Evening star., 1927-11-05
M U SIC
"THE KINGS HENCHNAN."

opera, The Kings Henchman,
which was given its premiere at the
Metropolitan Opera House in New
York February II of this year, made
its debut in Washington with the
touring company directed by Jacques
Samossoud, the operatic conductor
who has proved very popular in
previous work here, at Polls Theater
yesterday afternoon. incidentally, this
was the debut performance Of this
company. for its personnel. and even
the settings and costumes, are entirely
distinct from the production given by
the Metropolitan. Stracciari. son Of
the great baritone Ricardo Strac-
ciari. designed the settings and cos
tunes for this production. which are
effective. both In authenticity of
detail and beauty of ensemble COM
positioh> Particularly effective is the
setting for the love scene in the
second act. s In. this connection it
George Ermolo6.s deserves special
mention for the various pictures
evolved In the grouping and action of
principals and chorns in the first and
third acts.
1t semed especially fitting that this
American opera. which the composer
lists more fittingly perhaps as
lyric drama in three acts" should
have its tour debut in the National
Capital The fact was emphasized
by the laying Of The Star Spangled
presence of Mrs. Coolidge with a
party of friends In the presidential
box. as well as the presence of Mr..
Taylor. the composer. in another box.
The audience filled the house to The
last inch of standing room and warm
applause greeted Mr.. Samossoud on
his initial appearance to lead the
orchestra in the overture to the first
act. The national anthem was con-
Quoted by the first violinist and con-
cert naefster. At the end of the first
act and again in the finale. the COM
poser was called TO the stage TO re-
ceive applause. along with the con-
dgctor and the singers.
The Kings Henchman" Is a story
Of England of the tenth century. 1t
has basic plot that combines varia-
tions Of both the Tristan and Sleeping
Beauty themes. yet this story itself
IL said to be based upon an authentic
incident of that time. Ead2ar. King
of England role well sung and acted
convincingly by Richard Hale. a young
American baritone who possesses
voice of warm color and yibra ancy-
commissions his "henchman," Aethe'-
void. to undertake the errand Of find
ing Aelfrida. maiden reputed To be
fair. and notifying the King If she Is
fair enough to become Queen Of Eng.
land. Aethelwold was eycellentlv
sung and acted by Rafaelo DiaZ. for
merly Of the Metropolitan Opera Co
His clear diction was quite the beat
OF the entire company. Edna st. Wins
cent Miliay's book. with the old Eng
lish words and forms. is not at all easy
for singers 1t took the whole Of the
first act for the audience and singers
alike to get used to this diction. ap-
parently with the marked exception
of Mr.. DiaZ. II is possible that the
tenor occa sionally sacrificed his lyric
tones to clarity of enunciation. but
his voice was especially lovely in tn"
music of the second act. which gives
him more poetic opportunity than the
decidedly prosy lines and thoughts OF
tn first and third acts.
Marie Snndelius was effective both
dramatically and yocally In the try
ir: characterization allotted her as
Aclfrida. a beautiful but calculating
maiden who aw3kens the sleeping
honchman in misty wood. infatuates
him and marries him. unsuspectinS
n; true errand. Then. when the
inevitable discovery comes in the third
aCs. she shows tnOrougn seiHShreSS.
Dudley Warwick. a young American
who has been heard here before In
on4ratic productions given by the local
company. quite lives UP to the comic
az we'll as vocal possibilities of his
roie as Ordgar the grasping Thane
o Devon. father. OF the tickle Ael.
( .ds. His clearly enunciated and
nging tones were well delivered.
Albert Orion deserves special men
ton for a lovely voice well handled
IN the bit as Archbishop Of Canter-
bury Giovanni Martino, excellent In
makeup. singing and dramatic action.
gave reality 10 his role OF Maccus.
squire to Aethewold. Constance
Jiejda. contraltO. as Aelfrida's serving
woman, was least effective of the
f1loists. Her spinning song. one of
many delightful old folk songs ada pit
ci for the score. was almost totally
lost. Sma Her roles were well done
End the chorus was particularly ad'
ilirabie
The colorful pledge song of the first
sct is one Of the haunting melodies OF
the opera. and the boisterous male
chorus that follows IL was well deIiv.
cred. The chorus bit in the second
act. off stage. was effective. but the
chorus was at it's best in the requiem
following the dramatic high light OF
the whole opera-the death march OF
the men carrying Aethelwolds body.
II was sung a capella. This feature
brought "reminiscences of botR] Sieg.
! fsied,as Death Maroh'..s and azso the
famous requiem Of "Pique Dame"
!. ..s -.nasoi a4trai izcoaa c1it;