The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-02-06
IIOSCA" A TRIUMPH
FOR SAVAGE COMPANY
First Presentation of Puccini's Great
Opera in Washington an I'm
qualified Success.

In one respect 1t is a pity that the
performance of "Tosca" could not have
concluded the season of the Savage
Opera Company in Washington. for II
formed the climax of a series of operate
representations Which. taken as a whole,
have rarely been equaled in this city
1t can fifty be described as a great
achievement, both IN its lyric and dra-
matte aspects. 1t carried the audience
to the highest enthusiasm. which found
vent IN frequent and prolonged ap-
pause and in repeated curtain calls
The event was furthermore noteworthy
from the fact that it was the first pre-
sentation of Puccinis work on the local
stage
Puccini has been heralded as the Wag-
ner of Italy. Great as is the compliment.
IL is richly merited. No composer has
come from that land of music that can
measure up TO him: not Verdi in his
latest and best, nor veto go back
further-Rossini with his Tell" So
far as the Italian school is concerned
Puccini has proclaimed a new gospel
1t is the gospel of truth in musical
composition. He scorns to tickle the ear
with trifling or lascivious tinkling when
the action calls for the gTander. the
more heroic. expression. While ne is no
cheap imitator of Wagner. it is easily
perceived that he has drunk deeply at
that fount of musical inspiration, even
though his. native genius takes its flight
unhampered by the limitations of any
model, however great and impressive
Thus we find in "Tosca" lyric beauties
that enrapture the senses. and. at the
same time. the most forceful of dra-
In
the singularly beautiful orchestra ton
capdvates the ear. Even heSEho is not
q trained musician cannot fail to be
impressed by its forcefulness and it's
consummate perfection. To interpret
music of this character satisfactorily
will tax the resources and the skill of
the best and most perfectly trained or
chestra, and all the more deserving of
praise is one which, like that of the
savage Opera Company, laborS under
physical limitations unavoidable In an
organization of this kind. Under the
direction of Mr. Emanuel IL acquitted
itself with much credit.
Too much praise cannot be bestowed
upon the principals of last nights per
formance. Miss Rennyson. as Tosca;
Mr.. Sheehan, as Mario; Mr.. Con. as
Scarpia; and Mr.. Boyle as the Sacris-
tan. were more than satisfying lyrical
ly and dramatically, albeit IL was to be
regretted that Mr. Con was slightly
handicapped by a cold which at mo-
ments yelled his voice Miss Rennyson
was in splendid voice. and besides was
thoroughly imbued with the dramatic
significance of her role. Last night she
proved herself as good actress as
she Is a singer; she showed that if
anything. she is even better endowed
for parts like Tosca than for such as
Elsa. She achieved her greatest triumph
in the scene with Scarpia in the sec
ond act. There are rev of the world
famed prima donnas who would sur
pass her in this competition.
Mr.. Savage deserves great praise for
the care he has given TO the scenic equip
ment of the opera. The setting of the
first act~-the church OF SAINT Andrea
allie Valle-and that OF the last act
the platform Of the castle of SAINT An
gelo-are superb productions of the
scene painters art
"Lohengrin will be repeated at to-
days matinee. and the engagement
closes tonight with the ever-popular
.tRoh emian GIRL d i. s