The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-02-15
"LA GIOCONDA."

The first appearance Of the Lambardl
Grand Opera company Monday night was
marked by a notable presentation OF La
GiOcOnGa," an opera that mas Oeeh Le-
viVed with enthusiasm throughout the
east this season. The company Whlcn
ImpresariO LambardI introduced IN TINS
opera is one of great excellence, comprls-
ing a fine cast Of principals, a large
chorus and a symphony orchestra OF fifty
instruments. Considering the superior
merits OF the performance and the I'M
usual interest attached to the preSenta-
ton of this particular opera, 1t was noted
with surprise how small an audience
gathered to welcome this aggregation Of
singers to the city. II grand opera Is 70
be presented here by a company so high
ly efficient as the people of Salt Lake
know this one to be, it will need more
enthusiastic reception than that accorded
the last nights performance.
La Gioconda," by POnchielli, was first
produced in America in 1888 at the Met
it was also the premiere performance of
the present season. 1t saw an eventful
presentation in November last when it
was produced with NOrdica in the title
role, on the occasion Of the opening Of the
New Boston opera house. PeCullaTIueS
Of the music, which is not in a popular
vein, have failed to win for this opera the
recognition which II merits, but it may
be said to have recently come into its
own, and II IS now warm faVOTlte.
Particularly strong was this perform
ance in the singers allotted to the mems
roles. AttiliO Maurini, lyric tenor, sang
the principal part Of EMO in a finished
manner. His voice is remarkable for
and in the high notes bears comparison
with those of the most famous teuOrs. He
was at his best in the great aria, Ocean
and Sky! The Blue Vault Ethereal"
which was applauded again and again.
The role Of Barnaba was admirably
sung by SignOr Giuseppe Maggi. He has
q powerful, resonant baritone voice, and
considerable dramatic ability. His sons,
Fisher Boys, Your Boats Make Ready,
was demanded as an encore, and be re
peated the beautiful number in full An
other artist who contributed greatly to
the perfection of this performance is Vim
cenzO Viola, whose deep bassO pTOfundO
voice was heard to advantage in the re
citative and arias of the third act. SignOr
Viola has the fine physique needed in this
role and his powerful voice seems the
result Of his magnificent bearing and
body support.
AS Gioconda, Nine. Elvira Bosetti was
adapted to the part, but her singing was
not received with the enthusiasm which
it merited Her voice is a true dramatic
soprano of great force. Because of it's
power and volume il seems to lack in
sweetness and is sometimes even shriII
She is a careful artist and sang the diff
ficUlt and arduOus part in excellent
fashion Nine. Dolores Frau has q mpzzO
soprano voice that is sweet and rich.
but between the registers there is a break
which is many times the cause Of a loss
in effectiveness. Ciecas song, one Of the
most beautiful numbers Of the opera, was
sweetly and plaintively sung by Nine
Bugamelli
The story of the opera is one of passion
and revenge. The scene is laid in Venice
in the seventeenth century. La GiOconda
a girl Of the people, is pursued by Bar
naba, but declares her love for Emo
who was at one time betrOthed TO Laura