The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-01-26
Norma Will Bring
Rosa POnseue
To d. G..

Mrs. Wilson Greene, back from
New York after negotiations with
the Metropolitan Opera Company
is able to announce today that
Washington will have the oppor"
tunity this season of hearing
Rosa Ponselle and the entire Met
ropolitan company in her great
est role and the outstanding sue
cess of the current years rep
ertoire. Norma" with which
the local engagement of the Met
ropolitan will open on the even
ing of April Is, at Polls Theater.
Norma" had not been given in
this country for S5 years until
the Metropolitan's present sea-
son. for the reason that no So
prano was available who could
satisfy the exacting requirements
of this remarkable opera Rosa
Ponselle. however, added it to her
repertory this year with such
CONSPICUOUS success that 1t has
been the most popular and spec
taelIIar production offered by the
Metropolitan. All the resources
of this great company will be
available for the presentation OF
Norma" in this city, and a
splendid supporting cast will be
nroyided-exactly the same as
that heard in New York.
For the second opera Of the
series, an equally great attrac-
ton is promised, with the appear
ance of Feodor Chaliapin In the
title role of his greatest operate
success, Boris Godunoff. In
asmuch as Chaliapin is q basso,
the number of operas in which
he can appear to advantage is
extremely small. Even in Faust
and "The Barber of Seville" he
is of necessity relegated to minor
roles. Boris Godunoff" is the
only opera in the great repertory
of the Metropolitan that gives
him the opportunity to display
his wonderful vocal gifts and his
tremendous histr n C power.
This will be given on Thursday
afternoon, April 10.
Unfortunately, 1t is not yet pos
gible to announce definitely the
two remaining operas Of the local
season. Mrs. Wilson's Greene has
received numerous requests from
local music lovers for favorlre
operas, and IL the axigencies of
touring and the physical limita'
tions of the stage at Polls make
IL possible, the desires Of the peo-
pie Of Washington will be met to
the letter. The most oyerwhelm-
ing local demand was for Norma, .
and that is definitely fixture in
the programs.
For the Saturday matinee, Luz
crezia Rori and Edward Johnson
probably will be the stars. though
the selection of the opera, when
it is finally decided upon, may
necessitate the Substitution OF
Beniamino Gigli for johnson.
Romeo and Juliet" and "Pelleas
and Melisande" hive oeen promi.
nently mentioned for mis- matinee,
with The Magic Flute" also ia.
. vored.
For Saturday evenings perform
ance CApriI 21),. the oI,er awill be
one Of the great Wagnsrian music
dramas, probably witl Martinelll
in one OF the chief ro:cs.
With the local season spread cut
over practically . fri week, the
music lovers Of Washington will
find attendance at the. MetropoIi.
tan much more feasible than was
the case last year, when three
operas had 10 be presented within
two days. Inasmuch AS Washing
ton is accustomed to matinee per-
formances Of opera. and many
local patrons prefer ope"a in the
afternoon, the schedule this year
provides for two afternoon and
two eYerling performanc.ss.