The Washington herald., 1908-01-18

Last night came near high-water mark,
from an artistic standpoint, of the San
Carlo Opera Company's engagement when
Nine. Nielsen appeared as Violetra in
Yerdrs beautiful "Traviata.'
The work Of the organization. as a
whole. and the individual efforts OF the
artists themselves have made such a de-
cided impression upon the music-loving
public that little can be added this late
in the week TO what has already been
discovered. but no such great rendition
.Of a superb musical work should 90 I'M
recorded
President and Mrs. Roosevelt I'm Box.
The audience last night was a most dis
tinguished one. the President and Mrs.
Roosevelt occupying a box and being en-
thusiastic listeners. Mr.. and Mrs. Nich0-
las Longworth also had box. as did Mrs.
Perry Belmont and party.
ia Traviata" contains much Of thar
warm. melodic. and emotional richness
so pleasing in the Italian school 1t is
free from ambitious or complex passages.
yet is full OF color. variety. and express
sion. and Is smooth sweet. and pathetic,
even tragic. as the story reaches its dra-
matte climax. II is one OF the most p0pu-
lar Of its Glass and the music is Of that
haunting character that is VerdTs chief
charm as a composer.
The story is founded on Dumas Ia
Dame aux Camelias," with the name Of
the principal character changed -from
Marguerite Gautier to Violetta Valery.
The play Of Camille" is CLOSELY followed
as 10 action and requires no repetition.
Nine. NieIsen's Fayorite Role.
The role Of Violetta is confessed by
Mime. Nielsen 10 be her fayorite among
those which she has mastered Il is GER
tainly one Of the most trying parts in all
the operate category There is but one
short period in the four acts during
which the prtma donna is not on the
stage, and most Of the time she IS there
she is singing either in solo or in some
concerted number.
Nine Nielsen was in excellent voice
7 last night, and the purity OF her vocaliza-
ton and the consummate ease with
which she took the high notes of the
score were not short Of marvellous. In the
grand scene OF the first act. when Vi0-
letta sings OF her love for Alfredo. All.
fors' Iul," followed by the more snowy
"Sempre liberia degg To- she was superb
The long recitative and duet with Ger
mont, "Pura Siccome Ut angelo brought
out further beauties o. ner voice. and
/ the last scene beginning with the aria.
I 'AddiO del passatO. and ending with
/ the death. was fine piece Of acting, as
well as a musical delight
Looks the Part of Heroine.
Nine. Nielsen has the advantage Of
/ looking the part Of Violetta, and being
/ able to act Il with a great degree of his
/ trionic ability. Too often the taste is Of
| Tended by a robust prima donna, who is.
/ for physical reasons. unable to simulate
/ the appearance Of one awaiting the last
/ summons. Nine Nielsen had such splen-
did control IF her voice last night, and
! suppressed its volume in the death scene.
so that the tragic situation was admirably
/ sustained
/ NJ. BLANCHARD who sang the part Of
/ Germont last night, is entitled to great
praise He sang the aria, 'Di Provenza
/ il mar" with feeling and beauty that
won for the number a splendid response
4 from the audience, and an encore was
/ granted.
DAM Makes Much of Minor Role.
NJ. DAM sang Alfredo, which is a
part subordinate to that usually writ
ten for tenors. but, as on Tuesday even
I ing. he gained many admirers. His best