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


by Signor Mario Lambardi and his
stars Of the Lambardi Grand Opera
company Honolulu mnsic-lovers.
crowding the opera house from Dit to
the last seats in the gallery, pro-
crossed, as the evening went on, from
surprise to delight and from delight
10 an enthusiasm such as Honolulu
audiences rarely show.
Last night was a victory for the
Italian impresario and his song-birds.
II was also, If indications serve for
prophecy. victory for operator
grand opera, for the wonderful art of
bel canto-a victory for Honolulu,
too. II now remains for Honolulu to
give to this company the cordial sup
. port its merits deseryedly demand.
Theater-goers here remember a few
occasions swhen audiences have lost
their reserve in unbounded admira-
ton. Calve reused the apathetic by
her marvellous Interpretation of Car
men, and Kocian's musicianship and
inspiration as he caressed a violin
one night on the Opera house stage,
stirred applause such as any violin
LIST might strive 70 win. Lat night
the wonderful ~Rigoletto" quartet Sc
cured such an effect. Into this Gus
eppe Verdi put his greatest powers,
and IL was handled on the whole very
capably hy the Lambardi singers, vi
carino. Pineschi, Agostinl and Gio-
vacchini The direct melodic force
OF this number Is mervel even with
inadequate handling. and it 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-
ficance, threw the wreaths around
their necks. the applause demanded
and received well-sung encore
WEARING and the Queen.
There had been an earlier moment
when a picturesque Incident stopped
for moment the progress OF the per-
Torrance. That waswher Nine. Re-
gina Vicarino concluded that finely
wrought aria, caro- Nome" and a
mammoth bouquet OF roses went over
the feotlights. The singer picked
them up. buried her face in the fra
grant blossoms, hesitated moment
and then impulsively ran across the
stage. leaned over to the box wherein
sat Jueen Liliuokalani. and smilingly
presented the flowers to the queen. |
The graceful act was greeted with a
mighty storm of applause, the queen
bowling her Acknowledgement both of
the gift AMI Of the dual ovation.
tRicoIetton Good Opener
Verdi's "Rigoletto" proved a very
apt vehicle for the opening of al
grand opera season here. Its sim
plicity, the beauty of the melodic |
themes, the high lights Of character
iEation throughout both words and
music, the ease with which an audi |
ence 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 |
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 Yicarino 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 certainty and sureness of tone
and phrasing that betrayed no I'M
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, tits fair to est I
mate their general ability by last
nights work. which places the level
of ability high.
Excellence in Details.
The Verdi opera is given thor
oughly 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, general ex-i
cellence being maintained from the
first act onward, and there were no
disappointment to those who expect
ed 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. If the first /
night of grand opera in Honolulu had |
done nothing else, the introduction
OF Michele Gioyaechini would have
rewarded the audience. For Giovac-'
chini gives an extraordinary vivid
portrayal 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 rote for
great actor as well as singer, and
Gioyacchini is both. In his hands
the role is alive, pulsing with the
varying passions that wrack the I'M
fortunate hunchback. II Gioyacchini
had not sung a note, his would have
been a great performance, for he has
the dramatic gift and Rigoletto fur
nishes the opportunity. Envy, hate,
malice, the toadyism of the servant
to the master, shadow one side OF ms
strongly character; but
above this is his devoted love for his
donohtey and when he finds her be-