Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-21
OPERA COMPANY
GIVES la TOSCA'
First of Two "ItaIian Nights"
, Is Presented at Polls
Theater.

The first 81 the two italian nights"
for the International Opera Festival. be-
ing presented under auspices Of the
Washington Opera Co. Edousrd Albion.
director, went off with the successful
hriliiance and melodramatic sparkle
that come with a first-class perform
snce of Puceini's operate fireworks. La
Tosca." the opening bill Of the second
week of the festival given at Polls
Theater last night.
The conductor. Aldo Franchetti. is an
Italian full of melody and appreciation
of the warmth that lies in even the
most Shudderingly dramatic Of the very
tragic music that forms large por-
ton Of the score Of this opera. Signor
Franchetti marsllaled his orchestral
forces admirably last night. Like the
simplicity and sbruptness Of this pow
erfully dramatic tale. which presents
story directly and frankly before the
audience IN the first act, so the orches-
trail score deals directly with the musi-
cal problems that reflect these person.
al.ties.
Overture Is Lacking.
There is no overture to coax the au-
6;ence into special mood for The oeen-
trg Only few SCATTERING. foreboding
chords Of dissonant janglng establish
at once sense Of tragedy and appre-
hension At the end. there is 10 lingcr-
Ing. sentimental finale: burst of a few
triumphant chords suggests the victory
Of the lovers, perhaps, in death. and
deity tie knot to the threads of the
story with a single flourishing gesture.
Somewhat after Wagners fashion.
Puccini has endowed each of his char
acters with a special lied-motif The
political prisoner, prime cause of the
whole tragedy. enters after the clashing
opening chords to muttering melodies
that forecast the tragic end and that
reappear throughout the opera. Ivan
Steschenko sang this role of Cesare An
gelotti very well last night. but rather
dlnmed the dramatic effects of his saw
age makeup By keeping his eyes glued
On Signor Franchetti.
Mario Cavaradossi. the tenor hero en-
tered. IN the person of Paul Althouse
and his own particular theme sounded
as he greeted the gay little Sacristan.
Gibeiro. who had mined hts some.
what caricaturish role to his chattering
little tune. most adequately Mr.. Att
houses diction and manner of handling
his several arias in true bel canto style
won enthusiastic reception.
American Girl Scores.
It was another American who really
and quite literally, stopped the show"
Elda Vettori. the American girl with
the very rich. round and italian type
OF tones, was superb throughout the
evening. reaching spectacular climax
N the famous air of the second act.
~VisSi d'Arte." which she sang with
individual Interpretation and q splen-
did effect Of emotional feeling. without
once sacrificing her tone quality to
dramatic effect.
The great italian baritone, Pasouale
Amato. Was perfect ScaYpia, bring
ing out the polished villainy of that
character both vocally and histrioni-
caliy with artistic suavify His Is the
real bel canto conception of melodic
line and he showed this on every oc-
casion of his appearance In his scene
with Miss Vettori. he gave her Tosca
the perfect foil In the unrelenting. willy
Scarpia. chief Of police and Of villains.
Giuseppe Cavadore was very good as
Spoletta. the chief assistant to Scarpia.
ana Rose Polio. Washington contralto
provided a. eyrica! moment as On
The settings were quite in the TIA
6isiouaI manner and each detail was
apoarentlv well handled under Miss
Duaon's direction. The chorus made its
one appearance In the first act credit
ably. However. II was the three prin.
c;pais, yettori. Amatc and Aithouse.
with the orchestra under Aldo Fran
chetti, who made Ia Tosca" q rare
success last night. The one regret was
Tor the comparatively small audience.
British Opera Tonight.
The second opera of the week. the
British Hugh the Drover." by r.
Vaughan Williams. will be given it's
American premiere tonight. The con-
euctor also viii be British, Eugene
Ooossens. The British Ambassador and
Lady Howard with the entire STAFF Of
the embassy. are expected to attend.
The two organizations. the English
Speaking Union Mrs. Bruce Wallace.
PRESIDENT, and the Canadian Society. z.
y. c. Barnes. president viii have large
ye"~~esente tons.
The Washington Opera Co. an
founcea that any member Of either Of
these societies desiring 70 attend this
opera. who has not already arranged
Tor seats may secure seats at special
reduced prices by applying 10 the box
ocdce At the ti1estsr and presenting the
membership ticket or other proof Of
association In either group
The evening Is promising 70 be bril-
Eant and feature events Of importance
Tne title role Of the opera will be sung
By the Welsh tenor. Tudor Davies who
created the role in the one London per.
Torrance Of the opera, the only per-
Torrance given anywhere In the world
previous TO that scheduled for tonight
Also the hero.neg role will be sung
bv Marie Montana. soprano mailing
from TIA. Western State. who with
much European operate experience be-
nanc ne:, VIII make her American debut
liz opera a. tins time The rest OF the
ca1 features American and British
Singers. although ore Of the leading
fo.es, that u the villain, will be
.a,ras'eo 70 the Russian. Ivan WANT
ZOE. a f2VoritE with local opera fans
The opera viii. Of course, be sung in
English. II
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