The age-herald., 1899-12-19
1.-THE PLAY@

Birmingham has been visited by many ex-
 cellent opera troupes within the past few
 years, but so far as great principals are
 considered, the Iambardi company, which
 opened season of grand opera at the
 Auditorium last night, is easily the best
 that has ever performed in this city. Much
 was promised by the management, in the
 way of leading artists and the large and
 critical audience which listened to Bizet's
 master production, Carmen" was not dis
 appointed.
 The average audience, caring more for
 soulful melody than for counterpoint and
 elaborate orchestration, prefers as a rule,
 no doubt, Italian opera to any other. But
 in "Carmen" there is combined in artistic
 form melody of the finest sensuous beauty,
 harmony of the most muscianly construc-
 tion and dramatic action of singular inter-
 est. No opera is more fertile in melody,
 and this makes it popular with the ma
 jority of opera-goers, while the breadth, richness and perfect finish of the score ap- peas strongly to musicians. The late Hans von Buelow said he never tired of studying or listening to "Carmen."
 The Lambardi company presents certainly three great principals-two sopranos, one dramatic and the other lyric, and tenor | Signorina Eaefania Collamarina, tine prima donna, was ideal in the title role. To be- gin with, she is young and beautiful and | has the physique for the part. In the next | place, she is a graceful and spirited actress l and throws into her acting all the abandon and diabletrie that the role demands, with | out the least suggestion of coarseness And, above all, she possesses a voice of wonderful power and sweetness. Hr vocalization is perfect. and marvel ously easy are her transitions In the high | register her notes are pure and liquid and l in the low register her voice is almost mas | culine, which serves her well for tragic rec | itation In her first scene, Signorina Collo- marina captivated the audience and in ev cry number to the end she proved herself worthy of her high reputation. Nothing I could have been finer in it's way than her l dance song. It was grace and abandon personiied.
 Signorina Amelia Sosegni, in the part of | Michela, made a splendid impersonation. l She has a lyric soprano which is finely schooled. She sustanes as few artists can. In her sustained B-flat she achieved an ar tistic triumph and was forced to respond to an encore.
 The tenor role Don Jose, was filled by Signor Russo. He was pronounced favor ite as well he might be. for his voice is rich and strong and he knows how to sing and act. Birmingham never heard a finer tenor. The great toreador part was taken by Signor Paulo Galazzi. He is an artist but he lacks the toreador's physique and his voice is not strong. g. Signor Bergami, as Zuniga, was well re- ceived. He is good basso.
 The only weak feature of the company is the smallness of the chorus Most of the
 chorus numbers were well rendered. but large body of singers is necessary to give that volume and roundness of tone and that nice shading which lovers of music listen for and appreciate -#l- The company is supported by a good or- chestra of twelve pieces.
 Taken altogether, Birmingham will be fortunate indeed if it can have company equal to the Lambardi once during each season.
 The bill tonight will be the beautiful opera in three acts, Lucia de Lam- mermoor."