Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-23
National.

Giacomo Puccinis la Bohems." with
its peep into the mystical land Of artists
ana homeless good fellows, its little ro-
mances and its saddening tragedy, seemed
happily chosen by the Aborn English
Grand Opera Company for the opening
night OF its spring season at the New Ma
tional Theater last evening. A very large
ana enthusiastic audience thought so, and
1t seemed to inspire the principals and
chorus to efforts that brought about bet
ter. much better, results than are usually
Characteristic Of an opening night. Save
that at times the orchestra seemed to lag
a Dit, there was not a fault to be found
with the performance and there were
many brilliant things in it to commend.
salvatore Sciarretti, the tenor who ap-
peared with the company last season,
sang the role of Rudolph, the poet lover
OF the unfortunate Mimi, with brilliancy
| and charm that obliged him to repeat his
| aria In the first act and seemed to set
| the gauge Of the performance for the re-
mainder Of the evening. Mr.. Sciarretti's
voice Is lyric tenor Of bell-like clarity
ana sweetness, wide of range and under
superb control His work of last evening
Will give him rank with the best tenors
the Aborn company has ever brought to
/ w asmngton, and there are a number of
| them.
Elena Kirmes seemed an ideal Mimi.
| She merged the brilliancy of her voice
and personality with a romantic concep-
ton of the role that was dainty. delicate
| and never once failed to hold the SYM
| pathetic interest of the audience. It was
a splendid bit of artistry that justly de-
served to share the honors of the evening
with Sciarretti. A newcomer to Wash
| lngton James Stevens, sang the role of
Marcel with dash that excited wide and
favorable comment. Mr.. Stevens has a
| round, full, musical baritone voice which
he handles with an artists skill, and
combined with unusual dramatic talent
made Marcel one of the distinct features
| of the opera.
To the role of the fiirtatious Musetta Ira
Jeane brought a pleasing voice and deli
cacy of Interpretation unlike the conven-
tional conception of the capriciouS flirt Of
trast to the impersonation Of the role by
Bertha kalisch last year. William Schus-
ter returned as Schaunard, musician,
and seemed to fit the part admirably.
while Siegfried Phillips, as Colline, a phi
losopher, was adequate in voice and ac-
| ton. In the farewell song to his coat he
was exceptionally effective. Robert Cor
ruccini, as Benoit, the landlord; John
| of Musetta, and Arthur Green, as Par
pignol. completed cast we'll adapted to
the proper Interpretation Of the opera
| that made of it a complete and satisfying
| throughout. America Vinaccia was the
conductor and after the tagging moments
| in the early stage of the opera seemed to
have his people we'll in hand both on the
| stage and in the orchestra.
La Boheme" has no plot. 1t is simply
| a bit of life culled from the Bohemian
quarter of Paris, but elevated by the
charming inspiration Of the great COM
poser to the poetic realm. Its incidents
/ weave a blend of smiles and tears, and
it's music seems to reflect the soul of SIM
pie humanity The opera was we'll staged.
| Tonight and tomorrow night Anna
Frery. a new soprano to Washington,
will sing the role of Mimi, and Philade
Sinagra, a new tenor, the role of Ru-
dolph, the remainder of the cast being
| unchanged. At tomorrow's matinee Miss
Kirmes and Mr.. Sciarretti will assume the
leading roles.
Thursday evening and for the remainder
Of the week. with matinee Saturday
afternoon. Puccini's Ia Tosca'' will be
sung by the same cast, the leading prin-
lcipals alternating in the roles of Floria
Tosca and Mari Cavaradossi.