Arizona republican., 1922-02-22
''PIQUE DAME" IS
DRAMATIC TREAT
FOR OPERA LOVERS

"Pique Dame Queen of Spades),
the second offering of the Russian
Grand opera company. which took
place last night at the Elks theater,
was we'll received by Phoenix music
lovers. This was the first time the
opera had been heard in this city: in
fact, it was only the eighth perform
ance in this country, the first hav-
ing taken place in Seattle the last
Of December. Its premier took place
in Russia in 1890. The music. by
Tschaikowsky. is intensely dramatic
throughout. bright and tuneful in
some parts and sorrowful. although
beautiful, in others. The ensemble
possesses remarkably fine har-
monies.
The opera was sung with fine pre-
cision and in many instances with
unusual artistry. Miss Osipova, with
beauty. physique and a sweet. we'll
modulated voice, sang the lead OPP
posite the tenor, Busanovsky, who,
although suffering from a cold,
proved himself a remarkable singer
with wealth OF tone and displayed
consummate skill in portraying the
character Of Hermann, young Off
GER whose passion for gambling sur
mounted his love for Lisa, the grand
daughter of the countess. the Pique
Dame, or Queen OF Spades. as she
was called in her old age through
her assiduous devotion to cards.
Radeef. the baritone, who sang the
role of Prince Jeletsky, betrothed of
Lisa. warmed up to the part as the
opera progressed and his aria, my
Love for You" III the first scene OF
the second act, was superbly done
and brought the singer several we'll
earned recalls. Miss Osipova did ex-
ceptionally good work in her closing
scene when she parted from her
lover. Her youthful voice with its
expressive quality was a happy dis
closure OF vocal skill.
Those who saw Miss Burskaya
as the capricious Carmen on Mon
day night would not have recognized
her, except for the printed program,
in the character part last night. when
she sang the part of the Countess.
Her rich voice, together with her
powerful acting. brought her work
before the audience so forcibly she
was obliged to respond to numerous
recalls. Her remarkable rendition
of Memories was one of the real
gems Of the evening and will remain
lHQtllIlllciy with Nu6 auuiCHIG as a
haunting melody of wondrous sweet
pess.
A delightful diversion was the in
terlude, intermezzo and ballet dur
ing the second act. For this dance
only the simple orchestration was
used. the instruments utilized being
only those which were in vogue dur
ing the time Of Mozart. The SIM
plicity OF the Tschaikowsky ballet
embodying the simple folk dances
was a striking contrass 10 the ball
ance OF the dramatic opera.
The story of ''Pique Dame" which
was presented in three acts and
seven scenes revolved around the eff
forts Of an army officer. Hermann.
to obtain possession of the secret Of
the three cards which the Countess
is reputed to possess which brings
her her uncanny luck at the gaming
table The granddaughter, Lisa,
while engaged to Prince Jeletsky,
loves Hermann and intrigues with
him 10 obtain the secret. She gives
him the key to the Countess room.
Hermann enters at night and en-
deavors to force the secret by point
ing his revolver at the aged Countess.
who dies from fright without reveal
ing the secret. Lisa enters and ac-
cuses Hermann of murder. He flees
TO his room and while the funeral
party is passing his window the
ghost of the Countess appears before
him and gives him the names OF the