The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-05-11
In the Local
Playhouses
DETROIT OPERA HOUSE.

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One OF the most welcome incidents
OF the year 10 a considerable portion
OF Detroit theater goers is the season
OF grand opera which opened Monday
evening in the Detroit opera house.
The season of regular bookings ended
May s, and IL seems a fitting ending
that this should be followed by ser
les OF the most beautiful OF operas
II was a most suspicious opening.
Music lovers are indebted TO the
Aborn Grand Opera company for the
presentation OF that charming master
piece OF Verdi, III Trovatore." with
its tale OF adventure and passion and
heroism. The opera house was COM
fortably filed, and that the major
portion OF the audience was made up
OF musicians or music lovers was dem
onstrated by the discriminating ap-
plause. Curtain calls were numerous,
and taken all In all. the management
of the theater has every reason 10 feel
gratified at the manner in which the
opera was presented. as well as by It's
reception.
Very little was known OF the merits
OF the Aborn company previous to
Monday evening, but the most friend
ly relations were established across
the footlights before the close OF the
first act, and there is little doubt that
the company will soon be in popular
favor in the city.
Much OF the success OF an opera de-
ponds upon it's soloists, and In select
ing these. the management has, for
the most part. been decidedly happy
in its choice. There are abundant OPP
portunities in III Trovatore," for the
various voices. To Miss Estelle Went
worth. the prima donna soprano. fell
the role OF Leonora, and In IL she &C
quilted herself most admirably, dis
closing fine artistic sense and much
beauty OF voice. She has beauty and
youth TO her credit. and while her
voice is not big. II makes up in purity
or tone and excellence OF quality what
ii lacks in volume Miss Hattie Belle
Ladd, in singing the part OF Azucena.
the gypsy. revealed a voice OF great
strength. breadth OF style, and unusual
dramatic power Her scene with Man
rico in the second act stamped her as
an actress and singer OF unusual gifts.
The Manrico Of Domenico Russo
was the notable feature Of the per-
in style. his methods direct and force
full Signor Russo sang the score in
his native Italian, although the re-
mainder OF the cast used the English
version. This, however, did not de-
tract from the pleasure OF his singing.
His work throughout was character
lied by the most delicate skill and
discrimination. and he interpreted the
troubadour with rare intelligence Be
sides, he Is a finished actor, and II is
TO be regretted that he Is not some
what taller that he might make the
ideal heroic tenor.
a deep. sonorous voice. well handled,
and he possesses not little histrionic
ability. while Harry Luckstone as the
Count Di Luna. has a good baritone
voice, but lacks a pleasing stage pres
ence. He was suffering from a cold,
however, Monday evening. which may
have accounted for the colorless man
ner In which he interpreted the lines.
Miss Ely SpellIlan. as lnez, an at
tendant, and w. G. Coupe as Ruiz
were acceptable.
Max Fichandler, the conductor. uses
discrimination and skill In controll-
ing the orchestra. Taken, all in all,
the production was a worthy one. III
Trovatore" is scheduled for Tuesday
afternoon, night and Wednesday night.
Faust" will be presented Thursday
afternoon and evening, Friday even
ing and Saturday afternoon and even
ing