The Washington herald., 1909-02-12
OPERA QUARTET IS ENJOYED
Touch of Novelty Given by Metro
politan Singers.
signor Bonci Is in Splendid Voice
Nine. RsppOId an Attract
i've Artist.

A large audience az the New National
Theater yesterday afternoon enjoyed the
brilliant concert by the Metropolitan Opera
Company Quartet. composed Ok Sigaor
Bonci. Nine. Marie Rappoid. Nine Mari
anne Flahaut, and Mr.. Herbert Wither-
spoon. There was a touch Of novelty
about the concert, not only because OF its
informal nature, but by reason Of the
fact that four singers OF such high rank
ara seldom. il ever, heard together upon
one programme. save IN grand opera. II
the report is true that Washington is 70
have no grand opera this season from
either OF the two New York houses. there
is a crumb OF comfort 20 be derived from
the concert given yesterday. for It may
be taken as a sign that We haven't been
altogether forgotten by the unsympathetic
impresarios.
signor Bonci is an established favorits
here. and we shall not soon forget hear
ing him last winter IN ''Mignon" and IL
'Boheme A tenor in a frOck coat.
short tenor and a long coat, at that, pre-
serves few Of the decisions OF grand
opera, with its glamour Of lights and
The Inspiration OF orchestra and chorus,
but Signor Bonci Is at ease on the
concert stage. and when his soul-thrilHng
notes begin to pour forth surroundings
are forgotten and the imagination VII
carry one most anywhere. His voice vas
splendid yesterday afternoon. II charmed
and satisfied.
Nine Rappold. who presented a stun
ming appearance. fairly electrified the
audience Her soprano is one OF great
beauty and richness, ever note being
approached and taken with the greatest
confidence An artistic Of more attractive
| personality or greater splendor Of voice
has not been heard in Washington for
I long time. Nine. Fiahaut also gave an
agreeable impression by her singing Of
the aria % Ma Lyre ImmorteIle' out
OF 'Sapho." and In the finale the quartet
from "Rigoletto' showed what may be
done by q really fine voice IN an en-
senble number where the mezzo voice Is
usually overshadowed By the others.
Mr.. Withersp0on came IN for his share
of the enthusiasm, especially IN the Non
piu sndrai," from The Marriage Of
Figaro" responding with the ballad
Mother O Nine For an encore to
% Tu Palermo he gave a composition
Of II Floridia's. q charming madrigsl
IN renaissance style. Mr.. Florida. who
accompanied al the singers, played three
compositions OF his own, which we're
pleasing and sufficiently diverse in
motif 20 give him high standing a.
a composer. The generosity with
which all responded 20 encores es-
tablished an entente cOrdiale between
singers and audience that lasted well
after the finale had been sung. The
audience seemed unwilling 70 leave the
theateT, but remained applauding and
shouting "BrsvOs' and waving handker-
chiefs.
Taken altogether il was a splendid con-
cert. and one which any one who heard II
would consider well worthy o. repetition.
The programme in fun:
Duet. Ia G darsm "a mano" c.Don Clio
Falni MoTaFl
Nine. Rappod and Nj Withsrypoyn.
ARA. ~J'ai ps1aa mon Earidice" CaO-pasus-7.
.--.-----.-.--- $3.50 -. C5lacg
Nine Flahaut-
Ara; Css fuTtiTa AsrAma- c'I,Elisi
AH'''' Sf;5c- Az Pr-c; DOni's''i
Aria. % tn Palermo, II vsspri sicilianil Esra
Mr. Withespooa
Nalss- 'Je vszK viEre'' tIsolnso e Juliet,s-l.
.-------.--------. tounod
Nine Raped
THO. finale q 1Cison scsre ''Fs-rss'- -. Czo-nod
Nine Rappoid, Mr.. Withsrspooz. and sEuo-
Piano 7-i5iz
tsl sersusde. Opus /
% cosuetse, vsiss Tents, trun OPUS Is
fcl March sauva<e
Signor pietro Florida
Ara, Che sslid& MAMMA ria Bohsrs'1 P,socsn
Signor Bo1ci.
Air De Ssione (Hsrodisd4'' l.......-... Nsszspet
Mne. Rsppol5
Aria, Non psa HndrAi" l'Ls Nozze d
Figaro Mozart
Mr. With@Spoon-
ARA, 20 ma Lyrc Tn=ozieIls'' ('sapae-9 .Csslnod
Mue- FIshaut
QIGrtEt from Act ~ -Rizoie1to-- -.--..---V Verdi
Mines. RzppSd ard Fizhsut. 1fr wither-
Epo0G and SiEnoy Boncl-
Musical iirect0r-Pistro Florida