Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-03-19
MAPLESON'S GRAND OPERA.
~Carmen'' with Minnie Hauk, M me.
DOtti, Del Paente and an
Amateur Tenor.

Carmen, notwithstanding the stormy
weather, drew out large and fashion
able audience last night Salt Lake has
not yet adopted the formalities of what
is in the East regarded as conven.
tionally fashionable opera audience; but
whatever there is recherche in Salt Lake
society, save the dress alone, was visible
last night in the well-filled auditorium OF
the Theatre.
We have had so many operas here
which are infinitely superior to Gear
men" that 1t would have required the
most superb Interpretation to satisfy last
nights audience; and this was denied
them, first in the absence of Ravelli,
and not less important, certainly,
in the lamentable failure of Madame
Hauk to rise to the highest possibilities
of her role. Carmen, as a part, while it
does not afford the amplest opportunities
for the rich voice of Hauk, still furnishes
some exquisitely fine music, and much
OF this was only essayed, particularly in
the first and second acts OF course it is
in the vivacious coquetry and the charm
ing abandon of Carmen that Madame
Hauk seeks to achieve her great success,
and certainly in this respect she left
nothing to be added to her charming i'm
personation; but from her initial bars in
the Irritation scene with the guards she
perhaps unintentionally, an
evident disposition to hold her voice in
reserve, and as result she failed to cap
tlvate her audience or even to create any
particularly favorable impression, for the
character itself wins no sympathy or pop-
ularity from sentiment alone.
With Madamoselle Dotti the very re-
verse was the case. Michala is at once
the idolized feature of the plot, and this,
with Dotti's already established popular
ty here, her undiminished grace and
charms, her fascinating voice. eyerv
AGILITY of which was brought into full
play from the start, perfectly won over
he audience
Signor Del Puente, as the Toreador. is
llways the centre of attraction in Gear
men, even when Ravelli sings, and last
light he was doubly so. His magnificent
baritone voice, as we'll as his fine appear
nee and excellent acting, impressed the
udlence with an appreciation of great
ess, which was admirably sustained
AS we anticipated, Ravelli left his Don
ose for DE Falco to mutilate, and this
'as ably accomplished by the cracked
DICED amateur. Madame Hank is said
have, on number of occasions. ex-
ressed desire to have De Falco sing
'on Jose in preference to Rayelli. and
le principal reason assigned for this
extraordinary discrimination is that his
citing is so superior. Ravelli is him
'lf rather stiff and uninterestino e
an actor, but this defect is almost a
oscured by his admirable :, tenor y
'ice,, which is generally regarded $
more pleasing than that Of anv other b
nor at present on the stage. De Falco
not only lacking in voice in a lamenta-
e degree, but his amateurish ACTING is s
inferior to Ravelli's. and fhis g
damaging enough reflection, for v
~. Is no actor at all. In his duet II
ltn Mlchaela in the first act he went g
,rrlbly out OF tune and failed to reveal tt
, zen mediocre talents as singer. "
Inc less important parts were in good n
ms, without an exception, especially o
Doncalro and Mercedes; and the Ia
orus itself was efficient and we'll Of
lmed, although when unassisted bv o,
lncipals it showed very sad weakness y
its sopranos. >i ~ 81
Cavalazzi excited more than til
share OF the applause in her finished
nl,clng, and was supported by an az. f..
LENT corps de ballet. "
IL cannot be truthfully said that tho :,
era was success in anv but a f;nan. :"
1 respect. Hauk has been seen to far
'ater advantage in her part, and really
u no applause whatever for her ef-
Is last night. But for the able support
the orchestra, under the renowned A.. pu
q, the performance would have heen ]
'ltlvely flat, and this is making char
o'e allowance, too, for the extravagant
'ectatlons of the audience. carmen"
some interesting features which are
cured In the Italian dialogue, but taken
,getl,er is not entitled to be ranked An
n a, "Rigoletto," "Il Trovatore n'"Tn- tiv
: or several others which have been -
en- here. ' o'oii his
IS understood that the company NAV to
slDly hold the boards for several L
hts on their return trip, and If 50 # Ger
be necessary for Colonel Manleson
lace greater attraction than MCar. !
I before the people in order to fiji his
i'euse again at ~ seat. 9th
obi