Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-05
Ry FLORENCE BosARD LAWRENCE

G. MerOla conductor.
Ry FLORENCE BOSARD LAWRENCE
The singers of the international
opera company are demonstrating with
their every appearance here the su-
periority of their soloists, the magnifi-
cence of their art and the smoothness
and harmony of their ensembles.
In Carmen last night, the success
which has attended the previous per-
formances of the company was empha-
sized conVinCingly and the members
of the audience realized anew that we
have here with us a group of men and
women whose brilliant work demands
serious consideration, and whose alto
gether delightful performances entitle
them to every bit of the appreciation
which has been accorded them and
more.
Musicians and students of opera, who
hesitate to attend the operas this
week, need have no fear of seeing thelr
faVorite characters Caricatured. On
the contrary they will see singers who
impersonate the roles with an artistic
fidelity not only in their vocal inter-
pretation of the part but with physi-
cal and dramatic fitness as We'll
The chorus is well chosen with due
regard to appearances, and more than
ordinary vocal quality, while the or
chestra under the direction of Sig.
Merola makes a sympathetic, har-
monious support for the voices.
Nine. Duce- -Merola made her premier
appearance here last night, singing the
title role in Bizets cOlorful opera. In
appearance she makes an ideal Car
men. She has the suppleness and 1.-the
ness which one Immediately associates
with the character, and which is alas
too rare among singers who essay the
part She has in addition ViVacious
beauty with that touch Of diablerle
that makes her seem not an imperson-
alton of Carmen, but the real tempes-
tuous Carmen herself
Vocally, Nine. MerOla was slightly
disappointing in the first act her tones
lacking depth and her upper register
betraying a harshness which was not
grateful to the ear; however, she may
have thought it fitted in with the role
OF the voluminous cigarette girl
Later on her work became decidedly
smoother and her duet with Don Jose
in the second act and in the final solos
and concerted numbers was delightful.
Her posing and dancing and her
stormy uuarrels with Jose were all
managed with skill and the final death
scene if trife stacy, was yet de-
cidedly effective.
Colombini the Don Jose Of the per
to local audience. and won instant
recognition for fine comprehension
of his role and delightful voice. He
plavs the part of the love-enthralled
young soldier with discrimination and
dramatic effect, which is quite un-
paralleIed in my experience of this
familiar opera. Better still, he pos
sesses a rare sense of humor, and
seems to be keenly aware of the super
sentimentalty Of the part. Instead or
taking il with sombTe seriousness he
introduces frequent light and shade,
giving it in fact more the insouciance
of the light-hearted young soldier,
than the tragical solemnity which fore
tells too plainly the finale Of the story.
Possessing dramatic ability Of a
high degree NJ. olCombini Will
undoubtedly delight his hearers on
Friday as Turridou, and next week 1t
is understood that he VIII be cast IN
Fedora, where the tenor role makes
heavy requirements.
Arcangeli was greeted with the
bravos and applause which are his
usual welcome. when he appeared as
Fscamillo and sang his big opening
song, "The Toreador" with splendid
effect. The freedom and breadth of
method which this singer employs rem
der him vital figure upon the stage
at all times. and one in whom the audi
enCe takes great pleas ire.
Mile. Donner sang Nichacla, the part
originally announced for Nine. Ber-
tossi. She is "a pretty girl with a
smooth and flexible voice which she
used with considerable judgment once
her initial stage fright had worn off.
Encouraged by the generous support
of Colombino she did her best work in
their duets.
Miss Williams and Mile Zarad with
NJ. Frascona and NJ. Guiliani gave
Mime. DuCe-MorOia excellent support
and the number was delightfully."- rem
dered.
Curtain calls and hraNas We're fire.
uuent interruption during the evening,
but Director Merola maintained his
usual attitude, discouraging encores
and repeats during the performance
Of the opera. The position is one which
the Los Angeles public finds it diff
cult to accept, bat it is unquestionably
artistic in it's effect.
The same east Of singers is an
nouuced for the Saturday matinee and
should attract an enthusiastic audi
ence.