The Washington herald., 1910-06-19


the summer performances now being
given at the local theaters, it is unreason-
able to suppose that packed houses would
have been the rule had the weather been
propltous for outdoor sports and amuse-
ments. Nobody wants to be indoors in
June. but when June refuses to stay put,
and the bills at the playhouses are so in
viting, the answer may be found on the
box-ofilce sheets.
Everywhere are heard expressions Of
delight over the operate performances
by the Aborn English Grand Opera Com
pany, and the weather and the patron
age being favorable, the engagement was
extended two weeks longer, making the
season end on Saturday evening. July 2
II there was any doubt in the minds
of the public as 10 the quality OF the
Aborn productions, the last Yestige was
dispelled by the superb performances or
Lucia" the early part Of the week. In
bringing forward Miss Helena and Miss
Eweli to share first honors with Mr.. Bat
tain and Mr.. Bleyden, the management
made a most successful move The tenors
now no longer oVershadow the sopranos
they are on an equal plane, and that
plane comes pretty close 10 being as high
as any grand opera Interpretation Wash
ington has ever known.
Many people were frank to say that
the Lucia performance was as good as
the best ever heard here and although
this statement will include Tetrazzini,
Sembrich, CarusO, Scott. and many 9TH
ers within the average recollection. 1t
must be remembered that the high-priced
opera companies do not put on grand
opera nearly so we'll as the Aborns.
When top-notch foreign singers capture
the major portion of the payroll. econ
Onay on the chorus. the scenery, and the
minor principals is not merely tempta-
ton, but necessity.
Too often the sextet in Lucia" be-
comes merely a duet between soprano
and tenor because the subordinate voices
are out Of class. With the Aborns the
homogeneity. the absolute balance. was
strongly noticeable. and this was what
led folks TO say IL was the best perform
ance they had ever heard. 1t was not
merely the emotion Of the moment, but
had a basis in fact.
Speaking of emotion. it is doubtful
whether any other opera on the list is
capable Of bringing out so much feeling
as Lucia" Even the saccharine III
Trovatore'' is eclipsed In this regard.
The predominance OF the strings in the
orchestration is the cause. There are
passages Of melting sweetness that fair
~ culver with emotion.
Such a performance as Lucia" con-
vinces one of the absurdity OF the atti-
tude OF the Wagnerites. who disdain the
italian opera with so much vehemence.
The ridiculous part OF II lies IN the way
they ignore the possibility that the
musically inclined can enjoy both schools
without being prejudiced against one or
irrevocably committed 10 the other. The
attitude of the Wagnerites in this regard
is purely q pose and does not deceive
any one. Just why they should be
ashamed 10 admit that they enjoy Italian
opera is not clear. The 'Pilgrim's Choir
u.s. or the Ride OF the Valkyries" are
no better than La Donna Mobile" or
"Ah, fors Q lui." They are different.
that's all.
It is true that il takes longer for the
average music lover 10 find Wagner out
than 1t does to learn to enjoy Verdi or
DOnizetti. for instance. The Wagnerites,
being pedantic. find pleasure in this diff
cult study. whereas the truly musical in
divIdual in whose soul melody and senti-
ment find an echo, who is perfectly In
tune himself, absorbs music through his
pores. It comes as easy as breathing.
AS an evidence of good artistic instinct
and a proper disregard for meaningless
tradition. the Aborns' Lucia enacted the
mad scene by herself The chorus Of
guests and jewellers withdrew and left
the unhappy lady to herself, where she
was free TO MARBLE her cadenzas without
prying supervision Any change that viii
lessen the Inconsistencies that a fifty
year-old lbretto encounters on the mod
ern stage is most welcome. Grand operas
are full Of such disturbing elements but
We generally have to tolerate them for
the sake OF the music
The Ben Greet Players are at their
best in Shakespeare, so we may expect
20 have a banner week AT the Belasco
beginning tomorrow. THE Tempest IS
a wise selection for the opening, as. the
Players are thoroughly up on their parts.
This will be followed by Merchant OF
Venice" with Mr. Greet as Shylock.
David Garrick'' and THE School for
Scandal were somewhat sketchy per-
formances as a whole; good in spots and
bad in others. It is we'll to remember
that it is better TO do one thing we'll than
a lot Of things poorly, and If the Greet
Players desire to change their bill in
the middle week they would better stick
TO Shakespeare. as they are thoroughly
familiar with this part Of their roper
toire Mr.. Greet's Caliban In "The Tenn
pest" is a piece Of acting worth studying,
and the Antonio OF George Vivian is a
close second. Mr.. Greet has not given
us his Shylock as yet, and it is awaited
with much interest.
Caught in the Rain" VIII be reeog-
aized as a seasonable suggestion. II an
the people who have been literally
caught In the rain" during the past
few weeks were 10 desire to see the Col
Her comedy. the run would have to be
prolonged. Those who are to sit In the
front rows will feel thoroughly at home.
If they have been going out much of late,
but they should not leave their rain-coats
in the lobby.
The first Of the outdoor shows will bid
bold defiance to the weather man to-
morrow night. when the Hippodrome at
American League Park viii open with a
high-class vaudeville entertainment, the
details Of which VIII be found elsewhere
on this page. The idea has been tried in
other cities with marked success, the ad-
vantage to the audience being that while
they have every advantage Of fresh air
and cool breezes, there Is a roof provided,
which Is rather necessary just at present
The Ceburn Players finally gave their
outdoor productions of "As You Like Tt
and Twelfth Night" and though the
comfort Of the audience was slightly
marred by wet grounds, the sun shOne
cheerfuIly. and nature seemed glad Of her