Evening star., 1924-03-11
CARMEN ISSUING
BRILLIANTLY HERE
Washington Opera Com
pany's Performance Draws
Bio Audience in Storm.

WaShington'S operatic season Tor
1s23-24 ended in a triumph of musical
glory. despite blizzard, at the Presi-
dent Theater last night. A large au-
dience, including many prominent in
social circles, heard an excellent per-
formance of Bizet's opera, Carmen"
by the Washington Opera Company,
under the direction of Edouard AL
bion.
Ina Bourskaya, Russian prima
donna, made the cigarette girl a per-
son of striking physical appearance
ard ardent temperament. Her blue
eyes and black hair gave an effective
setting for the emotions she depicted.
Her voice is massive and her notes
are round and liquid. There are
critics who have acclaimed Bourskaya
as the greatest Carmen since Calve."
and it seemed last night as If few
/, would care to dispute the flery RUS
slams right to this title.
Paul Althouse, Metropolitan tenor,
who gave a memorable portrayal of
Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly"
again won laurels as Don Jose, the
infatuated corporal. whose love and
ambition were crushed beneath the
gay slipper of the vamping Carmen.
His singing of Air de la Fleur" was
particularly fine. --..,..
WhitehilI as TOreadOr.
Clarence Whitehill. another Metro
politan star, sang the role of Es-
camille. the toreador. His baritone
voice is powerful in volume and he
won enthusiastic applause with the
famous aria.
Paolo Ananian, bass of the Metro
politan, gave an excellent charac-
terization of Zuniga, captain of
dragons, comparatively small role.
His voice also is big and he has un-
usual dramatic talent
Dorothy Mansfield, young Wash
ington singer. who made her debut
with this company in Tales of Hoff-
mann" deserves special recognition
of stage presence, as we'll as of a
clear. pleasing soprano voice. in the
trying role of Micaela- Miss Mans
field and all those in the principal
roles showed unusually fine balance
of dramatic Interpretation and vocal
expression.
Albert shefferman. Meta Craig,
other local singers who made the
most of smaller roles and added con-
siderably to the ensemble singing.
Chorus Scores Triumph.
The chorus merits the highest praise
for splendid volume and clear-cut
singing. Mr.. Albion may be proud of
his large organization. There were
those present last night who express
ed the opinion that the Metropolitan's
chorus is not better than that of the
Washington Opera Company.
NJ Samassoud showed on this, as on
previous occa sions, his ability to pro-
vide an ideal orchestral accompani-
ment.
The finishing touch to the atmos-
phere of Spanish rhythm and light
heatedness was given by the clever
ness and grace of the ballet dancers,
with Tchernikoff and Elizabeth Gar
diner as the principals
Enrico Dillon is entitled to credit
for the exceptionally good settings
and the picturesque costumes which
formed the background of one of the
best operatic productions offered in
Washington in recent years.
Representative Audience.
The audience was representative of
all branches of Washington society,
official and resident, who showed their
appreciation by prolonged applause.
The Secretary to the President, c..
Bascom Slemp, had box party. which
included the ambassador to Spain, AL
exander Moore; Senator Ernst, Rep
resentative and Mrs. Nicholas Long
worth. Gen. and Mrs. John A. John
ston and Miss Josephine Patten.
Senator and Mrs. James CouZens en-
tertained a party of young people for
their daughter. Miss Madeline Cou-
zens, and Mrs. Francois Berger Moran.
They had among their guests the min
from; Rear Admiral and Mrs. Hutch
inson, Maj. Gen. and Mrs. Barnett and
Mrs. Horace G.. Macfarland.
Mr.. and Mrs. Francis White enter
tained the minister OF Switzerland
and Nine. Peter, the counselor of the
laye and the third assistant secretary
of state and Mrs. j. Butler Wright.
Italian Attaches Guests.
Mr.. and Mrs. Mark Reid Yates had
with them Col. Marquis Vittorio
Asinari di Bernezzo, Italian military
attache, and Marquis di Bernezzo,
the Italian naval attache, and Coun-
tess Sommau di Mobello and Mr.. and
Mrs. Robinson.
Senator and Mrs. Lawrence Phipps
entertained Mr.. and Mrs. Franklin
Ellis and Mr.. and Mrs Crawford.
With Mrs. Charles Boughton Wood
We're Mrs. George Ehle. Maj. and Mrs.
Frederick Stevens
Among those occupying seats were
Mrs. James r Mann, Mrs. Theodore
w. Noyes, Miss Elizabeth Hanna, who
eHtertalned number of guests; Miss
Laura Harlan, Admiral Andrew Long.
DR.. and Mrs. Harvey w. Wiley. for
mer Representative and Mrs Frank
w. Mondell, Miss Mondell, Col. Car-
ence 0. Sheriff., Mr. and Mrs George
Oakley Totten, Mr.. and Mrs. F'reder-
1G william Vile. Commissioner and
Mrs Rudolph, Mrs. Henry Wilder
Reyes. Mr.. and Mrs Truman q
Palmer, Mr.: and Mrs. Ernest G. walk
er. Mrs. Helen Isay Hagner and
Miss Callie Hagner