The Washington herald., 1908-04-12

with broad grin on mis- face, saying
over and over, We'll, / wishes yo' much
happiness. boss, deed, I does.
WEEK OF GRAND OPERA
The composition of the repertoire and
the list Of distinguished artists who will
appear in Washington are sufficient as
surance of the high excellence OF the per-
formanees Of grand opera which VIII be
given here this week by the Conried Net
ropolitan Opera Company. The engage
ment viii be played this year st the New
National Theater, beginning on Thurs
day evening. A matinee and an evening
performance will be given on Saturday.
There will be no performance on Friday
evening. If it seems difficult to improve
the quality of the admirable company
that Mr. Conried will bring here this
year, it would surely be impossible 10
conceive more judicious programme
than the one that has been selected. la
Boheme tMignon." "Cavalleria Rusti-
cana, and "Psgliacci' form an array of
operas which will appeal in turn to low
ers of the light and distinctly tuneful,
the lyric, and the romantic schools.
La Boheme, which win be sung on
Thursday evening. viii serve 10 Introduce
two artists who have never been heard in
Washington. They are Mile Lima Cava-
lieri and Mr.. Alessandro Bonci. Mile. Cava-
iieri will sing the role of Mimi. in which
she made her first appearance in grand
opera in Rome several years ago. Her
career has been a romantic one. Born of
poor parents she began life as A flower
girl in Rome. Joining a troupe OF stroll
ing players she found her way 10 Paris,
where she tried the music hall stage
Suddenly Mile. Cavalieri disappeared
from her WeIl-knoWn haunts and began
the earnest study of music. Her oper-
attic debut in Rome was nothing short of
sensational, and since then she has been
apDlauded Ia all the principal Italian
cities, as well as in Russia, Paris, and
London.
Mr. Bonci is the lyric tenor who has
been dividing the honors with Mr.. Caruse
this winter al the Metropolitan Opera
House. He is not a tenor who looks for
ward to impressing the public with hts
tonal sorority. At first his stature may
occasion some surprise. but after Bonci
has revealed his wonderful singing gift
and the perfect use Of one Of the sweetest
voices with which nature ever endowed
human being he viii seem 3 giant. Etei-
ka Gerster, the celebrated soprano. IN
speaking of Bonei Hkened him to the IA
nous Rubini. Another widely known
prims donna. Lilli Lehman, mentions
Bonci in her book on Singing and Sing
ers' as an exceptional tenor" In addi-
tion 10 Mile. CavaIieri and Mr.. Bonci. the
cast Of La Boheme" will include Mile.
Dereyne and NM. Scott, Barocchi. Begue,
Dufriche, Tecchi. Navarini and Dragonf.
The conductor VIII be Mr.. Rodolfo Fer
rari, who was for six years the conduc-
tor OF the Teatro Constant. the leading
opera house of Rome
Mignon' viii be the opera at the Sat
urday matinee. When this work Of AM
brose Thomas was first mentioned In the
list Of revivals at the Metropolitan Opera
House the skeptics foretold failure. The
success Of the opera was none the less so
great and immediate that It silenced all
criticism 'AignOn' has proved by far
the most popular OF all the light works
IN the Metropolitan repertoire this winter.
Even Berlioz, who disliked Thomas. had
to confess that his "Blignon" had merits |
and 10 admit the charm OF 'Knowest !
Thou the Land?" The presence in the |
cast Of such eminent and wonderful sing /
BIS as Miss Geraldine Farrar. Miss Bes- |
sic Abott. Miss Josephine Jacoby. and |
NM. Bonci Plancon. Lucas, and Begue /
should Of Itself more than suffice to as
sure repetition in Washington OF the /
triumph which has attended the Mig /
non" revival In New York. The conduc- |
tor on this occasion viii be Mr.. Samuel |
BOvy
The brief engagement Of the Conried /
Metropolitan Opera Company at the Ma
ional Theater viii be brought to a close
]n Saturday evening, when a double bill. /
of ''Cayalleria Rusticana' and /
Pagliacci.' will be given The cast OF /
The Mascagni opera win include Mes /
James F'ornia, Jacoby, and Girerd, and /
Nm. Stracciari and Martin. The latter /
S a young American tenor who has
achieved fame in italy before returning
o his own country. His success at the /
Metropolitan Opera House this winter /
has been so great that the management
las re-engaged him for a term of years.
Enrico Caruso, the great italian tenor,
vii make his only appearance here as
yaniG IN 'Pagli9cci" II is considered by
many 10 be his best role and the one In
which he has achieved his greatest sue
ess. Mr.. Caruso's associates will be Mr..
ieotti, the distinguished barytone, who
S inimitable as Tonic: NM Reiss and
'arto. Mile. Dereyne, a young French
oprano. who halls from the Grand Op-
ra and the Opera Comique OF Paris, will
omplete an Ideal cast in the role of
Jedda Mr.. Ferrari win conduct both
The sale of seats indicates the great in
erst that Washington music-Iovers are
aking in this too brief season of grand
pera.