The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-03-11
CARMEN GIVEN
BY NOTABLE
SINGERS
Washington Opera Company
Heard to Advantage Though
Patronage Is Light.
BY WILLIAM MOORE.


The National Capital last night
was given the opportunity Of hear
ing the last, and by far the great
est. of the seasons productions by
the Washington Opera Company.
Bizet's colorful Carmen" with
Ina Bourskaya in the title role,
supported by an excellent cast and
chorus, will go down in musical
history in this city as the finest
attempt yet made by a local organi-
zation to produce grand opera.
Today the tumult and the shout.
ing has died. The enthusiasm OF
last night has diminished in Its
intensity, but the memory OF the
artistic triumph Of Edouard Albion
and his opera company Will nnger
long in the memories OF those VINO
witnessed the production.
With the dawn of new gay II
Ia well to consider a few serious
matters with relation to the must
cal future of Washington. This
question must be asked and an.
swered by every, true patron OF
! music:
Question OF ID. G. Opera.
How long can the Washington
Opera Company continue to present
the best in grand opera unoer tEe e
present financial ARRANGEMENT:
With the great amount OF aovance
publicity why could not the Fresl-
dent Theater have been SOLO ous
and the s. r. o. sign put up!
WV isn't there enough public
snirit-and apparently there ID
MOTTO subsidize grand opera in
Washington?
ed before another season. They are
serious ones. 1870
To get back to last nights per-
fornance. I would hesitate very
much to hazard an opinion as TO
the outstanding bit Of work IN
"Carmen." 1t would be dlf1lcuE,
as well as presumptuous, on my
part to do so.
All Deserve Praise.
Ina Bourskaya as Carmen" Paul
Althouse as Done Jose, Clarence
Whitehill as the Toreador' Paul
Ananian as Captain Of Dragons
Dorothy Mansfield. Albert Sheffer'
man, Meta Craig-why continue!
Each and every one OF these
artists stood well up in the first
rank. and to each belongs his or
her full share Of tribute.
| I have rarely seen Carmen" en-
acted with a combination or ORA
matte, vocal and pulchritudinous
charm as that portrayed by Ina
Bourskaya. Graceful in her stage
presence, possessing an exotlc
beauty and singing with wonderIul
artistry, Miss Bourskaya was easily
the most picturesque member OF
| the cast.
Paul Althouse told me between
acts this was his first appearance
in Carmen" / can hardly credit
that statement, although l would
not doubt it for worlds. Althouse
PLAYED Don Jose like veteran.
Washington has grown to love
| Althouse. We somehow regard MIN
as one Of our own. His rlcn'
golden tenor, with its clarity IN
the upper register and Its vibrant
dramatic timbre, Is always rerresn-
ing.
Clarence whitehill made an ideal
Toreador. Big, manly and fairly
exuding physical vigor. he dominat-
ed the stage upon his every appear
Dorothy Mansfield, who made her
debut in "Tales Of Hoffman," &C
Quilted herself with distinction
She made a mighty appealing little
Micaela, singing with warm
colorful voice,
Albert Shefferman, in the dual
role of Morales and Ell Dancairo
the smuggler, sings with sincerity
and real ability. His parts In
Carmen" were the best things he
has done yet in opera and I fully
expect to see Shefferman at the tor
next season.
Paul Ananian, as the Captain Of
Dragons, gave an excellent inter
probation of the swashbuckline
Zuniga. Meta Craig and Rose
Polio sang well, particularly in the
gypsy duet. Full credit also should
be given Louis Annis and George
Fernstrom. Played Garrett played
the street urchin.
A short ballet was given by the
pupils of Paul Tchernikoff, with q
Elizabeth Gardiner.
The orchestra, under the direction
special number by Tchernikoff and
Of Jacques Samassoud, played with
keen understanding.