Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-07
WAGNER|AN OPERA
OPENS TOUR OF us.
Johanna Gadski Greeted by
Tremendous Applause on
First Appearance.

The German Grand Opera Co. opened
its second annual American tour al
Polls Theater last night under highly
evening was Richard Wagner's ode
Walkuere." The heroine Of the occa-
sion was that glorious mistress of Wag-
| merriam song, Johanna GadSki An au-
dience that almost completely filled the
| seating capacity of the house greeted
the first appearance of Nine. GadSki
with such hearty applause that not a
! few Wagnerites. who take their opera
! seriously. were heard to hiss, trying to
get silence in order to hear the opening
! phrases of Wotan's part.
Inspirational interpretations.
This was undoubtedly one of the best
performances Of this opera ever given In
Washington. 1t showed improvement
over the performances which the COM
pany gave here last season in MANY re-
spectS. The orchestra of about SO men,
under Ernest Knoch, gifted authority
on Wagnerian scores, played remark
ably well. There were long moments
of inspiring Interpretation. The or
chestra was held down excellently for
the singers The general work of this
travelling organization merited the re-
spectful appreciation that the audience
awarded IL ldSL nlgnC.
The opera was well cast. The cos
tunes and settings were unusually fine
for touring organization, being color
full, in accordance with the traditions,
and very effective. The fire spell music
was beautifully played. with unusually
dramatic lighting effects, which in
creased the sense of reality. The light
ing for Wotan in the second act, in
which he Stays Hunding, was worthy of
the setting for a prophet OF old.
Mime. Gadski Brilliant.
Nine. Gadski, whose Brunnhilde is
the most famous of many interpreta-
tons of that role, was vocally brilliant,
especially in her famous "Valkyrie Cry"
In which her high notes rang out full
and vibrant. Dramatically, she showed
her mastery in the polished finesse of
her reading of this role of the favorite
daughter of the king of the gods. She
was the outstanding figure throughout
the entire performance.
Vocally first honors for consistently
beautiful singing go to Juliette Lippe.
the statuesque Sieglinde. Always her
tones were rounded and accurately
placed. She seemed to have limitleSs
volume and sang the long, difficult
phrases excellently. Miss Lippe'S Isolde
of last year will be pleasantly remem-
bered by Washington WagneriteS. She
is to sing the role again tomorrow night.
The Siegmund of Rudolf Ritter was
not so consistently fine, although
there were many moments of beautiful
singing, especially in the Spring Song.
In the Sword Song he had some
forced tone and his last phrases, after
he had drawn the magic sword from
the tree, were far from his best.
Dramatically, he was thoroughly ade-
quate.
Eight Valkyrie Good.
The best mans voice seemed to be
the powerful, rich tones of Carl Braun,
who sang the part of Hunding. The
dramatically, but had some colorless
moments vocally. The Fricka of Sonia
Sharnova was unusually fine, vocally
and dramatically, in the one aria that
the Queen of the Gods is allowed. All
eight Valkyrie sang the individual bits
well and their chorus was one of the
highlights Of the opera. The Valkyrie
were Merran Reader, Edna Zahm,
Isolde Won Bernhard MILO 3.o Mil I1c7e.eo
Lanvin and Maura Canning.
This opera, taken from the famous
"Nibelungen Ring" is undoubtedly one
of the most popular of German pro-
auctions. It is inspiring to find that Mr..
Hurok and his company will carry the
entire Ring for its first hearing on
the Western Coast on this tour. Many
of the cities in the Middle West, too,
will hear this great trilogy of operas
for the first time as this company puts
them on during this tour. which will
take several months. Washington is
honored in having the opening produc-
lions of the entire tour, and several crit
les from New York and Boston were
noted in last nights audience.
Wagner's Tristan und Isolde" will be
the second of four productions for this
city, to be sung tomorrow night, begin
ming at 8 pm. H. F.