The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-04-19

inA STAR OF Lnf metropolitan opera I9ffl-
pany's performance Of --Pagiiacci," last
night. and at the conclusion Of the FIRST
act he was compelled 10 respond to
half dozen recalls. cries Of Bravo
rang through the house at the conclu-
sion OF Caruso's dramatic solo in which
he depicts the despair Of Canio at his
wife's duplicity. A world Of pathOs was
embodied in his magnificent singing OF
the solo and the big audience fairly rose
To it's feet IN enthusiasm FOR the eele-
brated tenor.
Not a great distance behind Caruso in
public favor came Signor Scott, who
did some of the best work OF his career
in the small role OF Tonic. the herald OF
the travelling show company.
''PagIiacci' mas been done IT. Wash
ington many times, but rarely mere
cOnvincingiy or more neatly than the
Conried singers presented IL last night
Much Of this was. o. course. due 10 the
work OF Caruso and Scott. on whose
shoulders the principal burden fell.
Tine chorus. whose fine work las been
a feature OF the brief season. sang with
spirit and pronounced precision. M
Ferrari's excellent direction kept the
singers in line. although On several oc-
casivns the prompter was much IN evi-
dtnce.
The splendid orchestralion or Leon
cavallo's opera increases in charm with
every subsequent performance. The
beauty and simplicity OF the strings
lend themselves 10 The aIIuring score
OF the composer with cons Ennate
charm and under Mr. Fe-rari's baton
II seemed that no opportunity to dis
close these beauties was lost.
mat Caruso was the magnet that
drew the largest audience Of the brief
season 10 the National could not be
doubted The singer received a cordial
and prolonged greeting. and his every
note was heard with almost breathIess
interest. Added TO his beautiful vocal
reading Of the role. Caruso injected
more Chan ordinary dramatic fervor into
the part with exceedingly happy results
II was something Of a regret that he
could not have been heard IN another
role. irasmUch as he has sung Canio
! here more often than anything else. end
/ local music lovers would undoubtedly
BE- glad 10 have him for longer bin
Scotd's reading OF he familiar pro
| lcgue 10 the opera was a beautiful bit
OF work His voice is full snd resonant
anu ne SINGS Will aAAAA CO. lint IT. -
pleasure TO hear him One always feels
sure OF rounded performance from
Scott, and last night he proved him
! self an amusing and wholly irrepressible
comedian His portrayal was noteworthy
Nine. Dereyne. who had rot been
heard previously during the week. did
not meet the expectations or those VINO
| looked for a greater prima- donna Fzer
voice Is thin and irregularly poised. a.
though some OF her tones were very
pleasing.
Preceding "PagliaccI" the company
presented MascagnYs ''CaValleria Rusti-
cana" which has been heard 50 many
times here that II is looked Tor regU-
J larry in the repertoire OF all visiting
/ operate companies. Il presented a
syrour OF singers not so well known
here. including Nine Fornia, in the
role OF Santuzza- Nine Fornia mas a
remarkably beautiful voice. adequately
adapted 10 MascaEnTs difficult score
I Fer chief fault. however, seemed 10 be
2 manifest disregard for M Ferrari-s
baton. and IN several instances she
/ failed 70 keep with the orchestra, 10 the
| det-Iment Of ner performance. She has
much dramatic force and sings with
great earnestness- Nine JacOby gave
| the smsq role OF Lola a more conspicu-
I Gus place in the performance than it Is
! usually accorded and her meIodfcus
voice was charming in the fetching little
! serenade she sang Off-stage
/ Mr.. Martin. who sang the role Of Tur-
/ Tido. has great power and sweet tonaI
quality. He was particularly effective in
/ the farewell scene with Lucia, TUrridO's
mother.
| Ambrose Thomas fascinating and
| tuneful opera 'MiEnon" furnished the
matinee ball with Geraldine Farrar.
Bonci. and Plaacon in the chief roles.
/ .'aignou." although familiar to all
music lovers. is seldom given here. and
/ IL was a pleasure 20 hear the work
| yesterday under such pleasing cOndi-
| tons.
| The score IS a representation OF al
/ that is dIgnined and much that is play
I full in the French school. It's charm is
I updeniable and the big swinging chorus
numbers are marvelously effective.
Miss Farrar came into her own yes
/ teriay in Washington II she had not
done so before. She sang with a breadth
/ or tone and deep feeling that added
materially 20 tire beautiful quality of
]
/ and aria OF the third act she presented
/ ali the tragic sorrow OF the little wan
| Gerer's heart most effectively. Her voice
| is even throughout and she glides from
one register into the other --ith con-
| nlmmatC ease. In the concluding num-
/ Der Of the opera. a trio with Plancon
/ and BOnci Miss Farrar's voice was ex-
/ quisite- Her personal success as well
/ as her artistic achievements brour hi
! her a series OF recalls at the end IF
/ each act.
Plancon sang better In the latter half
! Of the opera than in the yeginning,
/ illustrating the tenderness and deep
| emotion OF Lotario, searching the world
over for his lost and beloved daughter
/ His quiet but effective reading Of ths
role was I'm striking contrast to The
| bcrnbastic interpretations with which he
| is 50 closely identihad
Mr. Bonci was disappointing. rrin-
/ ci2aIIy because his magnificent per
! Torrance last Thursday night had pre-
\ pared those who heard him for q rope
| - z