Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-25
ADJUSTMENTS.

The italian Opera Season.-The season of
Italian opera that closed at the Grand
Opera House Saturday. night with Mas
senet's "Manon" was in some respects the
most enjoyable ever held here. There never
was such performance given in this city
as that of Verdi's "Otelio" ION Friday night,
aud those who listened to the great vocal
work and witnessed the splendid acting OF
Tamagno, Maurel and Games, were glad
that the company had come here. That
performance will linger in the memory
alongside of PATHS "Traviata," Sembricks
Lucia" and Missions "Margueritte.' In
many respects it will take precedence OF
these performances for in them the recol-
lection is of individual excellence, Whlle
in "Otello" there were three notable ns-
ures, and besides, there was compete
ness as to minor characters, chorus ana Or
chestra that rounded out the whole into
perfect form. ''Lohengrin," too, was an
excellent performance, as was that or
''Mancn," but as to Faust" given on Sat
urday afternoon, there was loud and just
complaint. This opera, one OF the most
popular in the entire repertoire OF the
company, was announced with star cast,
including Melba and the two de Reszkes.
People rushed for seats, and the result was
that the opera house held the largest audi
ence that ever assembled within its walls
Every seat on every floor was occupied
and admission tickets were sold until fur
Their disposition of them was stopped by
the police.
This large assemblage witnessed Gounod' S
beautiful work, with only one of the artists
announced in the cast Nine. Melba was
there, but neither of tie de Reszkes put IN
an appearance. The place OF Edward dc
Reszke was ably filled by NJ. Plancon, and
so his absence was not much to be re-
GREETED, but Sig. Russtano, who was sub
stituted for Jean de ResZke, was clearly
fol, cd IL, he. ,n,.t 81 Enrp n n
royance, disappointment and disgust of the
people, some of whom felt that they had
been buncoed found vent in expressions
that were anything but complimentary to
the management OF the company. The eX-
PLANTATION given as to the cause of the alb
sence of the de Reszkes was accepted by a
few, but the majority felt that they had
been deceived. The performance of the
opera was not what was expected, not
what the audience had right to expect
Even Meba was disappointing except in
the last act, when she came out gloriousiy.
Her voice is smooth and round. and has
considerable power, and she uses it with
remarkable skill. But there were times
when she sang sharp, and throughout the
opera she was handicapped by the weak
ness of Faust Plancon's Mephistopheles
was an artistic piece of work, both as to
singing and acting, although his voice is
hardly deep enough for some of the tones.
Scalchi was the Seibel and Ancona the
Valentine. both being quite acceptable and
tne cforus was in every way competent.
The familiar Soldiers chorus received an
emphatic encore. and the trio in the last
act was given with such magnificent effect
that its repetition was demanded.
saturday night introduced Sybil Sander
son in Massenet's comic opera, "Manon."
FROM what had been said of Miss San
dersons voice in the New York papers, not
much was expected of her singing, and yet
she interpreted this dainty and bright mu-
SIC in manner to elicit the appreciation
OF the audience. She acted with spirit and
Vivacity. NJ. Mauguiere sang and acted
his part in good form, and Plancon, in the
comparatively little he had to do, was ar
tistic. The local management is not TO
blame for the failu.. of the artists an
aounced for Faust to appear, for the
managers of the opera company distinctly
stated that all promises would be faith
fully kept, but the Washington public will
not allow themselves to he deceived sec
ond time, and will hesitate to patroniZe
i'll the future attractions offered by those
who have once failed to-meet all their en-
eagemertS.
America for Americans. Rev. Merritt
Hulhurd. y. D.. of Wilmington, Del. VIII
delSfer a lecture at the Metropolitan NJ. IL.
Church this evening on the subject, Amer
lea for Americans-; The lecture will he
delivered under the auspices of the Sun
day school and EDworth League. Senator
Higgins will preside and introduce the
speaker.
All Souls Church.-Tonght Miss Janet
Elizabeth Richards will deliver her enter
in All Souls Church. Miss Richards is an
entertaining talker and this lecture Will
be illustrated by over one hundred stere-
QDtiCor views