The Washington times., 1920-02-10
D. c. OPERA CO.
SCORES IN CARMEN
Marguerite Sylvia Triumphs In
Title RoIe-Marak and Other
Principals a Success.

and presented by the washington
Opera Company last evening At the
shubert-Gsrrick has advanced another
''notch" In the list OF unbelievable
accomplishments OF this opera OF the
CAPITAL City, under the direction OF
Edouard Albion.
Two guest artists combined TO
make the performance one OF the
most interesting, most enectively
dramatic and picturesque Carmen
that Washington has seen.
In bringing into the Washington
Opera Company Nine. Marguerite
SIyva In the title role. and Otakar
Marak as "Don Jose" two professional
artists OF the first rank brought all
the tradition and all the inspiration
that this vivid work could hold.
contribution that reacted upon the
entire performance Of Washington
singers.
Makes IDEAL Carmen
As Carmen. Nine. sylvia is Ideally the
vivid, heartless. and colorful coquette
of Spain OF gypsy temperament and
freedom. She looks Carmen, and
there is not trick" Of the role that
Is not absolutely at her command.
She Is the part in every movement
of the play. and she sings the part
with that deep. mezzo- soprano voice
that distinguishes this singer in primu
donna roles OF grand opera
As picture and sramatist, In cos
tunes that paint the role in its most
brilliant form and colors. Nine. Slyva
presents a Carmen such as only Calve
has shown to Washington. She en-
tered wholly into the part, gave OF
subtle intonation and gesture that
filled the psychology Of the part with
its fascinating lure, while vocally she
rose to the full dramatic conquest of
Carmen, advancing from q lack of vi
brancy at the frst to a full opulence
of tone and nuance that was Carmen.
Triumph for Msrak.
Otakar Marak made his first Ameri
can appearance as Don Jose. He Is
the finished artist of opera and gave
to the role the dramatic feeling, as
well as the vocal excellence OF
a splendid tenor that brought with
his scenes with Carmen spontaneous
bursts of appreciation.
His sympathy. too, was at once
shown in his scene with Michaela,
sung by the young yet lovely voice
of Mabelle Coldenstroth. The artist
brought a balance that left the sweet
and musical value Of this little
singers Interpretation its full effect
And Miss Coldenstroth gave beau
tifully this music. showing that youth
in voice upon which the future OF
this opera movement is to build. yet
at all times being adequate in the
realization Of the cadences Of Bizet
and in the pure simplicity of her song.
oliver Mellum gave a vital and
unsteady beautiful Toreador. He
was alive, poised, and sang with
spirit that put more warmth into his
voice than he has yet shown. He pic
tured the part. too, delightfully."-.
Chorus Was Excellent.
Scenes there were and concerted
moments that showed how admirably
these Washington 81 ingers rose to the
professional standard set them, FOR
the quintet was significantly good,
with Carmen, Ocie Hardesty Sheppard,
Ruby Potter, Harlan Randall. and
Herbert Aldridge.s The card scene
with Miss Sheppard and Miss Potter
was full of charm and vocal beauty.
too.
While in the drama, the potency Of
Nine sylvia in the fortune scene, her
facial expression and fatality, made
the ease OF the other performers all
the more remarkable. And again the
subtlety Of her Turing of Jose to fol-
low her "Tu me suivra' was quite
unforgettable.
The chorus was excellent, the SOL
Giers somewhat too light, too young
for this full-bodied Spain, 1t was par
ticularly interesting to note how
they warmed up to the play as 1T ad-
yanced and gave a performance with
out a hitch There was no sign OF a
"frst night" in the ensemble, and the
pictures were at all times excellent.
The undue length is to be regretted;
there were ballet episodes that could
be ont. as they gave the amateur
touch that was almost entirely lack
ing elsewhere.
Orchestra Admirable.
To orchestra and to the music as
whole, the sway OF Arnoid Voipe was
measurable. The orchestra was ad-
mirable. the music value was there.
Musically, scenically, and in spirit
Carmen was realized. Mr. Nolpe
brought his professional gift of di-
rector that held an unmistakable
spirit. while the orchestral inter
ludes were significant part of the
score.
Alternating with the guest artists,
this evening Clelia Fioravanti and
Leopold Glushak will sing the parts
of Carmen and Don Jose respective
ly. Nine. sylvia and Signor Marak
will sing again on Wednesday and
Saturday evenings.
Theft singing of the roles in French
and in Italian, respectively, gave a
touch Of the worldwide uses and cul-
ture OF opera that brings its inspira-
tion into the Washington Opera
Company whom they have so greatly
advanced toward their goal of filling
a permanent need in the National
Capital, for the art growth of the
organization. The performance was
given with The cooperation of the
Community Service, Inc, who have