The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-02-22
AIDA" DELIGHTS
CAPACITY HOUSE
Principals in Creatore Com
pany Get 0vations-Double
Bill Saturday Night.
by GEORGE WILLIAMSON.

II the first offering by the Creatore
opera company at the New Lyric thea
ter on Thursday night was satisfac-
tory, the second was more so. Per-
haps no better presentation Of Verdi's
Aida was ever made here-certainly
. not within the past few years. Appar-
emily there was nothing lacking, 1udg-
ing from the reception accorded by the
magnificent audience which filled eV-
cry nook and corner OF the theater,
the S. r. o. sign being hung out for
, the first time in several years Tor
grand opera.
That Memphis has been afforded the
pleasure of hearing this company,
which came we'll nigh unheralded, n
does not include the names OF big OPP
cratic ~luminaries, is gratifying. n the
attendance suggests that such is ap-
p~reciated. 1t is a tribute to the repu-
tation of Creatore, whose rank as a
musician in this country has long
satisfactory organization, and the
many plaudits received at Boston, st.
Louis and other larger c%enters, where
they are accustomed to having the best
appear to have been justified. Ger
tainly there is no occasion for Menu
CHS to attempt to be hypercritical just
because there are so few world-famous
names included in the casts. The only
fair standard of criticism is to con-
slider what is offered and to judge 1t
as a whole. After two performances,
both operas requiring first-class casts
no occasion is supplied for withhold
ing favorable comment.
Ono of the features attracting COM
nent Is that every detail seems to have
been, in the hands Of artists. Costumes
are fresh and clean and the stage set
tings all In harmony with the accept
o. = 40 rlu offocta QHhiaVnH heinR
pleasing to the eye and offering no Of
tense to the sense of what should be
to meet the requirements OF the COM
posers. Particularly in the rendition
Of Aida" which requires so much
the bigness and splendor of the music
and acting, was this feature consum-
mately handled. The scenes were
magnificent on several occasions.
The cast for this glorious production
of Verdi measured up fully to lofty ex-
pectations, and II there was any Sc
rious criticism offered 1t was done sub
\ rosa. Rarely has there been such a
manifestation of pleasure and delight
all a local theater, and enthusiasm ran
rampan at times. Creatore was at his
best and seemed to throw ms entire
heart. soul and energy into the work
Of directing his orchestra, as well as
inspiring every person on the stage. He
is stfll a wizard of the baton and TO
his genius is due a large measure OF
the success of his singers. Even the
excellent chorus and charming aid at
tractive members Of the ballet appar-
emily caught the inspiration OF his
leadership and left nothing to be
wished, adding not a little TO the h1gh
quality of the performance.
Principals Are All Good.
Choosing of favorites from the ex-
cellent star cast is fraught with more
risk than the writer cares to assume.
The truth is that 1t Is largely a mat
ter of personal choice. Each prlncl-
pal measured up to the demands OF
the part and as a whole proved worthy
of liberal praise.
In the title role Louise Darclee was
naturally the center of keenest atten-
ton. Hers is a voice OF excellent
dramatic quality, ~clearness of tone and
was used with skill. She perhaps was
most pleasing and effective when she
was torn between the low of her father
and her soldier lover, who was sent
to fight those of her blood.
In the part OF Amneris, daughter Of
the Egyptian king. whose love was
scorned, Jeanne Gordon proved won
derfully gratifying. She possesses ar
N appearance which at once commands
Intention and her voice is n %gloriously
rich contralto. which she knows how
to use to best advantage. In the nu-
merous demands on her vocal and his.
trionic talents she fulfilled every re-
quirement, and If she does not &c
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