The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-04-17
Bessie Abott Sings Mimi
AcceptabIy and Is Well
Received.
Conductor Ferrari Han
dies Orchestra and Cho-
rus With Discretion.
The Cast.


Adrce4lO ---..-.-.-----.--...-...-.. n. Scotti
Cyl4IHe --...-.-----.-.-....-.-.-.M. Barochhl
a--lalo -------.---------.--.. II. Begue
-e-llila1Io ...s-...-..--.--.-..----M DufriCne
FarpiSnol ....-....-........------.M Tecchl
StIBehte ----..--.--.............M. Navarini
LJVseiieie -----------------....--M Drag0nl
CONDUCTOR ROdClfo FerTari
stage manager Eugene Dufriche
The first appearance in Washington Of
AllesandrO Bonci, the celebrated ItaI-
ian tenor. and the admirable work Of
RodofD Ferrari as conductor. were the
features of the opening performance Of
Nashington's brief season OF grand
opera when PuccinTs La Boheme'' vas
given 20 the National Theater last night
by tile Metropolitan Grand Opera Com
pany.
While the performance was thorough
ly satisfying from an artistic stand
point. there WAS keen disappointment
on the part OF the audience at the sub
stitution Of prima donnas. Lima Cayal-
Herr. the Italion soprano. whose first
appearance in Washington had been an
ticipated with the greatest interest, had
sailed for Europe on Wednesday. and
the homogeneous first official an
nouncement Of the change in cast came
programs that owing 10 the illness Of
Nine Cavalier the role OF Mini would
be sung b. Miss Bessie Abott.
The substitution Of Miss Abbott for
Nine. Cavalier was not the only
change In the cast. Nine. Deryne failed
20 appear as had been promised. her
role being sung by Miss MattneId. No
announcement Of this change was made
in the programs however.
La Boheme," which takes first rank
among the modern italian operas. an
peals strongly to the average audience.
The musical portrayal being descriptive
and melodjous rather thar -ernpestuols
and dramatic. Puccini does not al any
time rise in this work 10 Wagnerian
heights Of creative genius. but there is
IN every passage ar appealing harmony
which touches all the human emotions
Of sympathy. mirJh and sorrow. Il is
an opera which does not make any
great demands upon the interpreting
artists, and is admirably adapted 10
voices CT light cahber and sympathetic
quality
The singing OF Boaci in the role Of
Rodolfo fully realized the exalted ex-
pec'a atoms OF the audience. IIdrdi apped
by stage presence which lacks both
force ana commanding dignity. lis tri-
umph was all the more pronounced
when he succeeded in swaying his audi
tors with the wonderful depth and mel
2dy Of a remarkably sympathetic voice.
While his work in the last act was
marred by a deficiency in histrlonIc
skill, he a. no time faltered in his DOM
eTtul and resonant vocal mastery.
Miss Abott appeared as Mimi and
sang with rare precision and 1onal ex-
cellence. In the upper register her
voice was notable for its beIl-Iike orlaI-
tiles ana she was greeted BY the SD0n-
taneOus applause OF an audience which
while disappointed for a time IN the
personality Of the singer. soon recOg-
nlZed an artist Of unusual musical gifts
Miss ABBOTT sang at all times with great
ease and sureuess. but her lower notes
lacked a sympathetic timbre which
would have added materially to the ef-
feCuveness Of the death scene Her
voice denotes wide range and some
reserve power, but has not that dram
attic quality which distinguishes some Of
the more noted prima dOnnas OF the
day.
Scott sang the role OF MarceIIo with
the dramatic feryOr and tOnal purity
which always marks his work He was
sions
Miss hatfield also a new singer 10
Washington, won the appreciation of
her audience by the delightful fieNibilitv
OF her voice She sang with verve and
spontaneity. her work IN the second act
being especially effective
The conductor, Mr. Ferrari. is entitled
10 a large share OF he credit for the
Smoothness Of last nights performance.
He handled the orchestra with rare dis
erection, and only once. in the third act.
did its volume seem diSprOpOrtiOnate 70
the limitations of the opera house The
chorus was under admirable control
singing with precision and in pleasing
unison
The production was adequately staged
The audience was not inSiStent in its
applause and as result no euCOres
were sung. The performance was owe,
at 1890.
There will be no performance tonight
but tomorrow afternoon Thomas Mig
non will be presented with Farrar,
ABBOTT, Jacoby, Bonci, PIancon, Lucas
the double bill, "Cavalleria Rusticana"
and Il Pagliacci' will be given. In
the Mascagni opera Fornia, Jacoby Gil
rerd Martin and Stracciari will be
heard. Dereyne, Caruso, Martin, SCotti,
Reiss and Sarto will sing Leoncavallo's
work. Bovy Will conduct at the after
noon performance and Ferrari will have
charge Of the evening work
Though a brilliant audience was in at
tendance last night there was no
party from the White House and
large number Of the diplomats were
conspicuous by their absence.
Among those occupying boxes were
Senator and Mrs. EllOins, who had with
them Mrs. George Law. Miss Katherine
Elkius. Count hatfield and Mr. Won
Stun of the German embassy; Mr.. and
Mrs. Perry Belmont. who had as their
guests Mrs Belmont Tiffany and MI
and Mrs. Hugh Legare; Mrs. George
Robson. who had with her Major and
Mrs. Charles /. McCawley. Mrs. Frank
Foster. Miss Robson. Mr. De Thai and
Mr.. de Amara; Mrs. Mcmillan, who had
as her guests, her granddaughter, Miss
Grace Jarvis, and Miss Edith Sanger
and MandeviIle Carlisle, whose engage
ment has recently been announced:
Senator Warren. and Mr.. and Mrs. Tif-
fanny Dyer.
Miss Roosevelt in Audience.