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Show CONSTANTINO SWRYED AUDIENCE WITH MAGIC Of HIS CREST VOICE BY EDWARD A. VANDEVENTER. Mme. Lillian Nordiea, one of the world's foremost soprano's, will sing the role of Marguerite in the opera " Faust" at the Salt Lake Theater tonight. The curtain will rise promptly at 8 o'clock. . Constantino and Nielsen. They are a great pair. Long after they have sped eastward for other fields to conquer with the charms in their wonderful voices, the deliriously sweet notes from those treasured throats which lulled and inspired last night, will linger in the memories of the peo-rf peo-rf pie who formed the audience at "La Boheme." Wlat a treat it would be to hear I these two stars eing" The Bohemian Girl," or some other opera better known to the average, untrained ear, with such well-known solos as "I Dreamt That I Dwelt in Marble Halls" and "Then You'll Eemember Me." Constantino came to Salt Lake heralded her-alded aa the greatest find of the century cen-tury in the music world. Such praise was built around hi name before he came among us, and such fabulous stories were told of that rich, dramatic. ' tenor that the audience waa keyed up to expectancy. Some doubted, and . feared the stories of his greatness were idle press yarns. Certainly this singer from Spain had a great reputation to sustain. . 8ig. Am aid o Conti put on his glasses, and fondly picked up the baton. He whispered a few words in Italian to the men with the violins, and looked around to aee that even-thing in his superb orchestra waa ready for the big ' event. The lights in the house were turned out. There was a second of intense in-tense stillness, and the suspense that always goes before an occasion where real artists are to be heard lent a feeling feel-ing of awe to the scene.' Swish 1 The baton moved and the artists in the orchestra saw. Softly and plaintively rose the mellow tones I from the violins as the wind would rise in summer and rustle the leaves and I blossoms. ' Then the curtain waa lifted like a , mist that obscures the beautiful views - of nature, and the music-hungry souls looked upon the tenor for the first time. It was a minute of the most intense expectancy and wonder aa the great Constantino stood looking out the win- dow of his friend's studio, waiting for v the- musicians to pave the way for his voice. y And when he did move forward in the leisurely Italian way and began pouring forth the rich melody of nis voice, the people knew his praises were true. It waa an easy, careless manner with which he gave the eager crowd the first sweet morsel of his voice. It seemed he was tantalizing his admirers before he gave them a real treat to talk and .think and dream over long after he had gone. , But before the first act had closed ' Constantino rose to heights in music that made the brains reel with excitement. excite-ment. He led his audience over the pleading of a lover until his very soul seemed to be going forth to the dainty . little flower girl near him as he told her of the great love that had stirred his senses. It was too fine to be described. One had to hear it to know what power and magic this new stellar light in the ' world of music possesses. Constantino made one forget that it was a play and the scene was in an opera-house. He hypnotized the senses with his magic. The .people who had sat so peaceful and quiet as the first sweet melody drifted soothingly over the house, leaned forward with their nerves all a tension, for the tenor had set their music souls afire. The full greatness of Constantino's voice has not been reached, and it is impossible to say what he will do before his career ca-reer is ended. He came to Salt Lake with a wonderful won-derful reputation. He will leave with a greater one. Miss Alice Nielsen shared the applause ap-plause with Constantino. Many in the audience had heard her sing years ago in an opera stock company in Salt Lake. Others had heard her in light opera with "The Singing Girl" and other pieces. Could she sing a role in grand opera and do justice to itf That question lingered in the minds of the audience. It ceased to linger when she raised her voice and answered the love pleadings of the tenor. In the music garden of flowers his is the voice of the big, strong rose; hers the voice of the dainty violet. Sweet, rich and clear, her notes were alluring, and she sang herself into the hearta of the people. As the first act was closing a bouquet of American Beauty roBes was sent to Miss Nielsen. It was so large she had to carry it over her shoulder, as she and Constantino responded three times to the applause of the excited crowd in front. Manager Russell did not make the mistake of so many managers in putting put-ting on a great opera. They often give the two or three leading roles to real artists, and let untalented and unworthy un-worthy singers complete the cast, because be-cause they are not expensive. The support of Nielsen and Constantino Constan-tino was so excellent that all belong in the row of stars. Mile. Fely Dereyne displayed a high soprano voice that stirred the audience to as much applause as Nielsen did. Her singing of the role of Mnsotta was as near perfect as any one would want to hear. Sig. Angelini Fornari is a most capable Marcello. He has volume, range and dramatic effect .and his enunciation is excellent. Sig. de Segu-rola, Segu-rola, Sig. Pulcini, Rig. Barocchi, Sig. Perini and Sig. Ghidini deserve all the praise that can be given them. It sounds like an exaggerated statement state-ment to say it, bnt there was not a flaw in principals, orchestra, chorus or stage settings for "La Boheme," and the great treat Manager Henry Russell gave to Salt Lake last night will surely do much to create new interest and enthusiasm en-thusiasm in grand opera here. Last night was ihe first time this opera had ever been sung in America in the Italian language. It deserved a crowded house. It didn't get it. The total number was not over 1000. and the i'Jjl Lake Theater seats 1800 people. The artists sang to empty seats, but they sang with the same spirit and finish that would be given a packed audience. The company's expenses are 3000 a day. The receipts were very disappointing. But Salt Lake has not had enough grand opera lately to get the fever. The advance sale ior "Faust" tonight, when the great Nordiea will be heard, gives promise of repaying Manager iRussell for some of last night's losses. Miss Nielsen sang at a matinee today to-day in "The Barber of Seville," as so many requests were made by people who wanted another chance to hear her. The prices were reduced to $1 to $2.50 to allow everybody an opportunity to enjoy the treat. |