Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-21

MOZART'S DON GIOVANNI-Mozart's
Don Giovanni with its wealth of melody,
Its bright comedy and its tragic ending at
tracted large audience at the National
Theater last night. Society was out In force
and boxes and orchestra were filled with
deliberately dressed ladies and men in
evening attire. Still the audience was
not so large as the opera or its inter-
preters merted. Mr.. Grau has so far left
nothing of which to complain in the pre-
sentation of the works announced. His
singers have been in every way adequate
the scenery and costumes have been ap-
propriate and there has been none of the
hardness and leftover appearance in re-
spect of these accessories that Washing
tonians were accustomed to see in former
years 1t seems strange that Don Clio
vanni' has not been given here more fire.
quently, but 1t has been showed aside by
the demand for the sounding brass of the
so-called music drama. Last night the work
was given the most perfect presentation
possible. Some of the best of Mr. Grau's
singers participated in the cast, the we'll
trained chorus performed what little it had
to do with thorough efficiency, and the adj
mirsIble orchestra contributed no small
share to the general enjoyment. The en-
thuSlasm of the audience only exceeded
that of the night previous because there
was greater number present. Calls and
iSNeAiio VI INC di llStS were frequent, and IN
TWO instances encores were finally given.
The feature of the performance was the
appearance or Signor Scott, the new bari
tone, who proved himself not only a most
accomplished singer, but also q finished
actor. He has a rich resonant organ of
unusual fexibility and power which he
| holds under perfect control, and his phras-
ing Is delightful. He sings with perfect
ease and both in his singing and acting he
displays that rare quality called personal
magnetism. He presented vivid picture
OF the rollicking daredevil rake and was
equally happy both in his lovemaking and
in his funmaking. Edouard De Reszke had
never been seen in a comedy role in this
city before. and his Leporello was delight
ful from every point of view. He caught
the humor of the part and gave it with an
JUNCTION that was highly amusing. His
glorious bass voice found excellent scope
in Mozart's music and the whole role was
sung in splendid style. Herr Dippels Don
Ottavio was sung in good FORM and his
solo in the third act received deserved rec
ognition.
The ladies In the cast were Mines Nor
dica and De We're and Miss De Lussan, and
all sustained their roles admirably. Nor
dca, with her big full voice made one
proud that she was an American. That in
broadening her voice has lost none of its
nexiollity was evidenced in her one big
aria, which was given with true artistic
finish and which brought her back again
and again to bow her acknowledgements.
De Lussan showed her a charming SOU
DIette, ana gave 10 the part OF Zerlina all
the archness and coquetry. Don Clio
vannf' is filled with melodious concerted
numbers, and all were exquisitely sung
Particular reference should, however, be
made to the La CT darem," and the beau
dful trio in the third act sung by Nordica,
De We're and Dippel. The whole perform
ance. as has already been said, was bril-
liantly successful.
Don Giovanni's'' interest is strictly con-
| fined to Its musical quality. 1t does not
as in the case of Aida" throw in a first
class drama for good measure. The stu
dent of musical history regards it with
reverence and affection and the casual
listener is moved to unbounded applause
by the melodic abundance which tumbes
in fridescent cascades over good solid
foundations of harmony. But as to its
poetic intent-if the good burghers of New
York had been more conversant with Ital-
ian or had even taken the trouble to read
the Hbretto they could not have suffered
the opera to go on. Fortunately there was
no particular notice given to the fact that
this Don Giovanni is no other than our old.
though not always acknowledged, acuuaint-
ance, Don Juan, who is a veritable "Sapho"
In doublet and hose. The inference is OBJ
vious. If you have anything to which
morals might object, but which interest
Graves, don't say 1t: put it into Italian and
sing 1t.
Tonight the season will close with Gou-
| mods Faust" with Sembrich as Marquee
rite.