The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-02-02
STARS OF
RARE FAME
COMING
Big "Tannhauser" Produc-
ton Opens Chicago Opera
One Week From Tonight

Four of the greatest operate
artists to appear in the United
States in, recent years will be
starred in the series Of four operas
to be presented in the Washington
Auditorium by the Chicago Civic
Opera Company during the week OF
February g.. They are Chaliapjn,
Mary Garden, Toti Dial Monte, and
Rosa Raisa, a quartet to which to-
day perhaps only CALI Curci could
be added to include the principal
gong stars Of the decade.
Chaliapin and Mary Garden are
better known to Neutrality-suspicious.
than are Toti Dial Monte and Rosa
Raisa, since they have appeared
here more frequently, and in conse-
quence the interest Of opera lovers
in the two last named Is especially
keen. Toti Dial Monte made a most
favorable impression recently ON
the occasion of her first and only
visit to Washington, when she ap.
peared in recital about two weeks
ago. She is a charming little per-
son of SO youthful an appearance
that when she made her debut mt
La Scala, in Milan. as Lucia, the
| great Toscanini insisted on super
vising her makeup himself.
otherwise, he said, she would
appear to be Lucia's daughter, not
Lucia herself
Dial MOnte's Nickname.
Signorina Dial Monies real name
is Antonietta, and her professional
little, "Toti," is a nickname that
was given to her by her fellow
students when she was studying the
piano in Venice, her native city.
She was compelled to give UP a
promising career as a pianist be-
cause of an injury to her wrist,
but she turned her attention
promptly to the study Of singing,
and in 1916 made a most successful
debut at La Scala.
The title role Of Lucia di Lam.
mermoor," in which she will APP
pear here, is said to be her finest
role. In IIer local recital she pre-
scented the mad scene" from this
opera, and was received with ire
mendous favor. She has won
triumphs in South America as well
as in this country and in Europe.
She has never yet been heard here
in opera.
Rosa Raisa has been heard here
once, in aida" when the Chicago
company visited Washington two
years ago. Her Interpretation OF
the role was hailed by local critics
as little short OF marvellous.
''Tannhauser" to Open Series.
She will sing the role OF Eliza
beth in "Tannhauser," the opening
event Of the series. The occasion
should be most interesting, not only
because Of Raisa's presence in The
! cast, but because "Tannhauser," q
most spectacular production, mas
not been heard here in years. The
date is February 10.
Chaliapin, of course, is well
known now to Washingtonians. His
is a remarkable personality, and
critics have averred that he would
have been a great dramatic star il
he were not favored with his won.
derful vocal gifts. 1t is said that
Boris Godunoff is his finest role
and it is in that role that he will
be heard here.
Mary Garden appeared with Tire
Chicago opera during it's visit two
years ago in la Tosca." This
year she will sing the title role Of
'"Thais," at the Saturday matinee
| performance, February IA. Her
| remarkable voice and personality
have made her one of the most
popular operate stars Of all time
She was sponsored in her career in
this country by the great Hammer.
stein, who believed, correctly, that
she would be one Of the most
famous operate stars the United
States had ever entertained.