The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-05

cit is a matter of distinct
congratuIation," said Mrs. w. f.
Gushing today to a representative
of The Forum. in reference to the
appearance on Feb. 6 of the San
Carlo Grand Opera company under
the management Of J. P. Hardy, at
the auditorium, that the opera
| chosen for this important event, is
that Of Aida
I'm these momentous days of wars
and rumorsF of war, there is an es-
pecial significance in the theme Of
this brilliant opera, written by
Giuseppe Verdi at the royal COM
mand of the present Khedive Of
Egypt upon his elevation to the
throne, and regarded as the browning
musical event of that monarchs
coronation festivities.
There is, too, a fascination about
Aida that neither years can
destroy or safety in its hearing be
reached. Its reign is perpetual and
it holds its own with the passing
years with opera Of whatever school
or ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS of the splen-
did coloring, the stirring martial
atmosphere, the Oriental glamour
surrounding it, which constitute an
allurement irresistible to even the
faded opera-goer.
AT Montreal, in October last, at
performance by the San Carlos of
Aida the house was packed to the
doors, people being literally damned
together behind the parquet The
enthusiasm is reported as tremend-
Gus, even greater than that for Car
men, of the night before; and it
truly seems that no singer with red
blood in her veins, can fail to be
stirred to her emotional depths by
the music OF Aida inspiring her to
the highest pinnacle of endeavor, so
enchanting is it.
AT Bismarck, the performance by
this company of Aida commanded
the attention of the largest audience
Of the season, not alone because of
the consummate art betrayed in the
singing Of the principals-of Salazar,
the great Spanish tenor in the role
of Rhadames, pronounced by a con-
noisseur upon that occasion as more
wonderful than that of Caruso, of
Stella Demette of Amneris, of Mary
Kaestner Of Aida, of Pietro di Biasi
of the High Priest, and of Joseph
Roger" the distinguished young
Canadian baritone, of Amonasro;
but Of the regally gorgeous Egyptian
setting of the opera. Some two years
ago, it may be said in passing, the
old properties of the San Carlo COM
pany were burned in a great New
York warehouse fire, so that every
thing now used is of the newest and.
costliest type. 1t is amazing with
what ease and in what little time
the vast stage properties can be
placed, every modern device having
been adopted.
elizabeth Amsden," Mrs. Cushing
continued, els a new member of the
San Carlo forces, and one of whom
they are extremely proud. In the
role Of Aida, which she will sing in
Fargo, she is said to be at her very
best rising, vocally and dramattcal-
~, to superb heights. Her voice is
of a warm, rich quality, and is love-
", too, in 'coloring.' Her Aida, in
deed, ranks sufficiently high to chal-
lenge the greatest who have essay
ed to sing this role. 1t is exquisite
in vocal loneliness, complete in artis-
tic achievement"
The San Carlo company makes
money, Mrs. Cushing believes be- /
cause Mr.. Gallo, its impresario, adj
heres to popular prices, and because
of his astute management of it's
affairs. 1t took him some time to
agree to play in New York. with the
Metropolitan Opera forces as COM