The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-03

1t was gala night at the Lyric Theater
In Baltimore, last night, for Caruso was
billed to sing, and the greatest cast that
the Metropolitan opera Company could
muster was to accompany him in Pom
chiellrs la Gioconda-"
Then, to add 10 the already numerous
attractions, the President telegraphed over
during the afternoon that he and a party
would be on hand 10 witness the per-
Torrance; so that It was a night that
will be long remembered in Baltimore.
In the Presidents party were Mrs. Taft,
Mrs. Anderson. and Capt Archibald Butt.
The party arrived just before the per
formsnce and occupied special box that
had been decorated for the occasion.
Worthy Of Note.
Besides tho wonderful cast that had
been provided for the production. and the
added attraction OF the presence for the
first time in many years of the Chief
Executive at an opera in Baltimore. the
orchestra and the remainder OF the audi
ence combined 10 make the occasion a
memorable one.
The orchestra was under the leadership
of Toscanini. and he gave one Of those
almost inspired readings OF the score
which have placed him among the first
rank OF the orchestra conductors that we
have to-day. In addition 10 leading en-
tirely without the aid Of a score, ne
showed that depth OF feeling and inagi-
nation that have given him his fame.
/ The music Of the Dance Of the Hours
in the third act was especially worthy OF
note
OF the cast OF the play little need be
said. beyond the fact that they were all
artists OF tho highest caliber. and were
/ all keyed up 70 a pitch which enabled
| them 10 give a we'll nigh perfect rendi-
ton OF the rather difficult score. Caruso
was naturally the center OF attraction,
| and his voice showed that 1t had lost
pot a whit Of It's wonderful power and
! sweetness.
/ The nature OF the role Of EMO did not
allow him much opportunity to show the
real timbre OF his voice until near the
end. but when the burst of song finally
arrived il amply made up for the lack
Of opportunity in the earlier scenes. His
! solos in the second and third acts and
the duet in the last were the numbers
receiving the most applause,
Emmy Destinn, the soprano who has
made such an impression in the title role
IN New York, assumed 1t again last night
| and the large audience was delighted with
| her work. Her duet with Laura and the
]
final act, were probably the best given
but her entire performance was so excel
lent that Il Is hard to pick out any one
or two numbers as being especially good
Barytone Well Liked.
Second only TO the applause accorded to
Caruso was that which the barytone
Amato, gained from his rendition Of the
role Of Barnaba, the spy. His voice Is
/ one Of singular beauty and strength. and
was heard TO splendid advantage in hts
! solos in the first and second acts. "Regfa
| e Bolgia Dogale" and Fisher Boys, Your
Boats Make Ready" His acting and ex.
cellent makeup added materially to tho
Interpretation OF the role
Others in the cast who pleased with
/ their work were Guerrina Fabrini as
/ Laura, Anna Maitschik as la Cieca, and
Andrea de Segurola as Alvise. The pro
/ duction was layishly mounted, the second
| scene on board Enzo's boat and the bal
let OF The Hours being the most eIabo-
rate Of the stage settings and costuming
Altogether. the singers, the orchestra, and
the audience combined to make the per
/ Torrance by FAR the best Of those that
have been seen at the Lyric this season.
The next performance will be on Fri.
day. February Il. and Will be Madam
Butterfly" with Farrar, Scott, and Mar.
/ tin IN the cast.