The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-18
Karl Formes ON the Character of Leporello.


Karl FOrmes ON the Character Of LepOrellO.
TO THE EDITOR OF TUE HERALD.
The musical reporter of New York Stats Zeiun9 OF
the 18th inst giving account of the first and second
representations Of Don Giovanni and of my perform
ance in the part of Leporeo expresses himself in such
way put under the necessity OF replying TO him in
few words
Both the German musical public and the English and
American well acquainted with what German music
is owing 10 my efforts particularly for my having intro
duced great maserworks into the Italian theatres
London and Paris and without taking pride it, think
have by my German songs and my German method, not
only pleased and deeply moved the and souls OF
many Of my countrymen, but have awakened the
the interest and sympathy Of many Americans German
song and German music in New York well as in the
larger cities Of the West Yet very far with regard
TO the musical merits Of the Italian nation whom we are
indebted for many great maserworks and for many
distinguished artists), from disappearing and treating
them in such contempuous and coarsely disparaging
done by the reporter OF the New York Stats
Zeihng in criticism Of ssDon Giovanni purporng to be
scientific No nation is permitted to extol itself and
its achievements by dsparaging and misrepresentng
those Of another nation National presumption as has,
in political point Of view, caused the ruin Of the Euro
rean movement for liberty cannot but be dangerous with
regard to the performances of AS of the chief
tic ocean, proud enough to consider myself SUCH
"for only scamps modest feel my duty pub
cly protest the most positive manner against the whole
conception and character OF the report alluded to,
in order that my Italian musical colleagues may understand
that not every German here who considers the. per-
formances in the same light as this reporter does who
does not shrink from Offending whole nation in order to
appear as q genuine Teuton.
So far criticism Of my performance in the part
Leporelo is concerned it my custom to leave criticism
entirely Free and do not like to interfere with the quar-
II o
betray the eyes of connosseurs perfect gno
But the expressions employed by the Stats ung,
and the whole tenor OF the article such TO deserve
Considered from another point Of than that OF
musical critcism) the severest apprehension and blame
To throw into the face OF man. who in the opinion OF
the critic himself is TO be considered of the first
personalities Of German musical art, qualifications like
'humbug, "ioppery,' " carcature '-ths proves the
existence OF juvenile petuancy, OF want OF TACT and
Of roughness bordering coarseness, which not only
outraSs the laws Of the most common polteness but
might easily the part Of susceptible natures than
nv own lead papable chastisement more conform
able to the style of the scribber.
played the part Of Leporcllo just am playing it
here Paris London and St Petersburg and the reporter
is entirely mistaken when he is believing and saying
already given up to American humbug." But in the
WY in which the Tcutonc youth first kicks the
Italians, he could not resist the temptation to give
pdsSd, cuff also to the American public, in order to
prove 10 the German readers how infinitely his musical
genius above Italian tinkng and American humbug
For ten years have been playing the part OF leporelo
and everywhere with unequivocal success. ! saw II
played by the greatest European artists such Labache
and others. have been studying Conscientious arste
this part and conformity with the idea Of the great
composer, and to the best conceived characteristic
features Of Leporclo-mmenscly different from those
ideas which superficial critic is too apt to adopt.
Ieporeo is not the sneakng crafty servant which critics
would like to have him represented he neither Tar
tufe nor Mephistophees-he is above ALL the Spanish
servant Of his master Had the reporter of the Stats
Zng like Lablache and myself travelled in Spain and
iii Sevila, Vttora, and procured for himself true
specimen OF Spanish sey1ador he would have had the
opportunity of being enabled to judge Leporelo as b.
Leporello immensely different from the German valet
de chambre of German Count or petty prince.
Lcporeo is the servant OF Spanish grandee, treated
by him less servant than his conddan He is
flowing with nsoence and wantonnessever tickle; when
good luck bold and reckless when in danger and
partly rude, partly polished Add to this his Southern
vvacity which in German valet de chambre, whom
the critic Of the Stats Zeitung would like to see him
transformed, would no doubt appear unnatural and
aggeraed Lastly, Leporeo, who certainly is superior
TO his master, is cunning 10 st exaggerate these
natural qualities in order to deceive his own master with
regard TO his shrewdness and crafness The great
opera public in Paris London, and also New York, well
know how appreciate this conception Of character such
Iablache and myself regard the right one and in
spite of increased prices Of admission rewarded with
numerous attendance and much applause. Therefore
may be easy under the whining the
customary Of obscure reporter Proceeding
the truly democratic principle TO which always
adhered as IL liz well known--oftcntimes under great
dangers-the principle Vor populi Del through
my life always coured the favor Of the peoPeof the
great whole-even ut the risk Of disobging thereby
crowned heads the reporters Of the Stats Zetung
Respectfully, KARL F0RAES.