The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-10
CALvE SUPREME
IN BIZERS "CARNENP'
Brilliant Singer at Head OF
Notable Cast.
HEARD ENTHUSIASTICALLY
Naval a Fine JOse-PrOduction Gener-
ally Observation-Disclosures Most
Impressive of the Season.

The Incompatible Calve tyrannized
last night over as brilliant an assembly
as the American Capital can provide.
Through an entire evening she made the
role OF Carmen her own. held her audi
tors in a skein ike that which enmesh-
ed Merlin. and then triumphant and
self-secure. bowed her smiling acknowl-
edgments to the plaudits with which
Washington brief season of grand
opera came to an end. 1t is an old story
-as old as Calves earliest assumption
OF the role of Carmen But it has lost
none OF its power.
H. The audiences of the two earlier per-
fOrmances pale by comparison with this
which responded to Calves magic touch.
Every seat was sold. IN gallery, bal
cony, and orchestra circle the officials
OF the National and the deputies from
the Fire Department were put to their
wits ends 10 keep the aisles clear.
Everywhere We're men distinguished by
official position. and women adorned
with elegant ana rich toilettes.
AS on Monday and Tuesday nights, the
audience itself might have satisfied the
general interest in the event.
In one box sat Justice and Mrs. Brown,
with the clear-eyed young daughter Of
the President between them, Miss Roose-
Welt having just returned to Washing
ton from Boston Opposite were Senator
and Mrs. Foraker as guests Of Mr.. and
Mrs. Thomas +. Walsh. Near by sat the
ambassador from France with Nine.
Jusserand; the Secretary Of the Interior
and Mrs. Hitchcock; the ambassador
from Mexico and his family; the minis
ter from Belgium and Baroness Mon
cheur; the minister from Peru and Nine.
Calderon; the delegate from Hawaii and
Lime. kalanidnaOle: the Hon. Burke
Cochran, who had just taken his seat
IN the House Of Representatives. The
parquet was filed with representatives
OF the army and navy, and OF the most
distinguished resident society which the
Capital affords
An Irresistible Personality.
But last night this assembly was en-
tirely tributary. Before the first act
had ended its attention had been al
ured to the stage. II was necessary
only that Carmen should appear and
sing. Her first song is short and her
stay on the stage e matter Of only few
minutes; but they suf1ced to reveal the
Carmen which this actress has lifted
beyond all others-a figure so willful, 81
pleading, so volatile. 50 insidious. so ca
ressing. SO vibrant with all the notes
Of human temperament. so graced by
all the supple windings and turnings Of
a beautiful body. that her auditors. like
the characters Of the story, are irresist-
ibly charmed. 1t viii be noted thess
qualities are all attributes OF person
atty In truth, Calves Carmen is
merely Calves personality CARRIED Tx,
the cigarette girl Of Merrime' s romance
and for the moment, limited in actor
TO the scenes of that tense and human
story. This is, of course, not the great
est acting; but the result IS captivating
he IS a rare old Puritan, indeed, whJ
can view this CaTmen-laughing. sign
ing. mischieVOus. irresponsible, uncOn
trOlIed. and depraved-and weigh har,
precept against such picture OF throb
bling life.
The opera Carmen" is Bizet's only
great work. He was a musician who
wOrshiped Beethoven. ROssini, Meyer
beer, and Wagner alike. He suffered as
a Wagnerian as only d Wagnerian IL
Paris at his day could have suffered
Yet except that he sought 10 suit hi'
music 10 the action OF his OPERA 4
Undue IL with the bright sunlight and
brave cOlors Of Spain, and 10 identify
one or two Of his characters with must
cal motifs timidly expressed, he wal
not Wagnerian at all. In consequence
this opera IS much more readily com
pretended than a work which expressed
purpOseszas Sweet Lavender is mOr'
readily appreciated than Hamlet
Notable Cast Well Supported.
It's singing roles are attractive. bu
not greatly impressive That Of Car
men, a mezzo-sopranO. suits itself al
fully 10 Nine. Calves voice as the act
ing role suits itself TO her personality
Last night the star sang EXCEPTIONAL.
well. so that now and then the beauty
CT her voice rivaled the power Of he
acting. The second WOman's role
Ihst OF Mlchaela-I II was taken las
night by Nine Noreln, a soprano who's
voice is singularly liquid and beautiful
and who sings with much feeling. IN
happily. her method does not develop
her lower tones. and all her nOIaDl'
songs suffered IN consequence EscdLnlI
10 a tOreadOr. and Don Jose a Dr!gd
der are the chief male figures Of th'
opera NJ Campanari sang the mrs
and NJ Naval the second, the torme
appearing 70 less advantage than al
Figaro, and the latter lar surprising hi
performance OF Faust Monday night
Nine Bauermeister and Nine Jacoby
in lesser woman's roles, were delight
ful subOrdinates. The others In Sh'
cart were N. begue. pleasing bass
Nj GuardabaSsi. also a bass; NJ. Du
frlche, and NJ Masiero, tenor and Darl
These principals constitute a wonder
R,,llv fne cast. Il IS pleasant 10 not
that their supper was generally worthy
The scenery was bright and well-paint
90 The costumes were rich. The OF
chestra played with fine effect. although
4 trihe irregular4y. The chorus SAM
with a precision and confidence sad,
lacking in Faust"
The production with which the seasol
closed. then was generally notable. Blu
Il will serve in the end only TO intenslf.
the recollection Of the single figure o
Caive. adorned again as Carmen A
long as her voice and figure are wha
they are. and this marvellous actres
chooses to embody the character. tn
role IS distlncuVely hers and hers alone
Her performance was wisely placed a
the end OF the engagement II was tn
crown Of the engagement A. ID. A