Evening star., 1923-01-23
Washington Opera Company in
"Rigoletto."

"Rigoietto," verdi's opera based
upon Hugo's drama, lie Roi
s'Amuse," was played and sung In ex-
cellent fashion before crowded
house by the Washington Opera
Company at the President .Theater
last night. This, without question
is the best performance of opera ats
tempted thus far by the ambitious
local organization, and Edouard Al
bion deserves much credit for the
admirable quality Of every phase OF
the performance.
Washington society turned out IN
brilliant throngs to grace the open
ing performance of Washington
first Sattempt at grand opera thToush
tho medium of the Washington opera
Company this season; ana II apI
plauded enthusiastically. Inc Iocai
production invites comparison Win
even that paragon of American opera,
the Metropolitan, and, from present
indications, the performance FRIDAY
promises to be equally popular ana
successful, both from musical ana
social points of view.
Joseph Schwarz makes of the title
role truly operate masterpiece of
Interpretation. His rich baritons
voice is one of the best ever heard
in Washington and his dramatic I'M
Jester was splendid. His makeup
also was faultless.
Bertha Crawford, in the role of
Gilda, proved soprano of great
coloratura and lyrical possibilities.
Physically she was more than equal
TO her role. and her duet with
Rigoletto at the end of the second
act, "Piangi Fanciulla,'' was full of
dramatic and vocal fervor.
Louis Dornay, in the role of the
voice that found greatest favor with
his singing of the popular LA Donna
q Mobile" in the third act. The quar-
tet Immediately following was the
outstanding feature of the entire
opera and was done in spirited
manner that left little to be desired.
Elizabeth Bonner's delightful meZzo
. soprano voice lent exceptional rich
ness to this song and blended well
with Miss Crawford's, Mr.. Schwarz' S
and Mr.. Dornay's.
Washington swelled with special
pride over the singing of the role
Of Sparafucile by Charles Trow-
bridge Tittmann, whose splendid bass
voice gave considerable coloring to
the rich tones heard in the first act
of the opera. Albert Shefferman,
Everett Naftzger, Louis Annis, Hor-
ace Alvin Lake, Edmund Boyer. Rose
Polio, Marguerite Meakin and Dor
othy Wilson all sang small roles ef-
fectfvely and the work of the chorus
was remarkably good. NotwithStand-
Ing the rather stiff postures and
bored expressions on the faces of
many in the chorus, their vocal wor k
was unusually fresh and cleay-cu
and stood out in favorable compari-
son with that of the Metropolitan
itself. The chorus as a whole showed
tine training and cooperation.
Arturo Papalardo, conductor of the
orchestra for this production, showed
his skill as director of the combined
singing and instrumental parts of the
opera in a way that merited the en-
thusiaStic applause meted out to him.
Paul Tchernikoff directed the ballet.
which had a short dance in the first
act that might have been a great ad-
ditton to the entire performance had
the dancers had sufficient room in
which to do their dance. AS 1T was,
they seemed to be endlessly getting
tangled up and treading on each
others toes.
On the whole, Washington has a
company of which 1t may be proud.
The distinguished company Witness
Sng the performance included several
hox parties and a generous number
Of well known residents in the or
chestral chairs.
Senator Key Pittman was among
the guests of Mrs. II. Wilfred Du Puy,
who also entertained at dinner pre-
ceeding the opera. Her other guests
were Mrs. Frederick Dent Grant.
Princess Cantacuzene, Mrs. Alexander
Ramsay Thompson, Maj. George O..
Squier. Leander Mccormick -Goodhart
and Clarence Stetson.
Senator and Mrs. Howard Suther-
land were guests of Mrs. William H.
West. whose other guests were DR..
and Mrs. William Clarke and Mr.. and
Mrs. Charles Selden. jr.
Mr.. and Mrs. Rafael r. Gown had