Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-11-11
'CARh[N' WELL SUNG
First Night Of Grand Opera Greatly
Pleases Large Audience at
the Odeon.
signorini Callarmarini's Carmen
Pronounced the Equal Of Calve
Several Stars.
Great Company Of soloists, With an
Exceptionally Strong Chorus
An Agreeable Surprise.

Marshalltown has been treated to the
real thing in grand opera. While some
members Of the large audience present
on the opening night of the Lambardi
Italian Opera Company engagement
knew what was in store. many others
went doubling their abilities and even
their desires to appreciate and others
curiosity. Those who expected to be
pleased We're more than delighted; the
doubling ones were agreeably sur
prised and entertained and instructed.
while the merely curious We're more
than entertained and now have high
appreciation of grand opera when sung
by artists. Not one who was present
has been heard to express disappoint
ment at what they heard and saw. and
the universal verdict is that the music
was ar. exceedingly agreeable surprise.
The music of some portions OF the
opera, as rendered by the Lampardi
company. was simply divine Signorini
men is masterpiece of art in many re-
spects. Possessed of a strong, flexible
voice, sweet and enchanting or inspir-
/ ing and commanding, as the possessor
Wills; comely face and attractive fig
ure. Well suited to the seductive but
tickle Gypsy queen; with changeable
temperament that we'll suits the part:
and, of equal Importance. natural
Il, Ia.
troll, the signorini makes an ideal Car
men. 1t is seldom that a vocalist of
high attainments has an appreciation
of the dramatic and an aptitude for its
Interpretation, and these diversified tall
ents place Signorini Cailarnarini as
among the greatest of Carmens In
dramatic ability those who have seen
and heard both Calve and Callarmarini
unhesitatingly say the latter is greater
| than the former.
/ Callarmarini was admirably support
ed. both in principals and chorus.
Amelia Sostegni the lyric soprano of
the company, while Very i'll and suf-
pearing at her best. sung the part OF
Michaela in a manner that delighted
4 the audience. She possesses on. of the
4
once in her minor role last night did
she have occasion to display its power
and brilliance.
Signor Domingo Russo who sang the
part of Don Jose is possessed of a Won
derful tenor Voice, over which he has
complete mastery, and the audience sat
lenraptured while he sang Those who
attend Faust tonight will be de-
lierbf u IL
pear and viii. on request, sing one Of
Escamillo and Signor Bergamis FL
tCapitan We're also excellently sung
while the chorus in its volume. the har-
monious blending of the voices and the
enthusiasm of, the members in their
1 work was not the least enjoyable part
3Iof the opera by any means The work
Aof the company is reinforced by an eX-
. tcellent orchestra.
4 Mrs Carrie Jacobs Bond. of Chicago.
now visiting in the city VINO has heard
a great many of the worlds greatest
operate singers. Who has marked
Who has wide personal acquaintance
with musical artists of note, when
asked as to her opinion of the opera
Friday night said:
Having been asked 70 give my opin-
ion in regard to the production Of Car
men l would candidly say 50 much OF II
was really fine one should hesitate to
criticise some things about it which
were not as beautiful TO behold as ons
( would like speak al the chorus. which
one has criticised this morning. But, as
C;rau puts most all Kinds and sorts
iac In, is ,4s1 l,.4r
: Calve, Eames or any other great artis
!, is in the title role. We have to accept i
5 and look at the greatness of the star:
and forget some things we do NOT aid
mire. To see as great an actress and q.
t wonderful and powerful a singer com
, bined in one woman as we saw ane
!, heard last night, lover of art coult
easily overlook many things.
For me the charm of that magnifi
+ cent Carmen, the tender, sympatheti,
. voice of the lover Don Jose, the sweet
! ness and modesty of the Aichaela. tin
good strong singing Of Bergaml wer
q worth all one paid 10 hear the opera
. Having heard the greatest of singers il
j Carmen-Calve--I feel Iree to say Sig
: norini Callarmarini of the two acted tn
i part best. AS to Voice, that's an cpei
: opinion. For myself, | consider he
: voice superb; also consider the citizen
: of Marshalltown fortunate in havin,
! this opportunity of hearing two opera
: like Carmen and Fanst SO we'll given.
{ Now that Marshalltown has tasted Q
. grand opera, the people will probabl.
: demand more each Year. although it i
: doubtful if circumstances will agail
> direct another such company to tn
Iowa praires.
q For the benefit OF those who hear,
Carmen" and are not familiar witt
:, the story the following brief outline i
), given:
: Jose brigadier of dragons at Sc
Vile, is waiting the arrival of Michae
!, la, a peasant girl, with letter an
: purse from his mother. A band of girl
arrive at the cigar factory opposite
and Carmen, the prettiest and most co
lquettish. throws him her bouquet. Jos
: falls distractedly in love. quarre
ensues among the girls in the factory
: Carmen, declared the assailant, is or
dered to prison. She fascinates tn
y luckless brigadier till he conniyes a
= her escape, and is himself placed unde
{ arrest for it, Carmen returns to he
: wandering gypsy life, and tempts JOSE
Y who meets her outside the walls, to de
: sert He refuses: but. quarreling wit
his superior officer about Carmen,