The Washington herald., 1911-04-13
OPERA TROUPE SCOPES TWICE.
les Huguenots" and "La Travinta'
Given at BeInSco.

LES Huguenots" Meyerbeer's great
opera based on the troublous time in
France just preceding the massacre of
ST Bartholomew, was presented by the
French Grand Opera Company OF New
Orleans at the Belasco Theater last
night with notable success. Aside from
its musical beauties the opera has great
dramatic strength. embracing a series
OF thrilling episodes in connection with
the plotting and contemplating Incl
dental to the political and religious
troubles that eliminated in the massacre,
and involving a love affair between two
persons belonging to opposing factions,
From the standpoint of music, melody.
and orchestration, 1t is accounted the
masterpiece OF Meyerbeer.
Probably no opera extant requires so
many principal singers. and almost the
entire resources of the company Is
brought into play. The role OF Raoul is
sustained by M. Fontaine. the tenor, who
established a reputation here Immediately
upon his first appearance on Monday
night His voice is robust, yet full of
romantic expression, and his rendition of
that part of the score falling to the
Fuguenot nobeman was splendid. Mile.
Scalar. as Valentine, also created an
eminently favorable impression. In fact.
the whole cast was good, with NJ. Huber
ty. as Marcel, standing in relief, per-
haps, from the unusual prominence of the
part. Mile. Donaldson. as the Queen !:
Mile. Cortez, as the Page; NJ. Moore, as
Count de Nevers: NJ. CaiIlol. as Count de
Saint-Bris, all merit special commenda-
ton A advertisement by ballet was in
troduced. and the orchestra was ably
conducted by NJ. de la Fuente. In con-
sideration of the dramatic and difficult
caliber of the music, and the unusual
strength required for presentation the
successful production of this opera, more
than any other in the repertoire, attests
the high artistic capabilities of the Or
GaniZation
The feature of the afternoons perform
aace of La Traviata'' was the splendid
work OF Mile. ROLAND, whose Violetta
is OF such an engaging quality as to
challenge comparisons with the enact
ments of the most famous singers who
have been traditionally associated with
the role This comparison holds from all
points, for she has personality pleasing
in itself and congruous with the char
acter. She is an actress of more than
passing ability. and her voice is of singu-
lar pureness and power. With the tech
nical difficulties of the score, and they
are manifold. she is thoroughly at home,
and in the first and last acts, in which
the soprano role dominates all others, she
was resplendent- 1t is said that the COM
poser designed this opera for the special
exposition of great soprano prima donnas,
and Mile. Rolland's Interpretation entire
ly maintains the Importance which al
ways has been attached to the part
Next to the principal, the greatest hon.
ors belong to NJ. Montana. as George
d'Orbel. His voice is of fine dramatic
quality. Throughout he was effective.
especially in the famous solo Of the sec
ond act The tenor of the occasion was
NJ. Mondey, who displayed a robust voice
Of pleasing quality. The remainder of the
cast was competent, and a ballet, Les
Matadores," showing the entire strength
of that branch of the organization. was
introduced in the third act. Tonight
La Boheme.'' with Mile. ROLAND as
Mimi and Mile. Cortez as Musetta, viii