The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-12-19
AMUsEM ENTs.



Grand opera will be heard in Seattle
lish Opera Company comes TO the Seattle
iheater for four nights and Christmas
matinee engagement. The appearance of
this organization has been awaited with
no little interest It is rarely that so
much has been promised with reference
TO an engagement as has been done in
connection with Madame Tavary's forth
coming tour. To present English grand
opera requires such great judgment that
few managers have had any inclination TO
make the undertaking. In the case OF
Charles II. Pratt. however. it is different.
Few men have had more experience. and
his past introduction to the American
public Of such great operate artists as
Marie Roze. Clara Louise Kellogg, Anna
Louise Cary and the late Emma Abbott.
is sufficient assurance OF the magnitude
OF the Tavary Grand Opera Company.
IL one-half of the promises made con-
corning this engagement are filled, the
music-loving public OF Seattle will have
reason 10 believe that grand opera is not
on the decline. but towards an ascension.
The organization, repertoire and general
ensemble have been gotten together with
a view toward excelling any previous at
tempt. There certainly Is a field for one
English grand opera company in this
country, and after tie years which have
elapsed since ii was properly presented.
IL must certainly come as a realization.
Marie Basta Tavary. the prina donna
of the organization. has achieved the
greatest distinction in both the new and
old world. Her voice is a soprano of the
highest range. OF rare lyric possessions.
and her skill in execution almost without
limit She has a most pleasing presence.
a pronounced natural blonde. and her
face is of purely Grecian mold. She is
charming conversationalIst. speaking In
several languages and TO the honor Of be-
ing an artists OF rarest manifest gifts.
she adds those of admirable qualities
which dignity the character OF gentle
and exemplary woman.
The artists in support of Madame Ia
vary are notable for their briilianey, and
include Emma Mariani and Henriette
Dreyer, two well-known and capable So
pranos, as well as Sophie Romani, anoth-
er conscientious artist. The contraltos
are Helen Won Doenhoff and Dora Scott.
two acceptable singers who have re-
ceived great distinction in the past Mime.
Thea Dorre Is the mezzo soprano. A l..
Guile is unquestionably the greatest nv
ing tenor. his triumphs with Patti and
through Europe being matters or record
Two other celebrated tenors being Payne
Clark and William Warren. one OF the
most acceptable baritones on the stage
today is William Mertens, who occupies
a prominent position with the company;
while Dudley Is another versatile sing
err William II. Hamilton Is the hasso
and William Schuster the basso cantanta.
After the selection of principals. the
most important feature is the orchestra
In this respect the Tavary company Is
said to be particularly fortunate. for 1t
has A thoroughly grand opera orchestra
composed of musicians who will be under
the direction of Sig. Emerico Morreale'
who has held similar positions for years
with the italian opera In the city OF Mex
leo and Havana. He is said 10 be thof-
ough genius as a musician and 10 possess
.he greatest Of capabilities as director
The chorus with the Tavary Opera COM
panv has been made another eNceptlonaI
feature. II consists OF young and trained
voices who can sing and who are thor
I oughly capable. The operas 10 be sung IN
Seattle have been selected with desire
"a present only such works as would
prove most acceptable. They viii be pro-
/ duced with a preciseness heretofore IN
eaualed. and the general ensemble VIII
be found 10 be In thorough accord lndi-
cations point toward a brilliant engage
+ ment. The repertoire is notable one
I and has been arranged as follows: Mon
I aav. 'sTrovatore.' Tuesday matinee.
/ carmen" Tuesday evening. Faust
| wednesday. Cavaliers" and 'Pagliae-
ci" and Thursday, ''Tannhauser