The Washington times., 1906-03-25


season than that OF the Metropolitan
Opera Company which closed q series
OF four performances last night in the
National Theater
Coming on Thursday evening in q
blaze OF glory the season went out last
night with clarions of success in its
wake.
The most famous singers OF two con-
tinentS made up the personnel OF the
various casts. noted directors led a per
feet organization in the works of the
round out the ensemble there were in
the National Theater four Of the most
brilliant audiences ever gathered to-
gether in the Capital City.
Fine Art Appreciated.
II any further proof mad been needed
that Washington is fast waking up to
the beauties OF real music it was pro-
vided beyond a doubt in the recent
grand opera season. The prices which
several years ago would have been de-
clared excessive. were paid without a
murmur. and on at least two Of the
four occasions, the theater was packed
20 the doors.
Mr.. conreid has given Washington the
greatest musical treat in years and in
bringing here the singers who have been
so closely identified with the famous
house OF opera in New York he has
achieved another series OF triumphs
for his organization and for all that
stands for the best in classic musical
literature.
Yesterdays program attracted the en-
tire music loving public OF washington
TO the thester. In PuccinTs -Tosca. -
giveE in the afternoon. the COMPANY
registered a repetition or one OF its
notable triumphs. and in the double biz.
"HanseI and Gretel'' and .-Pagliaccf. 80
at night It drew within the playhouse
the largest audience Of the engagement.
Standing room was at a premium and
some OF the most prominent members OF
the social colony here were content 10
sit in the lssr rows OF the house so
anxious were they 10 hear the dual
bill
Last nights audience was late al
though there were a few who made il
point 20 put their dinner hour up so
as 10 reach the theater in time 10 hear
the opening act Of Humperdinck de-
lightful fairy story "Hsnsel and GreteI. 80
Brilliant Scene in Foyer.
Lines OF carriages and automobiles
were drawn Up along the streets lead
ing 10 the theateT, and men and women
hurried from their Carriages into the
lobby The scene in the foyer was a
brilliant one. Jewels glistened from ev-
cry throat. gorgeous evening gowns and
wraps offered a panoramic line Of color.
and the odor OF perfume scented the
house. Inside the scene was even Of
greater beauty The boxes were filed
with beautiful women and others filed
the house Diamond tiaras CLEANED out
under the glare Of the house lights ieyy-
eied fans were waved to and fro. and
the most brilliant array Of rich gowns
ever seen in Washington confronted one
al every turn
IL was an attentive audience-sn an
dience which had come to hear the
opera, and which by its rapt attention
10 the singers, commanded the silence of
each newcomer
Before The curtain was rung I'D on
'Hansel and Gretel'' there was the
usual buzz Of conversation and ex-
change Of greetings At the opening
notes of the introduction every v-hispeT
was hushed and the audience sat back
prepared for the genuine endowment
which came 10 il for more than three
nOurS-
Humperdinck delightful composition
never bad a happier reading In his
construction OF this opera the composer
showed an adeptness to evolving svu1-
phonic form with simple melody This
was clearly evidenced in the harmonic
development of what has long been
clasSed as q nursery rhyme into a pure
and clearly defined operate classic
Nine. HomerS Triumph
Nine. Louise Homer carried of the