The herald., 1897-10-27
Observation-Disclosures Fl
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| Los ANGELES.-"Faust" needs little
introduction or analysis. Goethe's inn
mortal work probes the eternal tragedy
of the soul, the conflict of flesh and
spirit, and Gounod's opera can be COM
pretended even by those who are not
ordinarily touched and exalted by real
and grand mu.s,. The opera is the prod
uct of two master minds. Hence it's un-
paralleled appeal to humanity-popu-
larity, if you willard hence. also. the
futility of attempting elaborate COM
monplaces as to the grandeur and soul
stirring influence of both music and
story.
Suffice it to say that in the presentation
last night the vast poetry of the tragedy
was rarely disturbed and the splendid
harmony of the music was in almost
every number preserved.
AS whole, nevertheless, it was an
unequal performance. The chorus, for
the first time in the engagement, had an
opportunity to thoroughly display it's
lamentable weakness. Hitherto, as has
been pointed out, the vocal defects were
generally relieved by invaluable assist
ance from the principals, but in Faust"
the chorus has to do it's own work and,
it must be confessed, did it very unsat-
isfactorily. The delicate and beautiful
measure, Light as air at early MORN
ing" was ruined by inaccurate attacks
and dissolute shadings, while the glory
of the Soldiers chorus was almost en-
tirely lost by strident and uncomfort-
able tones, and yet the chorus partially
redeemed itself in the "Requiescat"
at the end of the third act. The two
scenes, by the way, in the third act were
transposed from the ordinary version.
With the chorus disposed of, there is
little but praise to add of the perform
ance. The orchestra did noble work and
the principals fairly outshone their al
ready brilliant reputation here.
Linda Montonaris roles have hitherto
been of comparatively light charac-
ter, but last night she proved herself
beyond doubt to be an artistic of the
highest rank. Her Marguerite struck
the true chord throughout-in dra-
matte sense-and her singing was flaw
less in execution and excellent in ex-
preston. All the intricate difficulties of
the celebrated bravura jewel song
were met with astonishing facil-
ity and given with perfect dis
tinctness and purity of tone,
while in contrast the simplicity of the
delightful and plaintive folk-song, "Once
There Was King in Thule" was given
with charming feeling. Again, her work
in the thrilling terzetto at the close of
the opera was altogether admirable. In
all, Montonari must have made very
big mark in the memories of all who
heard her Marguerite.
Personally, the writer would have pre-
ferred to hear Agostini's Faust to Col
lenzs. The latter is magnificent wher
he is allowed the full poHer of his splen-
did voice, but in mezza voce passages,
which abound in this part, he is often
disagreeablc. There We're matchless
moments towards the end of his "Salve
Dimora" but the commencement was
not pleasant.
Girardi hitherto has had but few op-
portunities to prove his powers. Mephis-
topheles is one of the most exacting
bass roles in opera. Girardi strove hard
to do justice to it and met with much
success.
The Valentine of Francesconi was en-
tirely satisfactory. The baritone was
distinctly hoarse at first. but he speed
| lily overcame the impediment and sang
| - odhlei NlCOdSlid very ultly. lie also
distinctly redeemed his reputation as an
actor.
Adelna Fanton supplanted Beatrix
Franco, as billed, and gave a charming
rendering of Siebel. The lovely ballad
la Parlate dAmour" was one of the
gems of the production.
Numerous complaints throughout the
audience We're heard of the obstreperous
tones of the prompter. The evil is indis-
pensable but it need not be so conspic-
uous as to interfere with the enjoyment
Of the audience.
And there is, in turn, hint for the au-
dience. The opera begins at five minutes
past s. 1t is both disrespectful to the
artists and annoying to those in their
places at the proper time that the over
ture should be interfered with by late
arrivals. The overture apparently is not
| part of the opera in the opinion of
some.
Tonight the great success, la Bo-
heme," will be repeated with the same
strong cast as previously This will be
the last opportunity in this city, proba-
bly, for years, of hearing Puccinis bril-
liant opera.