Evening star., 1924-12-07
GRAND OPERA HERE
OPENS WITH FAUST
Washington Company An
= nounces Gounod's Famous
Production for Ian. rs.

The grand opera season of the
National Capital will be opened by
The Washington Opera Company,
January 26. with production of
iounod's Faust" to be sung by a
notable cast of artists headed by
Feodor Chafiapin as Mephisto.
AnnounCem mt of the cast which
will present the opera was. made yes
tcrday by Edouard Albion, general
director of the Washington Opera
Company. and 1t will include Thalla
Sabanieva, prima donna soprano of
.hU Metropolitan Opera Company;
Ralph Errolle. tennor Of the Metro
politan Opera Company. and Ivan
ivantzof. a Russian baritone. who is
new to America but. whose voice and
artistry have won him praise in Paris
Berlin Spain. Prague and Russia, and
more r1c .ntly in Philadelphia, where
he scored success II the title role
Of "Rigoietto.''
SnmRSSd ud ns Conductor.
Jacques Samassoud, who conducted
with notable success the performances
Of the company last year will again
conduct this season. The ensem de
Mr.. Albion said, win be better than
ever before. The coStuming and
scenery, he declared. will be of a
Kind befitting the inauguration of
Nr. Chaliapin's association with th.
opera company uf the National
Capital.
''Chaliapin and his supporting cast
VIII make the production the great
est performance of Faust ever sung
in Washington. Chalia pins appear
ance as Mephisto is certain to he
heenly interesting for his acting
alone.
But 50 far as musical Washington
Is concerned the most important fea-
ture of his first appearance in grand
opera mere is that il comes as a re-
suit OF his recognition of the merit
Of the Washington Opera Company.
ana his desire to Cooperate in the
up-huJding of an American institu-
tl"n which has won cumulative sue
c.Ss under the direction OF Mr.. AL
bion.
VIII Present Marguerite.
Nme. Sabanieva will of course,
sing Marguerite. Her youthful
tnf'm and her distinctive ability TO
carry. TO an audience, the emotions
- fae characters she portrays are ex
r""ted by Mr.. Albion to make her
"rst appearance in Washington d
Hottb!e success in spite of the fact
ihat Chalfapin inevitably dominates
any cast in which he appears.
nihe. Sabanieva was born In Greece
ana completed her musical education
IN RuSSlii, where she began her
career. She has scored successes in
athens. France, Spain. Portugal and
Italy and was engaged by Mr., Ciatti-
'aSazla for the Metropolitan Onera
company in Milan. Her successes in
America have included appearances
win the Metropolitan. Ravinia. San
francisco and Los Angeles opera
companies
Takes "Fau>t- Role,
MT. Errolle will sing Faust. His
Hrst appearance in opera in Washing
Ioh was as Hof;mann in the Wash
lueton Opera Company performance
vi fales of Hofmann" last season
ms appearance then won him a contract
win the Metropolitan Opera COMPANY.
"hefe he since has won increasing sue
cess. lie is an American artist vino
mas mad typically hard fight to achiey 6.
fecognItion OF his ability
Mr.. I"antzzof is not so widely known
III america a S are the other members
"i the cast, but is credited with pos
seSSing a really fin. voice, knowledge
OF music and ability to act. He will
"aNe the role of Valentine