Los Angeles herald., 1910-02-25
NINE. BUTTERFLY
WELL PRESENTED
EAMBARDI SINGERS HEARD TO
GOOD ADVANTAGE
NINE. cALVl is FINE IN TITLE
ROLE
Chevaller Nadal Makes Thankless
Part a Success by Reason of
His Magnificent
Voice
By Florence Bosard Lawrence

By Florence BOsard Lawrence
With a brilliant cast and a beau
tfful production, the Lambardi COM
pany presented Puccinis tragic opera,
MADAME Butterfly" last night before
the largest audience of the week
While purporting to present one phase
of occidental life, the piece depicts in
reality the tragedy of thousands OF
lives with its story of trusting Wom-
anhood. cherished and protected for a
space, then when dependent and thor
oughly helpless through maternal
cares left to face the problems of life
and to see her lover turn from her to
the object of a newer passion.
1t does seem, however, that Mr..
Belasco might have made the lot of
poor little Butterfly a little easier if
he had not sent the new wife of her
child's father to witness her humilia-
tion. The part OF Kate Pinkerton is
always played by some one with cal
lous mien, and yet the scene of srfer
and heartbreak which follows her ap-
pearance is so violent and despairing,
that even the bride, confident in her
husbands love, must feel that she has
heaped too much sorrow upon the lit
tie Japanese girl.
The music of this opera has become
generally familiar since its first pre-
senation here by the Savage company
some two years ago, and needs llttle
description at this time Like all the
Puceini music it is a composite of
beautiful motifs, brief haunting mel
odic phrases and presents pictures OF
vivid color and tragic portent
Even the marriage music and all
that goes to make the first act pic
turesque and bright has suggestive
undertone as of half suppressed soos'
In the second act the music that ac-
,aia thn tiOnS for BlnkeI-
toms return, while assuming to be
light and full of joy, is pregnant with
foreboding only suggested at the hrSt
hearing, but becoming more and more
apparent as the music grows more
familiar TO the ear
Mime. Cavi in Role
The opera offered one new singer,
Madame Marina Calvi, in the role OF
Cho Cho San. Much interest has been
aroused concerning this singer, ana
most flattering notices of her interpre-
tation of this character have come
from eastern points. Vocally her 1T
ness for. the role is evident. Her voice
has sympathy and an emotional timbre
in every tone. 1t is vibrant and eX-
pressive to a degree, and under excel
lent control That it is slightly low
for the higher portions of the music is
not a discredit to the voice, for TINS
role demands perhaps wider LATITUDE
in range than any one other soprano
role. while the continuous singing that
is required makes it impossible to allow
the vocal organs even the least time for
recovery.
In aDDearance Ca1vi was not quite in
the picture. She is tritle large, and
not so easy in her acting as a merry
little japanese bride might be. In the
second and third acts this stiffness dis
in, largo decree and IN the
scenes with the child she was sweetly
maternal. The child. by the way, was
q beautiful little fellow, and delighted
every one with his grace and smiles,
which in the last act only caused the
tears to flow the more quickly.
Nine. A. Bugamelli sang the difficult
music of Susud with good effect. she
displayed fine dramatic possibilities in
the last act too, and her scene with
Pinkerton and Sharpless was well done.
Nadal, as Pinkerton, succeeded in
giving this rather thanllless role a dis
tinct success by reason of his maSnln-
cent voice. A clear high tenor with
wide range, and guided by maslclanly
spirit is so rare find that Slgnor
Iambardi ought to value highly this
gifted singer The part of the young
American naval officer demands more
than a beautiful voice, although with
out that the part would be unbearable.
It needs the intuition which is another
name for the best artistry, and it needs
as we'll considerable dramatic ability.
Signor Nadal fulfilled these require
ments with good measure, and received
an enthusiastic appreciation from his
audience, which betokened fresh tri-
,1mphs when he makes another appear
ance.
Favorite as American Consul
Angelo Antola, favorite with local
audiences, sings the part of Sharpless,
the American consul, with a broad un-
derstanding of the dramatic possibili-
ties of the part, and that ready con-
ception of artistic singing which has
made him famous in every role he at
tempts. 1t is a far cry from Rigoletto
or Tonic with their striking costumes
and all the assistance of excellent
character makeup to that Of this con-
ventional American citizen in business
suit and derby hat, yet Antola makes
the move from these two earlier roles
with grace and winning surety. His
voice lies well for this part and the
songs allow him to appear to excellent
advantage.
A correction of one earlier notice is
needed here. In mentioning the Count
de Luna in I'll Trovatore" 1 gave to
Signor Maggi that praise which in fact
belonged to Antola, who had had hur-
riedly substituted in the role after the
programs were printed 1t is unfor-
tunate indeed, to have made such a
mistake concerning these artists, who
are so deserving of favorable COM
ment
A. Neri who sang the part of Goro
the marriage broker, was excellent,
and V. Viola at the Bonze made the
most of his brief opportunity. other
singers cast for the principal roles