The Washington herald., 1910-06-27
OPERATE GEMS HEARD.
Brilliant Singing Marks Second Con-
cert of the Aborn Company.

The second concert OF the AboTn Grand
Opera singers, which was given at the
New National Theater last night, was
even a more brilliant artistic success
than the previous one, due principally 10
the efforts OF Miss Edith Helena, and Mr.
Domenico Russo.
Miss Helena not only sang the role Of
Media In Il Pagliacci." but five operate
numbers besides, including the caro-
Mona" from 'Rigoletto," and THE Last
Rose OF Summer" The soprano was In
superb voice. and her every appearance
was : signal for an outburst Of applause.
The Abcrn patrons said goodbye TO
Miss Helena last night most Tegretfully.
since her singing mas been On event which
has set musical Washington 10 talking.
Miss Helena's singing alone was a COM
plete concert in itself. She has not been
In better voice at any time during her
engagement. In all the ensembles her
strong and powerful voice was easily
heard above all, and Il seemed as though
she would never tire to taking those
beautiful high notes which show her
voice TO such advantage. In the Faust
trio, for instance, resolved itself into
purely a competition between Miss Helena
and Mr. Battain as to which should
drown the other in the finale crescendo,
Miss Helena was an easy winner, and
Battains voice Is by no means weak
In fact, a cause for eongratulation last
night was this tenor's return 10 good
voice, as It was regretted last Sunday
that he was unable 10 do justice 10 his
songs. Last night he came out especially
strong in the "Di QuelIa Pirs," from III
Trovatore." which he was forced 10 re-
peat.
Mr.. Russo earned his Iaureis prin-
cipally through his work as Canio IN al
Pagliacci." IN which he fairly brought
down the house. His voice is full OF
sympathetic qualities, and his acting, too,
made his appearance a noteworthy one.
His voice is not as SNOWY as Battain's,
but owing to the vast difference in quail
ity between the two comparison is I'M
necessary. Both are exceptionally good
tenors.
Miss Lois Eweil furnished a well-nked
novelty with the two arias. "Elisa's
Dream. from 'Lohengrin,' and the
aria of the second act OF Madam But
terfly," which she sang with much
beauty of expression and tonality. The
peculiar suitability OF Miss Ewells voice
TO these two numbers rendered them
doubly beautiful. Miss Ewell also sang
In the "Miserere," with Mr.. Russo and
male chorus.
Mr.. Murray sang the Tempest of the
Heart" from "n Trovatore," very well
and Mr.. HUFF the prologue to IT Pag-
liacci" with excellent effect. In fact,
this latter was a surprise TO those who
had hitherto heard Mr.. HUFF only in
music Of a much lighter grade. Another
number which pleased was the inter-
mezzo of la Gioconda," played by Mr..
Nicosia's orchestra. The conductor came
in for his share of praise on the evening.
and, indeed, performed his usual wizard
like effects with the baton. A great deal
OF credit for the success OF the two con-
certs lies in the direction of Nicosia's
artistic knowledge and jealous attention
TO all the details Of the performance.
Two light opera songs were inter
polated in the concert, THE Gypsy Sere-
made" from Victor Herberts ''The For
tune Teller" and de Koven's Brown
October Ale" from Robin Hood" The
first mentioned was not down on the
programme, and when Huntington May
appeared the surprise was complete.
Altogether, the concert was a feast of
good music. There were no disappoint
ments, and when the last strains of the
favorite Lucia" sextet died away there
ended the most successful grand opera
engagement that any summer organiza-
ton has enjoyed in Washington. and one
which surpasses many Of those given at
advanced prices.
The last week OF the engagement viii
be devoted to Balfe's 1.-THE Bohemian
Girl" an opera which retains its popu-
larity with all classes.