Evening star., 1897-01-15
AMusEMExTs.

Acuen8Tln.-Mr. W0lter DdmTOScu Las
always been well received in this city. So
cially as well as musically he has been
highly thought Of Probably in no other
city. except New York, has he held such
intimate relations with the people as In
Washington. He was for some time the
director of the Choral Society, and the
works given by that organization under
his leadership were supplemented by ac-
compartment by his excellent orchestra
His name has been associated with the
best successes Of German opera in this
country. His visit last year was the nrst
oppe rtunity the people of this city had
ever had to listen to series Of four per-
formances of Wagnerian opera. Those per-
formances were artistically successful, and
created positive enthusiasm among the
lovers Of German opera here. When the
announcement was made of a season this
year it was received with pleasurable an
icipation; the more SO, perhaps, because
coupled with the statement that three
Wagnerfan works were to- be given was
the further declaration that Nine. Melba,
perhaps in some respects the greatest
living prima donna, was to open the sea-
son In Faust" The subsequent announce
ment that she was unable to appear, and
Faust" wss a disappointment to many,
but "Lohengrfn' has always been a pop
ular opera here, and an excellent per-
formance was expected.
uo duOleuce tndt assembled III the Lid
fayette Square Opera House last night
was one Of the most brilliant, If not the
largest, that has ever been seen in Wash
ingtcn, where brilliant audiences are not
unusual. All the boxes on the lower floor
and all the mezzanine boxes were filed,
ana presented an array Of beauty, fash
ionable attire and dazzling jewels that
made remarkable effect. The body of
the house was well filed, as were the two
galleries. Mr.. Damrosch's orchestra was
all that could be desired, and for the work
that 1t is called upon to perform 1t can
hardly be surpassed. It Is obedient in
every respect to the conductors will. and
Mr.. Damrosch's interpretations of Wagner
are accepted as authoritative.
In a popular sense "Lohengrin" is per-
haps only less familiar than ''Tannhauser,"
and while 1t marks the transition of the
great German composer into his more am
bilious works, and although the vocal score
is largely recitative. there are still some
numbers full of melody and passion, and
the well-known Bridal Chorus is familiar
to every one who has ever attended a we'd
dirg. Elsa has been sung here by Nordica,
Minnie Hauk, Emma Juch ard others of
lesser note, and the part is one which
always gains the affectionate regard of the
audience. Johanna Gadski who essayed
the part last night, was hardly up to it's
requirements. While her voice has some
sweet tones, and in the song from the bal
cony was heard to advantage. it has not
sufficient power to interpret the exacting
demands of the full score, and In the con-
certed numbers with the chorus she could
hardly be heard. Ria Eibenschuetz acted
the character Of Ortrud most effectively
and sang with spirit and power, although
at times there were strident tones tina.
we're uncomfortable to listen to; still, in the
main, she was satisfactory. Both Gehard
Stehmann, as King Henry, and Carl Somer,
as Tell amund, had voices of sufficient pow
er to properly interpret those two charac-
ters. The former was dignified in his bear
ing, as became the part. and the latter was
quite effective in the duel in the first act
and in the duet with Ortrud in the second.
William Mertens delivered the announce
ments of the herald in fine form and de-
served the recognition he received from the
audience. The chief feature Of the evening.
aside from the orchestra, for the work of
which too much praise cannot be given,
was the singing of Ernst Kraus of the title
role. This gentleman came here compare
lively unheralded and proved himself to be
a singer of the very first magnitude. His
voice is clear and ringing. with an abun-
dance of power to rise above chorus and
orchestra without apparently being forced.
1t is tenor, and not high baritone, as is
that of Jean de Reszke, and he handles it
with consummate skill. 1t has evidently
been trained in the best German school and
meets all the requirements made upon 1t
stage presence. and in the garb of the
white knight made an impressive figure.
He is spirited actor. and altogether is the
best Lohengrin that has been seen and
heard in this city.
Tonight Lilli Lehman, by some consider
ed to be the greatest Wagnerian soprano
now before the public. will appear in Die
Walkure," and in the cast will also be Emf!
heard with splendid effect in the role of
Wotan. Lfiii Lehman will also sing in
"Siegfried" tomorrow night.
National Rifles Armory.-Mr. Polk Mil
Ter, the well-known delineator of the old
time southern negro of the plantation type,
on iny-oh Ia oIoto orfo linn ont
in this city Tuesday evening last, at the
Lafayette Square Theater will repeat the
same tonight at the National Rifles Ar
mory, on G street. Mr.. Miller does not give
lecture on the characteristics of the
negro race. but his entertainment consists
of a string Of sketches, stories and songs
that are enjoyable in the extreme. Mr..
Miller did not receive his impressions Of
the characteristics of the negro from study
or reading. but from actual contact with
the race during his early life. His imita-
tions Of the negro dialect and gestures are
as nearly perfect as it is possible for a
white man to make them.
Church of Our Father-"An Evening of
Music, Art and Persuasion" will be given
by Prof. and Mrs. Dobbins, at the Church
Of Our Father, corner 18th and L streets
northwest this evening. at o'clock. The
entertainment is most unique and attrac-
tive one and Is given under the auspices
Of the local Womans Christian Temper
ance Union.
Haley's Band Concert.-The second con-
cert this season of the Washington Military
and Concert Band, of which Mr.. W. A.
Haley is the director, will take place Sun
day night at the New National Theater
The program has been carefully arranged
and will prove attractive to all musical
tastes, The band numbers include Sousa's
"El Captain" march, the 'Tannhauser'
overture by Wagner. Nesradrs paraphrase
'Loreley," Biars Bon Voyage patrol,
Waidteufels MY Dream" waltz. Michaelrs
1dyl Forge in the Forest Bendix's char
acteristic Butterfly" Tobias Wing Dance
''Little Kinkies" and selection from BIZ
zet's Carmen. The soloists will be Miss
Mary Helen Howe, soprano; Miss Jessica
E. Tabler, contralto, and w. r. Kendrick,
cornetist. Miss Howe will sing Michaela's
song from Carmen" Miss Tabler will sing
MorselPs Rock, of Ages" and Mr. Ken
drick will play Hartmann's "The Favor
he." The advance sale Of tickets Is said to
be quite large, ard a good attendance is
assured.
1t Rained Yesterday.