The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-28
BIRMINGHAM SEASON
OF OPERA PLEASING,
B0NELLI AGAIN STARS

Birmingham's brief opera season
was a splendid SUGGESTIVE most ap-
preciated in the musical history of
the city, with the San Carlo Opera
company standing out as the best
rounded organization which has APP
peared here. Their presentation Sat
urday night of III Trovatore,"
Verdis familiar and beloved opera,
assured them this ranking.
Richard Bonelli, baritone, who
charmed these who heard Aida"
won new laurels as the Count di
Luna Saturday night. given better
opportunity to display his vocal and
histrionic talent than as Amonasro.
His voice has a rare, mellow quality
surpassed by those of few artists
singing today. His acting as "di
Luna" was superb.
The aria Per, Me Ora Fatalo" was
sung with all the passion of love
and with Bonelli's work in the duet
with Leonora when she promises to
marry him to save Manricos life,
stood out among the musical gems of
the score.
Nine. Marie Rappold, as Leonorai
gave a far better performance than
when she sang in Aida" Thursday
night. She seemed like quite another
person. Stella De Mette, another
who was rather disappointing in
Aida handled the role of the
gypsy "Azucena" with expressive
acting and her voice surprised those
who had heard her as "Amneris
Thursday night. But Saturday night
was another night for both Rappold
and De Mette, the result being de-
cidedly pleasing to the audience.
Amador Fumador, as Manrico. has
good tenor voice, we'll trained and
promising, but handicapped by 9
severe cold and his stiffness ane
seeming lack of ability to interpret
the part. Perhaps the best impress
ion left by this singer was in thu
tower scene where the we'll know
strains of the 'Miserere' accompany
his "Ah Che La Morte." Nine. Rap
pold's work in the ensuing duet was
probably her best of the evening.
Pietro de Bias. as Fernando, has
wonderfully resonant bass voice
displayed to advantage in the ballad
"Abbietta Zingara."
Francesca Curei as Ruiz, in the
service of Manrico, again gave q
creditable performance. He has
pleasing baritone. Though Inez has
meager part, it was unfortunate
that the audience did not hear Anita
| Klinova, whose mezzo-soprano voice
was bright feature of MADAM
Butterfly" Miss Alice Homer filled
the role.
Verdi has given choral numbers
prominence in this opera, probably
the best known of all choruses be
ing Included the Anvil Chorus.
Voices, orchestra, scenic and liShtins
| effects combined to make this mum
Der most effective. Other chora
numbers were we'll handled by Carlt
Peroni, who conducted again Satur
day night after having directed
Faust" in the afternoon.
At the Saturday afternoon per
Torrance of Faust, Gounods mos
successful opera was received VIII
delight and appreciation. Pietro q
Biasi as "Mephistopheles" and Anna
Fitziu as marguerite" shared thu
highest honors. Miss Fitziu was wei
nigh perfect in her role, singing will
rich abandon. Rogelio Baldrich sans
the part of Faust" with feeling
| Mario Vale delighted as Falentln
| Anita Klinova added another TRIUMPH
to that of Suzuki when she inter
preted "Siebel" Alice Homer was
creditable Dame Martha
| Scenic and lighting effects wer'
exceptionally we'll handled by Con
ductor Peroni Work of the orches
ira compared favorably with the res
of the performance. II. w. s.