The morning times., 1897-01-17

And now the opera, so far as Washing
ton and this season are concerned, is a
thing of the rast. But it is glorious
memory. 1t conquered heavy Odds and
closed last night with the secure assurance
OF success.
At first there wasthe disappointment over
MeIba. then Mohor- -Ravenstein withdrew,
whether for better or worse we cannot
say: the first performance was critically
received and mildly applauded, Lehmann
made an event OF Friday night, the en-
seinble raised the performance OF Tam
hauser'' almost to a plane with Die
Walkure' in general satisfaction, and last
night the crescent delights eliminated in
an exceptional presentation OF 'Siegrried,
which included Lehman and krauSs.
Washington has covered itself with glory
III the substantial patronage accorded Mr..
Damrosch, and it is safe TO say the young
impressario has never conducted before
such brilliant audiences. When the Ger
man singers leave this morning to resume
their Philadelphia season it cannot hut
he that they bear with them pleasant
recollections OF their briet stay at the
capital.
The Performance of ''Tannhauser."
Yesterday afternoons performance OF
''TannhauSer'' was thoroughly enjoyable.
The opera never before seemed sobriliiant.
The orchestra seemed inspired, for the
familiar passages and the solOists did
well, remarkably well under the circUIn
stances. The circumstances were that
Johanna GadSki sang Elizabeth after two
immediate performan nces OF exacting Wag
merriam solo parts and Fritz Ernst gave MS
efforts to the lengthy score OF the title
part, after but a few hours rest since he
he had sung the long role of Siegmund in
'Die Walkure.'' It is not surprising, then,
that these two artists showed the fatigue
which had inevitably overtaken their
voices
Frau Gadski showed the strain least
She leaves with the satisfaction OF con
quest. Her Elsa was undeniably poor.
Thursday night was an off night for her.
But she redeemed herself pobly as Sieg
linde and Elizabeth. Herr Ernest did not
so successfully overcome the fatienes Of
Friday night. In the second act he all
by broke down. The sympathy or those
who understood his valiant endeayor was,
however, with him.
The opera was mounted satisfactorily
and the dressing OF the tournament scene
was gorgeous Gadski's regal robe was
a magnificent garment not to bc over
looked i'll distributing praise where il is
due.
The performance of ''Siegfried" was the
first given by the Damrosch company this
year and Krauss' first appearance as
the hero. The young tenor fairly surpassed
himself. His voice, his delivery and pres
enCe nominate him to place by the side
of AIvary, who has always been held pre-
eminent in this role before.
Lehman shared the hOnOrs with kraUss,
and together they carried the third act to
a triumphant finish, which was not only
a fitting finale to the opera, but an emf
ncntly satisfactory crown for a splendid
If brief season.
| The DamroSch trademark is stronger
than ever it was before in Washington, and
his return will insure him a repetition OF
the defernetial consideration which has
been his in these four performances.
Society's Appreciation.
Hardly ever before in the history of opera
seasons in Washington has society shown
such appreciation Of good music. Social
functions have been practically in abey
ance for the last three evenings, and all
upDert ten0Om mas turned OuU en- UldSSe 10
feast the soul" upon melody. On Friday
evening the President Mrs. Cleveland, Mrs
Pcrrine and Mrs. Bissell occupied d box
and lent the luster of their presence to the
house, already filled with all the beauty
and fashion of the National Capital.
Last night Mrs. Cleveland was there
again, radiantly beaut ful,and as usual the
cyrosurc of all eyes. On this occasion the
President and his charming consort Were
the guests of Secretary and Mrs. Francis.
This little lady is fast winning her way
into all hearts with her charming manner
and lovely face.
And let is be recorded to the everlasting
credit OF washington society that it demon
strated its ability to appreciate the fine
points of music of high order by not
interrupting the performers with lttimed
applause, but best owing its appreciation dis
criminatinglyanda a 1.-THE righttimc. 1tgave
convincing proof that Washington's four
hundred do not patroniZe grand opera
| simply because it is the proper thing to
| do so, but because majority understands
| what good music is
|