Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-03-08
GRAND OPERA IS
GIVEN ROUS|NG
RECEPTION HERE


Can Albuquerque appreciate first
class grand opera? She can. This
was demonstrated yesterday after
noon and last night when Graziana
and Castillo presented the Italian
Grand Opera company, "Rigoletto'
being the matinee number and III
TrOvatore" the night offering
Good houses were present at both
performances and the frequent APP
plause which greeted the brilliant
work OF the cast showed that the
Duke City is musically inclined and
can and does appreciate grand OPP
era, even when it is sung in a for
eiEn tongue.
The part of Rigoletto in the af-
ternoon was taken by Eduardo Le-
jarau, who possesses remarkable
| baritone voice, In addition to his
singing, his acting was faultless.
Carlos Mejia, who took the part of
the Duke of Mantua. possesses a
Medina as Gilda won warm place
in the hearts of the audience with
his wonderful soprano voice. These
perhaps were the stars of the cast,
although the others were none the
less successful in the parts when
were assigned to them. The COM
pany was evenly balanced and gave
a performance which was praised
by all.
Eduardo Lejarazu as Count di
Luna. took one of the principal
nr+S IN, tho ovanipsr q in tho a ftp
noon performance His voice is
superb of great volume, and con-
sidered by many of his auditors to
be as fine as any baritone on the
operate stage today. Alfredo
Graziani as Manrico, carried the
tenor arias with inspiring beauty.
Beatrice Pizzorni, as Leonora was
pleasure in all the beautiful So
prano parts of Trovatore, and
Speria Castel as Azucena, was glo-
rious in every number, her magnif-
icent contralto never failing.
Home To Our Mountains" the
"Miserere," the we'll known anvil
Chorus" and many other favorites,
such as 1.-THE Tempest of the
Heart" and THE Vows Were
Plighted" carried the audience
away with their perfect rendition,
The costumes were fresh and al
tractive, the scenery better than
the usual travelling opera company
possesses, and altogether the two
performances to which Albuquer-
que has been treated are guaran-
tee of the excellence of the re-
mainder of the program. Special
comment was made by musical
critics of the perfect ensemble
singing, and general delight eX-
pressed with the dramatic ability
of the members of the company,
and their genuine artistry.
OF the orchestra too much can
not be said. 1t is fully up to the
standard set by the rest of the
troupe and is one of the best ever
heard in Albuquerque.
one feature of the audience at
both performances yesterday was
the number of Italians in attend
ance, who seized upon this oppor-
tunity to hear grand opera in their
native tongue.
This afternoon at $3.50 at the
| Crystal opera house a special mat
inee performance will he given
for the benefit of the school child
rem. I'll Trovatore" will be pre-
scented.
The bill for tonight will be "Lu-
cha di Lammermoor," by Donizeatti,
in four acts. The title role will be
carried by Consuelo Medina, who
makes a creation of it and is espe-
cially great in the mad scene. Senior
Medina, with his sweet voice, car
ries this part to perfection. Lejara-
~, the talented baritone singer and
actor, will also be heard, as will
Francisco Cruz, with his powerful
deep basso voice.