The Washington times., 1923-12-18
OPERA BY C|TY'S'
SINGERS WINS
SUCCESS
Stars and Chorus of Madam
Butterfly" and Music, Per-
fect-Other Productions.
BY WILLIAM MOORE.

fect-Other Productions.
BY WILLIAM MOORE.
1t was a night of glorious triumph
for the washington Opera Company.
All Washington society--and that
means the people who trace their
ancestry back to the time when the
Capital was mere village-dusted
off the family jewels and turned
out en- nasse to welcome the Wash
ington songsters at the President
Theater.
In short it was typical Wash
tngton audience that attended last
nights production of Madam But
terfly assemblage as interest.
Ing to analyxe as the work OF
Puccint itself. But this is no time
or place for that. It is the opera
to which we must confine our
thoughts and attention.
1t was an a1l-American cast that
Edouard Albion, the intrepid direc-
tor Of the Washington, Opera Com
pany, selected to fill the leading
roles of Madam Butterfly"
Stars i'm the Cast.
Edith Mason, star of the Chicago
Opera Company, played the part Of
ChO Chic San, the heroine of Puc-
cini's dramatic work. Paul Althouse,
tenor Of the Metropolitan Opera
Company, was the Lieut.. Benjamin
Franklin Pinkerton, U. 8. N; Fred
Patton, noted operate baritone, pOr-
trayed Sharpless, the American con-
sui. and Elizabeth Bonner. soloist.
recently with the Philadelphia
Orchestra in this city, played SUI
zuki, Madam Butterf1y's servant.
These were the o1t-of-town artists
that Director Albion imported to
give the finishing touches to his all
American cast.
II there can be any first honors
bestowed upon the cast, they must
be equally divided amongst Edith
Mason, Paul ,Althouse and Fred
Patton.
Rarely have heard three artists
SO perfectly Enthusiastically and
temperamentally.
OF Edith Mason only the incest
things can be said. Her voice is
perfectly beautiful, rich and vibrant
with dramatic expression. She rose
to heights Of real dramatic fervor
in the last act when, informed OF
her American husbands faithless.
ness, she decided to reHlounce the
Americans God and go to her an
cestors via the hari-kari route.
Success By AIthOuse.
Althouse made a profound i'm.
preston upon his auditors. Physl-
calIy and vocaliy cut out for the
part Of Pinkerton. he gave real
virile Interpretation of the Amert.
can naval officer. like Althouse's
voice immensely. There Is Ger
tain ring Of sincerity to it that one
must strain to catch III most dra-
matte tenors. 1t is perfectly clear
and strong. His dictiOn is always
good and his dramatic ability stands
out i'm bold relief.
In passing /, may remark that II
is always refreshing to the audience
to sense the artists thorough IA
rniIiarity with the score. I inyari-
ably have a nervous chill when
the soloist insists upon keeping MS
eyes glued on the conductor, all the
while cutting up grotesque antics
in an erideavOr to act natural.
This charge. however, could not
be laid at the door of the leading
characters in last nights perform.
aY1ce. There was an air Of perfect
familiarity with the roles that need
ed no director to furnish cues.
Patton Proves Delight.
Fred Patton was delight to the
ear. While his voice was at times
drowned by the orchestra. neVertne.
less he maintained fuilness Oh
tone and richness of expression
that was gratifying His duet WIN
Eharpless in the first act-the toast
to Arnerica-was an excellent bit
Of musical artistry.
EIfzabeth Bonner, the young
Wilmington contralto, came TO TINS
city a fortnight ago with the Phlla-
delphia orchestra. At that time
remarked that the. numbers she
sang were not adapted to her voice
ana that I should like to hear her
in a real operate role.
Her presentation of SuzuN was
excellent. She had a rare -oppOr-
tunity to display the remarkable
range of her voice, and she took
every advantage Of the occasion to
stand out musically and dra-
matically.
Ferdinand Zegel, as Goro, the
marriage broker, was a highly pic
turesque old rascal and had a
wonderful opportunity to do some
real comedy work.
Local Singers Perfect.
washington's own singers, train
ed to perfection, were given big
ovation by the enthusiastic audi
ence. George Harold Miller, as
Bonze, the uncle, gave vivid IN"
depreciation Of the aristocrattc
kinsman Of Madam Butterfly. The
role of Commissioner was sung
with force and vocal skill by Albert
ShefferTnan. Lawrence Downey
sang Prince Yamadori, while Mar"
guerite Meakin played Kate Pinker'
ton and the Mother.
liked the chorus singing i'm
mensely. The young ladies and
gentlemen all Washingtonians -
entered heartily into the spirit OF
the opera and clearly demonstrated
the time and effort that had been
devoted to the choral singing was
to excellent purpose.
Ballet of Rare Charm.
Paul Tchernikoff's ballet Chopin
lana, which was staged following the
opera, was given with rare charm.
The corps de ballet consisted of M.
Tchernikoff and the Misses Gardi-
ner. Bowman, Hereford, Weighell,
Williams, Coles, Smith, Tinsman.
Johnson, Burris and German.
OF course, there were curtain calls
galore. The director of the orches.
In aF&a4