The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-02-07
LA GiOcOnda" Given
Fine Presentation

With the wretched condition OF the
streets making 1t difficult travelling
Tor foot passenger and limousine
alike, and with poor handling OF traf.
nc ia Washington-blyd, Ii was a hercu-
lean and muddy task TO get into the
Washington theater, Friday evening
for the performance OF La Giocon-
da," by the National Grand opera
company OF Canada THE house was
not halffilled at the rising OF the
curtain at Il quarter past s, and the
entire first act OF the opera was
spoiled for the early corners. while
the belated ones were being seated
after having been delayed in the con
eestion OF putting motor ears in the
street The plebeian pedestrian, able
To get through the slush, the riyulets
OF water and the maze OF motors In
the vicinity or the theater without
running his clothes and losing all zest
for the performance to follow, could
point with pride TO himself as an
exceptionally alert and good.natured
individual. However. along about 9
O'Clock the auditorium presented al
most as brilliant an arrat of gowns
AS marked the opening of the opera
season, Thursday evening. and every
body had settled down to listen TO the
music.
La Gioconda." is a-iny 10 the
music lover because It's score requires
more than the ordinary number OF
principal singers and a chorus that
must be in evidence frequently. Tn
trick which Nine Marie Rappeld
played upon those who might posi-
bly, have purchased tickets for this
particular performance on her account
was supposed TO have become obso.
lete with the passing OF the "od
guard OF the Metropolitan company,
when Mines. Eames, Nordica. Gadski
and Calye held sway and were wont,
without any doctors certificate what.
ever to send word TO the management
at five minutes before time for the
curtain 20 rise that "a sudden indis.
| position would prevent them singing
that night" II was the old and time.
dlshonored sudden indisposition" ex.
cuse that Nine Rappold offered De-
troiters Friday evening, for not APP.
/ pearing las advertised" in the name
part OF LA Gioconda."
One story emanating from the man.
agoment. carried the information that
Nine. Rappold had gone to New York
/ TO see her latest husband make an
opera debut. and another maintained
that the prima donna had contracted
a cold from the changeable weather
encountered IN the middle west Al
any rate she didn't sing which was all
that really concerned the audience.
In Nine Rappolds place appeared
Nine Ada Cassuto, who did excep-
! tionally well. She sang and acted
Well, and while her voice in the con.
Certed members vas scarcely power
! ful enough 10 match the rich. dram
attic tones OF Nine. Marie Claessens,
who sang the part OF Laura. the LAT.
| ter singer was careful to aid her
young colleague in every way. The
/ singing Of the two women was a real
! pleasure.
The opera gives splendid opportun.
! ity to the baritone and Jose Segura.
| Tallien, who sang the role OF Barnaba.
the spy OF the Inqusition. may be
said to have carried Off the honors OF
the performance, without in any way
lessening the praise that was fairly
won by the other artists.
Taflien Is finely equipped artist
with an exceptional voice and acting
ability. lie brought out every bane.
| full, vindictive. cruel phase OF the
powerful induisition spy whose de.
! termination TO possess Gioconda caus.
cd him 10 crush and destroy those
who stood between him and the prize
I he coveted.
Giovanni Farmo. the tenor. as EMO
I displayed fine presence and excel
! lent voice, and. in every scene In
which he appeared won the favor OF
/ the audience. As Alvise, I.aure's has
hand. Giovanni Martina, likewise de
serves praise for good work while the
+ Cieca. OF Rosa Olitizka, was marked
BY vocal and dramatic power that
made the figure OF Giocondas blind
mother stand out as one OF the artis
T tic offerings or the performance
The chorus sang with spirit and
vivacity. the ensemble OF the second
act, with it's boatsmen chorus, beins
so well done az Co elicit prolonged
applause from the audience. The
ballet too. appeared % better advan.
tage than on che previous evening
giving pretty performance yof tho
Dance OF the Hours" with Ethel OH.
more as the prima ballerina
I The staging OF the opera was par.