The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-06

the Chorus.
Ihc season of grand opera Opcncd last
night at Aliens Grand Opera House. The
attendant circumstances were such as to
render conspicuous even so brilliant an
event.
An audience OF enormous proportions
crowded all available room and seldom
does even Washington assemble so dis
tinguished gathering. The opera selected
is Popular work familiar but not tritc
the remarkahie woman whose cbarm
idealized the leading role revealed new
meaning in it.
FROM the first moment of the bravura
overture, when in dashing ensemble
strings reeds, torns, drums and all launch
into the brilliant strains, Carmen is an
intoxicating musical dissipation.
The audience tolerated the militia
choruses and the ensemble extoiliBg the
cigarette, really adniiring numbers in
themselves. But the people in front knew
from former presentations or frCm the
HDrettoS, which bad Il liberal sale that the
moments were few till the desired one
should come and 1t made them impatient
and the interim tedious. Finally the
cigarette girls came from the factory, the
young menswarmed on, there was nc ment
bridge at back and Gown to the footlights.
CALVE, THE MAGNETIC.
Her spell was manifest from the moment
OF her appearance. She is beautiful
woman, a magnetic woTnan of irresistible
attraction, and is an actress OF extensive
resources and propGrtionate power.
Her voice was given speedy opportunity
in the familiar love song. 1t is q clear, ex-
preSsive organ, of mellow rotuudity. and
OF warm voluptuous texture. so artful is
her delightful acting, without a moments
lapse, and faultless throughout, that her
easy, natural fluent notes are not ap-
preciated for their fun worth. The spell
OF her voice is as potent as her acting and
their union accounts for her security in
her position as the greatest living dramatic
prma donna.
For some reason the audience did not
accord the artistic the reception which the
marked curiosity in the sequence OF things
would have suge ested. She was received
with polite recognition, deferential ard
critical, rs IL the demonstration would be
accorded when earned. That time came
after the scene at the end of the second
act, wherein Carmen tempts Jose from his
duty to follow her to the gypsy camp.
EARNED THE APPLAUSE.
The voluptuousness Of the dance which
accompanied the scene was almost as
suggestive as the Turkish cOntortions,
though tempered by the refinement OF the
woman. 1t was superbly done and three
times again the curtain was raised for
Galve TO bow her Acknowledgements.
Her succeeding scenes were suffused
with the dramatic fineSse OF alternating
comedy and tragedy. She exercised all
the seductive wiles possible, excepting
the impaSsioned kiss which NetherSoIe
IS said TO employ with such fervor. That
Calyc accomplishes her ends without
resorting to exceptional devices, marks
hers more legitimate triumph. Calve
distances Abbott. De Lussan, and all other
Carmens beyond reproaeh.
After Calve there Is little else to be
mentioned in the same category. She so
dominates the production in every particu-
lar that the Others of the east are dWarfed
into significance beyond their just deserts.
Sophie Traubman. as Micheia, sang
the two beautiful ariaS in 4 sympatheti-
caliy Intelligent manner, and with n
technical coinrature in certain passages
that the people like most to hear
REMAINDER OF TIE CAST.
~ Ancona was received with cordiaIity,
ana the Toreador song was given with
expressive spirit, which brought forth Il
salvo OF applause, and demand for its
repetition. NJ. Lubert's Don Jose de-
an excellent tenor voice aud acts well.
Little Mile. Bauermeister was diigent
and delightful in a small part, and the
same praise may justly be accorded Nine.
Van Cautcren, NJ. de Nries, and NJ. de
LongpreZ. As the two bandits, Sigs.
Carbone and Rtnaldini acted with humorous
vivacity and sang their parts well in the
quintet.
The chorus was well trained and unusually
large. The scenery and costumes were
accurate. The orchestra in other than
German opera is so manifestly an acces-
sorry, that it is pleasant TO note that Sig.
Bevignani's expert baton made the ac-
compartment conspicuous feature OF q
well-nigh perfect production.
ALL SOCIETY WAS THERE.
Nearly ever ybody of prominence in Wash
ington was there.
President and Mrs Cleveland with Mrs
Perrine occupied one of the upper boxes.
Mrs. Cleveland was gowned in rose colored
satin, and wore a superb necklace of dia-
mOnds, with jeweled ornaments In her hair.
Others present were Secretary 0lncy
and Miss Minot, Senor Mendonca and family,
Sir Julian Pauncefote and party from the
British Embassy, Mrs r. r Hit and party,
John K. Mclean and party, and Mrs. Town
send and party, Scattered through the
orchestra were the German Ambassador,
Baron Won KetteleT, Minister Aiavroyeni
Bey, French Ambassador Patenotre and
wife, Senior Dupuy de Lone and party
from the Spanish Legation, the Austrian
Ambassador. SenOr Andrade, the Venezuelan
minister, Secretary Hastings OF the Hawaiian
Legation, Mr. and Mrs Mont gomery Blair,
Miss Scott and a number of Senator's.