The Washington times., 1935-01-30

cast. A brilliant production. That
was the presentation of Verdi's
colorful opera, La Traviata" by
the Cosmopolitan Opera Associa.
ton in Constitution Hall last
night.
The first time that such a pro.
duction has ever been essayed
here. it was a tremendous success
in every way, the best opera
heard here since the last appear.
ance of the Metropolitan several
years ago.
1t was undoubtedly one of the
most brilliant audiences ever to
attend any performance here.
Every box in the Diamond Horse
shoe" was filled.
Mrs. Roosevelt occupied her box,
while the Diplomatic Corps, Off
cial Washington and society joined
with music lovers in a near
capacity audience.
For this single performance
which it is hoped will lead to a
season later this year-the choice
of "Traviata" was particularly for
tunate. This music of Verdi,
telling the tragic story of the un-
fortunate Violetta. is some of the
most delightful, the most appeal
ing ever written.
1t carries gaiety, mingled with
pathos, charm and sadness, an
opera with sparkling solos and
duets, delightful choruses and
spritely ballet music.
Director Rabinoff selected a
noteworthy cast. There was some
disappointment when it was an
nounced that Armand Tokatyan,
SO long a star with the Met, "
would not appear because of ILL
ness. He made a brief appear
ance to express his sorrow.
But the disappointment van
iShed after Rolf Gerard, who sub
stituted for him, sang his first
solo. Here was an excellent tenor
indeed, a tenor with full
rounded voice and an excellent
stage appearance.
Excellent Alfredo
Gerard was an excellent AL
fredo, the youth infatuated with
the charming Violetta. And in
that role 4idis de Philippe, a
young American girl, blazed as
new and rising star in the
armament of opera.
Her voice Is amazing, her ap-
pearance charming. Never has
a singer been more fitted for the
role than she. Her high notes
were clear and strong. Her
coloratura remarkable.
She has been singing only a
few months in opera, and her
voice has not yet fully matured.
But she gave a performance that
places her among the leading
sopranos of the day. More than
that, she could act-a thing so
many singers fail in.
There was an ovation when she
sang that great aria, "Ah! Was
1t He?" close to the end of the
first act. And when she followed
this with the same clarity, the
same ease, with Let Me Bask In
Every Pleasure" the audience
realized here was star indeed.
But hers was not the only
triumph of the evening. In Jean
Fardulli was heard one of the
greatest baritone voices imagin.
able. Playing the role of Ger
mont, the father of Alfredo, he
gave a truly great performance.
Powerful Scene
One of the finest performances
Of any operate stage was that
powerful second act, the duet be,
tween the father and Violetta in
which he begs her to give up his
son. These two great voices
blended in splendid fashion in
this, one of the most powerful
scenes of the dramatic stage.
Fardulli has powerful voice
a rich voice with great resonance
and timbre, a real artist.
Gerard's tenor completed as ex
cellent trio of principals as
could be found on any stage, q
trio who carried the performance
! to great heights.
But the balance of the cast were
-