The Washington herald., 1908-01-14

PhaTa0ne IN Memphis. Scene 2 TEN
pie Of Phta.
Act II-Scene /. Amneri5' room. Scene Thebes
Of the Hundred Gates
Act III-The hanks u the Nile
act IY-6cenc j. The Judgment Hall Seem 2.
The Temple q Phta. with tombs'
Dyertissement by corp Of ballet
ConductOr, CONT.
Stage director, L. Albertieri.
Regisseur general. +. de Segurola
The whole performance, as all subse-
quent performances will be. is under the
personal directorship Of Mr.. Henry Rus
sell, impresari0.
OF all Verdrs operas, Aida" is perhaps
the best known and the best liked. It's
story is dramatic, logical, and consistent
and it lends itself admirably TO that
wealth of color and picturesque, artistic
stage effects that are such an aid 10 the
splendor of the music.
The scene is laid in Egypt. during the
reign Of the Pharaohs Aida, daughter
Of Amonasro. King Of Ethiopia has been
taken prisoner by the Egyptians and
brought to Memphis. where she is given
as slave to the Kings daughter, AM
neris. There is a captain Of the King
guard, Radames, who is beloved by Am
neris. but when he sees Aida he falls in
love with her. War is again declared
between Egypt and Ethiopia, and this
time Amonasro, Aidas father, is cap
tured.
Through the intercession Of Radames
the prisoners are set free. all except
Amonasro, who, being recognized as
Aida's father. is retained, and the King,
recognizing the great services rendered
by Radames, gives him his daughter
hand in marriage. Amonasro, noticing the
love Of Radames for Aida, overhears a
secret meeting between his daughter and
the Egyptian captain, and thus obtains
information Of the plan Of war. Radames
is surprised also by Ramhs. the high
priest, who calls him traitor and arrests
him. Radames is brought to judgement
and condemned. but In his prison is Wis
tied by Amneris. who offers MIN freedom
If he will give up Aida and turn his love
toward her. Refusing this, he is buried
alive and just as the grave is closing
over him he discovers Aida by his side.
She has come 10 prove the depth OF her
fidelity and 70 share her lovers fate.
This opera was presented last season
by the Metropolitan Opera Company, and
yet the performance last night at the
/ Belasco, given at smaller prices, compares
most favorably with any performance Of
Aida" that has been given in this coun-
try. It was a performance that spoke
worlds for the value of the San Carlo
+ Opera Company as an organization. and
for the skill and ability OF Mr., Russell
The metropolitan may possess more
stars, but in general excellence and in
its ensembles the company seen last night
most admirably stands comparison.
And this. too. in spite of serious handl-
caps. First, there was the misadventure
Of NJ. Constantine. the spraining Of whose
ankle caused the bin TO be changed and
then. at the last moment yesterday. Nine
( Noria. who was 70 have sung the part
Of Aida. was taken i'll. and ee+fld not
/ sing. Fortunately. Mr.. Russell was pre-
pared with talented and admirable
/ Aida IN Mile. DesaHa, a young Italian
woman. gifted with a clear. fresh. and
wonderful soprano voice. She went on
/ in the part with scarce an hours re
hearsaL She showed a little timidity al
/ first, but this soon wore off. and in spite
of the greatly augmented and excellent
/ orchestra. her voice rose clear as a bell
In the duet. "Ah, Pieta Il Prenda," be
tween Aida and Amneris, Mile. Desana
j covered herself with glory, and well de-
served the torrents Of APPLAUSE that were
showered upon he,.
The Spanish tenor. Signor Constantine
whose accident prevented his appearing
was replaced by Sig. Opezzo who proved
a fine Radames. He possesses a powerful
dramatic tenor voice. which he uses al
ways with good effect and feeling for the
histrionlcs Of his part He is a clever
actor as we'll as a great singer. In tn,
third act particularly he made his mark
singing the "Sono dis0norato" with pro
nounced feeling and great warmth of ex
preston 1t was superb singing and won
derful acting with which he rendered
that tense love passage beginning:
Mortal disulrnai ne Dio
/ Never get in mortal bsom
Burnt yet loves fame with ardOr more dsvouring.
Perhaps the artist Of the evening wa
Mons BlanchaTt who showed himself ;
BARITONE singer with few peers. Botl
as an actor and as a phraser he Shove,
himself a master Of his art. Nine. Claes
sens. as AmneTis. made striking i'm
pression. woman Of great persona
beauty and charm, she is also the pos
sess0r OF a rich mezzo-soprano voice
which she uses with marked ability
And then, when all is said. there mus
be given great praise to the fine ensem
bles, the way IN which the opera wa
nut on. the drilling and the singing o
the chorus. Praise is due too, to NJ
1 Arnoldo Cont, whose baton cOntrollet
the large special orchestra. Two rows 0
the front seats had to be taken out t
make way for the added musicians.
At times during the evening the Belasc'
Theater stage was filled with over 20
men and women. and they were maxim,
music-real music. grand opera of a kin,
that has not before been heard I'm thi
country except at prices almost pro
hibitive. II is true that such perform
4 ances can be heard in the capitals o
Europe for about Is francs, but in thi
country, until the advent of this tn
San Carlo Company, American theater
goers have had to pay double tha
amount. Without question, this compan,
and the performances it gives are deserY
ing the hearty support of the music-lov
ing public.
Tonight the opera will be "Rigoletto,
with Alice Nielsen and NJ Maurel In tn
bill HECTOR FULLER.
Among those seen In the boxes at tn
opera last night were Mr., and Mrs. Perr-
Belmont, who had as their guests Barol
Rosen, the Russian Ambassador; Barol
Schlippenbach. his house guest, Brig
Gen and Mrs. Clarence Edwards, an
Mrs Hunt Slater
Mrs Richard Townsend entertained 4
her box the Spanish Minister, Senior Do
Pima; RIr and Mrs. Woodbury. Blair, an