The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-31
EameS Too Matronly,
DIPPED Scamped His
Singing.

The second performance in the season
OF grand opera given here last week,
was Faust" at the matinee yesterday.
There was not nearly so large a house
TO hear this much-sung. though beauti-
ful, music, but it was quite as fashion
able an audience. II is deplorabie that
with only three grand operas in a season,
we must always and always have this
for one of them. The whole opera going
public of Washington is familiar with
every note and every situation in this
opera. anc would be only too glad to
pay its money TO hear some they have
never heard Although Emma Games
was the Marguerite; Nine. Jacoby the
Siebel; Pol Plancon, the MephistopheIes,
and DIPPED the Faust, there have been
many far better performances given
here Eames was not IN good voice and
looks too matrOnly 10 be an ideal Mar
guerite, TO say nothing Of her dark hair.
which IS an innovation of the last few
years. The dark-haired Marguerite could
be well stood If she be young, girlish
and unsophisticated, but a Marguerite
with her dark braids bound in a knot
at the back OF the head was one which
could not be forgiven throughout the
first act.
DIPPED also was out OF voice, and sang
as though he had a mute on his vocal
chords. He sang. or rather tried TO
sing, "Salve Dimora," and made no eff
fects, phrased il badly, and did not even
attempt 20 finish the climax at the close
with the high c.
Salve Dimora' without that climax
on high c is like eggs without salt.
Everything else in the opera was for
given. however, every time Plancon be
gan to sing. He was in exceptional
voice. and sang as though he was in
spired Such art as his is spontaneous
and Unborn. and unless innate. is seldom
acquired. He captured the only encOres
Of the afternoon. It was a cold audi
ence, and justly so. There was little
inspiration for enthusiasm except when
Planeon sang, and when the soldiers in
the third act gave that glorious chorus,
headed by their own sixteen cornettists.
II was the best rendering of this chorus
ever heard here, but they ignored the
enthusiasm which demanded a Tepeti-
ton.
The opera was cut tremendously. The
church scene was given IN front OF a
Marguerite Not even a glimpse OF
Mcphistopheles was had until just be
fore the curtain dropped, although his
voice came out ciarion-like from the
wings. He was magnificent. His suit
was one c. thin black silk over red,
which made a weird effect, and his
splendid physique made him the ideal
Mephisto. The Marta OF the perform
L s..aIH.a al fngH#
Martas never are. They are something
undesirable, but not T. Ice dispensed
with This Marta was frightened. which
added TO her inenecuveaess. She was
on the program as Poehlmaun.
Nine. J8cOUy made handsome Siebel
and her voice and acting we're most
pleasing She has a rich voice Of good
range and uses e well Scott sang and
acted the part of Naientin well. He
has improved greatly since he was last
heard here. his voice having grown
smoother and richer. apparently The
Wagner of Begue was also satisfactory
and he showed a good voice. The
orchestra. under the baton OF :. Bovy.
was magnificent. There was, however.
as at the performance Of Butterfly" too
much. There were foTty-eight pieces.
which arc 100 many in SMALL theater.
! for sOloists,
Nine. Eames' voice is Of the purest
and truest. hut Marguerite does not
suit her Her French was all nasal and
spoiled her tones which are all white
any way. no matter how beautiful and
pure they are. Her art is great, and her
singing Of the Jewel Song was emphat-
ically the best thing she did. Much