Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-12-16

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quisitions may be mentioned Car
biavolo, beautiful and sparkling opers
by Auber, author of Fra DiaUoto, write
in this famous composers best vein, an
considered by all eminent musice
critics to be, if anything, superior
point of musical excellence to tina
: great work. In this opera Miss Abbot
portrays the role of mischievous youn
NV who impersonates the character 6
His Satanic Majesty. Another valuabl
acquisition to the musical world has beel
the bringing forward once more of Mar
, chetti's sublime opera OF Ruy Bias. Th
plot of this work is founded upon Victo
Hugo's celebrated tragedy of the sam
name and the character OF Queen Mari'
J Therese" is one that requires grea
dramatic ability, as we'll as remarkable
vocal talents.
The Rose of CASTLE, by Balfe, author
of The Bohemian Girl, is another opera
replete with beautiful music that hat
been resuscitated by Miss Abbott. NJ
greater proof of Miss Abbott's versatility
could be furnished than the fact that she
has also added to her list Bellini's great
masterpiece, Norma. Norma is con.
sidered by all prima donnas to be
the most difficult of all grand operas
The "Castra Diva" is without doubt one
of the most trying selections ever written
for an artist, and Miss Abbott's rendition
is pronounced to be artistic in the ex-
treme.
Los Angeles is also promised great
treat in the production of Gilbert &
Sullivan's new and latest success, The
YeOmen of the Guard. on the Merrynaan
and HIS Maid. The music OF this opera
is considered superior to any yet from
the able pen of Sir Arthur Sullivan,
while in none of his previous efforts is
Gilbert's great ability as a wit and
satirist more ably shown.
The company returns to us with all
the old favorites and notably strength
ened in some instances. First and fore
most is the renowned Emma herself
There is probably no artist on the
operate stage who has achieved such a
distinct success as Miss Emma Abbott.
Her versatility is unquestioned and her
repertoire now includes upwards of forty
operas, ranging from the coquettish and
winsome music of the Mikado TO the
heavy and classical music of Norma,
from the bright and catching airs of
the Bohemian Girl and Martha to
the difficult and sublime selections of
Faust or Trouatore.
OF her voice it can only be stated that
it has fully retained that subtle power
and bird-like sweetness which have
made her SO famous the world over. Her
middle and lower register are, if such a
thing is possible, probably more full and
strengthened, but with that small excep-
tim fharo 10 M v,oroovtih1o ohcv,uo H..
foriture is as finished and clear
as ever, and the beautiful, sweet
ness and extreme sympathetic quality
OF her voice are still unimpaired. The
delicately vibrant quality of her tones
are observant in every one of her Sc
lections, and her marvellous execution
never fails to thrill the heart of her
appreciative listeners. But it is not az
a vocalist alone that Miss Abbott has
reached to such a height. She is pos
sessed OF great dramatic ability, and as
an eminent critic once remarked that
were she not an exceptional prima
donna, she still would take first rank
among the actresses of to-day.
Miss Lizzie Annandale, the contralto
of the company, and everywhere consid-
cred the first American contralto, is an
old favorite with Los Angeles theatre
goers. An extremely powerful though
sweet voice, combined with a magnfi-
cent stage presence and fine figure, have
combined to place her where she prop.
erly belongs on the operatic stage. Her
voice is of marvellous range and her
execution unequalled.
In Miss Nina Bertini the company has
received a very valuable acquisition.
This little lady has a mezzo.soprano
voice of great sweetness and power.
Bright and winsome in appearance,
she has become great favorite wherever
she has appeared, and great things are
prophesied for her in the near future.
The personnel Of the male members
of the company is practically unchanged
The tenor roles are alternately taken by
Michelena, the handsome and fascinat-
ing tenor kgiere, and Montegriffo, the
great tenor rObuStO, who both stand in
the front ranks of the profession.
Pruethe is now considered the leading
exponent CT baritone parts on the stage,
his manly presence adding in great
degree to the extreme pleasure one ex-
periences upon listening to his beautiful
notes. The deep, rich, withal sweet bass
voice Of Broderick, is still to be heard
more finished and full than ever, while
Allen never fails to capture the audience
with his exceedingly clever buffo imper-
sonations. With such cast of princi-
pals there is no wonder why the Emma
Abbott Opera Company has become the
acknowledged standard musical organi-
zation and stands, as it does, pre-emi-
nently at the head.
The performances will be greatly
strengthened by the full and splendid
chorus, and a largely increased orchestra
under the able leadership OF Mr.. Carl
Martens.
Miss Abbott has supplied herself this
season with an unusually large and gor-
geous wardrobe. The dresses are all OF
her own original design, and are
from the establishments of such
famous modistes as Worth, Fe-
lix and Madame Louise. Some
of her dresses have been aptly
designated as "poems in silks and satins'
and are looked upon with rapture, moi
unmixed with envy, by all fair theater
goers, who one and all admit that they
are marvels of beauty and elegance, and
that they are "just too lovely for any
thing"
The sale of seats for the first week will
open at the box Office of the Crane
II l. lUoIaaclo,,