Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-18
BR|t[|ANCY MARKS
OPENING OF OPERA
Mrs. Hoover Heads List Of
NotabIes. Viewing Pres
entation of "Manon."

The dainty beauty Of the French
opera, Massenet's "Manon," ushered in
the Spring season of the Metropolitan
Grand Opera Co. of New York in
Washington last night at Polls Theater.
The house was literally packed to
capacity" and 1t was particularly daZ-
cling audience from point Of view of
the many famous folk present and the
unusually gala attire worn by many
Jewels and colorful gowns and evening
wraps were noticeable throughout the
house, particularly in the boxes and
orchestra section.
Mrs Herbert Hoover, accompanied by
o party including the Attorney General
and Mrs. Mitchell, lent distinction to
the opening performance both by her
presence and her marked enthusiasm
Svcr the production. At the end of the
second act, Miss Bori, the fascinating
Manon, gracefully handed huge bou-
quet of lilies over the footlights to Mrs.
Hoover. who stepped to the front Of the
box to receive the flowers. On the
other side of the house, Vice President
Curtis, with box party including Mr..
and Mrs. Edward Gam, also showed
keen interest in the opera. Nicholas
Longworth, Speaker of the House, and
Mrs. LongWorth were among the dis
tinguiShed folk seen in the lobby dur
ing intermissions.
Hoover to Attend Tonight.
President Hoover has announced he
will attend the performance of "Caval-
leria Rusticana" and II Pagliacci" to-
night, with Mrs. Hoover and their
guests.
1t would seem difficult to imagine q
fo1x ftCPx orfv ~
the character Of MaSsenet's heroine,
Manon, than the beautiful and viva
cious Spanish soprano, Lucrezia Bort.
She has perfect control of every vocal
tone and also Is adept in the dramatic
action of her role. She brings out most
sktllfully the individuality Of the little
French country girl. who, blessed with
beauty, is dazzled like a fragile butter
fly by the tinsel of wealth and fashion
when she has her first taste of Sophisti-
Gated life.
Like the fragile butterfly, she is
crushed, not SO much from her own
weaknesses as from an ignorance of
others and their motives and from q
pathetic susceptibility to dattery.
Throughout the evening Miss Boris
singing was beautiful and she reached
q moment of real poignancy in the
pathos of the little song, "Adieu, Notre
Petite Tablet" at the end of the second
act. To one listener, at least, Bori rose
to greater heights in this little song
than In the dramatic flare of the hyS-
teric1 siren song she sang with artistry
in the scene where she wins her lover
q second time. after he has attempted
to renounce her and become priest.
Her French was always impeccable.
Beniamino Gigli as Des Grieux, the
lover, sang his first duet with Bori
beautifully. The letter duet was not
quite so effective and his singing of
lie Reve," probably the most popular
single number of the opera, was not
particularly distinctive, although 1t won
tremendous applause. Vocally, Gtgli
seems to sing better every time he is
heard; dramatically, he did not seem
quite up to Boris Manon last night.
De Luca Proves Capable.
Giuseppe De Luca was excellent as
LeScaut, the cousin, and Leon Rothier
as Count Des Grieux with Angelo Bada
as Guillot we're equally admirable In
both vocal Interpretation and histronics.
Aida Donineli, one OF Guatemala's
favorite singers, was q charming Pous- |
settle and sang with Minnie Egener as
Javotte and Dorothea Flicker as Rosette, |
in the trios, with clean-cut information
and buoyancy in the coloring OF their
phrases. George Cehanovsky was ade-
Quate in the role Of De Bretigny and
Paolo Ananian made the most OF his
few minutes of dominance as the inn
keeper. s4..
The orchestra was directed by Louis
Hasselmans. The reading Of the well
balanced score of Massenet was given |
with smoothness and generally fine Or
chestral color. There were times, how
ever, In the softer passages, particularly |
Of Boris singing, when the orchestra |
was too loud for the singers and coun- |
teracted rather than supported their |
admirable performances. Perhaps un- |