New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-02-25
MUSIC.
ITALIAN OPERA" UN BALLO IN MAS
CHERA."


CHERA."
The absurdities which the Roman censorship
iOisted upon an excellent opera book a score Of
years ago were hidden last night. when Verbs
Masked BALI was performed by the Strakosch
troupe by that disreg Ird for accuracy in c0stumng
and mounting which ordinarily falls under critical
cOndemnatiOn 1t was a demonstration OF tn I'M
crcumscrIbcd power of the theatre manager
that the omission of the ducal title after
the name Of RiccdrdO, the changing Of
AdeEa to Amelia, and Edgar to Os,ar, and
the use of the stock wardrobe, could remove The
place OF action from Boston to any place under the
sun and save the opera from becoming laughing
stock. We could wish that the reforming process
might be carried on in the opera until IL should
reach its original shape as constructed by the in-
geniOus Scribe When he wrote the book OF " IN
BalO," he gave it historical baSis-the assassina-
ton of Gustlvus ILL.,, of Sweden by AnkarstrOm at
a masked ball IN Stockholm in 1892. 1t was de-
signed for Rossn, but although he liked 1t,
it did not inspire him to take up tho
pen he had already laid aside, and
after waiting long while Scribe gave 1t to Alber
for a musical setting. Ii is siid that the French
mus clan approached it with timidity because of
It's strong dramatic color, but he, nevertheless gave
il some of his bright music, and "Gusave, on 10
Bal Masqu6" is still living. Verdi dared the anger
of Roman manager who owned the sole
right of producing Gustave." aud apprO-
priated Scribe's libretto. Doubtless it the
very element which gave Auber pause
that attracted Verdi, and there is evidence in tho
music that he felt the influence Of its dramatic life
and appreciated its strongly conceived combinations
and contrasts. He did not change the action much,
but removed the scene from stockholm to Naples,
Transformed Gustarus ma into Richdrd Duke Of
.t,yW.f him ivfI
ReHato AZ its first performance, in Maple, it was
summarily prohibited by the censorship because Of
the dreaded influence of the spectacle OF
a rulers assassination. Angry and dislp-
pointed Verdi locked the in his
desk and kept 1t there several years. Then
he took it to Roma-this was in lsj0-and offered
it to a theatre there Again 1t was performed, but
the judgment of the Roman censors was harsher
than hat Of the Neapolitan critic. He was COM
mauded TO make some changes; he made them and
they were radical indeed. The Duke Of 0lirqes be-
came the Fart Of WdrCick, GOrTROr Of Boston
Amelia became AdeIid Oscar became Edgar; the
scene was transported across the sea; the
| time moved back century and an action placed
in Boston and It's environs involving features winch
were inst about as probable in that place and time
rs a celebration of the DonySian mysteries. Think
of a masked ball among the Purians Think Of this
for plo, of an American opera!
This Earl Of Warlcck is in love with the wife OF
his secretary, Creole. He visits a negro sorcerer
TO whom his people go to have their fortunes told.
and there while disguised, Overhears confession
of love for him from the woman be adOreS. who
comes to the negress for cure. She Is told 10
gather a herb in place of horror. sort Of Go
gotha where capital criminals are put to DEAN
He goes there to meet her, and is surprised by the
| husband. who has come to warn HIM OF
conspiracy against his life. The discovery
changes the SecIetary's love TO hate; he joins tho
conspirators and stabs his master to death at
masked ball. Yet this was the Tn Ballo when
was successful in Europe, and was in an edition Oh
operas with an English translation, bearing Tue
| imprint New-York" This version Of the opera IS
followed 1t is not often that Mr.. Strakoschs haDt
| of annihilating time and space and conforming
peoples and customs in the dress OF his troupe ana
the setting of his pieces can be commented ou'
| this time surely it did service, by leaving
everything which might have had a historical Dear
| inc in delightful and mpenetraOle mystery A l.,
| The houors of the performance were borne on DS
SipnOr Giannn 1t evlden from the spiiinnssu
| manner I'M which he gave ali the music ihat hL
/ ,1rdo IL with him a fayOrte character. Inc IauBn
! I'M, song i'm the second scene called out shonts OF
bravo and enthusiastic plauiits from INC auut
enco and n had 10 repeat IT, similar Su. ~.
lowed HIM all the evening Inc Woe re- oi .,
| mns,c of the part of Am6lid exposed the une4uA
strength of MIL. LcOnO's voice AMI me hol NneI
| not foo low, she gave the music with good dea %
dr,,n,tir intensity and contributed some lhing "
| ,L, J"Iirhts of the evening The rest ot the pilF
| ripals were only moderately successful.