Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-03-04
SONGBIRDS GIVE
RIGOLETTO
CAPABLY
Verbs TunefuI Opera Given to
Audience of Enthusiastic
Opera GoerS

passions OF music and acting were
brought To Honolulu and given a
brilliant seasons opening last night
by Signor Mario Lambardi and his
stars OF the Lambardi Grand Opera
comp9ny. Honolulu music-lovers
crowding the opera house from pit to
the last seats in the gallery, pro-
crossed, as the evening went on, from
surprise to deligh. and from delight
TO an enthusiasm such as Honolulu
audiences rarely show. So
Last night was a victory for the
Italian impresario and his song-birds.
IL was also. IL Indications serve for
prophesy, a victory for operator
grand opera, for the wonderful art of
bel canto-a victory for Honolulu,
too. II now remains for Honolulu to
give 10 This company the cordial sup
port its merits deservedly demand
Theater-goers here remember a few
occasions when audiences have lost
their reserve in nnbounded admira-
ton. Calye reused the apathetic by
her marvellous Interpretation OF Car
men. and Kocian's muslcianship and
inspiration as he caressed a violin
one night on the Opera house stage.
stirred applause such as any violin
Isl might strive 10 win. Lat night
the wonderful @Rigoletto" quartet Sc
cured such an effect. Into this Glus-
eppe Verdi put his greatest powers,
and II was handled on the whole very
capably ly the Lambardi singers, vi
carino, Pineschi, Agostini and Clio
vacchini The direct melodic force
or this number is a mervel even with
inadequate handling. and II is not
surprising that applause swept the
house when the Lambardi songsters
had finished. And when a speedy
usher ran down the aisle with leis
and the Italians. grasping the signi-
flcance, threw the wreaths around
their necks. the applause demanded
and received well-sung encore.
.Nlcarino and the Queen.
There had been an earlier moment
when picturesque incident stopped
for q moment the progress of the per-
formance That waswhen Nine. Re-
gina Vicarino concluded that finely
wrought aria, "Caro Nome and a
mammoth bouquet Of roses went over
the footlights. The singer picked
them np, buried her face In the fra
NAOH.QAIN4 ll0oIN0lLA
and then impulsively ran across the
stage, leaned over to the box wherein
sat Jueen Idliuokalani, and smilingly
presented the flowers TO the queen.
The graceful act was greeted with q
mighty storm Of applause, the queen
lowing her acknowledgement both Of
the gift and Of the dual ovation.
~Riroletto" I Good Opener.
verdi's "Rigoletto" proved very
apt vehicle for the opening of a
grand opera season here. It's sim
plicity, the beauty of the melodic
themes, the high lights of character
ization throughout both words and
music, the ease with which an audi
enoe can follow the story, aid those
unfamiliar with lyric drama to an
early understanding of opera as an
instrument for interpreting life in
musical terms.
The impresario is giving the public
a good company and Of the operas
there can be no criticism, because
they are the works that have stood
the test OF time and of changing
ideas and fancies. Last nights cast
had few weak spots: the stars are
real stars. Nine. Vicarino well de-
serves the success of her first appear
ance, and even though the orchestra
was playing slightly above her nor
nal voice, she rose to the emergency
with q certainty and sureness of tone
and phrasIng that betrayed no un-
easiness or lack of confidence.
The Lambardi song-tirds as a
whole sing with the assurance of au-
thoritative training. As they are to
be heard In operas with which they
are quite familiar, it Is fair to est
mate their general ability by last
nights work. which places the level
of ability high.
Excellence IN Details.
The Verdi opera is given thor
oughiy good Interpretation by the
Lambardi company. the performance
often reaching the heights Of brilli-
ance. and there was always careful
attention to detail in the handling of
the theme. The company gave we'll
rounded performance. a. general ex-
cellence being maintained from the
first act onward, and there were no
dlsappolntments to those who expect
ed a high level OF ability
On the other hand, the capability
Of the principal members of the cast
was triumphantly proved to the
doubting advance critics. II the first
night Of grand opera in Honolulu had
done, nothing else, the introduction
of Michele Gioyacchini would have
rewarded the audience: For qiovac-
chfni gives an extraordinary vivid
nortrayai of Rigo.etto, the jester,
the ready pander to the dukes ribald
tastes-and the man whose own
daughter becomes the dukes victim.
The Rigoletto role is role for a
great actor as well as singer, and
C,oyacchini is both. In his hands
the role is alive, pulsing with the
varying passions that wrack the un.
fortunate hunchback. If Giovacchini
had not sung a note, his would have
+hs dramatic gift and Rigoletto fur
u;shes the opportunity. Envy. hate
malice, the toadyism of the servant
:, the master, shadow one side of his
oh rfn