The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-16
Theatrical Gossip

been singing from the days of their
infancy-and in good many cases this
nothing of the almost automatic
smCothness of production which char
acterizes American productions. Lit
tie primitive defects creep in, and they
actually add to the foreign Impressive
ness of it all.
The fact that the organization boasts
of having Nordica and Nielsen and
Campanari and Constantine among it's
members is not the most warranta Bile
boast that is to be made.
1.-The air of old-world art that is
manifested by a hundred or SO minor
singers. and the excellence of an Or
chestra which extends, three or four
deep, entirely across the Odeon," says
the St. Louis GIobe-Democrat, ''are
things which will commend themselves
more readily to real opera lovers than
the more conspicuous advantage
which has been mentioned,
1.-The first of the San Carlo offerings
was Giaconda, a tragic and impressive
work by Ponchielli, and one which is
practically unknown to local patrons
of the theater. 1t was included in the
ization once upon a time, but few will
remember just when. 1t is one of the
most highly estimabie of modern
works 1t served to introduce Nine.
Nordica and Mr.. Constantine as lead
ing singers, as well as half a dozen
minor principals.
1--WE have seen a good deal of Nine.
Nordica. She sings just as well as she
did a good many years ago, and she
acts with intelligence. She has be-
come more robust, but otherwise she
is the same Nordica who used to share
honors with Calve and Melba and the
other great sOngstreSseS-
at was in the person and achieve
ments of Mr. Constantine that the sur
prise of the evening was to be found.
When the applause which greeted his
AZ l.
was to be one of the popular members
of the company, he modestly escaped
from the stage, exhibiting pretty
spirit of humOr of the true Latin
brand. He knew he had something
better in store, and when in one of the
big climaxes of the work he revealed
all the ardor and splendid equipment
which belong to the best tenOrS Of our
time, he seemed very happy, indeed.
The reception accorded him seemed al
most unexpected, and there was an in
slant of confusion when he and tht
orchestra leader tried to agree upon
what to do to satisfy the demands of
the audience. A lengthy passage was
repeated with much brilliancy. Bar
ring a degree of lightness in some of
his tones, this artist is qualified to
rank with any of the great tenors of
the day, and in his likeable demeanor
he has a decided advantage over many
of his rivals.
IF the other principals enjoyed no
great moments during the evening,
that was because the score did not pro-
vide such distinction for them. Ger
tainly. they came and went with the
manner of artists The
names are somewhat formidable and
quite unknown; but it is to be hoped
that we are to get. much better ac-
Quainted with the fine talents of Sig.
Angelini Fonari, Nine. Monti-Baldini,
Sig. PereIlo de Segurola, Nine CONT
Borlfnetto, Sig. Stefani Valentino and
others.
'.In point of staging last nights Of
fering indicated a want of watchful-
ness and care, though this may be
fairly attributed to temporary condi-
tons
But. in view of the great volume
of splendid music which came from
the stage and orchestra during the
long performance, the more superb
cial phases of the production are not
to be considered.
Certainly Mr.. Russell, director, and
Mr.. Cont, conductor are to be thank
ed for a rare pleasure,