The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-02-17

Last nights rendition of the opera
''Laknie" by the Paris Grand Opera COM
panY added new laurels 20 those already
achieved here. and emphasizes the SUI
periorlty OF this magnificent company OF
perfectly trslnei singers to any that has
appeared In Sa,r Lake for many seasons
The enthusiasm OF the hearers grows
with each performance and descrvedIy
so, and the constant outbursts of ap-
plausc given last evening demonstrate cd
the fact that the genuine opera lover
recognizes the ability of the true artist
and is ever on the "aui vive' TO embrace
such opportunities as are being afforded
this week at the Salt Lake theater.
The scenic arrangement of last even
ing Was in perfect accord with the play,
and net even the nliDutest detail was
lacking, The orchestration was par eX-
cellence the best heard in this city In
many Seasons and we'll merits the praise
II received.
The opera "Lakme.' which hao its in
itisl performance in Paris in 1853 and
was seen here for the first time last
evening. is of a peculiar type and pos.
scsses many weird musical charms which
are decidedly different from any other
operate work, yet delightfully."- pleasing
10 the audience and handled with the
''savoir faire" of which only real artists
are capable.
Lakme is the daughter OF a Brahmin
or Hindu priest who wishes TO avoid civ
ilization and be safe from English con-
quest. He wishes to end his days in
worship near the temple. and guards
most carefully every action OF his
daughter,
Lakmc and her slave, Mallilsa, 90 into
the jungle TO gather flowers for the altar
Some English tourists enter and in their
company is Gerald, young officer. They
examine very curiously the garden and
Gerald remains 10 make sketch. Lakme
interrupted by Nilaksntha, father OF
Lakpie. and Gerald departs.
In the second act the scene opens in
a market place. Nilakantha and Lakme
are disguised as beggars. Lskme sings
In The accompaniment OF bells Mia
ksntha hopes Gerald will he attracted
Gerald appears and is stabbed by tho
priest and left for dead; but Lakme, dis.
covering that he Us not dead, nurscs him
back 10 health.
The third and last act f1nds Gerald
seated near Lakne and profuse In his
thanks for recovery and ayoWing his love
In the distance he hears the busle cal
OF hts soldiers and their voices and is
reminded by them OF his duty. He
falters, but iinally gives way and wishes
10 go back to his regiment, for duty Is
stronger than love, he thinks
Lakne poisons herself with the juice ol
flower and dies In The arms OF hcI
father. with Gerald bending over her.
The title role was taken ny Nine
Frego Lcska. who again showed herself
ihe great artistic that she is. She re
ceiycd repeated curtain calls. and in com
10 repeat for the third time the bcautl
fUI duet In the first act. That Frccc
i.eska is prima donna OF the hiShes
rank cannot be eainssd. snd that sh'
hearts OF Salt Lake opera lovers IS eyI
derced by the enthusiastic greetings SHE
receives at each performance.
Mile. de Journel. In the part Of Malika
the slnYe, IS all that could he desired
She hss a rich contralto voice under per
feet control and Possesses a macn1icen
stage presence and remarkaol dramatic
ability.
NJ. wronsk, tho tenor. who became
prime favoritc with his singing in "Eco
ietto,'' captured tho hearts Of the audi
ence with his singing of Lair de
Bijoux'' and again IN his duet With Mme
Frcgo Leska Thcec two voices bTen'
perfectly and their singing is a trca
young Russian tenor who viii one da
achieve hl=b fame In the world of rusir
he has voice not unlike Caruso's an
his high register has almost the equa
fotza' of the great Metropolitan Ia
vorte.
Perbap5 the numbers that delighted Tn
audience most were the artisticaly rcii
dcrcd ara pathetic "Pournuni" hy Frog
l;sska' ner grand display Of vocal mas
nlhcence and technique In LA Legend