Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-06-04


The Puccin Opera Co. last evening |!
opened short stay in Philadelphia at
the Academy of Music with we'll
balanced and enthusiastically rendered
Performance of Poncbelli's LA Clio
conda" The performance. it must be
said opened without any very great
promise but became better aud better
Ms II progressed until in the third and
fourth acts there were many places In
which an exceedingly high standard
both of singing aud acting was shown.
The honors of the principal parts
went to Miss Peralta in the title role
and Mr.. Balleser as the villain. Bar-
nsba. In the early part of the opera
Miss Peralta's voice had ample power
but appeared to lack color. But in the
fine ensemble which closes the second
scene Of the third act and in the ire
mendous part for the soprano in the
last Nact she left little to be desired.
either in tone or quality. In the aria
30 Pietosi' and the long scene follow
ing it she did her best work of the opera
and rose to very high level.
Mr.. Ballcstcr made a most favorable
Impression from the beginning until its
close His voice is full and rich IN
quality and ample in power. In the
singing of the barcarole, "Ah PeSca
tor in the second act. he was at his
best vocally. and dramatically he sus-
tanned the character we'll and consist
entity throughout Perhaps moro than
any other in the cast he assimilated the
elements of his part and brought them
out in accordance with his conception
of the role:
Mr.. Salazar was somewhat disap-
pointing in the tenor role. His voice
is of agreeable quality and moderate
power but seems to have been over
cultivated. and his changes from head
to chest tones and vlro versa, were not
always happy. He sang the part con
scieutiously. il perhaps with surplus
Of sentiment and his work in the nu-
merous ensembles was exceptionally
good Fernando Doria was excellent
MS the blind mother Of La GiO"onda
and disclosed voice of extraordinary
power and beauty in the unusual num-
Der of important solos allotted 70 this
part. Stella De MPtte was also fully
adequate in the somewhat ungrat"tul
part Of Laura,
'Ia Gioconda" is an opera in which
Y the ensembles are numerous and i'm
portant. fully equal in number and i'm
portauce to the solos. and last evening
they were all we'll done. Among th'
principal ones should be mentioned th'
trio "Figla. che reggi il trcmuIo" il
The first act. which. by the way. i
much too long and lacking in action
the duet "E III Anatema' for Clio
conda and Laura in the sPrond act. an,
the exquisite trio "Sulle tut mani il
the last act
The chorus was splendid. Ponchicll
had fonduesS for chOral effects. rar
'-in modern operate composer. and thi
opera is full Of iuc vocal effects. whir
the chorus last evening gave with II
enthusiasm equally rare in protoS
sional chorus and fine tonsl quality
The famous ballet, THE Dance Of I'll
Hours. was supprbly conceived an
lighted. 1t was danced with the enthI
siasm which pNrmcatcd the whole pcr
~ formaDCe. although little more ro
Nhearsal in tho technical requirement
of the elaborate conception would hav
made the dancing perfect. As it wa,
the ballet had the unusual honor of tw
recalls. which were well deserved Carl
Peroni conducted with skill aud under
standing. Although the opera did n,
end until after midnight. the nudion,
remained to the close. Tonight "Fau>t
viii be performed. and tomorrow njgI
"Rigolctto, in which Mr.. Ralcst,
will sing his star part. the title roIo.