Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-01-20
THIRD OF YERDPS OPERAS Wins
APPR0YAL;NfW SOPRANO POPULAR
Vivian Kingston, as VioIetta in
"la Traviata," Makes Init .
iaI Honolulu Appearance

instead of q grand opera ii would be
called too "talky ''--filled. as 1t is. with
long duets in which action" both
dramatic and physical, is at a mini
mum. The fact that beauty of the
score alone will not carry an opera to
popularity is well demonstrated by
Traviata. for though much OF the mu-
sic is exceptional the plot moves too
slowly to satisfy those who attend
grand opera wanting an appeal to
more than the ear.
Vivian Kingston, the Young Ameri-
can nrima donna of the De Folco
Grand Opera Company, who made her
first Honolulu appearance last evening
as Violetta, was q delightful surprise
In many ways Ordinarily the last
prima donna offered during an oper-
attic engagement Is the least able OF
the company. but from the moment
Miss Kingston began to sing last even
ing II was apparent that she had not
been included in the company merely
to FILL in but because she can real
" sing. Miss Kingston, in short. is
in the best sense an able young artist
Slender vioIetta at Last.
Her voice, of coloratura quality, was
particularly suited to the role of Vic
letta, and another pleasant surprise
was her appearance. For Years audi.
ences have been asked to do violence
to their imaginations by seeing some
fieshy and ford soprano try to die OF
so wasting a disease as tuberculosis,
and now eomee Miss Kingston. who is
very slender and delicate appearing,
to handle the role.
Her rendition of the part was made
difficult by several regrettable inch
dents for which she was in no sense
to blame, as for instance painful
pause in act two occasiened by de-
lay in the delivery of the letter, and
other minor slips which indicate a
lack of rehearsals by the company.
But these mishaps were all Of a mi.
nor nature, and might easily have
passed unnoticed by persons not IA
miliAr with the opera.
Luigi Poggi, as Alfredo the lover,
deepened the favorable impression
which he made Tuesday night as Man.
rico in I'll TrovatOre, and the reap
pearance of Paolo Galazzi as the
father. which had been eagerly await,
ed since his success of Monday as
Amonasro, established him firmly in
favor with the opera patrons.
Minor Parts Well Taken.
Umberto Revere, handsome bari |
tone, was imposing as the baron, and
has q voice which would seem to en-
title him to more responsible role.
The minor parts were acceptably !
taken by Matilde Renis, Lydia Borell,
Mario Marti and William Giuliani.
Again last night De Folco demon
strated that he has brought with him !
q splendid assortment of scenery and I
costumes. The setting for the supper |
scene in the first act brought spon-
taneous applause, and the third act |
was also we'll staged, with praise
worthy attention to detail.
The ballet members, beautifully /
gowned. made a second success last |
night, and were pronounced even bet
ter than in aida" last Monday. Their
in the third act brought |
such prolonged applause that repeti-
ton was necessary.
The wisdom of keeping Chevalier
di Roccia in control of the orchestra
is more evident at each performance.
The overture to the last act last even
ing was the finest bit Of orchestration
offered so far.
rli Troyatore" Tonight.
Tonight I'll Trovstore" will be re-
peated, and It is hoped that the many
persons who missed the performance
Tuesday, because of the army ball,
viii attend. Last evening and Tues
lay night the opera attendance was
very ught-far less than the quality