The Washington times., 1912-04-23
AB.ORN SINGERS ARE
HEARTILY GREETED
AT NEW NATIONAL
LA Boheme" Well Chosen
to Open the Local
Season.

Ia Boheme" was we'll chosen to
open the local season ofsthe Aborn
Grand Opera Company, in the National
Theater, last night. II Is a favorite
with music lovers of both trained and
unframed mind, as was attested by
the zeal with which me opera was pre-
sented by the efficient members of the
Aborn company, and by the enthusiasm
with which the large audience re-
sponded.
1t should be gratifying to both the
Aborn company and to the Washington
community that so many people, prac-
tically filling the theater. came and en-
joyed so much this first performance of
the series of grand operas planned for
the coming weeks. 1t means, for the
audience wus a brilliant one, that there
is a real interest in hearing grand opera
in English. even after one has heard the
music more wonderfully rendered by the
worlds greatest singers in the language
of the original libretto.
The singers of the Aborn company
ara exceptionally good, their rendition
is conscientious, and they speak their
English so 1t can be understood. 1t is
to be regretted that not all of the parts
last night were sung in English. There
was an uncomfortable incongruity about be t
between the leading tenor, the poet
Rudolph and his much loved Mimi. 1t
was to many like hearing one-half OF an
interesting conversation and having to
guess at the other side.
Mr.. Sciarretti. who sang the role OF
the poet, Rudolph, is q tenor Of merit.
with full rich voice and genuine
fss a ssns as of se iaushs ees
audience soon after the curtain rose. as
he sang in duet with his fellow-student,
nnd sustaining his place Of musical
H. a. h. -I 80 hA a
scene, when his despairing grief at tine
death of his beloved Mimi, musically
and dramatically perfect, was truly
thrilling and artistic. In his first duet
an emphatic encore, singing the favor
ite solo, II Am a Poet" with fine feel,
ing and musical beauty.
Miss Elena Kirmes. who sang the role
of Mimi, has voice Of distinct rich
ness and strength. She was uniformly
satisfactory in ker eXacting part, al
ways interesting and In her proper cli-
makes really powerful Her death scene
was tragicaily sweet, touchingly tender.
and genuine. Miss Ira Jeane was par
ticularly pleasing in the coquettish role
Of Musetta, posse ssing clear and true
soprano voice. we'll trained.
Aside from a tendency to overdo, her
acting was attractive, Mr.. Shuster, Mr..
Stevens, and Mr.. Phillips, as the musi-
clan, the painter, and the philosopher,
respectively. were more thai n sufficient,
eras will be keenly anticipated TIE
minor parts, including those of the
landlord and the councillor of state,
were all we'll taken, preserving the good
balance of the whole cast.
Amedico Vinaccia, the conductor
Is to lie congratulated en- the SMOOTH
ness of this irst performance here,
and the degree OF finish attained last
night augurs well for the conscientious
work with the other operas to follow,
of which so much depends upon the
conductor. The orchestra is. perhaps,
all one can expect at the start, and
there was distinct evidence that only a
little more rehearsal will make them a
worthy support TO the really excellent
company.
ia Dohems'' is filed with fascina-
ting melodies. and one goes from it's
performance humming and whistling
parts OF 1t with the eagerness that so
often follows the catchy strains of a
really good comic opera. Every per
formanCe ought to be, and probably
will be. valued by the music lovers Of
the city who want to enjoy opera with
out the usual stiffness of a social func-
tion.