The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-10-01
Mr.. Gordon Talks
of Grand Opera,
Discusses Coming of His Company on
Oct. 18th in Faust.

Want to know something about grand
opera said j. Saunders Gordon, the
famous young impressarfo. who is regis
tered at the Marlborough House. IF you
had asked me that question when I
hfst went INTO the business" he con-
ilhaed, l would have told you that
knew II all but of late have come to the
conclusion that | don't know cutie as
much as thought did, and occas ionally
feel that l belong to the Know nothing
party"
on! regarding opera i'm English. / have
found that the only way to meet with
success is on that line. It is one of the
most important of the many considera-
TONS which have moulded the subject of
its popularity.
Full enjoyment of the classics cannot
be had unless the auditor can UNDER
stand every word which is sung. The
action is as of much Importance as the
melody, and the two are but meant to
Illustrate ideas. and without ready un-
derstanding of the text those in front
miss many off the more beautiful and
subtle suggestions For this reason the
old notion that opera is not opera unless
poser spoke has long since been aban-
doned by all save those who ape Euro
pean customs. In securing scores for the
repertoire have spent a great deal of
time and money. 1t is a hard matter to
get satisfactory scores, but the transla-
tions | have are literary gems, having
been done by linguists of sensitive per-
ceptioHs who saw the beauty in the ORR
TiT,u1 a,Fal. hpl
the choicest English
Scenery and electrical effects? They
are the most important features. If you
make business proposition to any one
you have to present il to him in a man
ner that he can readily understand The
same way in grand opera by pleasing the
eye as well as the ear we get the close
attention of our audience and with
caste like the one we carry. the rest is
comparatively easy.
In presenting the different operas my
prima donna. Miss Shay, has been of
great assistance. 1t is not so much the
power and range of Miss \Shay's voice
which raises her effectually into the
ranks of the divinely gifted, as its ex-
quisite sweetness and sympathy. 1t is
voice, mere sound of which touches
ones soul, aWakens responsive emotions
within ones being. Pure, mellow and re-
sonant, her tones have a quality which
appeals to the best sensibilities and ir-
resistably draws her audiences towards
her. And | think today she is one Of
the most versatile prima donnas America
has ever produced. That she can sing
equally we'll roles calling for such diff
ferent demands on the voice as Azucena
in III Trovatore," Marguerite, in Faust"
and Santuzza, in "Cavalleria Rusticana"
and Carmen in Carmen" This indicates
her extraordinary vocal range and power.
She is ably supported by Helene Noldi,
Laulene Johnston, the sopranos. Eloise
Bishop, contralto; Joseph Fredericlks and
Walter Wheatley. tenors; Achille Alberti
and Anthony Swinton baritone. and one
of Virginias greatest products in the
musical world, John Dunsmure, basso.
In Mr.. Dunsmure | think that Virginia
should be justly proud OF him. as | have
never yet seen a basso that can be com
pared to him as Mephisto in Faust
And you may say to- your readers
that the general ensemble, costuming.
electrical effects, and special features for
every production, as well as the orches-
ira gathered from the Grau and Dam
rosch forces, and especially the latter
under the able direction Of Guisseppi
Tressi, who was formerly director of
Van Lier's theatre in Amsterdam ami
Krulls theatre in Berlin. that they will
be more than pleased with the appear
ance of the Gordon-Sha grand opera
company in your city, on October eth, in
Faust"