National Republican., 1884-02-27
ADJUSTMENTS.
THE NArroSAL-"LucrA.o -

Thers was only fair audience In point Of
numbers gathered at tho National last even
ing to hear DOnizetti's opera Of Lucia hi
Lammermoor," as rendered by Mr. Henry Il.
Abbey's Grand Italian Opera company Tho
ovent gathered interest from the fact that in
the titlo role Nine. Marcella Scmbrich made
her first appearance before Washington
audience. Tho reception accorded TO
this lady would have been most
hattering to any diva, and
the earnest and enthusiastic manner In which
10 was rendered was marvellous in this city,
proyerbal for its icy audiences. 70 say that
Mme. sombricb took the hearts and heads of
her hearers by storm would express in brief
triumph of which, as an artist she has a
right to feel proud OF
Her first solo, "Regna Va Mel Silonzlo,"
awakened an initial burst Of applause, which
was intensified by her rendition of "Quando
Rapita' to peremptory encore. 10 was
reserved, however, for the duet at the close
the first act, "verrauno Te Sulp Auro." to
place the prima donna perfectly en- rapport
with her audience. Before the last notes
of the finale had died away
thero was perfect storm of applause. Men
stood up aud shouted themselves hoarse,
handerchiefs were waved, and IL was not
until Nine sembrich had boon lod three
times before the curtain that the audience
were satisfied. In the second act in addition
to her wonderful vocal powers, it became
evident that Nine. Scmbrich possessed
the additional attraction of being
finished actress. In the scenes with Enrico
and at the signing of the marriage contract
with Arturo she displayed wonderful dra.
matte power, and redeemed the weakest
point in the presentation of the opera from
absolute inanity. The opening scenes of
the third act were slurred over to some
extent, but tho cut was freely forgiven
when Nam. Sembrich came on for.
tho mad sceno From the first notes of al
dolce suono" she held the audience SPELL
bound, and they listened breathless TO catch
every sound of her exquisite voce in the solo,
"Ardon gp incensi," which was given with a
flute obligatO. This scene eliminated with
the solo "Spargi d. amaro pianto," and here
| the enthusiasm of the audience
rose to a point never before seen In
Washington theater. Veteran theater-
goers bursted their gloves with their plaudits,
and ladies rose to their feet in the excitement
OF the moment and waved their scarfs and
handkerchief Four times was Mmc Sem
brich required to come forward after the first
encore, and when she finally left the stage
laden with flowers, it required wait of some
minutes before the applause had subsidized
sufficiently to permit the act to go on.
The Edgardo of signor Stagno was up to
every requirement dramatically, but the
voice OF this artist does not win upon tho ear
at once, and it was not until after the bri J.
liant tour de force at the close of the first act
that it received appreciation. 1t is seldom
that tenor, whose voice has such strident
metallic ring in the middle register, achieves
u sustained ID fat with such full and COM
plete satisfaction as did Signor Stagno last
night.
As Enrico, Signor Kasc Imam made many
friends in this his first appearance here, and
won commendation as careful, conscien-
tious artist The roles of Raimondo. Arturo,
and Normanno, as sustained by NJ. Augier
and Signors. .Fornaris and Grazzi closely ap-
preached mediocrity.
The male chorus was we'll sustained
throughout the opera, especially in the TUT
OF the third act, "Oh, quail funesto," aut
acquitted themselves most admirably. q
the female chorus perhaps the less said tn,
better
This evening will be presented "La Clio
conda," supported by Nine. Fursch-Madi
Nine. Scalchi, Signors, Campanini, Del
Puente, Novara, Augier, Grazzi, Contini
Barberis, and Nine. Christine Nilsson, wit
an incidental advertisement by Nine. Cava
lazzi and the corps do ballet.
FoRD's--THE wYNDHAM COMPANY.
Al Ford's last night Loves Device" an
tie Great Divorce Case" were again pre-
sented to q very large audience with tn
same excellence that characterized thei
rendition the evening previo u.s. To-nigh
Brighton and Household Fairy" will
be the attractions.