The Washington herald., 1908-01-12
The BeIaseo-GraHd opera.

When Signor Cont lifts his baton to
begin the performance Of Ia Gioeonda'
by the San Carlo Grand opera Company
at the Belasco Theater tomorrow even
ing. one OF the most brilliant seasons Of
opera the Capital has ever known will
have been inaugurated. Reports from
other cities visited by this company are
notable for their friendly disposition, and
in many instances feTyent enthusiasm
over its performances.
The weeks repertoire opens with Pom
chienfs brilliant and mel0dious opera,
la Gioconda' Nine. Jane Noria, the
young dramatic soprano late OF the Paris
Grand Opera. will sing the title role
The part OF the singing girl offers Nine
Noria a bountiful chance for the dis
play of her voice and her effective and
forcible acting. Associated with her viii
be Signor Constantine. a great Spanish
tenor who by his successful appear
ances in all the capitals of Europe has
won a general prestige as one of the
greatest lyric artists of the cOntempo-
rary stage. The role of EMO is paTticu-
larly grateful TO his voice and style.
Nine. Maria Claessens q mezzo soprano
lately returned from a very successful
tour of the South American capitals
and Nine. Olitzka, cOntralto, who has
sung in the principal opera houses of
Europe, and who has been heard al the
Metropolitan Opera House under Mr.
Grau's management will also be in the
cast SignOr Ramon Blanchart. the IA
vorite barytone of the Royal Opera Of
Madrid. a singer and actor Of great
charm and dramatic power and Count
Segurola, favorite basso at the same
theater. will complete the list OF gentle
man principals of the cast. Sign0r Cont,
who has Of1ciated at a number of the
principal theaters Of Italy. and who is
the first conductor Of the company. viii
be at the desk Signor Cont is a leader
of broad musicianship and complete au-
thority The splendid ensemble effects
OF the superb chorus and orchestra in
this opera under his baton are particular
ly brilliant and thrilling. The curtain
viii rise at 745 Every indication now
points to a brilliant social opening with
a representative audience Of the Capitals
society present
On Tuesday evening Nerdi's "Rigo-
letto" will be the bill. This event was
noteworthy in the appearance Of Victor
Maurel the most celebrated lyric artist
Of the generation. who returns TO Wash
ingtOn on his farewell American tour.
The role of the Jester as played by this
great artist Is the supreme COnsummation
of lyric art. No greater example of
splendid histrionism could be found on
any stage, The evening viii be doubly
pleasurable in the return of another IA
vorite in the person Of Miss Alice Mel
sen, the beautiful little prlma donna so
fondly remembered from her light opera
days, Miss Nielsen is a grand opera
prima donna with a more matured art,
with a broader, more resourceful voice
albeit the crystal purity of tone still
remains more brilliant than ever. Miss
Nielsen is particularly well cast in Gnda.
the innocent, sweet, childish daughter Of
Rigoletto the jester. The tenor Of the
evening viii be Carlo Dani, a delightful
young lyric artist who has already been
heard during two seasons at the Metro
pOlltan Opera House. New York. NJ
Dani's singing Of the duke has elected
great praise in each city thus far visited
by the company. For the Wednesday
matinee, a double bill Of Cavaliers. Rus
tcana' and Il Pagllacci' will be given.
In the first Nine. Desana, a beautiful
young and brilliant soprano, will sing
SantuzZa, and NJ DAM VIII be the
TurTldu. In 'PagliaccT' Mile Bramonia.
a beautiful young Swiss soprano viii
impersOnate the witching Media. and
senor Opezzo, robust tenor OF great
dramatic ability. will play CaniO.
on Wednesday night ocurs the stellar
engagement Of the week. Nine. Lillian
Nordiea viii play the title role In "Aida. :"
Any exploitation of this great artist is
-
pristine brilliance of her voice which
made it one Of the greatest organs In
the world remains undimmed. and that
the marvellous powers OF dramatic ex-
preston have only grown 10 a wider
scope OF possibilities with maturer years
Mr.. Russell has surrounded Nine Nor
dica with stellar east for this brilliant
engagement. Rhadames viii be sung bv
Constantine, the great Spanish tenor:
Bl2nchart will be the Amonasros Rossi
the Ramhs, and Nine. Claessens. the
Amneris, a role which gives abundance
OF play for her draamtic powers and
magnificent mezzO soprano voice
For Thursday evening Carmen will
be given, with Nine. Noria. who plavs
this stellar role with marked success
and Constantine as Don Jose For Fri
day Ferdis "TTaviata" Will he given
again introducing Miss Nielsen in one
or her most effective roles. MN. Dani
and Blanchart viii be in the cast. For
Saturday matinee Aida" will be re-
peated, with Desana and Opezzo in tha
cast, otherwise with no change from
Wednesday evening. The closing engage
ment viii be Lucia" with Miss Mel
sen and Signor Constantine. Sirnor
Cont will conduct all the evening per-
formances. The curtain will rise ar 7.45
for "GiOconda" and Aida" and al 2
o'clock for the other evenings. The mat
inees on Wednesday and Saturday will
begin at and Will be conducted by
Sbavalgia.