The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-07
'T0SCA' THRILLS
GREAT CROWD
At POLLS
Mary Garden Wins Audience in
Puccini's Noble Opera.
"Snow Maiden" Tonight.
By WILLIAM MOORE.

Company's presentation Of Giacomo
Puccini's opera, "Tosca.'
Although it has been several
years since Miss Garden has ap-
peared before a Washington audi
ence-she sang 'Thais" and "The
Juggler of Notre Dame" at the
Belasco Theater some seasons ago
the vivacious soprano quickly
demonstrated to the critical audi
ence last night that she has~l lost
none of her charm.
It was a distinguished audience
that assembled to hear the second
of the Chicago Opera Company's
three productions in this city.
Fashionably dressed women and
their male escorts filled the boxes
and the orchestra.
standing Room Only"
standing room only was the
order for late corners who had
failed to purchase their seats in
! advance. The presence Of fully
$500 persons, representing all walks
of life, was proof positive that
Washingtonians will patronize the
best musical attractions-but they
must be the best!
In "Tosca," Puccini has taken
the drama of Victorien Sardou and
woven a musical score which is as
melodious as it is dramatic. De-
lightfuI harmonic effects-especially
in the first act-are in distinct con-
trast to the difficult composition
Of the second and third acts.
The opera opens in the interior
of the Church Of st. Andrea della
Vale, in Rome. All the splendor
of a medieval edifice is portrayed
in the setting. A life-size statue
of the Madonna stands well in the
foreground. Ecclesiastical paintings
and tapestries Hdorn the walls and
ceilings.
Perhaps the most inspiring note
in the entire opera came at the
conclusion Of the first act. In
celebration of the defeat Of Ma
poleon, a gigantic church process
sion has been arranged. AS the
procession of priests, clerics, schol-
ars, soldiers, crucifers, censor bearers
and. finally, the archbishop himself,
passed in review, q thrill swept
the audience. The curtain is drawn
as the archbishop, in elaborate
cope and inter, flanked by CEN
sers and acolyteS. pronounces the
episcopal benediction on the kneel-
ing multitude.
Dramatic Power Shown.
In the second act, Miss Garden
and Georges Baklanotf !. who es-
sayed the role of Baron Scarpia,
chief Of police. and as cold blooded
ruffian. as one could meet in a
weeks travels; were given an OPP
pprtunity to display not only their
marvellous musical ability, but dra-
matte excellence.
Miss Garden, as Tosca, visits the
apartment of Scarpia to plead for
her lover, Mario (Giulio Crimi) who
is captured by Scarpia's men and
charged with aiding a political
prisoner to escape.
ALI the passions-iust, hate. ter
ror, love-are brought out with
starting realism by Miss Garden
and M. Baklanoff. The shrieks of
Tosca as she is pursued about the
ROOM by the Hbertine Scafpia, and
the screams of agony emanating
from Mario as captors apply the
instruments of torture in order to
force from his unwilling lips the
secret hiding place of the political
prisoner, sent delicious chills run.
ming up and down the spines of the
auditors.
Murder Scene Grips.
In the murder scene" when
Tosca runs a carving knife into
the lust-crazed body of Baron
Scarpia, many in the audience
gripped the arms OF the seats and
stared awe-stricken.
The dramatic-it is really melo.
dramatic-climax comes in the
third act when Mario, facing a fir
ing squad in the Castle of ST.
Angelo, falls dead, and Tosca leaps
over the parapet to her doom.
The work of Crimi, as Mario.
was excellent. He possesses a
tenor voice of great power and
dramatic expression. Vittorio Ire
visan, as the jolly old sacristan of
st. Andrea della Vale: Spoletta; a
detective Nodovico Oliviero), and De-
sire Defrere, as Cesare Angellottf.
the escaped political prisoner, are
deserving of high praise.
"Snow Maiden" Tonight.
Tonight the Chicago Opera Com
pany will close it's all too brief
season in the Nations Capital with
the presentation of N. Rimsky-Kor.
sakoff's THE Snow Maiden"
(Sniegurotchka). This is the second
opera by the distinguished Russian
composer to be produced in the
United States, and has been pro.
duced with great success by the
Chicago company.
''The Snow Maiden" is based upon
Russian myths and legend, and it
is musically redolent of simple Russ
folksongs. 1t has several examples
of curious tempo. For example, the
final chorus is written in ia
time. There are two ballots of rare
beauty.
The title role will be sung by
Miss Edith Mason. Miss Cyrena
van Gordon, who sang "Amneris''
Monday night in Aida" Will be
the Shepherd Lei, and Georges
Baklanoff will sing the principal
baritone role. The production will
be conducted by Richard Hageman.
HIGH SCHOOL TO GIVE