The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-29
Farrsr and Homer, in MADAM Butter.
fly" Decorating for the Expected
Return Of Pinkert0n.
The American Sopranos
Washington Debut Ire
mendOuS Artistic
Success.

The metropolitan Opera Company had
a glorious welcome last evening in the
BcIasco Theater. In the opening per
fOrmance of their season here. The
opera was Madame Butterfly" Puc-
CinIs latest and, I'm many respects,
greatest work, and IL was a wise choice
for the opening night Every sest and
every inch Of standing room was sled,
with row Of chairs down each aisle,
all occupied with stunningIy gowned
women and prominent men. The dis
play OF g0~ns. jewels, and wOmanIy
beauty has never been equaled in a
theater here The flash OF diamonds at
the Threats and IN the hair of the wo-
men was so general that the women
without them were conspicuous.
In many respects this was one OF the
greatest operate performances Wash
inEton has heard, owing TO the four
superb voices In the leading roles.
Farrar, Homer, Caruso, and Stracciari,
and a conductor who followed them
with perfect sympathy and many times
an overwe!ghted enthusiasm. He made
himself a nuisance so often, that the
greater portion Of the audience hope he
viii either be suppressed OF not appear
again. He periodically emitted a loud
"Sh-." iu the soft passages 20 sim
his orchestra, work which is commonly
supposed 10 be done in rehearsal. At
other times he would loudly hum the
theme which he wished brought out and
which would have been far more effec-
lively done with the instrument Puccfui
scored for Il. than with the raspy voice
OF the temperameutaI conductor. 4
.l-s
frequently struck his music a hard blow
with his baton, 10 emphasize something
which he feared they would overlook.
These things were offensive 10 the peo-
pie all over the house, and if Siguor
Vigna is in the habit of doing this in
the Metropolitan Opera House. he must
remember that the Belasco could be set
in one corner Of that great edi6ce.
The special interest of the audience
centered about the appearance Of Miss
Geraldine Farrar, who sang the title
role. marking her first professional sp-
pearance among her friends here. The
predictions OF these friends, made years
ago. when she was studying here be
fore EOing TO Europe. that she would he
z great artist have been fully realized
ana she has even exceeded their fondest
hopes. Her voice, which is a lyric 20
pranO of exquisite purity and sweetness,
has a dramatic power far greater than
anyone would have believed possible
She has wealth Of temperament
which she displays with fervOr and
abandon, and keeps within the refine
ment Of a japanese lady OF high degree.
Miss Farrar's voice is even all through.
She uses IL with utmost skill and has
reserve power which is apparently
never exhausted. Her high tones are
sclntiiiaung, pure, and taken with the
.F~--~
without effort and with great timbre.
The registers are so we'll blended that
there is not a break in her scale. Her
legatO and her portamentos are eX-
quiSite 10 a degree
I'm addition TO all these qualities Miss
Farrar is a gifted actress with promise
of great histrtonic powers She sacri-
fees her beauty Of face and figure in
the first act TO the perfect makeup Of
a japanese woman, and her real fea-
lures are not disclosed until she is seen
in the second act as the deserted little
wife who has taken the eScapade or the
American officer PinkeTtOn. more Seri-
ousIy than he meant IT. She IS seen then
without the customary paint, pale and
distressed.
she left little TO be desired in the mat
ter of depicting the joys and woes OF
poor little Butterfly. She puts more
originality into her work and lndescrib-|
able grace. and follows the manners
the letter, which is more than any prima
donna Washington has seen in the part
has done. even to the quaint and APP
pealing, and sometimes almost gro
tesqUe managing Of her pretty hands,
which is strictly Japanese.
Miss FaTrar has a great future be-
fore her without any question. Wash
ington having seen her, perhaps in her
best role. wonders little at the many
evidences of jealousy shown her in her
professional associates. some of which
have approached the serious stage. This
youngest prima donna is still unspoiled,
and is revealing in the reunion of the
little circle of music students of which
she was a leading member during the
three years she spent in Washington
Next i'm point Of interest to Miss Far
rar was the appearance of Caruso. who
suits the part Of an American officer
as little as does his name indicate one
nIs only excuse for being or the stage
is the gorgeous voice and the ability
10 depict the emotions I'm tone which
he appears not to feel He was in su-
perb voice last night and made ones
hair stand on end with his magnificent
top notes, so easily made that they
seemed but mere play. In the first