The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-06-10
COMMUNITY OPERA
PRESENTS CARMEN

Carmen" in concert form was given
/ last evening by the French chorus,
and soloists. of the Community Opera
I of Washington. under the direction of
August King-Smith. in the auditori-
um of the Wilson Normal School.
! Carmen. as a production, will be a
( future opera in the repertory of this
civic organization and its concert
presentation was an innovation that
registered forcefully how valuable
and enjoyable an intimate acquaint-
ance with these delightful opera
scores becomes. For the gems OF
! Carmen are real music gems.
Again Washington. with her prin-
cipals in the cast, demonstrated how
resourceful the city is in assembly
casts of excellence. Two prima DON
| mas of the Community Opera were
! heard in Carmen, presenting a dra-
matte and a lyric soprano. Gretchen
Hood sang the Carmen arias and con-
certed work. The "Habanera" she
had to repeat. In the Flower" duet
with Don Jose she was particularly
effective. rising to an excellent dra-
matte climax.
MabeIIe COIdenstrOth PIenEes.
As MicaeIa the voice Of Mabelle
Coldenstroth was delightfully."- fresh,
musical and free. She sings too with
style and a keen appreciation of the
musical value of the music. The
Micaela aria of Act III was exquisite
in legato, while her duet with Don
Jose was full of sympathetic color. It
is the artistic in youthful voices that
shows the musical value OF this opera
experience.
Leopold Glushak as Don Jose and
oliver Medium as Escamillo repeated
their previous successes. These are
rich operate voices. DR.. Glushak is
unusual as a dramatic tenor. and his
round, vibrant voice reached a big
development in the Flower" air.
while he sings with admirable style
and dramatic appreciation In the
"Todeador Song" Oliver Mellum's
voice was rich and lovely, and he is
an artist with the gift of voice. He
had to repeat it. The abandon that
comes with performance is needed To
realize Carmen" with its tenn
pestuous moods ~CIelia Fioravanti.
Harlan Randall. and Waldemar Dorff-
man completed the cast.
The chorus Of about sixty gave
many Of the significant choral num-
bers. Mr.. King-Smith bringing out the
chorus Of the cigarette girls with
good effect. A freer, more animated
spirit is needed for Carmen which
these singers can acquire when they
sing without the score. The finale
had spirited moments, and the concert
performance served as valuable
preparation.
Discusses Opera Development.
To Myrtle Kesheimer. who played
the eXacting score with real Charac-
ter at the piano. much praise is due.
EdoUard Albion spoke of the crafty
ing development in the opera move
ment. with its charging repertory
and its three performances next week
at the Belasco Theater. Peter W.
Dykema spoke Of the War Camp Com
munity Service in its fostering Of the
opera. telling how it came in response
70 a>request from the Government to
provide as well for the war worker
as was done for the soldier. In that
Washington has been specially privi-
legged beyond other cities. The opera
was sustained with the purpose Of
giving to the people that for which
they are hungry-the vital and beau
tlful world Of music. J. MacB.