The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-20
GOSSIP OF THE DRAMA FROM MANY POINTS OF VIEW

the Metropolitan Opera House, in New
York, but there were no travelling ex-
penses involved in assembling it in Bal
timOre. In short, vocalists, investiture
and orchestra were all worthy Of the
several operas undertaken. Indeed, they
compared favorably with those of the
metropolitan Company. but the cost
was reduced within the limits of reason
able business enterprise.
Perhaps added interest will be given
this view If other testimony is offered
as to the art value OF these Savage per-
formances. A well-known critic who ac-
companied The Times to hear Carmen
Thursday night wrote the following let
ter about the productions:
81 went to hear well sing Calves role in Bal
timore Thursday. II was a real pleasure.
didn't know the Savage company so strong.
well is not Calve. Of course. But don't let
anybody make you believe she is a second -rater.
She sings like flute, acts like Nethersole, and
from the back Of the house looks Carmen 10
the life. I'm no. sure she did not overact the
part a little, but better 50 than TO act like
Melba. As for the others, Marsano was out
ciassed by Ghcrardi. but acted all around him.
and I'm bound TO say that Gherardi never sang
better. II you get the chance don't fail to
hear these people. They are a wonderful relief
from the New Workers"
Now Washington offers this company
a field at least as attractive as Balti-
more. Any one of our theaters is large
enough to make the engagement profit
able at 81 prices if the company OBJ
tains half the patronage it deserves.
We are, fortunately, on the direct line
OF theatrical travel Best of all. Mr..
De Koven's orchestra could be employed
at moderate cost and would surely give
Mr.. Savage better instrumental support
than he is likely TO get anywhere else.
This is rosy prospect. Perhaps Mr..
Savage, Mr.. De Koven. and one Of our
local house managers may be brought to
see it in this light.
Step Up and Take Your Choice.
The third lesson. and the last. lies in
the selection of these FIVE operas.
The Bohemian Girl" I'll Trovatore."
and Carmen" are not especially meri-
torious COMPOSITIONS. For those that
like this sort of a thing that is just
the sort of a thing they like But it
ends there Carmen" the best OF the
three, is rather light If balanced
against "Lohengrin." Even "Othello" is
not entirely worthy. and "LOhengrin''
is not the best opera which Wagner
wrote Rossinis William Tell" Mo-
u
hauser.' 'Lohengrin." and THE Flying
Dutchman would have been a much
more worthy selection and quite as ac-
ceptable to the populace. excepting. per-
haps, that nothing can displace Car
men"
But is there any reason to think
either In the light Of past experience or
from indications Of present musical
taste in Washington, that an expert
manager like Mr.. Savage or like his
chief aide, Mr.. Weldon. would choose
these latter works for a Capital City
engagement? On the contrary. they
would be tempted, IL they know the
story of opera here. to exclude ''Othello"
and ''Lohengrin' in favor Of Lucia di
Lammermoor" and Faust
1t is 10 be hoped, accordingly. that
Mr.. Savage may see the early para
graphs OF this article and not the last
Washington music lovers viii reward
his coming. whatever operas he pro-
duces. and II. by some happy accident
he should choose works Of genuine
worth we should all be gamers. Mean
while we must live on expectancy, re-
joice in an occasional light opera Ike
Sergeant Kitty" and journey TO Balti-
more whenever we get the chance.
A ID. A.