Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-03-29
LUCIA WELL
BY SAN NCARLOCO.
Tuneful Old Opera Heard by
More Than 1,2O0 Despite
/. Heavy Storm
SOLOISTS IN FINE VOICE
De Folco, Natalie Cervi,
Alice Homer and Others
Pleased Audience

The weatherman had his own way
out doors last night, but thank heaven,
his sprinkling can could not penetrate
the roof of the Chestnut street audi
torium, which covered some 1900
loyal and enthusiastic people - who
forgot all about the leaking sky and
the sloppy pavements, and listened
with rapt attention and considerable
respect to the San Carlo Opera Com
pany in Donizetti's most popular opera
Lucia di Lammermoor."
This tuneful old opera. first pro-
duced at Naples in September 1885,
has survived in spite of the critics.
1t is true the orchestration is thin, and
the music smacks of the artificial and
sentimental, but the plot has the hu-
man elements of passion and tender
ness, conveyed in simple and appeal
ing melodies that still have the power
TO charm and thrill.
OF late years, there has been in
this country growing tendency to
sensationalism in both art and music.
This desire for something different,
new, exciting, and preponderous is
carrying us along false paths.
Our artistic sincerity is on trial, and
is likely to get an adverse verdict. un-
less we begin to think for ourselves
and get rid of certain amount of
hero worship.
Gave Real Pleasure
The San Carlo Company gave real
pleasure last night. The opera Lucia
was exceedingly well sung, we'll acted
well staged and we'll accompanied by
an adequate orchestra. There was
smoothness, and balance-a surety of
delivery and artistic intelligence which
pervaded the whole opera.
Angelo Antola as Henry Ashton is
especially gifted both vocally and
histrionically. He has ringing
sonorous voice which he uses admir-
ably. He acted the part with ability
and understanding, and made a de-
cidedly good impression. Edvige Vac
carl, as the unfortunate Lucia, re-
Vealed remarkable ability in both
singing and acting. She made a very
attractive, yet appealing figure, and
distinction. In the Mad Scene, the
varying facial expression, the changes
OF mood, of vision, of emotion, were
clearly and cleverly portrayed The
Vocalism was flexible and colorful.
Artistic perception and proportion, to-
gether with an abandon and dramatic
style made this scene a very great
success. 1t has fallen to our lot oc-
casionally to hear sopranos shout this
scene, or whang it through the nasal
caVaties.
80 Tenor of Merit
The part of Edgar was taken by
Eugenio De Folco, tenor of more
than usual attainments. He makes a
good figure, acts well, and has vocal
resources almost unlimited. His tone
has bite" ring, carrying power and
is generally even. He made some
telling climaXes.
Natalie Cervi in the role of Ray
mond, a chaplain, made a decidedly
good impression. He has voice of
some depth and power, and proved a
very capable member of the cast.
The part of Alice was taken by Alice
Homer She had not a great deal to
do, but we heard a voice of consider
able warmth and beauty, and beheld
an attractive personality.
Antonio Cetti as Norman and
Luciano Rossini as Lord Bucklaw,
were both entirely satisfactory in the
minor parts allotted to them The
chorus has good tonal quality and
balance. They look interested in their
work. The costumes are attractive and
historically correct
SeXtette Foretold
The famous seXtette was very eff
| fectively given, at a proper tempo, and
happy to say, with no one voice pre-
dominating. The artists were good
enough to repeat it. Chevalier Ange-
lini conducted the performance from
memory in mastery way.
The audience showed much en-
thuSiasm, but not really quite enough
for the high standard of excellence
offered.
The remaining performances. we
tending.