The Washington times., 1902-03-14
New Orleans Company
Greeted EnthuSiaS-
tically.
SOCIETY FILLS ALL BOXES
'Ia Juive" Received Hearty Appreciation
of Critical Audience-Magnifcen
Work of Tenor and Basso-Entire Cast
Composed of Trained Artists.

Washington was called upon last even
ing to assist at the local introduction o:
The New Orleans French Grand Opera
Company, which took place at the La
fayette Square Opera House. The occa-
sion was one of momentous Importance
80 music-loving Washington. 1t has been
hungering for grand opera for two sea-
sons or more.
Impresario Maurice Grau has seen fit
for the past several years to pass by
Washington in his road tour of the Net
ropolban Grand Opera Company. and last
night was therefore the first opportunity
offered the musical people of this city to
listen to grand opera, interpreted by 4
competent company upon a large scale.
Out Of the South came the New Orleans
company. unheralded by any biaring of
trumpets. but possessing a reputation
among musical people as the best com
pany of grand opera artists ever orga-
niEed as a stock company in America
Before the first act was over last even
ing the audience at the Lafayette had
completely capitulated. and had evil
denced its hearty appreciation by con-
iluueu Glu tdfDtSl GIGtIGS ttl II Is
that the New Orleans company is one of
The best organizations of its kind ever
heard in Washington. 1t numbers in its
roster OF artists at least two almost IN
approachahle operatic singers-NM- Due
and BouXmann-and the other principals
may be classed among the best that have
ever visited Washington in grand opera.
The opera last night. Halevy's La
Juiye' (The Jewess) afforded an op-
portunity to exhibit the best strength of
the company. From the moment that
Mir. Amalop's baton signaled the opening
overture the audience displayed the clos
est attention. and there was not a mo- j
ment during the progress of the FIVE acts
that the interest Jagged.
Music Inspiring.
The music OF La Juive" is of an in
spring character, that carries the lis
tener along with every note, and the
artists displayed vocal and dramatic ap-
probation of the score and libretto that
evidenced the most earnest work.
1t is true that the company is lacking
in stage management, and the scenery
and costumes are somewhat the worse for
wear, but the rendering of the score and
the hard work OF the principals made up
for any deficit in that direction. The
auditors were made to forget that the
opera was not mounted richly or cos
TUNED gorgeously.
The cast last evening contained the
very best artists that are included in the
New Orleans company. NJ. Duc sang the |
principal tenor role of "Eleazar." and he |
had hardly finished his song in the first |
act before the audience had laid its |
tribute at his feet in the shape of spon-
taneous and enthusiastic applause.
Second only to that of NJ. Due was the /
reception accorded M. Bouxmann. the
basso. whose voice is full and clear and |
OF fine quality and remarkable range. He
will easily rank with the best bassos ever
heard in this city Both NJ. Due and NJ
Bouxnann exhibited a dramatic talent of
a high degree, and, indeed, there was lit
tie fault to be found with any members
OF the cast on this score.
Nine. Feeder. who was cast for the role |
OF Rachel, was unable at the last mo-
ment to appear. and her place was taken
py Nile. Berat.
Artistic Performance.
The thing to say and tne one that will
doubtless prove the most expressive is
that the first night of the opera was a
great success. To some the absence of
the names of Plancoa, Calve, De Reszke,
and others on the playbill may have some
effect, but to the real music-loying public.
to those who are capable of appreciating
genuinely dramatic performances, both
from dramatic and an operate view
point. the performance of LA Juive" last
night was without doubt one of the great
est treats that the Washington public
has had for many a day
The opera itself is all that could be
desired For those who love heavy music
there is enough TO satisfy, and to those
whose musical education has not been SO
OF cultured tnere are lighter
and more tuneful passages which make
The work happy combination OF the
two schools.
The score is the composition of Jaques
Halvey. whose 'Manon Lescaut" and
IL EcIair," the latter comic opera, are
more or less familiar Halevy was con-
spicuous in the French music world. and
at the first production of La Juive'' was
appointed one OF the three members of
the Academic and afterward became sec
retary for life.
As proved in la Juiye,'' Halevy's style
Is, TO say the least, interesting. His score
ranges from light, almost baiiad-like pas
sages, TO the heaviest and most intricate
work He makes his interpret
lHe dTllsts uo DTelly much everything
within singers range from smooth, even |
pianissimos to the most dramatic and i'm
passioned vocal pyrotechnics-
Tenor Scores Success.
la Juive" calls for no contralto role,
but requires two sopranos, two heavy
.enors. and three bassos. and upon these {
he main portion OF the work devolves. {
The chorus is in reality but a side issue.
and in their heavy numbers last night they
sang with much volume; but in some pas !
sages their noticeably thin voices were
almost too apparent
1t seemed rather good, after so long a
ime. to see a real ballet again, and the
in THE Indispensable portion 6
" grand opera were very pleasing i,
The genuine sensation of the evening :
vas she tenor N. Due. The audience was
otaliy unprepared and as truly sur S
lrised TO hear such marvellous voice as |
he rotund singer possesses. With the
weetness of De Reszke, he combines the :
ramatic fire and temperament of Ia I
sagno. and to both of these is added a ,
ange so great that one is almost in .
oubt as TO whether he is really a tenor !
r baritone. II. Dues voice came some
that as shock TO last nights audience,
Or he fairly took them off their feet He
ttaeks with such force and directness
hat one can scarcely realize the truth
he utter delight of hearing so great a o
enor and so true an artist. His finale Z
the end OF the first act, in which he I.
hared the recitatiye with Mile. Berat, n
iiriy brought down the house. and a n