Evening star., 1897-01-16


company in the presentation Of "Lohen-
grim Thursday night, there is nothing but
in praise to be said of the performance of
die Walkure' at the Lafayette Square
Opera House last night. The audience was
one of the largest that has ever been gath
cred within the walls of that house. and 1t
was even more brilliant than the night be-
fore President and Mrs. Cleveland and
their guests were present. There were also a
notable number of musicians. both profess
sional and amateur. in the audience. those
who are believers in Wagner and those who
accept his theories only to a limited ex-
tent. The applause, which was literally
bestowed, indicated this great satisfaction
of all with the work of the stage. The
highest encomium should be given to Mr..
Damrosch's splendid orchestra, upon which
the burden of the performance rested, for
the excellent manner in which all its work
was performed. This orchestra is always a
source of great pleasure to every music
lover, and its playing Is as nearly perfect
as can be obtained. Great interest was felt
in the appearance of Nine. Lilli Lehmann
her first effort in opera in this city and her
first appearance in that line of work in this
country for several years. Her voice, full
rich, resonant and powerful justified all
the anticipations in regard to her. and from
the moment she sounded her war cry upon
the rocks until the falling of the curtain
upon the last act she held the attention of
her audience and was thoroughly and fully
satisfactory. In her dramatic delivery she
was wonderfully effective and in her ap-
pearance she realized the ideal of the war
r4Cr maid. Next to Nine. Lehman came
Emil Fischer, with his magnificent bass
voice, that time does not seem to have af-
fected in the slightest degree. although he
Is veteran in the service of German opera.
His noble bearing, his splendid dramatic
power and his wonderful vocal organ fully
fitted him to properly interpret the part OF
Wotan, and it is not too much to say that
1t would be difficult to find more perfect
presentation of that role. His reception by
the audience must have shown him that he
was among friends, and his work fully de-
served the applause it received. Fritz
Ernst gave a fairly good Interpretation of
Siegmund. and in his duet with Gadski was
quite effective. Both Gadski and Eiben-
scheutz were IN better form than on the
previous night, and were generally salts
factory. Mr.. Derschuch looked the part of
the vengefui Hunding. although vocally he
was hardly equal to the requirements. \
word should be said of the chorus of Val
kyries who effectively supported Mr. Fisch-
er in the last act. The chorus generally
was heard to better advantage than in
l-ohengrin, and the female members.
whose voices appeared to be rather weak
In the former opera, came out good and
strong Altogether it is not likely that a
inner performance of Die Walkure' will be
witnessed in Washington than was given
by Mr. Damroschs company last night.
The work was excellentIy staged, careful
attention having been paid to costumes,
scenery and all the details.
This afternoon "Tannhauser" is being
performed. and tonight the season will be
brought to close by the presentation of
''Siegfried.' the third in the order of the
Neiberlungen Trilogy. in which Lilli Leh-
mann will sing Brunhilde, and Mr.. kraus,
the tenor who made such a splendid i'm
preston 'lxOhenPrfn.' he Ia
role.
New National Theater.-Otis SINNERS
coming engagement at the New National,
which opens next Monday evening prom
ises to ne very successful one. 1t is two
years since this actor has played an en-
Eagement in this city, and since his last
engagement here he has achieved a Won
derful measure of success. being now
recognized by the best informed and abest
critics in the country to be in the very
front rank OF his profession, the best ro-
mantle and Shakespearean actor our stage
knows. The advent of so reliable an actor
Is always an interesting theatrical event
and the fact that he will present a most
extended repertory during his engagement
makes 1t of a great deal of Importance
His engagement will open with the presen-
tation of his new and successful romantic
play, "A Soldier of Fortune" a play that
has been one of the greatest dramatic sue
cesses of the season. "A Soldier of For
tune will be repeated on Tuesday and
Wednesday evenings. At the matinee on
ednesday MIR. Skinner will present The
Lady of Lyons" on Thursday evening and
Saturday matinee Romeo and Juliet" on
Friday evening Hamlet" and Saturday
evening The Merchant of Venice" and
katharine of Petruchio" All of the plays
which Mr.. Skinner will present during his
coming engagement are said to be very
handsomely staged, and his company is re-
ported TO be a large and remarkably we'll
balanced organization.
Lafayette Square Opera House.-Mr
Richard Mansfeld's annual engagements
IN thls city are regarded as among the real
ly great events of the theatrical year The
managerial conscientiousness and the ar
usuc authority of this great actor have be-
come so hxedly established In this city that
no part OF the public at this late day needs
to be informed concerning the wonderful
talent, the genius and the unlimited versa
ttlity of this foremost American actor
Inc interest which always surrounds the
coming OF Mr.. Mansfield and the New York
Garrick Theater Stock Company. who will
appear next week, opening on Monday
right at the Lafayette Square Opera House
~h4Ie always one of pleasurable anticipa-
tlon takes on added interest in this en-
gagement, as included among the reper1 lrv
"hlcn thls brilliant player will bring to us
are round two grand Shakespearean reviyals
In the Merchant of Venice and King Rich
ara III, and new play. Castle Sombras
which was produced in New York at The
Garden Iheater some few weeks ago The
arrangement Of the repertory to be pre-
sented is as follows: On Monday evening
the Merchant of Venice; on Tuesday even
L z, Partisan Romance: at the Wed,,es-
Gay matinee, for the first time here. the
new romantic play. Castle Sombras. on
wednesday evening the grand Shakespear-
can production of King Richard III. with
az the rich scenery. cos GumaS and enl,eI-
EShHents that made famous TIE presenta-
uon Mr.. Mansfield made of this same plav
AZ the Globe Theater, London, in 1e>., On
lhursday evening Beau Brummel will be
oIered, this same play receiving repetition
AT the Saturday matinee. Prince Karl is
down Tor Friday evening and that weird
but poplar psychological drama, Dr. JekylI
ana Ar. HYDE. for Saturday evening
Fields Minstrels.-Lovers OF mjns-reisv
Will De glad TO hear that after a number
OF years absence in other parts of the
country, the AL G. Field Minstrels will he
IN Washington. at the Columbia Theater
Wednesday. January 20. for four nights
with matinees Thursday and Saturday Mr.
Field has. since his advent into the domain
OF minstrelsy as manager borne the proud
distinction OF giving to his patrons and all
lovers OF minstrelsy the best minstrel en-
tertalnmnent to be organized from the most
noted OF the combined talent of Europe and
America AS the curtain rises a beautifuJ
picture Is presented. scores of artists are
seated on the stage and in pyramid fashion
afrayed IN the finest fabrics the colors
blending into one harmonious picture
backed and framed with a scenic embellisb,