Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-17
AMUSEMENTS.


era there is always an ''off" night. All the
principals cannot sing every night; their
voices must have q rest, and others less
great must be employed. OF course, it is
the aim Of the management to have one or
two singers Of the first class in every per-
Torrance, ard to surround them with the
best people obtainable of a grade but
slightly inferior. One can't expect an all
star cast in grand opera every night, as
there was in 'Lohengrin." and so it hap
pened that Bizet's beautiful opera, Gar
men," suffered vocally at the hands of the
Damrosch-Ellis Company at the Lafayette
Square Opera House last night. This was
not exceptional in the case of this opera
Even when Calve was the Carmen the cast
was not perfect, for her support was not
up TO the high standard she set in her own
glorious work. But she was SO pre-emi-
neHt and dominated the stage to such an
extent as the gypsy, that one hardly cared
Tor the others Perhaps the best average
cast 81 carmen" that has been heard here
was Minnie Hauk in the title role, Campa-
mini as Don Jose and Del PueEte as Esca-
milo.
The audience last night was brilliant
as nave been all those that have attend
ed during the season. 1t was also critical
and 1, manifested by respectful silence in
the first act it's disappointment at the
lacking In vocal equipment of Nine Sey-
gard, who was the Cigarette Girl Careful
training has made the most possible out
or her voice, but there was nothing to
build on originally, and the COMPARATIVELY
rev tones that made themselves heard
We're not remarkable for their purity. But
she acted the part with originality and
dramatic power, and the applause that was
given her during the evening was a trib-
ute to her ability as an actress, not as
singer. Her methods were different
from those Of Calve. as was her conception
OF the character but the former were eff
fective, and she consistently carried out
the latter
Mr.. Salignac improved the favorable i'm
preston he made Monday night, and. not
being overshadowed by Melba, 1t was more
possible to take his true measure. His
lyric quality and is handled with discre
ton. He sang the song in the second act
artistically, and, in fact, all his work show
ed the careful and conscientious artist.
His acting, too, was intelligent and force
full, particularly in the third act and in
the final scene, where he kills the woman
who has wrecked his life and then de-
serted him for a bull fighter.
The undoubted star of tine occasion, how
ever. was Canipsnari as the Toreador His
popularity was attested by the warm
greeting he received when he first made
his appears nee. which, by the way, was
the first genuine applause of the evening.
His singing of the famous song in the sec
end act displayed so much spirit and such
dramatic fire that it aroused positive en-
thusiasm. and the number had to be re-
peatcd. 1t wGs the only encore. Campo
lari's Escamillo is not new in this city,
but last night he seemed to be in perfect
form, both as to voice and action, and he
gave performance that was satisfying in
every respect, both vocally and dramat-
ically. Toronto, who was the Michaela,
hardly fulfilled the requirements of that
role. and the beautiful solo in the third act
was not given adequate treatment. The
minor parts were all well sustained, and
the chorus did effective work, as did the
orchestra, under the leadership of Bin
boni
Mrs Damrosch was ore of the most in
tereSted listeners at the opera. She was a
member Of box party, and all the time
the curtain was UP was so absorbed in the
beautiful music that She appeared utterly
obllvious to the continuous AMI audible
conversation about her. Others in the i'm
mediate vicinity, however were not so en-
raptured as not to be annoyed by the con-
versational undertone throughout the per-
torrance. 1t was different from an after
noon tea, in that the music could not be
entirely subordinated.
Tonight Faust will bring the grand op-
era season to close, with Melba as Mar
euerlte, Toronto as Seibel, Van Cauteren
as Martina, hos In the title role, Bourdour-
esque as Mephstopheles, Camparari AS
valentine and Viviani as Wagner.
AN ORGAN RECITAL.--Mr. Miles Far
row, the organist of st. Paurs Church of
Baltimore gave an organ recital at tho
Pro-Cathedral of ST. Mark last night for
the benefit of the church choir Mr. Far
row was assisted by Miss Eleanore Simonds.
Mr. Melville d. Hensey, Mr.. De Oddeo or
ganist OF the Pro-Cathedral. and the choir
or the church. large audience was in at
tendance and signified it's appreciation of
the excellent music given in a hearty man
ner. Mr.. Farrow played Merkels fantasie.
a Bach pastorale. an intermezzo from
!.I selections from Wagner's
die Meistersnger," and other numbers
equally pleasing. Mr.. Farrow showed his
command over the instrument in all the
numbers given. some of them being exc
cuted In a most mastery style. Miss
Eleanore Simonds gained much praise from
her solo, THE Plains of Peace" The next
recital will be given January 1S by Mr.
Walter j. Clemson, organist of st. Thomas
Church, Taunton, Mass.
ODD FELLOWS HALL.-Mrs. Deatlev.
whose husband met death In a violent man
ner some time ago, received a benefit at
Odd Fellows Hall last night in the shape
OF an entertainment rendered to her by To-
cal talent. Those who took part were the
Nonpareil Brass Band, Of which j. H.
Rhodes Is the director: Alice Hurdel and
Marie Brager, baby cake walkers; James
Cathell Miss Nellie Rhodes, Chas. Hurdel,
W. II. Emerson, Southern Comedy 4 our,
Barton Miller, ]. Gallagher and Mr.. Hos
kins.
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power enables your dollar to rule. JAS f.
Oyster, 800 Pa. ave- Pure Butter-Adyt.
~
Lights ON Vehicles.
To the Editor of The Evening Star:
hope The Star will have something to
say In regard to the regulation requiring