The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-02-04
''LOHENGR|N" SUNG
TO CROWDED HOUSE
Savage Opera Company Gives Excellent
Performance of Wagner's
Masterwork.

"Lohengrin" found an Interpretation
at the hands of the Savage Opera CONF
pany last night which manifestly pleas
ed the audience that filled every nook
and corner of the Columbia Theater.
Applause was frequent and cordial.
even though bestowed once in a Will
at inopportuue moments. In this case
popular approval and critical Judgment
may be said to coincide. for the presen-
tatiOn Of the opera was eminently cred
liable as a whole and excellent in sever
al details. Special commentator must
be given at the very Quiet to the or
chestra. which under the able leader
ship OF Mr.. Schenck gave an admirable
account Of itself. The overture and the
introduction to the third act were given
in mastery style. ;ire delicacy of the
former and tfs nervous force Of the
latter being most happily accentuated.
The chorus was IN the main satisfac-
tory.
Individual Efforts.
AS the Knight of the Holy Grail Mr.
Wegener undertook a task which at
times seemed too heavy a burden to
carry. His voice has more of the ,yric
quality than of that robust timbre
which is an essential requisite for
Wagner's music. 1t may be, therefore.
that Mr.. Wegener was wise in saving
his vocal powers for the last act, which
gave him the best chance for display
ing them. He sang his great aria, In
Distant Land" with fine breadth of
voice and judicious information. and with
il made up for any minor deficiencies
that occurred at other points Miss
Renyson's Elsa was delightful. Her
voice has a most engaging quality. 1t
Is strong, yet smooth. especially fine in
the upper register, and Miss Rennyson's
method of singing is more than pleas
ing. Every note is brought out full and
round, and strikes the ear without the
least Jar. The prayer in the first act
and her scene with Lohengrin in the
third were pre-eminently deserving Of
the rapturous applause given by the au-
dienee.
The part of Ortrud was assigned to
Miss Newman. who has a mezzo-soprano
voice of great power and much sweet
ness. She was OF all the principals the
most effective in the dramatic signifi-
canoe she gave TO her role. The great
scene with Telramund in the second
act. and the subsequent one with Elsa.
were not only sung well, but acted adj
mirably. MIR Marsano gave entire
satisfaction as Telramund and the
same praise can be bestowed upon Mr..
Boyle, as King Henry. and upon Mr..
Lawrence, whose singing as the Herald
was one OF the most enjoyable features
of the performance
Public Appreciation.
1t is gratifying in the extreme 70
find that the pubiic-the Washington
public. at any rate-appreciates the en-
terprise that places before IT an opera
company composed in all its essentials of
such excellent material and so catholic in
the selection of its repertory. There IS
indescribable satisfaction in an operate
performance that is well rounded in al
it's details. and whose sponsors do not
merely present a so-called star" sur
rounded by a lot of second-rate arxil-
iaries Mr.. Savage is doing a good work
in presenting the best operas in so COM
plete a form. and IL his undertaking is
as successful from the box Office view
point as 1t is considered in its artistic
aspect. he will get no more than his
deserts.
Verdis ever-popular ''Trovatore" viii
be presented tonight with the following
cast: Leonora. Miss Brooks; Inez. Miss
lie Brun; Azucena. Miss IveIl; Manrico.
Mr.. Sheehan: Count di Luna, Mr.. Gofr;
Fernando. Mr. Bennett Ruiz, Mr.. Full
ton. Mr.. Emanuel viii be the con-
ductor D. L. s.