The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-04-14
BARBER GIVEN
BR|LL|ANCE
BY CAST
Jose Moiica and Tina Paggi
Garry Top Honors-chaIia-
pin Towers Above Role
Rv JESSIE Mcbride.

II was Jose Mojica, tenor, and
Tina Paggi, hitherto unknown col
oratura soprano, who carried OF
the first honors at last evenings all
professional star cast OF The Ear
Der of Seville" sung to another
large audience at the Washington
Auditorium. The Washington Opera
Company gave a delightful inno-
walton in grand opera in restoring
this gem of humor, this classic IN
beautiful lyric music, to thp stage.
1t was a charming production,
notable cast, notable orchestra,
the latter composed of musicians of
Washington, under jacques Samous-
soud. conductor.
Here is a score of blithe melody.
It is Italy of the true bel canto.
Rossini demanded singers of I'M
usual attainment. He dared to
give a coloratura role to a tenor!
He offers the most beautiful OF
coloratura soprano arias. The ir-
resistible duets, trios and quarte;s
come into being, with the comedy
gems of the true opera bouffe."
A New Chaliapin.
It was in this latter capacity that
the great Chaliapin was cast, a
role far too smll for his great
stature as artist. 1t registered but
little except as grotesque bit Of
buffoonery with bizarre makeup,
though that bit brought out new
Chaliapin with the hoydenish spirit
Of comic opera comedian.
1t was that veteran Of the Met
ropolitan Opera, Paolo Ananian as
Bartolo, who captured comedy hon.
ors, giving an inimitabIe sketch
which was sung with as convincing
art.
But we must return to the sing.
ing of Mojica, as the Count Alma.
viva. and to Paggi, as Rosina.
This tenor, who halls from Mexico.
trills. sings roulades of enhancing 4
sweetness. in short becomes prima
donna tenor of consummate art,
added to which is the charm of his
personality and a dramatic art that
holds a rare finesse beneath an
Astounding youth and exuberance.
The Valentino of grand opera, 4
as the handsome Mojica is called.
became Coquelin Of comedy whose
melodic line became as significant
as the Frenchman's value in must
cal diction.
That is another gem in this
music. The recitatives are so briEn
full of musical meaning. Mojica's
'Serenade" was no less significant
than his ensemble singing. He
captivated his audience from the
first aria, and recall after recall
was given him, recall after recall
was given the entire group of
six" whom Director Albion had
assembled.
Paggi Voice Has loneliness.
Tina Paggi possesses a rarely
lovely coloratura voice, which gave
this music with perfect phrase and
information, with delectable trills
and runs and the tiny fioritura
that is the Towering of such a
voice. She gave the celebrated
Una voce POGO ia" with perfect
articulation. Here surely is rival
for Galli-Curci who is also a fin
ished actress of fine attainment.
Her aria with flute brought her q
big ovation. She delighted at al;
times, the letter scene and the
singing lesson, with Mojica, botn
remaining as episodes of paramount
charm.
The Barber" of Ivan Ivantzoff
renewed the success of this singer
"uO III us lIESI dS NdISnLIIlc
in Faust" with the Washington
vincing "factotum," a vital force
to his comedy. The Bertha" of
Devorah Nadworney, a debut per
Torrance for the Federation of
WOmen's Club prize winner, was
good character sketch. She gave
her one aria effectively and had
a good stage presence that argues
well for her future.
The male chorus was extremely
good and Albert Shefferman, the
only Washingtonian in the cast.
the role of the Captain of the
Guard.
Orchestra ExpertIy Handled.
To the orchestra, however, high
praise must be given. Director
received a spontaneous
response from these professional
culIed from Washington
or soloists, that caught
all the esprit of the music. The
storm interlude for orchestra was
as compelling as the overture. Here
the fresh melody, the gayety Of
the delicacy Of phrase was
AS was the oneness of
orchestra and singers (which always
becomes a marvel when we know
that only one performance is posi-
BILE.
Edouard Albion brought Washing
ton a feast of music, rare artist
cast in Rossini's gem of an opera
bouffe at the Washington Audito-
rum last evening that has greatly
enriched the music season in Wash
ington.