The Washington times., 1895-02-22
Wagner's "Lohengrin" Was Heard
By a Magnificent Audience.
MADAME NORDICA AS ELSA
Men and Women of Wealth,
Culture, and Fashion Were to Be Seen
Elsa Is Too Quiet for Nordica-De Reszke
Physically an Ideal Lohengrin- Mar
velous Voice-Fins Ensemble Singing.

Il
IDENTIFY expecting Tor many weeks occurred last
night at the Grand Opera House. when the sea-
son OF grand opera wasushered in. 1t seems.
/ perhaps. little unfortunate from one point
of view that "LoheDgrin" was played upon
the opening night, for the reason that it is
more familiar to everybody than any
other opera Of the repertoire, and
also because. without intending offense
to the artists. it employs but five
singers and, with two exceptions, they do
not enjoy the popularity accorded to other
distinguished members of Messrs. Abbey,
Schoefel & Graus most remarkable company.
Considered, however, rs leading up to the
magnificent performances that may be con-
fdently expected of "OteIlo, Faust and
'Manon, last nights event was full Of sat
isfaction and promise TO those who enjoy the
opportunity to witness each presentation.
The audience, while not filing more than
/ two-thirds OF the opera house, but all of the
boxes, was one most truly representative Of
the wealth, culture, fashion, and intellect Of
Washington's cosmopolitan residents. II
numbered statesmen, diplomats, high iu-
dicial officers, musical connoisseurs, artists,
miilionaires, and litterateurs, sprinkled here
and there between the solid citizens who taste
all the pleasures OF life while enjoying its re-
most brilliant one. The women
were attired in the gorgeous
robes proper to attendance upon grand
opera; diamonds sparkled from eyeryquarter;
delicate perfumes mingled with the odor OF
exquisite flowers, soft fans waved to and fro
in the dainty-gloved hands, and men in i'm
maculate shirt fronls, banged hair, and
frffI ~ Tal5 no6 ch
trasts to the commanding forms and quiet
black attire of others distinguished for valor,
wit, wealth, and wisdom.
HOW THE OPERA WAS sung.
The opera Of of"LohengrinH is not as popu-
lar as others of Wagner's masterpieces; per-
haps because it is subdued in color, sad in
tone, and lacking in those quick, sharp,
almost paradoxical contrasts OF melody in
which the German musical wizard delighted.
The parts of Lohengrin and Elsa are how
ever, most difficult TO sing, and rare indeed
are the artists who perfectly fill their out
lines. The chief interest in the performance
last night centered. Of course. in Nine. Nor
dica and Jean de Reszke, in the characters
named.
Nine. Nordica is not seen or heard at her
best as Elsa. The part is too quiet, too soft,
and the music too high to exhibit her strong
winning personality and clear, light, and
faultiessly delivered soprano voice to the
best advantage. Her rendition of the prayer
song was most beautiful, but it provoked
little applause.
De Reszke is, physically, an ideal Lohen-
grin, and perhaps musieally. too. 1t is
fact. however, that he was a distinct disap-
pointment last night to the many who are
not familiar with the exact requirements of
the part and the artists obligation to play
- l. l. .1f
sweet as q bell, full toned. clear, vibrant,
with a melancholy tone that is most pleas
ing to the ear and, above and beyond all, it
falls from his lips without losing one ele-
ment of its natural quality. Still, he did not
thrill his hearers, nor did he receive even
fair applause in either his swan song or the
farewell His acting was digniAed and all
that the part requires in order to impress its
manly but tender qualities upon the audi
enee.
Nine. Muntelli was dramatic and tuneful
as the designing Ortruda, and she received
many plaudits for her clear, ringing delivery
of the music Of the invocation scene. VI.
Plancon, the Enrico L'Uccellatore. was su-
perb. His, voice is an organ-broad. deep.
rich, resonant, sonorous, of rare timbre,
and clearly vocalzed.
Federico di Telramondo was sung by Sig
Ancona, whose voice is a powerful basso can
tante, perhaps baritone, that shows good
e!hod, careful cultivation, and clever use
The minor character of the herald was artis-
tically done by Sig. Abramoff, who has a
clear, even tenor of good range and compass.
The chorus was large, but not good Look
ing, and the ensemble and concerted num-
bers were harmoniously executed. The or
chestra was large and skiIlfully directed by
Signor Mancinelh.
Summing up the whole performance II is
true that the opera was rather tamely given
and failed to arouse popular enthusiasm or
| critical applause.
ALL SOCIETY WAS THERE.
All society was at the opera. There was
a magnificent showing of gowns and costly
quite as interesting as the gorgeous costum-
| ing of those on the stage. 1t was a gala oe-
casion in the fashionable world. It was a
! representative FIRST night" of grand opera.
| The orchestra chairs were rainbows of color
| a fitting complement to the magnificent
costumes OF those in the boxes. Every one
was in full dress, and most beautiful full
| dress at that.
| As the audience entered many of the ladies.
| taking their seats before removing their
wraps, gave glimpses of garments fashioned
by the leading artists of that line in this
country and Europe. From the lightest
material in texture and color lined with
ermine to the costliest sable garments that
completely enyeloped the figure there was
every imaginable style and makeup in the
way of wraps.
| As TO the gowns themselves, they were
| quite in keeping with the richness of the
| outer garments.
/ Mr.. and Mrs. Letter occupied one of the
stage boxes on the left OF the stage. In their
box sat Miss Letter, Miss Daisy Letter, and
| Marquis Imperiali. Mrs. Letters gown was
| of black velvet, the sleeves slashed over full
| white satin. About her neck was point lace
caught with diamond ornaments. Miss
| Letter also wore black velvet with thread
lace over her shoulders In her hair, which
was parted and waved back, she wore star
OF diamonds on her forehead.
The adjoining box was occupied by Repre-