The Washington times., 1906-03-24
Great Crowd Hears Master
Portrayal of an Opera Re-
plete With Vocal Color
and Splendid Finish in
Harmonic Touch.

When Donizetti looked 20 a Saxon
book upon which to build an Italian
opera, his contemporaries OF the time
thought him daft. The composer in
building up Lucia di Lammermoor, -
drove his heroine mad. and the fact
that this work was to be produced in
Washington last night seemed to have
driven the social and musical clientele
Of Washington wild with desire to hear
the work produced.
The vicinity OF the National long be-
fore the hour OF beginning. took on
Mardi Gras appearance They came from
every direction and in every sort OF way
There was a procession of vehicles
which, but for good official manage
ment. must have become as pluch mixed
as an endless chain. This same condi-
ton was found with those who came
afoot. In the shortest space Of time,
two long strings of anxious people were
lined up on each side OF the theater
One, extending almost to Thirteenth
street, awaiting opportunity to buy
seats. and the other extending westward
far beyond the Munsey building. hoping
for chance to get standing room only.
In the meantime the more fortunate
poured into the lobby through the CEN
ter entrance. Carriage after carriage
came and went in quick succession, but
it seemed as though the end would
never come.
AS on the night previous. the cos
tunes of the women were as magnifi-
cent as they were varied There may
have been social functions in this city
where attractive attires were much
IN axrff 20 hTTf lQ n R1rNld hlz-
been an occasion to excel the dress dis
play Of last night
Theater Packed to Doors.
When the time arrived for the open
ing of the overture. the theater was
simply taxed to its utmost In every
direction one viewed an absolute sea of
faces. From pit to dome the people were
massed. They were standing four and five
lines deep In the rear of the auditorium.
Those seated looked forward TO the be-
ginning patiently, while the less for
tunate, standing, glad Of the opportunity
to be there at all, were satisfied and
happy.
Throughout the hum OF conversation
as il buzzed here and there could be
discerned one phrase in particular. Car
us0 and Sembrich. The first yet an un-
known quantity 10 Washington. the
second a great favorite. and famed as a
colorature artist. 1t was generally ac-
eepted that, with these two sing
ing the big roles of the opera,
Lucia was going 10 be heard as the
author dreamed It should, and as de-
velopments proved. no one was disap-
pointed.
To use an extravagant expression. the
production was a glorious one. Caruso
quickly proved that everything said in
praise of his voice was true, and he
acts as well as ne sings. Sembrich vas
the Sembrich of old "A great coiorature
artist grasping every harmonic idea
as intended Tor Interpretation by the
composer.
II was the hope OF Donizetti to have
the opera of Lucia demonstrate to
what extent the human voice, when
equal TO the eXigencies and properly cuI-
tiVated could go. With this end in view
he coined his florid solo work. and then
to further make evident these possi-
bilities b blends his leads into sextet
form. which phase OF Lucia has be-
come famous the world over More than
this, with Palestrinaic Iinlsh Douizetti
individuaiiZeS his orchestra. departing
widely from the accompaniment forms
so common TO the earliest theories OF
Verdi.
rorm G. OrcheStIatlon.
What was formerly pizzi cato for
strings is now worked into a harp obli-
cato, as originally intended. and the gi-
santic flute ObligatO in the mad scene
stands out as prominent as ever. Trum-
pets are also used instead of cornets.
and the sounds blend splendidly with the
mellow work Of the horns.
OF course Caruso and Sembrich diVid-
ed the honorS of the evening. The
formers debut before a Washington
audience proved a distinct triumph.
With a stature to justify IL he has a
voice as large in volume as il is broad
In range. Every tone is true to gamut.
full OF music, and StentOrian in reson-
ance. Combined with this is an his
.rionic ability that appeals and makes
his singing doubly effective
As to Sembrich, she easily denied the
rumor pat forth that she had gone back
Her caGenzic work. trill efforts and
general bravura was splendid In her
duet with the flute in the mad scene
she easily surpassed the instrument il,
her clearness of intonation. Her every
effort at appoggiat1ra was as clear as
q bell. and thrilled the audience. Jour
net as Raimond was splendid. as was
also Parvis. who sang Lord Ashton.