to present that purpose to a contemporary audience without distorting it All that composers and artists can do said Levine is to study he music carefully experience it and try to keep going Down the most truthful path " the Paris based Maria Callas foundation was established by Devetzis in 1980 in accordance with Callas wish to help Young opera singers in their studios Callas had always tried to support Young artists. In 1964, the greek Soprano set up