National Republican., 1883-02-24
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
RIGoLErTo."

Last night the Mapleson company sang
" "Rigoletto" to q large audience. The opera
itself, which is full of commonplaces, never
theless rises at times to the level of Verdi's
best work, but it is inharmonious, and the in
strumentation is, on the whole, trite and un-
effective. But with four such artists as Al
bani, Scalchi, Galassi, and Ravelli the per-
formance could not fail to bo meritorious
Nine. Albani is peculiarly successful in the
1orid vocalization of Gilda. She has the pur.
ity Of tone and the electric rapidity Of exc
cution which make the most elaborate fora
ture appear easy and spontaneous. If she
were to be held at fault anywhere, it would
be for her trills in the first act, which were
defective. Sometimes she trilled on the
semi-tone, and sometimes on the whole
tone; and as the trill is of all
forms of vocal orna ment most nearly natural
gift, when IL is not done with birdlike
clearness it degenerates into trick. Other
wise Albani sang Gilda with vigor of inspi-
ration such as only comes to a great lyric
artist. Nine. Scalchi as Maddalena illustra-
ted what may be done with small part
by noble singer. There is in Nine.
Scalchis voice a sorority and richness
that is seldom heard in the voice
of a woman. Signor Galassi as Rigoletto was,
as always, earnest, correct, and finely modu-
lated; while Ravelli as the Duke sang with
the brilliant but unequal force that one day
classes him among the best singers and the
next among the second best. The quartette
at the beginning of the third act was very
beautifully done. The even and well bal
anced tones of Ravelli and Galassi, and the
resonant, organ like quality of Scalchi's
voice, while Albani's clear soprano cut bril-
liantly through the volume of sound were so
good as to almost cover the ragged work OF
the orchestra, which got little beyond Sgnor
Ardti's baton at that point. According to
the usual unaccountable custom when "Rigo-
letto" is sung, the last scene was omitted. The
applause was prolonged, especially after the
familiar " Kiss song"
Signor Monti as Sparafucile did rather
WE'LL as did Signori Costa, Rinaldini, and
Bieletto. But there is not a really fine basso
in the company. The orchestra was, as usual
we'll handled, but it is clearly of inferior
quality to what Mapleson usually has. The
chorus. was fair.
The ballet which followed was combina'
ton of La Surprise and the flower song
Flor de Marghorita" written by SignoI
Arditi and dedicated to Nine. Gerster Gar.
DIM. Nine Cavallazzi introduced the daisy
the Margaret flower" and the dance and
pantomime "Ho loves me, he loves me not, ;
was charmingly done
"FRAEcEsCA DA RINfINI,"
The performances of this new tragedy by
Mr. Barrett and his company at FOrd's thea
ter will be given an unusual impetus Monday
evening by the presence of somewhat dis
tinguished audience. The author, Mr.. George
IL. Boxer, was formerly prominent in the dip
lomatc service of this government. Once h,
served as secretary Of legation at Rome, anC
later on was minister to Russia, Mr.
Boxer lives in Philadelphia, but ha
wide and influential circle o
acquaintance in this city. Monday evening
will bring out a large attendance of gen
tlemen in high position; and delegation o
very distinguished people will come on from
New York, Philadelphia, aud Baltimore to d
the occasion honor. Mr., Boxer himself viii
probably be in the Philadelphia party.
"EsMERALDAh
Mrs, Frances Hodgson Burnett being res
ident of Washington, the presentation of he
play at a local theater is a matter of interes
so unusual as to justify more extended an
nouncement than is given ordinary enter
tainmonts. "Esmeralda" is the third of tn
Madison Square successes As a popula
work, it has thus far held place not secon
even to Hazel Kirke," 1t was first pei
formed in New York at the Madison
Square theater October z, 1881, an
ran uninterruptedly, with only two excer
tions until oct. 8 of the following year. Th
exceptions were the evening of the day {
President Garfeld's funeral aud Good Frida