Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-11
OPERA FESTIVAL
ENDS BRILLIANTLY
Aida" Is Featured by Debut
of Mildred Seeba-AIt-
| house Is Excellent.

The week of grand opera festival
came to a brilliant close before a very
large and distinguished audience with
a performance of Verdi's Aida" last
night that was one of the most am
bilious and artistic presentations
ever attempted by the Washington
Opera Co. and was one of the best
staged productions ever seen in this
city. The orchestra. led by Alberto
Bimboni, performed nobly, but the
wear and tear of a week of different
operas every night showed more than
once, and at one time in the first act
there was a definite hiatus of several
seconds before chorus and orchestra
could get together on their music.
The chorus has shown improvement
constantly throughout the week and
last night was at its best. As for the
rincipals in Aida there was much
to be praised and they each received
warm applause and appreciation for
their efforts.
Particular interest centered in the
Young American. Mildred Seeba, the
Caruso scholarship pupil who was
making her debut in this performance.
She seemed bit nervous and uncer'
tain during the first ac', but gained IN
confidence and poise in singing as the
opera progressed. Some of her notes
were beautiful. and indications point
to a probab ility of her becoming fine
artist when she has had more expert
ence, In the title role of this opera
Miss Seeba had many famous war
horses" in the operate airs that marx
Aida's tragic love story. 1t was really
in the love duet of the last act that
she seemed to do her best singing.
Jeanne Gordon Superb.
Jeanne Gordon, who was such an
original Carmen Tuesday night, sang
the role of Amneris with distinction
and conviction, and she looked superb
in the jeweled costumes of this part.
Paul Althouse was again in excellent
voice and made the rather hectored
character. Rhadames, more human
than most tenors make him.
John Charles Thomas, the excellent
Young baritone, completed foursome
of very gifted, earnest young Ameri'
can singers. AS Amonasro he In
creased the fine impression he mace
in 'Thais" Thursday night, ana
showed marked improvement over the
Characterization. both vocally and his
ironically, that he gave in this same
role two years ago.
Charles Trowbridge Tittman was an
impressive Ramfis, and Rollin Pease
sang the role of the King of Egypt.
Mr.. Bimboni, the conductor; Mr..
Albion the, director. and Miss Dillon,
stage director, all were welcomed TO
the footlights between acts and given
warm applause along with the prln'
nir,ols in the last opera.
Children Enjoy Matinee.
The charming Humperdinck opera,
SHanseI and Gretel," was sung IN
English yesterday afternoon before
an audience that included many chi.
dren, who were obviously absorbed
in and delighted with the production,
Els secially notable was the 1act tna'
tbs Young conductor. Lamar String
field. an ambitious American boy who
halls from North Carolina, was max
ing his debut as an operate conductor
at this performance.
Mr.. Struggled has conducted sym
phony orchestra performances IN Ashe
vile and also in New York, but this
was his first opera. He did very well
indeed. There were times early IN
the performance when the orchestra
was a bit loud for the voices, but, con
sidering the fact that there had beer
no complete rehearsal, Mr.. struggled
is to be commended for the quickness
and ability which he showed in hold
ing the orchestra below the voices
later on.
May Barron, a young singer with
remarkably rich quality of voice and
much stage presence and initiative
was an excellent Hansel, and Marjorie
Candee, whose voice is very light but
pleasing, was sweet Gretel. Grace
Leslie did not have much opportunity
to show beauties of voice in the role
of the witch, but histrionically she
was excellent, though this was the
first time she had ever sung this role
When at times her melodious con
tralto shone through the cacklins
laughs of the witch, it showed many
possibilities.
Rose Polio, local contralto, did the
best singing of her career in the seY
eral productions in which she has
sung in Washington, as the mother
and Ivan Ivantzoff's acting and die
ton were admirable, as usual, in the
fathers role. Doris Morrow and Do
rothy Tyler did smaller parts well
and the angel chorus was extremely
effective.
The audiences which attended the
six performances during this weeL
seemed to hold the attitude of ad
miration for Mr.. Albion's ambitious
attempts, but the general indications
point TO less operas in in number with
more time to perfect the really fine
possibilities of chorus and orchestra
as well as principals, that seemed
obvious as the week progressed.-H. +