Los Angeles herald., 1905-02-21
SOCIETY HEARS
GRAND OPERA
"L0HENGRlN" WELL SUNG BY
SAVAGE COMPANY
Large Audience at the Mason Opera
House Gives Singers Enthusiastic
Welcome-confuslon In Audi
ence Mars Pleasure

Music when presented in the form
Of grand opera has charms enough to
draw great crowd in Los Angeles.
The audience that attended the per-
formance of Lohengrin occupied every
seat from the first row in the parquet
to the last row in the upper gallery of
the Mason opera house and there were
scores who enjoyed standing room
only" hearing of the Wagner's great
music drama.
1t had been announced with en-
phasis that the overture would begin
promptly at O'clock" and exactly on
time Elliott Schenck, the conductor,
raised his baton. The large orchestra,
part of which was seated under the
stage, played the overture in a man
ner that awakened great expectations
among the few who heard 1T. The
heaviest of the fifty Instruments were
buried so that there was a subdued
effect most pleasant in a theater the
size of the Mason.
1t was a pity that only here and
there the work of the orchestra could
be enjoyed for the late corners dis
turbed all who went early and there
was continued confusion until the
middle of the second scene of the first
act. When the last tardy woman had
removed her hat and the last late man
had recovered from the effort to ap-
pear not embarrassed Lohengrin and
Frederick had crossed swords and the
chorus was singing the finale of the
first act.
There is no doubt that Henry w.
Savage's English Grand Opera COM
pany produced a most favorable I'M
preston on the opening night. In
selecting "Lohengrin" as the hrst
opera of the week, the manager delip-
erately challenged the most severe
criticisms first, because in the COM
nany's repertoire there is nothing more
exacting for the principals than the
roles of Lohengrin and Elsa. Both OIL
these roles were sung acceptably, while
ortrud. Frederick and the king were
given with artistic finish
The strength of last nights perform
ance depended upon its chorus WORK
II was the chorus that aroused enthus-
iasm. The mems voices are remark
ah,v good and they are we'll balanced.
Miss Gertrude Rennyson, 10
whom fell the task of >giving an IN
terpretation of Elsa, has a beautl1ul
stage presence. In appearance she Is
the ideal Elsa.
Moreover she is an actress who en-
dows every role with peculiarly splr-
itual charm. Her voice is soprano
of much purity, freshness ana neAi-
bility. 1t has not the volume ana range
that the part of Elsa demands ana II
is marred by slight tremolo. Mr.
William Wegener was a Lonensrln OIL
heroic mold, a splendid embodiment OIL
the knight of the holy grail. lie was
not heard to advantage last night for
he was evidently suffering from a cold.
His voice is a dramatic tenor OF much
sweetness in the upper range In hls
first solo he was hoarse and his tones
were uncertain. Later he redeemed
himself and it was evident that he
will be one of the favorites this week.
To Miss Rita Newman fell many
of the honors. Her Ortrud is dra-
matte characterization. She has tenn
perament and she knows how to use
big contralto voice of good range. In
the second act the duet of Elsa ana
Ortrud won long applause and at the
end of the act Miss Rennyson and Miss
Newman received many flowers.
Francis j. Boyle, as the king, sang
with dignity that compelled appre-
citation. He has voice fitted for Wag-
merriam roles. Mr.. Arthur Deane's Fred
erick was voGally and dramatically
pleasing and Mr.. Thomas David Rich
ards as the herald carried his recita-
tives with splendid intonation. Indeed
all the men in the cast were far above
the ordinary standard.
The opera of "Lohengrn" was well
staged and richly costumed. The per-
formance was in every way up to the
expectation of the audience. The en-
terprise which inspired Mr. Savage
with enough enthusiasm to bring an
opera company 1000 or 5000 miles was
appreciated by the people of Los An
geles who will crowd the Mason opera