Evening star., 1927-04-23
''TRAVATA' IS GIVEN
NOTABLE RENDITION
CALI CurCi, GigIi and de LuCa
Star in First Opera of
Metropolitan Here.


son'' of four operas last night in a
spectacular and successful fashion at
the Washington Auditorium. With
President Machado OF Cuba and his
daughter, Sonora de Obregon, occupy
ing a stage box that was draped in
the Cuban flag providing the lead
fux s0ciai interest in the audience,
and Amelita CALI Curci Beniamino
Gigli, and Giuseppe de Luca Leading
g real Metropolitan cast on the othef
side Of the curtain, a spirit OF keen
enthusiasm and enjoyment pervaded
the atmosphere. This was the first
time in 10 years that the Metropoil-
tan Opera Co has given q perform
snce in the National Capital and from
the remarks heard all about last night
and the congestion of the many autos
I'm the traffic to carry people to the
building and away after the perform
ence, it is not likely to be so long
time before the next season by this
company.
The production of Eerdi's la Ira
viata," which was the opera opening
the series here. was highly admirable
from every point of view. showing
conplete finish in preparation, detail
unity in presenting the score. that
only so well financed an organization
as the Met" could possibly afford
Aside from the personalities and sing
ing of the three principals, the re-
Fnarkahle coordination, volume ana
sureness Of the chorus in all ensemble
numbers were things at which 70 mar
vel. Also, the members Of the chorus
showed fine training in stage presence
and the wearing of their costumes.
Similarly the orchestra members un-
der the mastery direction or Iulho
Seraffn provided excellent background,
only once or twice oYerpoWerlng ever
So slightly the light voice of the prlma
donna in passages where she seemed
to be reserying her volume to en-
nhasize her marvellous breath control,
one of her most individual character
istfcs in singing The ballet, too, was
presented with spirit and facile com
mand of graceful traditional ballet
steps.
Perhaps one reason that La
Traviata" was so warmly received
was the fact that it is a beloved and
familiar Verdi work with plenty of
nrias for the leading singers and an
always lifting, melodious score.
Amelita Cali Curci as Violetta taken
from Dumas heroine Of THE Lady of
the Camelliasl, was always the graci-
Gus prima donna. She takes many
liberties with the traditional inter-
pretation, being distinctly individual
In her presentation of the role. Her
flute-like rounded tones, with the free
dom of birds notes and the COM
plete artistry in production that only
persistent, intelligent training can
provide, were absolutely at their best
HeG n If nj
ton that was admirable. Especially
colorful was the pathos of the Fare
well Song" She sang the aria, "Ah,
fors e lui,' with her customary orig
mai phrasing and the same was true
of the 'Sempre liberia Her duet
with De Luca. "Dite ALA gioyine,'
was one Of the most beautiful vocal |
episodes of the entire opera, Nine. |
Cali Curci also did the death scene |
unusually beautifully. She wore fasci- |
mating costumes throughout the work, /
also done individually and not con
forming to the traditions.
GigIi in Good Voice.
The hero, Alfredo, a rather migrate
full role from d character point of
view, but with wonderful vocal oppor
tunities, was sung with convincing
style by Signor Gigli He seemed in
his acting. Perhaps the most impress
sive of all his arias was the Del miei
bollenti Spirit" The duet of the first
act was also well done.
Quite the ovation of the evening,
with prolonged applause and shouts
of bravo" from several parts of the
house, however, was given TO
giuseppe de Luca, than whom it
would be difficult to imagine more
perfect Giorgio Germont--the role of
the father of,the hero. Signor de Luca
with his mellow, rounded singing and
excellent phrasing of the solo in the
second act, held up the performance
for several succeeding minutes while
the audience awarded him virogous
applause. Throughout the opera he
was consistent and always in char
acter, vocally and histrionically.
E OF the smaller roles those sung by
Grace Anthony as Annina and the
doctor by Paolo Ananian seemed par
r3cularly well done, although each
smaller part was admirably handled.
others in the cast We're Angelo Bada
Milo Picco and NincenZo Reschiglian
Il The settings Of the four different
scenes all contributed to giving reality
and beauty to the picture as a whole.
Very elabprate scenery was used and
Well painted back-drops. which, al
though altered somewhat to suit the
very small stage Of the auditorium,
seemed to have survived the ordeal
pauch better than those brought there
Il year ago by the Chicago Grand
Opera Co.
This afternoon beginning promptly
at As o'clock, the double bill Of Pua-
cini's LA Boheme," with Bori, John
son and Tibbett in the leading roles,
and Mascagni's ''Cavalleria Rusti
cana" with Easton and Tokatyan,
will be sung Tonight the season
will be closed with a performance Of
Verdi's I'll Trovatore." with Ponselle,
Martinelli and Julia Claussen in lead
ing roles.
SOtables Present.
Among other social notables at the
opera last night were: The Ambassa-
dor Of Belgium and Baroness de
Cartier, the Ambassador of Japan and
Nine. Matsudaira, the Minister of
Panama and Sonora de Alfaro, As
sistant Attorney General, Mrs. Mabel
Walker Willebrandt; the first secre-
tary of The Venezuelan legation,
Senor Luis Churion, Mr.. and Mrs.
Charles J. Bell, DIR. and Mrs. John
Crayke Simpson, Mr.. Charles Henry
Butler, former United States Minister
to Switzerland MIR. Hampson Gary
ard Miss Helen Gary, Miss Suzette
Dewey daughter Of Assistant Secre-
tary Of the Treasury and Mrs. Charles
s. Dewey; Mr. and Mrs. Fleming New.
bold. the newly appointed Assistant
Secretary Of state and Mrs. William
r. Castle, jr,: Mr. and Mrs. Joshua
Evans, 1r.: Miss Mabel B0ardman Mr.
and Mrs Clarence AspinwalI, Judge
Mary O'Toole, Mrs. Victor Kauffmann,
Mr. and Mrs Frederick Irving Cox,
Miss Martha Goldman, Miss Sophie
Siebert, Mrs Delos A. Biodgett Mrs
Charles G. Matthews, Mrs William
Crawford Gorgas, Mrs David DuBOse