The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-23

p. m.
EMPIRE.-Burlesque and D. m.
UNIQUE.-Variety, and p. m.
Savage Grand Opera Company i'm
"Lohengrin."
Yesterday may be recorded in the annals
of English's opera House as having con-
tanned the busiest twelve hours that grand
opera in indianapolis has ever known.
From half an hour before noon, when an
orchestral rehearsal was held, to the clos
ing of the last impressive scene in 10
hengrin," at a half-hour before midnight,
there had been a practically unbroken
stretch of grand opera with but short in
termissions. And it was grand opera that
was wholly worth while-a festival of
music which afforded unbounded pleasure
to all persons who attended the perform
ances. The theater held an audience of good
size in the.afternoon and another such as
sembly as the Monday might gathering was
present at the evening performance
large and fashionable crowd that seemed
wholly absorbed in the splendid interpre-
tation of the sublime Wagnerian work.
That most lyrical, mystical and idyllic Of
all operas, "Lohengrin, was sung as the
concluding offering of the festival, and, as
was the case last season, IL was given
beautiful and entirely satisfactory rendi-
ton. Wagnerian music drama is utterly
impossible with weak cast, and Manager
Savage presents authoritative singers when
'Lohengrin" is on the bills. only genuine
artists are capable of rendering the beauu-
full music of this remarkable love poem,
and last nights cast OF principals was
strong in every particular, while the work
of the chorus and orchestra, with Elllott
Schenck welding the baton, was of high
order of merit. Mr.. Schenck is the young
Wagnerian director of whom much has
been heard during the last two years. From
the first strains of the overture until the
last sweet harmony died away, he showed
that he had full command OF the work III
hand. His conducting was admirable In ev-
cry respect. There plenty OF light
and shade in the playing of his instrument
talIsts and no dragging of tempt. Without
the least affectation in his manner this
young leader gave wonderful life and va
riety to the score. He made his orchestra
speak and at the same time furr rEd ane
seemed sure of a firm prop with MI.
Schenck in the chair.
The honors of the evening were larry
won by Gertrude Rennyson, whose inter-
probation of the role of Elsa was even bet
ter than her performance in the same char
acter last season-which is saying great
deal. This young prima donna has such
an intellectual grasp of every role she eS-
says, and her dramatic presentation OF ii
is always so clearly defined that her degree
of success simply depends upon the condl-
ton of her voice. Last night she was In
superb form. She had never been heard
in better voice in this city and she sang
with a freedom and with purity or tone
that made every note tell. Such an Elsa
as she presented could not fail TO stimulate
the entire cast. and with the orchestra re-
spending as one man to Mr.. Schenck $
subtle reading of the score the whole per-
Torrance was in every way admirable.
Rita Newman was heard in the strong
contralto role OF Ortrude, and she scored a
genuine success, sharing the honors al
times with Miss Rennyson. She disclosed
a voice that was of splendid quality, OF
much mellowness and power in the higher
placing. There is no great range TO Or
ttUdes music and there was little chance
to Judge as TO Miss Newmans lower tones.
Her voice. however; is undoubtedly more
the mezzo-soprano than the contralto. Her
acting was also deserving Of praise.
Pietro Gherardi, the Italian tenor, was
again the Lohengrip OF the presentation,
and gave the same attractive portrayal OF
the picturesque Swan knight that he rem
dered last year. Mr. Gherardi sings in
English with no trace of his own national
ity and he expressed the loftineSS, nobility
and poetry of the character, besides look
ing the part of the glorious knight as few
tenors able to do The only fault in
his work was an occasional tendency TO
wander from the pitch, his singing being
more satisfactory in the tender love music.
A fellow-countryman of his, SignOr Mar
sano. made his first appearance here. TAX
ing the role of the scheming Talramund
and providing well-conceived interpreta-
ton of this baritone part, although his
English was hard TO understand. His voice
easily filled the requirements of the part,
ard the same may be said of Mr.. Boyle in
the character OF the King. Mr.. Boyle is a
versatile actor, as well as a good basso,
and is equally good as the humorous Me-
phsto in the dignifed garb of a Wag-
merriam monarch. Mr.. Lawrence sang the
music of the herald in good voice
1t is gratifying to add, as a final para
graph, that the local grand opera season
this year was a success financially as well
as artistically, and that Manager Savage
will bring his splendid organization back
to Indianapolis next year for a longer en-
gagement. Acting Manager Weadon said
last night that another novelty besides
here.