The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-31
Homer Wonderful
As the AmneriS
of Verdi S Aida

The Metropolitan Company gave q
superb performance Of Verdrs Aida" pa
Italian last evening. for its third and
closing appearance this year in WASH
ington. II was better sung, better
staged. and better conducted than the
other two operas given. It was truly
a wealth OF song, with Rappold as Aida;
Homer. Amneris: Caruso, Radames:
Stracciari, as AmOnasTo; JouTnet. as
Ramhs, and Muhlmann, as the high
priest Such a combination of great
voices is seldom given Washington au-
diences. Vigna conducted and, while his
noises were not entirely suppressed he
only 'Sh--d" his orchestra half a
dozen times.
Rappold sang the part Of Aida last
night for the first time. and was such
a success in the part that she is well
worth hearing many times. Her voice
entirely suits it-clear, powerful, and
dramatic with a wealth OF tone and
warmth In the upper register She Is
good actress, too, and made many
thrilling effects. She was recalled again
and again. The greatest opportunity IS,
Of course, afforded the meZZo soprano,
and Madame Homer made the most Of
e7 cry note OF the exhaustins music. The
scene between these two women in The
second act was splendidly acted and
sung both voices showing remarkable
powers of endurance. The third act
was much the same in the matter of
/ endurance. for the music IS most eX-
acting Stracclari who was heard as
the American CONSUL IN Madame But
terhy' Thursday night, showed himself
10 have not only a fine voice and ane
method but 70 be a good actor also.
The duo between Radames and Aida in
this act was gloriously done. No less
thrilling was the Celeste Aida Of Ca
ruso's in the first act. His singing Of
this would induce forgiveness for all his
other shortcomings. II is doubtful If
any other tenor. heard since de Reskzes
best days, could sing this song with the
effect he did. Dramatically the perform
anCe was very strong. The chorus in
the third scene OF the second act, with
the dozen horns on the stage and the
| Sextet above il was superbly done. and
/ the effect was thrilling. The ballet in
/ this same scene was charmingly given
and the stage picture when the curtain
/ fell was brilliant
Nine. Homers most effective work was
/ done before the tomb in which Badames
. - TO ht bltlrl dlht- WlttU Utmost any
/ other singer would have been exhausted
I by the strain OF the strenuous highly
( sustained work. Her voice was glorious
I in this scene, and she stamped herself
as one of the greatest Amnerises.
NJ. Gourmet showed TO splendid ad-
vantage in the part of King Ramfs and
made fine effect with his aria in the
/ second act.
/ The tomb scene at the end was mag
nitlcent. the upper section % the stage
/ representing the brilliant Temple Of Nul-
I can, respondent with gold and glitter.
and the somber tomb below it, with the
stone gradually descending upon the low
I ers. united in a living death
| The brief season Of grand Opera closed
/ as IL opened. brilliantly and with its best
work. Much the same people were in
l the audience who were there on Thurs
| day evening and the display of dia-
monds. gowns and beauty was just as
great.