Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-03
Verdi's Vivid Masterpiece,
the Admirable "Aida,"
at U. of P.

The University Of Pennsylvania presents
| an open-air performance of Verdis great
| opera, aida" on Franklin Field, on the
| evening of Tuesday, June Q. This will be
| the first operate production ever attempted
in the open within the precincts of this
city. 1t will be the third time Verdi's
masterpiece has been staged on a huge
scale in the open air. The initial produc-
ton was at the Pyramids in 1911, and was
witnessed by $4,000 persons. 1t was again
presented In Buenes Aires last year before
| an immense audience.
Every opera house In the civilized world
| has been combed to furnish the voices and
sthe managerial genius to make this per-
| formance an epochemaking event The
| principals have all been selected with view
| to securing the worlds greatest interpreter
in each individual role and for this rea-
| son many of the artists have made spe-
| cial trip from cities In Europe and South
| America in order to appear in this one stu
pepdous production.
Chief among these is Leone Zinovieff the
famous Russian tenor, who received the
great honor of being selected to sing the
role of Rhadames at the Pyramids produc-
ton, and also at the Pan American per-
formance of Aida in Buenos Aires last
year. The eyes Of musical America will be
on Zinovieff at the coming University per-
formance. Musical critics from New York,
Boston and other large cities are planning
to hear him sing. The other members OF
the splendid cast are more or less known to
the American public, Marie Rappold, who
has already demonstrated her superiority
in outdoor singing, will sing Aida. Nine.
Rappold has been a prima donna or the
Metropolitan Opera Company for the last
six years, and last season sang nearly all
the performance of aida" given by that
organization. The great Margarete Matze-
nauer will sing the part OF Amneris.
When Giuseppi Campanari was leading
baritone of the Metropolitan Opera Com
pany. his greatest role was Amonasro In
Aida" He was therefore chosen to sing
the same part for this performance. His
coming out OF retirement for this one pro-
duction Is looked forward to with great
interest by music lovers. OF the two bassos,
Leon Rothier has already endeared himself
to the opera-going public in this city. and
Lazzari will be a welcome newcomer.
1t has been the aim Of the opera commit
tee OF the University to equal and, II
possible, surpass the Pyramid production.
and with this in mind they have engaged NJ.
Bracale to supervise the production. NJ.
Bracale gained world renown through his
mastery direction of the performance
along the Nile. and predicts that the pres
ent performance will eclipse his previous
effort in many ways Giorgio Polacco. who
succeeded Toscanini as leading conductor
OF the Metropolitan Company, will be the
conductor. Albertleri will be the ballet
master, while the chorus will be directed
by M. Setti. Arturo Spelta who also be-
came famous through his work at the per-
formance at the Pyramids, will act In the
same capacity, stage manager, at this per-
formance. There win be chorus OF 500
voices selected from the Metropolitan, Bos-
ton and Chicago Opera Companies, and an
orchestra of 1856. There will be large
ballet.
The seating arrangements have been 30
perfected that 1t will be easy to hear every
tone over every part of the audience The
stage has been placed In the centre of the
ampitheatre. facing east no seats being
erected behind the stage. This will bring
the singers within about $50 feet OF the
farthest seating point, which is not a much
greater distance than may be found from
the stage 10 the upper balcony OF the larger
theatres This virtually insures seeing
and hearing with comfort throughout every
part of the auditorium. The stage itself
will be the largest structure OF its kind
that has ever been erected for the same
purpose. II will be 200 feet wide and 1875
feet deep The total cost OF the production
will be approximately $4,000, making 1t /
the most expensive single operatic perform
ance ever given.