Evening star., 1943-03-28
By ALICE EVERSMAN.

For the presentation OF Verdis
ALa Traviata yesterday afternoon
at the National Theater, the sea-
soned San Carlo artists were joined
by new soprano, Anna Carrots,
who made her local debut the pre-
ceding evening as Media in "Pagli
acci" 1t was performance full
of imprisoned singing and simple
genulneness in acting,
While all the operas given this
week have been noteworthy for the
richness of their setting, that of
''Traviata" surpassed all other ef-
forts The costuming and proper
ties we're rich in quality and color
full to the eye.
Interest centered in the per-
formance of Miss Carrots who i'm
mediately, on her entrance, estab-
lished herself as personality. Her
Interpretation of the heroine of
Dumas's story in many respects,
was more distinctive than otheN.
Her poised suave acting gave quail
ity to the character which is often
missed in the effort to stress Violet
ta'S illness and weakness.
"A Woman Of World"
As Miss Carrots played the part.
"Violetta was woman of the world
elegant and seductive. enjoying to
the fullest the short span of life
left to her and capable, in the end,
of making the supreme sacrifice for
her lover. The graduations by which
she achieved the portrayal through
to her moving death scene were
those of an experienced actress who
understood the value of spaced
effects and possessed the power of
projecting her individuality.
In these matters. she was superb
and her performance ranks with the
finest. Vocally, however, Miss Gar
rotis was less persuasive for her
voice is not we'll suited to the role.
1t has neither the plaintiveness or
hrilliancy to entrance and its color
is too dark and full to identify the
heroine's type She did all that
was possible in the way of vocal
effect, understanding the use of
mezzo- voice and refusing her sing
ing with sentiment, From nature.
the voice is not one for roles of this
character which is to be regretted
since she is in every way an artist
Her success was pronounced, none
theless. and the excellence of her
work received due recognition with
many recalls.
Conley Takes Honors.
The vocal honors, however, went
to Eugene Conley as Alfredo Ger
mont and Ivan Petrcff as his father.
Conley's ability to submerge himself
in the character he essays has been
emphasized this week and as Vio-
letta's lover he became the ardent,
impetuous youth the author pic
tured him, His glorious voice. one
of the finest tenors of the day. was
plant and sweet in expression and
his acting combination of pas
sion and elegance.
No more affecting perturbation of
Germond, pere, is on record than
that of Petroff With the smooth
rounded quality of his voice, the
dignity and sensitiveness of his ac-
tions. he makes the role dominat-
ing one in each scene.
These three practiced singing
actors gave each of their individual
and concerted scenes with polish
scoring triumph after triumph. And
indicative Of the caliber of the San
Carlo organization were the finely
delineated completing characters of
the cast sung by Flora Sherman
as Flora. Dorothy Dickson as An
nina. Francesca Curci as Gastone
Fausto Bozza as Baron Dauphol
Louis di Cesar as the Marquis, and
Frank Stratton as the doctor.
Verdit Still Popular.
That the popularity of verdis I'll
Trovatore" has not lessened with
frequent hearings was attested by a
capacity house for the performance
last night. Another newcomer, Elda
Ercole. was heard in the role of
Leonora, with Aroldo Lindi as Man.
rico. The opera was presented with
spirit. Carlo Peroni, conductor,
drawing further on his powers for
varied shadings that kept the voices
Of the chorus and the volume of the
orchestra under excellent control.
The role Of Azucena, the gypsy,