The Washington times., 1925-05-14
IVANTZOFF | s
'TRAv|ATA'
STAR
President and Mrs. Coolidge
Hear Early Opera OF
Verdi-AbIy Sung
Rr JESSIE MCBRIDE.

with the President and Mrs
Coolidge lending the honor OF their
presence during a part of the rpera
t'Trayiata'' at the Washington Audi
forum last evening, the Washing
ton Opera Company. Edouard Al
bion. director. presented the first
of q promised series of opera pro-
auctions at popular prices in when
seven guest stars, several from the
Metropolitan Opera House. gave
very excellent performance OF
Verdi,s opera with chorus from
the local company. There. was
very large and appreciatlve audi
ence.
'"Traviata.' - which is the dramatic
story of Camille by Dumas, the
younger, has always been fine
drama spoiled in the making of a
poor opera. 1t belongs to the4early
Verdi. Nothing lifts it except a
brilliant, dominant Violetta, the
opera name for the Lady of the
Camellias.'
Brilliant Guest Stars.
The guest artists last evening
might well be headed by Ivan
1vantzoff, who as the father OF
Alfredo (ArmandD received the ova-
ton of the evening for his song OF
pleading to Violetta. His fine BARI.
tone voice, his equally fine char
acterization of the role, his genuine
style and pathos brought that esti-
n1able wedding of drama and music
that is the ideal opera.
Ralph Errolle, tenor, as Alfredo,
Vfoletta's lover, again starred with
high honors, his rich dramatic
iah M
climax that make him a star of the
first rank, with an impressive stage.
presence as we'll
Thalia Sabanieva, the Violetta,
sang the exacting role with taste
and dramatic discrimination, but
she is a miniature Violetta both
in voice and stature, and is a good
artist miscast in this role. She
has a light coloratura voice with
out sufficient power to balance the
score, though she rose at times to
excellent results. Nine. Sabanieva
sings with much sweetness, but
Violetta is a courtesan who has
captured Paris and who needs must
dominate with her very vitality.
Trio from MET"
There was a trio of men from
the MET" who brought us that
ease of stage presence, the broad
rhythmic swing of the professional,
In minor roles. They were Giordano
Paltrinieri. who has a sterling
voice, and those effective artists of
impersonation, Louis D'Angelo. and
Paola Ananian. Gladys Mathews,
o charming young soprano with
delightful stage presence, replaced
two artists on the bill and sang the
double roles of Flora and Annina.
Here is an 9 artist whose youth,
stage craft and beauty Of voice
would make her ideal for other
roles. She comes from New York.
Raymonde Conybeare and Alfred
Shefferman completed the cast.
The chorus reached an excellent
climax in the third act of F1ora's
drawing room, but the opera be-
longs to the principals and offers
only two occasions for the chorus.
The orchestra, under Jacques
Eamossoud, gave good support, but
here Verdi is using the olden score
Of mere accompaniment, though an
intermezzo solo was very beautifully
given by Henri Sokolov, concert
master of the orchestra.
An announcement was made that
Nine. Sabanieva would donate her
services to the Walter Wynn benefit
concert tomorrow evening at the
to the announced concert program
arranged for this occasion by
Edouard Albion.