Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-09
Ar1llsEt lE1gIS
"The Masked Ball" Last Night.

The Masked Ball." a Verdi compost
ton so seldom heard here as to almost
give it the interest of premier. was
presented by the San Carlo Grand
Opera Company at the Belasco last
night before an audience, which for
spontaneous recognition of score values
refuted the occasional criticism that
Washfn gton is not musical city. That
the italian master should have selected
| colonial Boston for the setting of his
foreign Favored tragedy would add its
| thrill Of surprise to the enjoyment Of
the. work, except that most music
| lovers are familiar with the fact that
PEELED Verdi to change his locale; hence
the American environment and anglici-
zation of I'm Ballo in Maschero" into
| it's present title.
The opera. as revived by the San
Carlo company. is one of the distin-
guished successes OF its repertoire, and
it's rendition last night served signally
to accent musically and dramatically
the artistic excellence of the organiza-
ton. individually and as a whole.
AS the Governor of Boston, In love
with the wife of his secretary and
faithful friend, Salazer voiced love,
temptation and final remuneration with
all the passion and melodic beauty the
role demands. Modesti, as the secre-
tary, sustained the impression he has
made in every appearance this season
ana last night was cOmpelleQ, despite
the rule of the company as to encores.
to repeat the almost ballad-simple finale
to his impassioned outburst at the ap-
parent unfaithfulness of his wife. Mary
Kaestner, as Amelia, the wife. sang
with abandon. her voice. dramatic
soprano. conveying every tinge of the
emotions of good woman battling
with a love that is wrong. Carolina
Zawner. as ulrica. negress astrologer:
sang effectively a role which Verdi
made more SUCCESSFULLY gypsy than
African, and Sophie Charebois was
captivating in the small part of Osric.
Pietra De Biasi and Natalie Cervi. as
enemies of the governor. were excellent
in voice and acton and the chorus body
sang with the splendid precision char
acteristtc of every member OF the or
ganization. At the matinee this after
noon 1.-The Tales OF Hoffman was pre-
scented with Stella De Mette. instead Of
Mary Kaestner. in the contralto role.
Alice Eversmay will sing Aida" tonight.
Albert Spalding Recital.
An audience not at all commensurate
with the rare artistic excellence Of the
entertainment greeted Albert Spaldtng,
the American violinist, at his recital at
the Belasco Theater yesterday after
noon and testified with applause almost
amounting to an ovation its apprecia-
ton of the splendid program that was
rendered
Mr.. Spalding is an artist Of the first
rank beyond question and when Amer
leans accord their own artists their
just dues, If not before, he will truly
be recognized as among the greatest
violin virtuosos in the world, claim
that has been repeatedly urged for him
during his present tour. His offerings
were Porporas Sonata in G" and the
first movement of the Tschaikowsky
Concerto in D, as the more pretentious
numbers, and group consisting OF
the Preislied from Die Heistersinger,
the Brahms-J Joachim Hungarian Dance
No. VII; Alabama a melody and
plantation dance, of his own compost
ton, which had to be repeated be-
cause of the insistent applause, and his
own arrangement of the Paganini La
Campella."
with a clear. beautiful voice, delight
fully sweet in the higher tones, assist
ed Mr.. Spalding, singing che gelida
mana" from La Boheme" and a
group comprising AIS die Alte Mutter."
by Dvorak; II Know Lovely Garden"
by d'Hardelot, and La Reeve" from
Massanet's "Manon." Mr.. Richardson
shared in the enthusiasm which greet
ed Mr. Spalding and like the latter was
compelled to respond to demands for
encores
Andre Benoist played the accompani-
ments with rare finish and discretion.