The Washington times., 1915-03-11
BELASCO.

drama, Gounod. Mascasni. and Leonca-
vallo. was eympathetically interpreted
for audiences that tested the capacity
Of the Belasco Theater yesterday by the
San Carlo Opera Company.with Faust
as the matinee bill and "Cavalleria Rus
ticana" and "1'Pagliacci'.' in the cven-
ing.
Unusual interest was manifested in
the performance of Faust" for the rea-
son that the prima donna of the after
noon was Gretchen Hood. a native
daughter Of the District. who was es-
pecially engaged to sing this part on
this occasion. Aside from the natural
enthusiasm and pride that is felt by
young woman who has grown up among
them. the performance OF Miss Hood
yesterday awakened a deeper apprecia-
tion Of the meaning OF the great poetic
drama and tho music which has been
written around 1t.
Realizing In her youthfulness the in
nocent simplicity and charm OF the
Goethe ideal she also brought to the
part voice with the qualities Of fresh
which more nearly approximates the
musical measure in which Gounod drew
his heroine. than any Marguerite that
has been seen In Washington for many
years. Her singing and acting made the
1ss f Hcod! sS%DA'aS
plishment yesterday was all the more
remarkable by reason Of the fact that
she had never rehearsed the part with
the San Carlo RIO, Company. and was un-
of the cast who sang with her. until she
reached the theater just before the
matinee.
Aside from tho prima donna the most
important figure in the performance
was signor Emilio sesona in the part
Of Mephistopheles. Alfredo Graziani az
Faust, Alessandro Modesti as Valcn-
tine. and Carolina Zawner as Siebel,
gave carefully prepared and we'll exc.
cuted Interpretations Of their difficult
nous double bill was the best KeneraI
production the San carlo company has
given S =, here ere In. In "caval!eria" every mem;
ticulariy good voice. and sang with an
enthusiasm and musical accuracy that
resulted In repeated demonstration OF
appreciation Of their audience.
appeared to much better advantage than
In Aida" on the occasion Of the first
performance Monday night. Her voice
mas great range. and the clear. belI-likc
ciaiS cHnsS OF nota thS upper register were espe
Iur1deu. gave one OF the best perform.
ances he has ever given In Washinefon
ana was enthusiastically applauded Inv
his many friends Angelo Antola. Al
Aino. gave q suggestion Of what hc
was to do later In the evening in "par.
iiacci. and Edith Alvord was thorouSh.
~ at home in the part Of Lola. The
Mama Lucia Of Anita Sedelmayer was
also thoroughly acceptable. The play-
Ing OF the intermezzo by the orchestr rn
under Director Angelina was heartily
applauded. ''''
The appearance Of Antola. in tie par1
OF Tonia. to sing the prologue for "Par.
iiacci occasioned some surprise, as n
Is not customary for the principals n
repeat In the double bill. The surprtse
gave way to enthusiasm as the rtch
baritone voice proceeded with the Leon.
caVallo music and 70 PROLONGED was the
applause at tho close that the famon,
prologue was repeated.
A second surprise came with thu IN.
pearance of Nine. Sedelmayer> -,
Nadia. and her singing Of the part alsc
awakened the utmost enthusiasm
G!usseppe .Agostini. as Pagiiacci. xavI
a most finished performance, his VOICE
too, being In better condition and an.
than in Aida. x baritone Of Ifef rief
quality was displayed by Luigi Delie.
molle. as Silvio. and Luciano Rossinn,
made a thoroughly acceptable Harie.
Quin.
Tonight "Rigoletto will be sung with
Asostini. Antola. Vaccari. and Zawne.
GARDNER MACK.