Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-03-26
OPERAS ARE VERY
WELL PRESENTED.
"Tales of Hoffman and I'll
Trovatore" Greeted by En-
thusiastic Audiences
BY JOHN w. PHILLIPS

is clearly not entitled to much credit
for it; but, if through hard work and
study-developing the intellectual and
emotional to proper balance-then
credit must be given; yes, much credit;
batteries, dscouragements, jealousies,
and oftimes poverty.
Good voices are not always welded to
musical brains. Thousands of good
voices are admitted failures every year.
They give up the struggle without adj
vertising it.
One of the greatest men singers of
America in his college days was judg-
ed by the director of the glee club sole
ly by his voice quality and was refus
ed place in the club. But this student
had musical brains, and will power. and
few other necessary ingredients in
his makeup. and to-day he is promi-
nent member of the Metropolitan Opera
Company-a very successful teacher,
recital giver and oratorio singer The
moral is, that the voice will grow in
beauty along with the growth of the
musical mind The person originally
endowed with the beautiful voice rare
thinking and hard work along musical
lines. What the musical listener likes
about the San Carlos Opera Company is
the fact that every member seems to
enjoy the work, and performs it intel
lisently and with interest to the lis
tener. There is lots of talent in the
company, and several splendid voices.
On Saturday afternoon Ofenbach's
delightful Tales of Hoffman" was pre-
sented before a large and well-pleased
audience which applauded warmly some
fine singing and clever acting. Edvige
Vaccari in the two roles of olympia
(the DolD and Antonia, was especially
fine, vocally and hstrionically. Her
clever Yimpersonation of the doll was
keenly appreciated by the audience.
Salvatore Sciarett as Hoffman the
Poet, proved to be an artist of good
presence and well-equipped vocally, al
though his command of tone color is
not all that could be desired. His
voice is of excellent quality, however,
with good power and extensive range.
Stella Demette was fascinating Giu-
lietta, with the necessary touch of
reckless abandon that the part requires.
She has a voice of pleasing quality
which she uses with taste. The part
of Ntclaus was taken by Maddalena
Carreno, a mezzo-soprano, with good
quality of voice but rather slow NOV
Cervi as Spalanzani was fine,-eXceI-
lent in fact, and gave the audience
many moments of genuine pleasure. He
| was also a success in the part of Cres-
pei. Antola again showed his ability
| in voice and action in the roles of Cop
pelius and Dappertutto.
DR.. Miracle was represented by Pie
| tro De Biasi, basso, a splendid actor
and one of the few low-voiced men
! singers who can stay on the pitch The
| lesser parts were taken by L. Delle-
molle as Luther and Schlemil; L. Ros-
sini, as Cochini1le and Franz; Alice
Homer, as Nathaniel and A Voice,-alI
| in satisfactory manner. The scenery
| was very satisfying and the costumes
rich and attractive. The Barcarolle
proved favorite both as a duet and
as an intermezzo for orchestra.
In the evening Verdi's I'll Trovatore"
was presented with a strong cast. This
performance, on the whole, whas prob
ably given the best rendition of the
three operas. 1t requires more chorus
work, elaborate scenery and extra
Equipment The audience did not seem
as enthusiastic as usual over the Anvil
Chorus, but perhaps it was due to the
slow tempo employed, and also to the
brilliant anvil sparks which were ex-
tremely hard to look at. The scene was
well staged, however, although it SEEM
ed to lack the typical gypsy emotion
and fire. Many other scenes were cor
daily applauded, however, and re-
peated.
The scenery was all that could be de-
sired and the principals were well
chosen.
To Joseph Battistini was entrusted
the role of the Count Di Luni. He has
firm, mellow voice of adequate pow
| er, which he uses with good taste. He
| made good figure, although his act
| ing seemed a trihe weak and hazy.
| Natalie Cervi had the part of the bluff
old soldier Fernando. in which part
| he eXcelled in voice and action
| The role of the Duchess Leonora was
| taken by Mary Kaesner. Here is a
young lady of ability. She has uncom-
| mon merit as an actress, and in this
| role proved more than ever her vocal
| ability. The ilorid bits were all taken
clearly and easily; and in the more
] sombre passages, a thorough command
! of tone color was revealed. She has a
! fine stage presence and made a wonder
| fully good impression. Emanuel SAL
azar as Manrico the Troubadour was
| heard with distinct pleasure His voice
| was in better condition than on the
previous evening, and he sang the role
| with beautiful quality and emotional
| power. He was most liberal with high
notes, which he delivers with compara-
tive ease and with telling effect. His
| acting was graceful, yet lacking the
| passion that his gypsy training should
| have given him. Stella Demette was at
| last heard in an important role-as
| AZucena, the gypsy hag,-and she won
deserved praise for her conception and
| singing of the part. After all, Azucena
| is the heroine of Trovatore. She is
the, moving spirit. the plotter, the .suf-
] ferer. the beginning and the end Miss
Demette was ideally fitted for the part
| vocallq She could make more of the
| hallucinations that continually hahnt
| her. especially in the prison scene.
In fact the whole prison scene action
| could be strengthened materially. The
| part of Ruiz was taken by L. Dossini
/ and Inez by Alice Home. Both were
very acceptable in these small parts
| Mr.. Gallo presented Harrisburg with
excellent productions, well sung, both
| by principals and chorus. The orches-
ira is satisfactory although it got the
upper hand of the singers at times, but
that happens In all opera. productions.
Carlo Peroni conducted adj the per-
formanees with skill and musical un-
| derstanding.