Evening star., 1927-12-06
OPERA FESTIVAL
OPENS BRILLIANTLY
French Tenor and LueIIa Me-
Illus Re Give Greatest Ap-
pIause in "Mignon."

Tho festival week of gra md opera
which marks TIE tenth season of pro
ductions offered by the Washington
Opera Co, Edouard Albion, director
opened with a performance OF mig
non" last night at Polls Theater tina
won enthusiastic applause from :.
fashionable, capacity audience that
mostly arrived on time and stayed un-
til the very last note of the last act.
A patriotic and international flare was
given when the large chorus and prin-
cipals formed background Tor the
French tenor. Maurice Capltalne. who
was led by Mr.. Albion before the cur
tain several times ana received an
ovation both for his personal merits
and the gesture of artistic friendliness
extended by his country TO the Ma
tional Capital Of the United States as
symbolizcd in his presence. The
MarseilIaiSe" and The Star Spancled
Ranner" were sung with ferVor dur
ing the intermission between the sec.
and third acts, following blief
sneech by the director, in which he
commented upon Frances loyalty 10
the United States from the days of
this country's birth until today. when
she sends aid TO us in building in the
arts in this country. There was murh
spnlausc. The flags of both countries
were hung on the stage.
AS for The opera, "Mignon. based
upon Goethes wilhelm MeiSter.
with music by Ambrose Thomas. is
charming, graceful and very light.
Although the music is not heavy 1t
IS very tricky. There is not much
ho &c
cre,litably done last night by cho: us
that was we'll costumed and showed
fullest power in the national anthems.
Orchestra Well Handled.
The orchestra. under Albert Bim-
honi. was held down most of the time
successfully. so that the voices of the
singers were not drowned. The over
ture to this opera and Filina's famous
air in the second act, "Je suis Ii
tania," are both familiar to every one.
There are other melodies not so fire.
auentlv heard. however. that peeped
forth quite charmingly as the score
unfoded.
Personal laurels TO the singers were
scattered last night. NJ. Capitaine
won the most distinguished honors as
the guest artist from across the At
1antic. His gestures and poised in
terpretation of his role were ever i'm
mediatelv under the control of his
very finger tips. He has an unusual
quality of voice, with considerable
warmth. and it will be interesting to
hear him further in the leading tenor
roles in "Thais' and Faust"
Dorothy Speare, the young Ameri-
can, who first won fame as a novel
ist with her book, Dancers in the
Dark" several seasons ago and since
then has had many magazine articles
and another book published, made her
American debut following study of
singing both here and in Italy, in the
title role. She has very colorful.
beautiful quality and much volume.
Her production seemed to improve in
ease as she got further into the opera.
and during the last act she was at
her best Her singing of the little
Prayer" was excellent. 1t will be
Interesting to watch her progress as
she has more experience on the
operate stage. Her acting is still
somewhat amateurish, but she uses
her intelligence and she will probably
soon overcome this most natural of
obstacles for young singer.
VIII Sing Carmen" Tonight.
Owing to sudden news of the i'll
lfaves ung Micaela tonight. Miss
Speare will seize the opportunity to
add to the very unusual nature and
proportions of her personal laurels
and will sing that role in Carmen"
tonight She also is listed to sing
Marguerite in Faust"
Vocal and stage honors combined
in their highest degree must be handed
to Luella Melius, the experienced.
poised coloratura soprano. Nine.
Melius has been heard here in several
previous productions given by the
local company. but never has she ap-
peared to better effect than in the role
of the fiirtatious actress Filina, and
her applause won with the "Titania"
air was the largest received by any
one during the evening. She was in
excellent voice and her famous trill
was at its best. Throughout the
opera every bit that she contributed
was done in finished, highly admir-
able and telling style. Also her
French enunciation was delightful
Ivan Steschenko was fine in the
small role of Giarno and Janet Mabon
was thoroughly adequate Rolin
Pease as Lothario was not so good.
His production was very throaty and
his enunciation was indistinct. Also
HIS piitIi SeeIHeu NaFldDie. Inc other
small bits were well done
The ballet with Elizabeth Gardiner
and Paul Tchernikoff as principals did
delightful gypsy number in the first
act. Enrica Clay Dillon deserves
commendation for admirable stage
settings and clever handling of her
chorus and principals to make attrac.
tive pictures, particularly in the open
Ing scene of the first act and in the
garden scene during the second act.
Tonight the opera will be BiZet's
gay Carmen" also sung in French.
Jeanne Gordon will be the heroine and
Paul Althouse the Don Jose Ivan
lvantzof, particular favorite with
washington opera audiences, will be
the E.scamiIlo and sing the famous
Toreador Song" The opera starts
promptly at S:15. H.F