Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-02-05
HENRY w. sAvAGE's production
IA of Puccini,s Jananese opera

II of Puccinis Japanese opera,
n Madam Butterfly reflects great
credit upon Mr.. Savage The ensemble
of the company is superior one; even
the minor parts are filed with singers
that could do more important roles II
they were called upon.
This company presents the opera just
as well, in every way artistically, as
they did in New York or Chicago year
ago-in fact the company is a better
one judging from the cast heard last
night.
You almost fancy you can smell the
cherry or the lotus blossoms, as their
own poet, Kayan, wrote--was 1t a thou
sand years ago-when crossing moor
the dew-laden flowers brushed by his
robe left their glittering drops on his
brocade, and he said: ION account of
its perfume such perfume only known
in far-off Japan, I brush not even this
moisture from my sleeve"
AS Madam Butterfly, Miss Rena vi
vienne is ideal; she looks the part, and
her work has grown enormously since
/ saw her a year ago.
Supreme Moments
Her conception of the part vocally
and histrionically held in artistic re-
straint, gave to supreme moments ini-
mitable and decisive touches.
She gave us plenty of fire and passion
and her notes in the lower register had
tears in them. Thus her command of
pathetic emotions was heightened and
intensified. In her death scene she was
indescribably graceful and she gave us
the true Japanese girl, who is taught
in her youth to use the weapon called
"nagi-nata" Ca knife or sword) when
che eaao bot. oh efjfv Y11enaced
She will not wait for her fathers dag
ger. Her own weapon lay always in
her bosom, and 1t Is a disgrace to her
not to know the proper. way in which
she must perpetrate self destruction.
Bushido made the sword its emblem
of power and prowess and when Ma
homet proclaimed that "the sword is
the key of heaven and of hell' he only
echoed the Japanese sentiment.
Ethel Du Ere Houston as Suzuki was
very sympathetic and her rich voice
effective, especially in the beautiful
duet In the second act, which is one OF
the gems of the opera.
Is Master of Part
She lost her individuality in her part.
creating amid the stage surroundings
q perfect ideal of the impersonation of
the moment.
am anxious to hear Miss Behnee in
this part 1 think. however, the lat
ter's voice is more of a mezZo soprano.
Kurt Donatti as B. F. Pinkerton is
very weak United States navy lieu
tenant, with rather a pleasing light
voice, but bad method, and only one
word did I understand the entire even
ing, and am not certain, but l think
that word was "Luv," intended for
Love" / hope to hear Vernon Stiles
In this part.
Thomas Richards has a beautiful
rich voice and Is a typical manly
American consul. He shows good die
ton, fine enunciation and is hand
some young fellow in this part. If he
| will only throw off a little more of the
constraint and watch his movement OF
his hands it will add to the grace OF
his part.
Dear little Trouble acted and looked
the part perfectly and brought tears
to many eyes when Butterfly sang her
lullaby and goodby to her baby boy.
The entire production is certainly one
of the finest that ever came to the
coast.
The orchestration is most beautiful
and 1 did not find the orchestra over
towering at any time during the pro-
duction.
Has Only One Rival
Mr.. Savage has only one rival, and
that is Mr.. Savage, in another produce
ton.
Many musicians are asking each
other, what do you think of Madam
Butterfly" as compared with La Be-
heme'-which do you prefer?
1 like both. Both are Italian through
AMI through, but as yet, in my mind,
La Boheme" is the very best opera
Puccini has given us.
The cast tomorrow afternoon gives
us Miss Strakosch and Mr.. Stiles-two
of the best artists with the company.