Evening star., 1925-01-27
BRILLIANT AUDIENCE OF 5000
HEARS CHALIAPIN IN 'sFAUST''
President and Mrs Coolidge Lead Applause at Auspi-
cious Debut OF Washington Opera Company
Opening Ne,c auditorium.

The largest audience ever assem-
bled in Washington to attend a
musical entertainment-an audience
5000 strong and national in impor-
tance-swarmed from taxis and pri-
vate cars over half-finished puddled
sidewalks into the lobby of the new
Washington Auditorium last night to
fill every seat in box. orchestra and
balcony at the debut performance
featuring Feodor Chaliapin, in
Gounod's Faust" produced by the
Washington Opera Co. Marvellous
furs, gay velvets and chiffons and
jeweled headdresses aided the gala
effect of this truly historic occasion
in the story of the Capitals music
progress.
In spite of traffic jams outside and
the huge task of seating a capacity
audience inside, Jacques Samoussoud
orchestra conductor. began the beau
tiful strains of the overture at 25
minutes of 9 o'clock. Owing to the
necessity of attending a meeting be-
fore coming to the opera, the presi-
Dental party was late. arriving at
the end of the second act, when or
chestra and audience stood while
The Star Spangled Banner was
played and enthusiasm seemed to
take on new life and mount even
higher than ever.
Brilliant Social Event.
Wealth, renown and brilliant cos
tuning were never linked in more
fascinating array than at last nights
opera. The cabinet, congressional set.
diplomatic corps and both branches
of the military service were gener-
ously represented. other individuals
of national Importance in artistic and
business lines also We're present. as
well as all the local society, in addi-
tion to a great body of music lovers
in general.
Appreciation of the efforts on the
stage ran high, and applause was
spontaneous and frequent, breaking
out in ripples all over the house when
the great Russian, still garbed in his
costume of His Satanic Majesty, was
presented to the President and Mrs.
Coolidge, Secretary Weeks and others
in the principal boxes at the end of
the second act.
When, following the third act, Mr..
Albion and Mr.. Chaliapin both made
addresses thanking the audience for
its loyal support in this newest step
toward the establishment of a local
branch of national opera, Chaliapin.
with his quaint description of his
constant interest and sympathy for
development of art In America, near
his eloquent Russian speech trans
lated excellently by NJ, Kornakoff, his
secretary. There were applause and
bouquets for everybody.
Traffic Troubles Annoying.
AS one interested auditor remark
ed, "All was beautiful inside-but,
oh, how awful outSider The traffic
conditions did seem inexcusable for
the approach, all cars being held up
until they could wind in long process
sion to the E street lobby entrance.
For some reason, practically none of
the other entrances seemed to be
used before the performance.
The production was excellently
mounted, with settings designed by
Enrica Clay Dillon and approved by
Chaliapin, who dominated the per-
formance in every way. The orches-
ira gave fine instrumental embroid-
cry to the singing, NJ. Samoussoud
holding the tones down and not over
balancing the voices. Although Ed
Guard de Reske established a Me-
phisto difficult TO improve upon, Cha
liapin, great actor as well as bass.
played the devil in an engagingly in
dividual fashion that made worship
placed him upon a pedestal all his
own.
Chaliapin's Prestige Higher.
AS Mr.. Albion said when standing
with Chaliapin at the end of the gar
den scene, II am hand in hand with
the devil Look bad, doesn't II?
But it is for a good cause" Mr..
Chaliapin's wonderful style of sing