Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-31
LAMBARDI OPERA COMPANY AT
ITS BEST
Esther Ferrabinl Is Greeted with
Much Applause-Entire Perform
ance Rouses Audience to
Great Enthusiasm


BY FLORENCE BOSARD LAWRENCE
The appearance of Ferrabini last night
in the part of Mimi at the Mason may
be regarded as one of the most bril-
liant events in the Lambardi operate
season. This delightful singer was
one of the most popular soloists here
last year with this company. and re-
ceiyed a most cordial welcome from
her audience.
La Boheme" is a favorite opera in
the repertoire of this company ana,
with the brilliant cast of singers Which
Signor Lambardi presented last night
was assuredly the best bill offered TINS
week. The soloists have caught the
spirit of the story, and impress 1t upon
the beholder, and the bohemian at
mosphere was we'll maintained through
out the presentation.
The Iambardi chorus appears to far
better advantage in the guise of art
lists, peasants and townfolk than Wnen
habited in the. costumes of ladies' ana
gentlemen of the court. Consequently
the scene in the Latin quarter, with
the Christmas festivities, was quite
convincing.
The applause which greeted Ferra-
bini's first appearance was repeated
with enthusiasm at the close of delight
full duos and solos which end the hrst
act. 1t is not until the third act Of
This onera that the really difficult work
for the soprano is introduced. There,
after Mimi and Rodolfo have been
separated for some time, comes a
beautiful scene wherein tenor and So
prano pour out the wealth of their
vocal perfection. Here Ferrabini was
at her best. She gave the most SYM
pathetic nuance in tenderly greeting
voice
the scene was pure and
beautiful. She received her full need
of applause at the close of the act.
Spirited Interpretation
Graziana gave a spirited interpreta-
ton to the role of Rodolto HIS actlng
was quite intense enough to typify the
Latin spirit and made a strong appeal
to his audience, while his singing was
generally brilliant His voice is dra-
matte in quality and sufficiently heavy.
He is particularly well fitted physically
to enact the role Of the poet lover, and
has a magnetic personality, which
makes a strong appeal across the foot
lights.
Zavasli made her second local ap-
pearance in the part of Musetta- Her
voice was heard to much better adj
vantage than in her premier, and she
played the affected, luxury loving girl
settle with spirit. She appeared, in fact,
to overdo the eccentricities and tenn
pestuous outbursts of the part, but her
voice, which is still too shrill for beauty
in solo work, was heard to advantage
in the quartet at the close of the sec
ond act.
Modesto was musically and dramat-
ically good as Marcel fairly dividing
honors with Graziani in the duet of the
deserted lovers, which opens the fourth
act. Martina, who is to sing Mephis-
topheles in Faust" made the most of
his little coat song, and was given an
encore.
Applause was frequent throughout
the evening, and the finale of each act
was repeated. After the second act,
Jaccai, the conductor, was called out
and appeared with the soloist to receive
the acclaim of the audience.
The bill tonight is Carmen" with
Dolores Frau in the title role and An
tola, a popular favorite Of last year,
as Escamello.