Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-04-22
IMPRESSIONS OF THE OPERA.


Signor Ricardo Ricci was seen yesterday
after his return from the season of opera
at Pittsburg, where he met, among others,
Sig. Bevignani, with whom he made his
debut, Campanari and his old friend, de
Reszka. Signor Ricci was very enthusiast
tic over the performance and in discussing
the results attained, said:
'The performances were exceptional
quite so. The casts were as good as any
place in the world. The Barber presented
Sembrich probably the greatest 'Rosina'
of the day. Campanari was in his best
voice-a splendid Figaro Edouard de
Reszke a Don Basilio' without peer, and
Pini-Corsi, the new bouffe. of the Metro
poltan company, really great 'Bartolo.'
Salignac, the d 'Almivira, although not
enjoying any great vocal opportunities,
was a good exponent of the role, and very
acceptable. Altogether the cast might be
regarded as a great one-rarely equalled
in the best musical circles of the world.
"Tannhauser was presented by mag
nificently powerful cast Ternina in the
part of Elizabeth was a revelation. The
possessor of a magnificent voice, full and
sympathetic, her entrance was splendidly
effective, and her prayer in the last act
held the audience fairly spellbound Susan
Strong, an American, by the way, display
ed a fine voice and considerable dramatic
power in the role of Venus Her scene in
the first act with Van Dyck, the tenor,
was most effective from a dramatic as we'll
as vocal standpoint, and she secured
many recalls. This Van Dyck by the
way, is rather wonder. Possessing a
very imperfect vocal organ-positively ugly
at times, his superb art as an actor and his
great intelligence In his reading of the mu-
sic makes one forget his vocal shortcom-
ings, and one feels disposed to admit with
the best critics, both on this side and in
Europe, that he is entitled to high po-
sition as an exponent of Wagner's art.
The other male members Of the cast were
especially strong. Plancon was, of course,
at home in the dign:fied garb and delib-
crate recitative of the Landgrave, and
Bertram, the new German baritone, re-
vealed voice of exquisite quality and
great power, as well as considerable skill
as a vocalist. He is man of fine pres
ence, too, and will, no doubt, in time
prove stronger from dramatic stand
point. The minor male characters were all
splendidly filled, and the ensemble in the
second act presented a grand volume of
tone.
Though all the operas may be regarded
as thoroughly satisfying. perhaps Tam
hauser' made the greatest impression on
the musicians present, not only for it's
powers in opera, but the general suffi-
cheney and ease of the performance
"wednesday was the great day for the
Calveites. Those who heard ner in the
'Cavalleria' on Monday evening had
an opportunity of judging of the exquisite
human quality of her voice. and her Won
derful sympathy as a singer. But it was
in the Carmen that they saw Calve as
the great aetress-the vixen of the operate
stage Her impersonation is everywhere
accepted as one of the great features of
this generations operate art, and those
who were so fortunate as to hear her on
Wednesday afternoon witnessed her at
her best.
"Plancon, though singing a baritone role,
seemed to fully satisfy his admirers, and
earned tremendous applause for his rem
dering of the FORBADE song. To some
of US he seems more at home in kingly
and priestly roles. where bepedictions
are in order. Another young American,
Miss Susan Adams, covered herself with
glory by her intelligent acting and artistic
employment OF a beautiful soprano in the
part of Micaela,' Sinse her last appear
ance in Pittsburg. a year. ago, Miss Adams
has made decided progress in her art, and
if I mistake not should, before many more
seasons, rank well up with the operate
stars.
1.-The Don Giovanni on Wednesday
evening. was presented by a cast worthy
of the great composers masterpiece. Sem
brich as Zerlina,' repeated her great Sue
cess of Monday evening. AS a comeiienne
and vocalist, she is superb. Nordiea in
that most exacting of roles, 'Dona Anna,
was a tower of strength. Her immense
voice rang out with telling effect, and her
appreciation of the dramatic requirements
of the part was manifest in her every look
and gesture. In the generally regarded as
ungratifed role Of 'Elvira,' Nine. Devere
was acceptable. Three of the men were
really great. Scotti the new Italian bar
itone. though not quite so poetical a cav
aliere as Marel, must be accounted a great
Don Giovanni He possesses an excep-
tionaIly vibrant voice, which he uses with
splendid skill and abandon, and the free
dom and eloquence of his actions are
thoroughly delightful. His champagne
song fairly fixed and brought him three
curtain calls and an encore. De Reszke's
'Leporello' was very unctious. HIS won-
derful manipulation of a great organ and
graceful handling of a giant form through
the many comedy scenes aroused general
admiration as well as surprise. We have
no other such voice singing the role OF the
maltreated servant to-day. Pini-Corsi. as
in The Barber, proved himself not only a
great bufo, but the possessor of really
good voice and sound vocal art. Dippel as
Don Ottavio, and Pringle as 'Conlmenda-
tore complete a really good cast.
This notice would be very incomplete
without word of praise for the splendid
orchestra and the able conducting OF Paur
aid Beviganni. The magnificent rendi-
ton Of the Tannhauzer' overture gave in
Tense delight to the many musicians ces-