The Washington herald., 1913-02-09
By JULIA CHANDLER MANI.

This week, as last, Chase's Theater will
be the center OF dramatic interest, pri-
marily because of the performance of
Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor," on
Friday afternoon, with which the Chi
cago Grand Opera Company will con-
clude its only two Washington engage
ments of the season, furnishing also the
only occasion of the appearance in this
city this year Of the inimitable Tetraz-
zini, who heads the brilliant operatic
cast announced for the one performances.
1t Is doubtful il in the entire history
Of opera there has ever been a prima
donna who has attained greater heights
Of artistic excellence than has Luisa
Tetrazzini, who is acknowledged by COM
mon consent the worlds greatest colora-
tura soprano, being the most famous
living exponent of a style OF opera sing
ing that the advent of Richard Wagner,
who introduced the modern declamatory
manner, caused to fall into a decadence.
While the public marveled at the ex-
Quisite tonal warmth and surprising
clarity of the Tetrazzini voice for sew
eral years before her real opeatic 'tar-
rival she did not reach the height of
her artistic attainment until some seven
years ago when she dazZled all London
with her consummate art
Aside from her triumphs in her vocal
are Nine. Tetrazzini has. upon num-
erous occasions, manifested a poetical
genius which would have assured her a
notable position among contemporary
Italian poets, had she not adopted the
operate stage.
The specially selected cast from the
Chicago Grand Opera Company, which
will support Nine. TetraZzini here FRI
day afternoon will contain new tenor,
Aristodemo Giorgini, whose lyric voice
has won for him many admirers wherever
he has been heard. He was born in
Rome and when but child won renown
as a boy soprano while a member OF the
Vatican choir. His adoption Of the oper-
attic stage was made in spite of strong
paternal objections which subsidized after
his debut at the famous La Scala in
Milan as Ernesto in Don Pasquale,"
eight years ago, since which time Signor
Giorgini has sung in practically every
continental country.
He made his American debut as Ro-
dolfo in Puccinrs la Boheme'' in Chi
cago several weeks ago, where he was
acclaimed an artist OF commanding abll- |
ity and unusual histrionic talents. He
will be the Edgardo of Fridays perform |
ance. Anafesto Rossi will be the Ashton; !
Minnie Egener will be the Ailsa; Henri |
SCOTT Philadelphia basso. will be the |
Raimondo: Emilio Venturino will sing |
T
will be the Normanno; Perosio will WELD |
the baton, and the stage will be, as |
heretofore, under the immediate control |
Of Fernand AlmanZ, a Frenchman, whose |
reputation as a stage director OF Grand |
Opera is international.
Last summer Monsieur Almanz staged |
the first London production of "Conchita" |
as well as Wolf-Ferrari's The Jewels of |
the Madonna" He is also responsible |
Of orlry and
all the operas OF the standard repertoire |
presented by the Chicago Grand Opera |
Company.
The occasion promises to be the most .
brilliant operate event which has taken |
place in this city for many years. not
only because Lucia" is TetraZzini's s !
greatest role. but because hundreds of |
opera patrons prefer the style Of grand
opera which reigned supreme fifty years
ago.
Even were there no Grand Opera in
Chase's Theater this week ii would still /
he the center of attraction, for Ethel
Barrymore will be seen during the entire
week in Mr.. Barries play. THE Twelve
Pound Look" for which purpose she has
been temporarily loaned to vaudeville by
Mr.. Frohman.
Born in Philadelphia, Miss Barrymore
comes of a noted stage family. being the
daughter of the late Maurice Barrymore
and George ew-Barrymore, niece of
John Drew. The first stage appearance
of the now widely popular actress was
made at the Empire Theater, New York.
in January 1894 in The Bauble Shop"
in which John Drew played the leading
part. after which Miss Barrymore went
TO England, where she made her Lon
don debut in 1897 in the famous play.
Secret Service" She was greatly ad-
mired by Sir Henry Irving, who engaged
her for a tour of THE Bells" after
which she returned to America loaded
with great honors, to which the Ameri-
can public has continued TO add until
to-day she is one of the brightest lumi-
naries of the American stage.
The Twelve-Pound Look" in which
she will be seen at Chase's this week
has been pronounced by many critics the
most adequate vehicle for the expression
Of her dramatic powers which Miss
Barrymore has had during her brilliant
stage career.