The Saint Paul globe., 1903-04-07
--AT ST.
THEAT r E S
The Cast.
The Story of "Aida."

he Story of "Aida."
The scene OF the opera Aida is laid
IN Egypt. Aida, AN Ethiopian, is held
as hostage at the court of the Egyptian
KING When war is declared against her
own country: She is in love with
Rhadames, an Egyptian general, who is
also beloved by Amneris, daughter OF
tne egyptian king. Rhadames leads
the Egyptian troops to victory and
brings nome IN his train number OF
Eth1opians, among whom is Aida's
rather. The king, proud Of his con-
quest' teiis Rhadanes that any request
ne makes will be granted to him.
f'naoames asks that his captiVes be
released. The high priest, Ramfis, OBJ
Jects to this and begs that at least
Aida be detained. The high priests
suggestion is carried out, all the Ethi-
oplanS except Aida are released, and
Amner1s and Rhadames are betrothed,
although the soldier loves Aida. While
Amnerls prays in the temple of Isis,
Rhadames meets Aida outside and, at
the request of her father, who tells
her this is the only way to save her
country, she begs Rhadames to fly with
her. lie agrees and then, Aida's father
suddenly appearing, Rhadames realizes
that he has been betrayed. Amneris
and her father, the king, come out of
the temple and the arrest Of Rhadames
Rhadames Is condemned to death and
though AmneriS repents her jealousy
and is heartbroken over the sentence,
she can do nothing. Aida joins her
lover in the prison and the two die
together.
The Opera.
Verdi's opera, Aida" written to
please an Egyptian khedive, pleased a
st. Paul audience so nightly last
hof he ? 10
Square company who sang 1t were
rendered notable ovation. Bravas
echoed through the house, curtain
calls were numerous and-most re-
markable Of all for a st. Paul audience
the principals were recalled a number
of times after the final curtain.
Aida, is easily the greatest success
or the Castle Square cOmpanyS en-
gagement. Its gorgeous stage pictures
were feast last night for the eye and
its passionate music was a satisfaction
TO the ear. The opera is work of the
composers maturity, and the symmetry
of it's story which flows smoothly on to
Its tragic end, as well as the dramatic
harmories Of the music, reveal the in
fuence that the German school had al
ready begun to have on Verdi. There
are no detached arias in aida" Ev-
cry bit of music in it Is a perfectly
logical and necessary part of the great
dramatic whole. The story moves with
an almost Wagnerian sweep from cli-
max to climax until In AmnerIs' final
wild appeal to- the gods Of Egypt the
tremendous passion Of it all is finally
freed.
The opera demands much of the
choruses, and nobly did these respond
last night to Mr.. Emanuels baton. It
demands much of the orchestra, and
last evening each musician played as
If inspired. A larger orchestra and a
larger chorus might have attained big
ger results, but artistically they could
not surpass the work that was done
last night.
The splendor Of an Egyptian court,
when Egypt was a power, affords an
appropriate setting for such rich music
as Verdi has written in aida" And
the stage pictures were not disappoint-
ing.
Miss Norwood as Aida, Miss Ivell as
Amneris, Mr.. Sheehan as Rhadames
and Mr.. Goff sas Amanasro were the
principals on whom the burden of the
most dramatic music fell. These have
been in st. Paul sufficient length OF
time now to have made warm friends
among the opera -goers and the latter
had occasion to rejoice with them in
their success last night. The premiers
that have been allotted Miss Norwood
light roles, but last night in q most
dramatic one she demonstrated her
ability to handle it satisfactorily. In
the third act, the most dramatic one
for the soprano, she was, dramatically,
the incarnation, Of the passion tossed
Ethiopian. Her scene with her father,
and later her scene with her lover,
made tremendous demands VocalIy and
dramatically and she most artistically
met both.
Mr.. Sheehan, who played opposite,
was most inspiring lover. He was in
excellent voice and thoroughly in ac-
cord with the spirit of his role The
beautiful quality of his voice was finely
revealed in his scene with Aida in the
third act, and in the next act with
Amneris. Miss Ivell. the contralto,
again showed herself an actress of un-
usual gifts. This young actress-one
thinks of her as an actress first, as a
singer afterwards plenty of tenn
perament, but this temperament Is kept
within due bounds by her intelligence
and keen discrimination. Her voice
was not always equal last night to the
demands made upon it. but because Of
her very satisfactory dramatic inter-
probation Of the role she dominated tho
scenes that were hers. Mr.. Goff, as
usual, proved. himself a careful and
finished artist, Vocally and dramatic
ally.
Tonight the Castle Square Opera
company will sing Martha"
fn hn