The Washington times., 1936-01-22

paste them on 3r5 filing cards tOi
and file them in alphabetical or
The National Opera Associa-
ton production of "Lakme" last
night at Constitution Hall was
delayed two hours due to dis
pute with the local union of must
clans. The orchestra refused to
play and finally in the absence
of a piano, a small folding organ
was found and used for the
accompaniment.
Nine. Marie ZalipSky, Washing
ton vocal teacher, was the heroine
of the evening when she Volun-
teered to play the small organ.
She played the accompaniment
for the entire opera in a manner
that bespoke long acquaintance
with operate repertoire.
Bidu Sayao, Brazilian soprano,
made her Washington debut in
the title role of the opera. She
has a voice of colorature quail
ties, combining a beauty of tone
with a wide range and great
flexibility. She took a surpris-
ingly clear high E (third lin
above the treble staff. at the
end of the famous Indian Bell
Song in the second act.
Her voice has a warmth of eX-
preston that blended well with the
mezzo-soprano of Pauline Pierce as
Mallika. Miss Sayao's voice with
all it's beauty carries well without
apparent effort. Her acting was not
overdone, but was a happy combi-
nation of dramatic action and
vocal expression.
Pauline Pierce, American mezzo-
soprano, was one of the surprises
of the performance. She had not
been heraled as were Bidu Sayao.
Armand Lokatyan, and Daniel Har.
riS. Her voice is vibrant and does
not change in quality in going
from the low to high register.
Armand Tokatyan, Metropolitan
tenor, shared the lead honorS with
Bidu Sayao in the role of Gerald.
His tenor is free and open, the high
tones sung with no sign of forcing.
Daniel Harris, American baritone,
sang the role of Frederic in voice
of high quality, full and reSon-
ant.
With the feeble tones that emit
ted from the folding organ, the
chorus was not always able to
keep in good time, but considering
the difficulties, both principals and
chorus gave a fine and convincing
performance.
Edouard Albion, the general man.
ager of the National Opera AS
ISOLATION, sang the role of Mia
kantha, the father of Lakme.
His bass is we'll rounded and has
power and resonance. The prin-
cipals sang their roles in French,
while the chorus used the English
language.
The differences with the must
clans union threatened to prevent
the singers from appearing in cos
tune, as the costumer claimed to
be a union man; but as the cos
tunes were already on the backs
of the players when the orchestra
walked out, there was nothing he
could do about it. The conductor
engaged for the performance, and
according to Mrs. Eduoard Albion,
paid in advance, refused to direct
and Adolph Turner, the assistant
choral conductor, served admir-
ably on the podium.
Orchestra or no orchestra, Mrs.
declares that the SEIZED
uled performance of "HanSel and
Gretel," Saturday afternoon at 3
o'clock will be given as an
The U. S. Marine Band SYM
phony Orchestra under the direc-
ton of Capt. Taylor Branson will
give the following program of
Latin-American music tonight at
8 o'clock at the Marine Barracks:
Overture, prince of ASturieS,"
(Alvarado, Mexico; symphonic
poem, La Rebellion del Aqua"
CUgarte, Arge ntina); "Elgie,"
(Calvo, Colombia; THE En-
chanted Hour" (Hahn, Vene-
zuela); Eel son de la Luna"
(Quesada, Costa Rica; violin
solos with harp, "Serenata de les
Dioses," CPineda, Colombia) and
"Perla de las Antillas," (Sequiera,
Nicaragua; fantasia, "Meringue
of Haiti" xylophone solos, La
Paloma," Grader, Mexico). and
Alma Llanera," (Guiteriez, Vene-
zuela); "Yaqui )ance," (Alvarado.
Mexico; Eel Condor Pasa,"
CRobleS, PERU: overture. "SalVa.