Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-06
ASSESSMENTS.

Grand Opera HouSe.-An audience such as
could be brought together in no other city
in this country; an audience including the
President and Mrs. Cleveland, cabinet min
listers and their wives. members Of the dip
plomatic corps, Senators and Representa-
tives, judges and others prominent in Off
cial and social circles; an audience that
filed every seat in Aliens Grand Opera
House and overtiowed in to the lobby greet
ed Nine. Emma Calve on her first appear
ance in this city last night. 1t was the first
night OF the Italian opera season, and the
occasion was one of unusual interest. A
noticeable thing about the audience was
that the vast majority went early and there
were comparatively few late corners that
interfered with the enjoyment of the over
ture. Perhaps the plan adopted by Mr..
Damrosch Of keeping the tardy people In
the outer lobby until the overture was fin
ished had a wholesome effect-perhaps the
desire to be in time TO hear every note of
an opera that is quite familiar, and which
has been made more popular than ever by
the splendid art of the one announced for
the title role operated in favor of pune
tuality. Whatever the cause, 1t was
source of qualification that the audience
was on time, and although in the fifteen
minutes prior to che hour of commencement
the crush was very great, the crowd was
handled in excellent shape and seated with
OOt any undue confusion.
BiZet's Carmen" is one of the most pic
turesque of modern operas The music is
typical of the locale of the story which is
of the Spanish peasantry, and introduces
soldiers, brigands toreadors and pretty girls
in striking costumes. Carmen, the central
figure, the one on whom the whole action
hinges, is complex character, a woman Of
strong passions, of tickle love, whose powers
Of coquetry are boundless, and who brings
sorrow and misfortune to all who come
within her wileS Nine. Calve realizes the
character to its fullest extent, from the mo-
ment she comes across the bridge in the
first act until she dies at the hands of JOSE
She ic a beautiful woman with mobile fea-
lures, wonderfully expressive eyes, and a
form Of exceedingly generous proportions
She Is first and foremost a most accom-
plished actress. She is alive with activity,
and is constantly in motion, either with
eyes, features, hands or her entire body.
She interprets the impetuous, hayward
gypsy In the most striking manner, and she
attention to her and concentrates the in
terest in her work This dramatic ability
rather obscures .her vocal powers, which
are of high order, her voice being a mezzo-
soprano, rich in tone, and cultivated to it's
utmost capability. Calve dominated the
stage whenever she was present, and there
was hardly the proper attention paid the
other members of the cast, some of whom
were artists of no mean merit. The Micaela
OF Sophie Traubmann was well sung, her
two solos being given with artistic effect
The Don Jose of hubert was a spirited per-
Torrance. His voice has a dramatic quail
ity, and he sang with ease and effect He
also proved himself an excellent actor and
won liberal applause for his fine work. Sig
Ancona acted the part Of Escamillo, but his
voice is not powerful enough to give full
effect to the musical score, although he re-
cefved an encore for his toreador song, but
this was due in a large measure to the cor
rect singing of the chorus, that takes up the
strain after the song is finished. The chorus
was large and efficient, and Sig. Bevgnani
Welded the baton over competent orches-
ira. Tonight Romeo and Juliet" will be
the opera. introducing Nine. Melba and the
De Reszke brothers.
Lafayette Square Opera House-Herr-
mann the Great, whose popularity never
seems to wane in the estimation of Wash
lngtonians, is drawing excellent houses at
the Lafayette Opera House, and the en-
tertalnment he Is presenting this season
Is worthy the patronage accorded The
spectacular dances of Mrs. Hermann are
danseuse receives well deserved encores
at every performance At tomorrow's mat
inee program will be presented of espe-
cial interest to ladies and children.
An Old Folks Concert.-An old folks,
concert will be given this evening at Ham
line Church, 9th and streets northwest,
under the direction of Mrs J. r. Mickle.
according to the announcement, I'VE Older
Folks will have great sngin' and fine
speakin at We Hamlne Methody Mectin'
House, at We x Roads of P and 9th north
west, Friday, March 6, at 1870 by the
clocke-25 pennies to get in select pro-
gram of old and new songs and literary
numbers has been arranged.