The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-05-04

~ RAND opera at popular prices al
~ ways has its shortcomings to the
seasoned opera goer. The failing
of principals and of chorus to size UP to
the high standard set by the grea'
companies. and the lack OF elaborate
stage settings and costuming are all alp.
10 make the ov~er-captious listener
smile. But it is not IN a spirit of criti-
cism that one .hould attend such per
formances. Such popular offerings of
ths famous operas as are given by the
Aborn Opera Company in its present
engagement at the Newark Theatre, for
example, are well deserving of COM
y~nendation rather than of hypercritical
OF eervation.
Performances of the company have
been so far m~eritorious ard deserving
of honest praise. The sincerity of pur-
pose is back of 1t all. To many lovers
of good music who perhaps have not
taken the opportunity of hearing the
famous singers of the day. the presen-
tations at the Newark must certainly
be q pleasure and of educational value.
"Aida. Well Done.
This general comment is all apropos
of the performance of Yerdi's great
Egyptian opera Aida" given by the
Aborn company last night. The en-
thusisstic applause of the large audi
ence showed that the opera was well
received. The favorite arias were given
in a manner which met instant re-
Spouse, and as a whole the evening was
one of enjoyment. 1t was apparent
tina the lack of elaborateness in cos
tuning and scenic display was readily
-----f~-t-1 "a 1900 800 4Io fhA ennc-
tacular second act which shows the
triumphant return of Rhadames, from
The war with the Philippians lacked
much of the pomp and splendor usually
seen In the great productions Of this
opera. It is also true that the stage
setting In the Nile scene might have
been much improved upon even with
the Aborn properties. But as has been
said one cannot be too captious and
must accept what was given in the
spirit in which 1t was meant.
Miss Davis Does Well.
Miss Bertha Davis was the Aida of
the occasion and proved a most ac-
ceptable one. In the earlier part of
the tragedy she did not invest the char
acter with any striking amount of
dpiulSs Out III Lie viz oSShT
che rose to the adequate height and
easily dominated that most beautiful
and effective portion W the opera. In
employing the use OF a soprano Of
high range and good quality she
showed Judgment at all times and
there was a very pleasing noticeable
lack of straining after effect. She
made the aria "Merciful Gods" a
prayerful plea for succor. She In
vested the aria "Oh. Skies Cerulean,"
with tender spirit and was most eff
fective in the duet with Rhadames in
the dungeon eel
Harry Davies did well As Rhadames.
His-voice was clean-cut. clear and even
in all registers, and he took his top
notes with sufficient fervor to please
even the most ardent lover of Italian
opera. He did the Heavenly Aida"
especially well. The Anneris of Miss
Hattie Bell Ladd was for the most part
effective. Hell voice had a powerful
quality, which enabled her to go
through the intricate duets and arias
with effectiveness. She was seen at her
best in the scene in which Rhadames
was condemned to death.
Homer Lind proved a vociferous
Amonasro. George Shields presented a
dignified and capable Ramfs. George
Champion was the king and Miss
Blanch Chase, the priestess. The opera
will be succeeded on Thursday night
for the rest of the week by Verdfs I'll
Trovatore."