The Washington times., 1914-05-25
"BRAVAS" ARE WON
ASSC|ARRETT|S|NGS
Audience Cheers in True Euro
pean Style for First Time in
a Washington Theater.

The Inauguration OF Sunday grand
opera with Carmen" at the National
Theater last night brought about the
institution of another custom that Is
new to Washington. The enthusiasm
of the audience at telling moments OF
the production broke all bounds, and
the singers were shcwered Nth bra
vas in every tone. from a deep bass
to a shrill soprano, from orchestra
chairs and gallery seats alike. Though
the audience was small its applause
and the shouts of approval made the
occasion memorable. While Washing
ton has not hestitated To give its ap-
provaI at all times To theatrical and
operate entertainments, II never has
adopted such typical European meth
cd of making its demonstrations as
was noted last night.
The most important event of the
evening. beyond the fact that there
was occasion for II, was the reappear'
ance in Washington after a years alb.
sence OF Salvatore Sciarretti, who sans
the part of Jose. Signor Scidrretti was
not scheduled for the opening perform
| ance, having sung in Baltimore Satur'
day night. But because lie has sc
many friends here he asked to be per
mitted TO sing the first night.
Curiousiy enough. the audience va:
a long time in recognizing the favor
/ lite. The fact that the name Of Leonid
Samoloh was on the program, coupled
with the very inconspiCuous way Ir
! which Jose makes his first entrance
with a file OF soldiers, caused the de.
ception.
figure In the production. but he was
forced to extend himself to maintain
such position, because of the general
excellence of the work of his associates
Jayne Herbert, the Carmen OF The eve
ming, brought to the part a thorough
understanding of its dramatic possibili-
ties, with an unusual ability 10 realize
them. Her flexible meZzo-soprano voice
was deep and rich, and she appeared 10
be In very good form.
Jean Thesloff, as Escamillo brought
; the first wild outburst of applause in
the second act with the singing OF the
famous Toreador song. The big baritone
, gave the song a most dramatic interpre-
tion. and with the assistance OF tho
chorus developed a finale that brought
the entire audience to It's feet So
prolonged was the applause and SO loud
the demands for more, that the song
was repeated in its entirety.
:. Paul Veron made a distinct impress
sion with his rich bass I'm .he part OF
, the captain OF the dragons. and Lena
Mason was most satisfactory Micaela
both as to vacal abilities and good
! looks. William SChuster. Philip Bran
son, John Mercer, Ruth Gaynor, and
Florence Coughlan each gav. the parts
assigned to them that careful vocaliza
tion that has como TO he expected OF
them
Again the chorus was s!ar feature
, OF the evening. The manhcr in which
, the ensemble numbers were sung Gre
ated almost as much cn:husiasm and
won as frequent response from the audi
"nce as did the individual efforts OF the
members OF the cast. Joseph Tress
welded the baton In tho orchestra
leaders chair with his usual effective.
ness. detail of policemen in citizens
clothes heard the first aCt-beyond
which there was no feature TO mark
the Sunday performance from env other
GARDNER MACK.