The Washington herald., 1910-06-14
AT THE THEATERS
THE NEW NATIONAL.
"Lucia.n

aLucia.n
The Aborn English Grand opera Com
pany reached the climax Of its engage
ment last night with the best perform
ance the company, already weighted
with laurels. has so far given. Presi-
dent Taft and his family occupied box
and led in the applause. which was Of a
volume to do the hearts Of the lovers of
the Italian school much good.
II Is not at all remarkable that the old
operas of this class retain their hold
upon the public. when it is taken into
| consideration that they are so fun of
melody and sentiment It was as though
last nights audience could not get
enough OF their favorite airs. and the ap-
plause which followed the fall of the
curtain on the second act was an ova-
ton. Seven curtain calls were taken
by the principals. and Mr.. Nicosia, too,
was called upon the stage to bow his
| Acknowledgements. But. in spite of the
apparent pleasure which the singers took
In their success, it was really the audi
| ence that was the debtor for seldom
has Lucia" been sung In Washington
with so much spirit and In so capable
manner.
The event of the evening was the first
appearance of Miss Edith Helena. the
coloratura soprano who has been es-
pecially engaged for Lucia. and 'Travi-
alta. She had scarcely sung a dozen notes
last night before the Aborn clientele took
her to its collective hearts and decided
that she was singer OF the highest rank
q al e ,.Fs
fully controlled. She sings with an even
ness and finish that betokens the true
artist Her upper register Is remarkable.
and, together with her trill. fairly cleo
trified her hearers, 70 say nothing of the
four or five wonderful high notes which
she seemed 10 take with such consum-
mate ease. Indeed. If her singing OF this
particular role is any criterion of what
she Is capable of-and IL certainly should
be-the Aborn management has. in Miss
Helena, the find OF the season In So
pranos.
Mr.. Battain sang Edgardo. and while
he was suffering from a slight hoarse-
ness, due, perhaps, to singing too often
during this engagement, he gave a splen-
did exhibition OF his really remarkable
voice. While the bulk Of the singing
rests upon the shoulders of this pair and
the chorus, the singing Of Mr.. Murray,
as Sir Henry. and OF William Schuster,
as Bide-the Rent, was most agreeable.
Miss Alice Eversham had, unfortunately.
few notes to sing. but she was a de-
iightful adjunct TO the picture
Mr.. Nicosia's reading was. as usual,
expressive and sympathetic There are
rev operas with such exquisitely senti-
mental orchestral passages as Lucia"
especially in the first and last acts. The
sextet and the succeeding climax are
wonderful bursts of harmony. in which
II is difficult 10 say whether voices or
instruments have the better OF II; but
IN either case the effect last night was
not far from perfect
Battain will sing Edgardo again this
evening. when Miss Lois Ewell will make
her debut with the company as Lucia.
AT the matinee on Wednesday and at the
evening performance Mr.. Bleyden will
sing. with Miss Helena at the matinee
and Miss Ewell in the evening Begin
ming Thursday evening. Martha" viii
be the bill
Good news for the Aborn patrons Is
contained in the announcement made yes
terday that the engagement of the grand
opera company would be extended two
weeks longer. beginning with a perform
ance Of Verdfs 'Traviata'' on Monday
afternoon. The theater will be given I'D
that evening TO a special dramatic per-
Torrance
The effect OF the present series Of OBJ
cratic productions upon the summer the
ater-goers has Been marked and the
company is enjoying a success that IS
in every respect deserved, for ST no time
within recollection have such high-grade
artists and musicians been offered at the
prevailing nominal prices.
The cast Of Lucia di Lammermoor:
Lord Edgar Of RavenswOcd. 'Eugs.l2 , bsttsn
sir Henry K Murray
on arthur buchlaE.- Arthur Green
Bide-ths-Beut, follower Of Sir Henry Wm. schnster
Norman. also In the train Of Sir Henry
Chapman
H. AsA.o, 81 H. f.. Lois ETeu
Edith Helena
Alice, her confdsnte. Eyersnan
Chorus Of ladies and knights, followers Of
Sir Henry, &c.
Conductor, Carlo Nicosia. Stage diractog. John
R. Bartlett.