The morning call., 1894-01-20
AMATEUR OPERA.
"LuCia di LarnmermOOr"
at the StoCkWeIl.
Sung by the Italian Philharmonic
Society-A Creditable Rendition.
Spadina'S Baton.

II the Italian Philharmonic Society
Geuseppi Verdi gives many more such per
| forma Eces as 1t did last night of Lucia d
Lammermoor" at StockwelPs Theater, II viii
certainly make an enviable name for Itself;
for, considering that the organization is az
amateur one, the opera was rendered in d
manner that was more than creditable to al
| concerned.
! Every one is familiar with the outline, al
| least Of SCOTS gloomy but dramatic story OF
| the unfortunate Lucy Ashton. whose ruthless
| brother-and In the opera lie Is very ruthless
! lndeed-made her believe her lover. Edgar OF
! RayenswOOd, WAS dead and compelled her Il
| marry Lord Arthur Buehlow, which act OF
! cruelty, coupled with Edgar'S temperance,
| drove Lucia insane.
The opera last evening was In Italian, and all
| the dramatis person8 had their names Italian
| lZed. The curtain went up upon the traitor
clansme0. who. contrary 10 custom, did not
wear the Kilt, but were arrayed in the garb OF
Robin Hoods merry men, There a mo-
ment OF uncertainty, and then the chorus, once
fairly started, sang eXcelently, while Nor
manno sang his part pleasiDgiy and with great
clearnesS OF enuuciation.
Enrico, true TO the traditions of Lucia dl
Lammermoor, entered in fun Scottish array.
He, 100, was a little uncertain at first as
though not accustomed To singing with an
orchestra, but presently his nervousness gave
place TO wrath on hearing of his sisters love
for EdgaIdo, and his aria LA Pletade" was
sung with great dramatic force and expression
Indeed throughout the whole opera G. ZapellPs
| Interpretation OF the determined Enrico Ashton
was very powerful for an amateur.
Lucia, who through some miSadyenture pre-
| sumably OF the costumer, had been given the
| wig OF Marguerite in Faust" created a favor
| able impression almost from the moment OF her
! entrance. Her long scene in the avenue with
her attendant, Alice. showed not only that she
| could sing acceptably, but that she could act
with an animation and truth of expression very
| rare in one with so little stage experience
Miss Maggie Coleman's voice was. perhaps,
scarcely SO satisfactory indeed as her artistic
instincts. Her upper notes were good, and
some Of her execution was excellent but she
| has gasplng way OF breathing and the placing
of her middle ana lower notes was throaty and
| defective. If these faults were remeded she
| would have the making OF an excellent artist.
Lucla's hrst solo that was encored was the
| .Quand0 Rapita," just before the entrance OF
| EdgardO. 5. Georgi, who took the part OF the
unhappy lover, reminded one a little of The
King in Hamlet" with one auspicious and
one dropping eye," for even in The TRANSPORTS
of making love TO lis adOred Lucia he kept one
optic anxlousiy hxed on Signor Spardnas
| baton. Notwithstanding. he acted with an i'm
mense amount OF fervor Indeed he had all The
tricks OF the trade OF the operate tenor and
sometimes even overdid them little, as when
he launched into high chest notes, la Iama.
gno. and occasionally surprised himself by
ending them semltone OF so lower than The
orchestra.
But apart from these little exuberances Ed
gardo gave great satisfaction, and in.the second
act, when he finds that Lucia is ndlssolubly
united to his rival. Lord Arthur Buehlow, his
III
cellent. or all the performers, Lord Arthur
Buehlow was the most able 10 60 through his
part without one glance at the conductor but
then his score was not long one although
what there was of II was well acted and sung.
An immense amount of enthusiasm was
evoked by the famous sextet in the second act
the singers being sDurred OH by loud cries OF
bravo" 10 repeat IL. word OF praise must
also be given 10 the basso, Raymond. When
MS opportunity came in the third act he made
the most OF it and sang well. The chorus also
supported him excellently. Indeed all the
choruses were satisfactory. Unfortunately
however, some OF the brass in the orchestra
was not always In tune. The house was a verv
good one and expressions OF satisfaction were
heard on all hands. The following was the full
cast:
Lucia. Misc Ma,oIa
Alisa. min W. y
n, ID. Nalerga
Enrico. ...... 4, 1a,aS,s
Rain ondo ... - VitapItai
First Lady ....... Miss T. Wcfes,,nrn
| Edgardo .....,....... canrH1