Evening star., 1898-10-19
AMUSEMENTS.

THE INTERNATIONAL OPERA COM
PANY.-No more enjoyable performance
has been witnessed in number of years
in this city than the presentation of Doni-
zetti's opera, Lucia di Lammermoor," by
the International Opera Company at the
Lafayette Square Opera House last night
The audience was by no means commensu-
rate with the excellence of the work, yet it
made up in enthusiasm what it lacked in
numbers In every respect of cast, chorus
ana orchestra the production was thor
ooghiy adequate, and the frequent ap-
pause and numerous encores testified to
the appreciation and delight of the listen
ers. Nine. Ciementine De We're sang the
title role, and proved herself an artist of
the hrst rank. With the memories of Pat
Il, Lucca, Nelson Gerster and Melba in
the same role it is not trespassing on the
truth to say that Nine De Veres perform
ance was fully equal to theirs. Her voice
is soprano of wonderfully pure quality
dramatic in force, flexible to a remarkable
degree, enabling her to execute the most
dlfncult horfture passages with the ut
most ease. and is always true to the KEY
FROM her opening aria until the finish Of
the mad scene she carried her audience
with her, and scored a complete triumph
gig; gig; bellatl sang Enrico with excellent ef-
rect, possessing a splendid baritone voice.
Whicn he handles in the most artistic man
ner. He has also fine stage presence and
SUSTAINED the character with great dignity.
ols Dados Raymonde was artstically
sung and acted, his rich bass voice being
neard 10 especial advantage in the solo in
tne tnird act, and winning for him a de-
served encore. Sig. Panbianchi was the
Edgardo, and created a favorable impress
sion by his earnestness and spirit. His
Hoice is not of the most pleasing quality,
but he uses it with skill and it has an ex.
cellent range and volume.
MT. Hehry Gunston, a Wastingtonian as
arthur, made an excellent appearan and
sang that portion of the scorce allotted him
a hoe
qua1ty and is easy and graceful in his
manner. Miss Mary Roebuck was the Alice
and Arthur kuester the Norman and both
were acceptable The first real outburst of
enthusiasm was on the rendition of the
great seAtet in the second act, which was
sung with splendid effect and which was
obllged to be repeated. Even after it's repe-
ttion the applause continued and the audi
ence would have been glad to have heard
1t again. The work of Nine De We're in
the mad scene evoked the greatest applause
or the evening. Her phrasing of the reci-
tatfon that precedeS the aria was artistic in
the highest degree while her yocalism in
the aria was gloriously brilliant. She was
recalled twice and was obliged to repeat a
part of the number.
The chorus in Lucia does not have a
great deal to do, but 1t did what 1t was
called upon to perform excellently. The
orchestra was in every way competent and
interpreted the score with intelligence, pre-
ciSlon and fidelity. The intermezzo with
harp solo in the first act was so excellently
done that it evoked hearty applause The
opera was costumed and staged much bet
Ter than 1t has ever been seen here before.
Tonight Faust" will be given by the
same cast, and that is a popular opera
here, 1t should be greeted with a crowded
house: Tomorrow night the first perform
ance here of Puccini's La Boheme' will
be given with cast that, it is believed,
cannot be equaled.
JEFF DE ANGELS NEW OPERA
and htS-
Will present The Jolly Musketeer'' next
Monday at the Lafayette Square Theater
for the first time in this city This is a
new and original opera comiuue in two
acts with music by Julian Edwards book
by Stanislaus STANCE, and to be produced
under the stage direction of Richard Bark
er. The action of the opera takes place in
Amiens, France. during the siege of that
city by the Spanards in 1854. Henri, Count
de Beaupret C'The Jolly Musketeer'O has
fallen in love with Yvette, the pretty
daughter of Didot Blanc proprietor of the
Cafe Richeieu." Henrfs papa refuses to
consent to his sons marrie ge with an inn
keepers daughter, and the lovers are part
ed. The Marquis de Chantily, Henris life
long friend, appears on the scene and Henri
confdes his sorrow to him. The marquis
has been condemned to death for fighting a
duel in defiance of Richelieu's mandate
prohibiting dueling. He has just received
letter from the cardinal acquainting him
of the fact, but permitting him to die by
his own hand. This is not known to any
one but the marquis himself. He, knowing
death inevitable. decides to help his friend
to happiness by marrying Yvette. who
would thus become marchioness, and
Henri's papa could not possibly object to a
titled widow He does not confide his plan
to Henri, fearing that he might divuge the
scheme, but promises that Henri shall vet
marry Yvette. When the marquis meets
Yvette he discovers that she Is the girl
whose face he saw in The Wishing Well
and with whom he fell violently in love
Yvette returns his affection. The marquis
is bound by oath to keep his promise to
Henri, who returns to find that the woman
the marquis swore he should wed has been
married to his friend, who in turn believes
that Yvette, though his wife, loves Henri
The denouement leads up to capital COM
edy climax and one described as extremely
ludicrous. The fact that the music of this
the composer of Brian Boru," Madeline"
The Wedding Day" in which Mr. De
Angels has starred with Lillian Russell
and Della Fox for the past two years with
enormous success, and many other beauti-
full operas, is guara atea sufficient of a lnu-
sical treat, while the supporting company.
with a full cast of characters, which fol-
lows, is promise enough OF sterling sing
ing ensemble. Adding to this the high
words of prise heard regarding the beauty
nificence of the costumes. etc, with cf-
fective scenery by such artists as Ernest
Gros and Walter Burrage of New York It
would appear that Washington is to have
the pleasurable excitement of a red-letter
operate event at the Lafayette Square.
The full cast of characters is herewith ap-
pended: Francois Marquis de Chantilly
captain Of The Kings Own Musketeers"
Van Rensselaer, Wheeler: Henri. lieuten-
ant of The Kings Own Musketeers" JEFF
ferson De Angels: Capote, corporal of The
Kings Own Musketeers," Winfield Blake:
Antoine and CASTOR, musketeers, Joseph