The Washington herald., 1908-01-15
RiEOlettO
tin Itslisnl.

scene z, hig9lettos house.
act Il-Room in the dueal palace.
Act lila desert spot on the banks of the River
Mincio spsraflciies house.
Incidental dance by corp q ballet
Conductor. A, Cont.
Stage director. l. Albefileu-
iegiSseur general, Z. dc SegurOla.
A brilliant and masterful rendition Of
VerdFs opera, 'Rigoletto," was given last
night at the Belasco by the San Carlo
Grand Opera Company.
The change of bill showed that the COM
pany IS provided with an entirely new
set Of principals, with the interest cen
tering, of course upon the debut here Of
Nine Alice Nielsen. Mr. Henry Russelrs
pet prima donna soprano. and the we'll
known barytone. NJ Victor Maurel. whose
only local appearance was last night as
the Hunchback.
The audience. probably double the num-
Der OF Monday nights attendance was
so extremely enthusiastic over the art SITS
and the old favorite music that encores,
so seldom accorded in grand opera, were
granted before the conductor was able to
proceed With the score.
The charge that the old melodious
operas are 10 be shelved in favor Of the
newer and heavier school Of music is put
TO rout by these first-class Verdi re-
v.vals-if a performance OF "RigoIetto"
may be considered revival Tie fact
Is for over half a century this opera has
charmed music lovers the world over
story of "RigoIesto."
The story Of "Rlgoletto" reveals the gay
Duke of Mantua. who has betrayed and
debased the wife OF ono OF his e0urtiers
In his infamous conduct he is aided by
his jester Rgoletto. The father OF the
Countess Ceprauo, the degraded lady, ut
ters a curse Of terrible nature. which
he declares shall fan upon Gilda. Rigolet-
tos fair young daughter, whom De has
contrived 20 keep hidden from his mas
ter. the duke
The ducal roue however. discovers
Gilda and has her carried 10 his palace.
where her father discovers her and takes
vow TO kin the duke GHda. however.
who has fallen in love with her captor
impIores her father TO spare him. The
duke is however lured to a lonely inn
where the rascally mercenary SparafuCiIe
has undertaken 10 make way with him.
Gilda comes 10 the inn disguised as
man and begs Sp3rafucile for the dukes
life. but he only partially relents. agree
ing 10 murder as a substitute the first
person who presents himself al the inn
IN this she sees a means OF saving the
duke. although he has already proven
himself false 10 her my making love 20
Sparafucile's sister. Maddalena. and Gil
da. coming 10 the inn. Is killed by Spara-
fucile
When Rigoletto arrives and demands his
prey he is shown the sack with the body
Of Gilda instead OF the duke. whose mock
ing song is heard as he escapes to a place
Of safety. The wretched Rig0letto falls
upon his daughters corpse, a victim to
his own evil plotting
MaureI EnthraIIs Audience.
To say that N. MaureI is a great actor
is only adding to the opinion OF thou
sands who have been held enthralled BY
his wonderful interpretations Rigoletto
is one Of his greatest parts. and the cum
ming and hatred with which he invests II
makes it repulsive-yet his tenderness
with Glda is brought out also. especially
in the duet -"Figlis. Mic padre" and In
the tempestuous 'Tutte le fesu al tenn
pio. where he rose to fine dramatic
heights
In their numbers together, NJ Maurel
and Nine. Nielsen blended their voices to
every possible advantage. making the
climax Of Act I the signal for half
dozen curtain calls from the delighted
audience.
Nine. Nielsen was the sensation Of the
evening. Her voice is pure and clear.
without the faintest suggestion OF
tremolo, so rich in tone quality as TO be
suggestive Of Melba, the recognized peer
OF coloratura sopranos
II is a pleasure 10 record success for
this charming artistic. for every one re-
members her as the girl who gave up
career in light opera which was not only
promised, but was an assured fact.
with money and fame piling up at her
feet, TO go abroad and study for six
years, that she might realize her am
bition 10 become a great soprano.
Nine. NieIsen's Splendid Success,
That her dream has been accomplished
is now history. She has sung "Gilda" at
Covent Garden, under Mr.. RusselFs man
agement and her performance last night
was as near perfection as the role would
permit. although it must be admitted
that the music allotted to Gilda is not
very extensive or I'm every respect shovyv.
But Nielsen has not solely SNOWY
voice-she has q pure voice, we'll under
control, and her trills and high notes were
clarity itself
NJ, Dan the tenor. sang the Duke.
and at the risk OF making this honest re-
view appear to be mere fulsome praise
let il be said that few tenors are DOS
sessed Of such liquid. melting tones as
poured from NJ. Danis throat last night.
In Ia Donna mobile" he brought down
the house. and had 10 twice repeat
Conductor Cont again directed, and the
playing Of the orchestra. especially from
the strings. was magnificent The melody
to be gotten from the scores of these old
favorite Italian operas Is practically in
exhaustible. and there viii always be
plenty Of pre- -Wagnerites to enjoy it.
Gratifying Attendance.
The attendance last night was most
gratifying. as it proves that Washington
music-lovers are not slow to recognize
the good things they are being offered,
after many seasons of spasmodie grand
opera. If the Capital could have the San
Carlo Company oftener. there would be
no cause for complaint Of a lack Of good
music here.
Tonight Nine. Nordies will sing Pom
chielli's beautiful La Gioconda." while
the matinee will embrace the double bin
of "Cayalleria Rusticana" and II Pag-
liacci "
IVA Arrives Next Month.
The State Department received a dis
patch from China yesterday. saying that
WI Ting Fang, who was recently ap-
pointed Minister to the United States. viii
arrive in San Francisco February 0