Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-14
"R|G0[ETT0" SUNG
ADMIRABLY HERE
Chicago Opera Co. Closes
Season With VerdfS
Famous Work.

The Chicago Civic Opera Company
completed a season of four perform
ances on dates scheduled for Wash
ington, with one additional gratis per
formance Friday afternoon, last night,
when Verdi's "Rigoletto" was the con
GLIDING opera. In this series Of five
operas the company has shown many
admirable things, although several un-
fortunate substitutions were necessi-
tated by illness. The complete cancel
ing OF the opening opera, "Otello. due
to Charles Marshall's illness in Balti-
more on Tuesday night, WAS to be
regretted. as was the inability of Titta
Runo to sing the title role of Rigo.
letto last night. Richard Bonelli
proved an able substitute, however.
singing the role eXcellently.
Carmen" Is Brillian.
The most brilliant OF the five per
formances which the Chicago Grand
Opera Company presented here dur
ing the past week was that given
BiZet's Carmen" yesterday afternoon.
The audience filled the house practi-
cally 10 the capacity of 5000 people
and included many distinguished in
va i"uois III sotIdi anu oiItldl I II
led by Mrs. Calvin Coolidge in front
box. They watched n typical Car
deneSque Carmen and listened TO
the beautiful operate score given re
markable Interpretation by the orches-
ira under Giorgio Polacco, a great
operate conductor. Instead of Mary
Gardens playing Carmen, 1t seemed
as though Carmen assumed the char
acter of Mary Garden and did it in
beautiful, flashing costumes and with
a voice that proved a continual sur
prise in it's swift alienation between
high and low ranges. There would
be occa sional glimpses of liquid lyric
notes abruptly changing to harsh par
lando. In her acting, Miss Garden
was vivid and, as always. original
The star honors Of the afternoon
In spite of Miss Gardens constant
presence, were easily won by Fernand
Ansseau, French tenor. who showed
a well trained voice of genuine beauty
and dramatic ability of high standard
His Is Jose who will linger long
In the memory. Second TO MIR Ans.
seau was Bernice Fisher Butler,
who gave an especially graceful and
colorful performance Of the role OF
Mtchaela. She sang intelligently and
with real warmth. Mrs. Butler is in
private life the daughter-in.law of
Senator William NJ. Butler of Massa.
chusetts. II is possible that knowl-
edge of this fact was responsible for
some of the applause she received.
but as another name was on the pro.
gram, IL is equally possible that all
the enthusiasm extended her in re
Spouse 10 her exquisite singing OF the
PRAYER was due to her efforts.
N
milton. Alice d'Hermanoy and De
vora Nadworney sang the card song
duet very well. The quintet in the
second act was splendid. Jose Mojica
was good in a small part. Alexander
kipnfs was not particula rly inspiring
as Escamillo. The chorus was good
In all of Its work and the ballet was
delightful in the last act. adding much
color to the scene. The settings and
costumes were fine. too.
Bonelli Is Excellent.
In Rigoletto the production last
night lost nothing by Mr.. Ruffo's i'll
ness. regrettable as that was. Rich
ard Boneili gave what might almost
be described as an inspired interpre-
fation OF the title role He threw
himself whole hea rtedly into the part
His voice WAS a glorious revelation,
AS we'll as his acting. He quite domi-
mated the performance. Edith Mason
sang her difficult Caro- nome" in fine
style. Charlie Hackett was obviously
at home in the role of the Duke and
sang his La donna mobile" in such
a fashion that IL was received with
hearty applause by the
audience, as also was the famous
quartet sung by Mason, Hackett, Mad
worney and Ronelli. Devora Mad
worney made the most of her role as
and Virginia Lazzarai WIS
vocally and dramatically good in the
role of the assassin, Sparafucile An
tonic Nicolich was impressive In his
singing of the famous threat of Mon
terone, and Anna Correnti and Alice
d Hermanoy were good in smaller
roles. Ernesto Tort. Lodovico Oil
viero, Gildo Morelato and Elizabeth
Kerr completed the cast. The chorus
was good and the settings and cos
tuning were adequate. Although in
dances were listed on the pro-
gram. none were given. The orches-
ira gave spirited and well conducted
of the instrumental
score under the leadership of Henry
G. Weber H F.
RUFFO REGRETS ILLNESS.