The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-22

Waterbury is becoming opera con
 Scious, it was clearly demonstrated
 last night, when for the second time
 in four months residents of the
 Brass city, to whom opera has been
 radio broadcast or a New York
 city event, crowded LoeW-Poli thea
 ter to capacity for the presentation
 of Verdi's II Trovatore' by the Con-
 necticut Opera Association.
 The company must have been gra- tified by the receptive audience for
 it has long been known that Water
 bury audiences are among the most
 difficult to impress. And the audi
 ence was impressed not only by
 Giovanni Martinelli, whose powerful voice has certainly lost little of it's
 vigor since he" first portrayed the
 troubadour, Manrico, at the Metro
 politan Opera House in 1913, but for
 the entire company.
 An unfortune illness of Miss Anna KaskaS, of Hartford, prohibited the appearance of the singer and sounds of disappointment resounded throug- out the theater as the announce ment was made. However, the per- formance of Miss Ellen Repp, of New York City, as the gypsy. Azucena, was enthusiastically applauded.
 In the role of Leonora, beloved by Manrico, Miss Ellen F1esch was bril- liant. The other principal role, that of Count Di Luna, was capably DOT trayed by Giovanni Di Surra, handsome man in addition to rich baritone voice impressed the audi ence as was evidenced by it's loud applause.
 The story, is based on the love of Manrico and Leonara and the re- venge desired by Azucena, whose mother, as is related in the first act, was burned at the stake as a witch by the father of the present count, Promising revenge, Azucena at tempts to burn the son of the count but kills her own in error. She then kidnaps the younger son of the count and raises him as her own. The first act ends with duel between Man rico and DiLuna who also loves Leonora. As the tale developes, Manrico learns that Leonora, think ing him dead is about to take the veil and that the count intends to abduct her. He haStens to the con- vent and after an encounter with the count at the convent, Leonora IS rescued. In the third act, the lovers are about to be united when Man rico learns of Azucena'S capture by the count. He also is captured ln his attempt to save her. Leonora, III the last act, offers to wed the count. but unobserved she takes a slow working poisor as soon as the order of release is signed. Upon discover ing this, the count orders Manrico to immediate execution, but as the troubadour dies, AZucena reveals tc DiIuna that he has killed his own brother.
 The familiar Anvil Chorus, sung at the beginning of the second act' was rich and tuneful but slightly confused by the banging of the hammers on the anvils. In the sec ond scene of the third act, the lovers expecting to be wed, are alone, | Martinelli proved his capability in handling the phrases of love as well as the exciting arias when he sang "Ah, Si, Ben Mic" (Ah, Yes, Be' loved.'D
 The orchestra, conducted by Kurt Adler, formerly with the San Fran cisco Opera Company, provided accompaniment. The 43-piece orchestra played with con- skill and feeling the great music of Verdi.
 It is difficult to single out one particular performance for the en- tire company was excellent. Perhaps, one of the most touching scenes took place. at the end of the last act, the gypsy and Manrico are awaiting execution and Azucena