New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-13
METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE.

Among the many things which will keep Mr.
Abbeys operate administration in fragrant memory,
hereafter, viii be the earnest efforts put forth
by him TO present the great works the
literature OF Italian and French opera in thoroughly
meritorous manner The record has not been one of
unaoyed pleasure FOR the brighter the moonshne the
deeper the shadows, aud admirable performance in
one scene raises the standard Of all that follow.
And so it has happened that the very fact that Mr. ABB
hey has presented some of the masterpieces with
equipment the like Of which has not been here be-
fore as challenged standard Of criticism the need OF
which has not ben felt before. Gu, in
the of works which have heretofore
excited comment have this year been condemned nd
the superior excellence OF the majority OF the artists has
aused the shortcomng Of individual to be severely
criticised There occasion FOR regret in this, for II
has been a healthy experience which car
only result in the advancement OF public
taste But the pleasures have 50 greatly outnumbered
the disappoinments that doubt IN the future the
season Of I-sS4 will be frequent basis Of comparison
all the things that go 10 make up an operate per-
Torrance.
Only the new standard OF Judgment would pick flaws
in such performance Of Don Giovanni a was given
last night Those that must be enumerated are the
consequences for the greater part, Of organic troubles
The orchestra generally most praseWorthy IN the spirit
OF its performances and tho precision and prOmpness
with which has followed the firm, decisive leadership
OF Sgnor Vanes has not been healed OF the Efrmtiea
common fault OF a discordan wind choir. This fact
never made more nagrany apparent than at the first
performance Of Don Giovanni in the fall season, when
sgnor Vanes attempted to give the finale OF the first
act in the style which has become traditional IN
LOndon-with an arrangement OF the triple rhythms FOR
wind instruments. The result such an assault upon
all ears the experiment never repeated and we
have to put up since with what Is htte better
than peryersi0n OF the most thrilling or all operate
hnales An ideal performance OF Mozart masterpiece,
however will not be seen until that nnale Is gwen Win
ali the pOmp OF scenic decorations and all the strength
of forces contemplated by Mozart. The suite or
rooms the balconies with the separate OIcneslits'
the miuue cOniradance and waltz ihe numerous com
many OF eayly dressed merry makers ana
STAGE "a fevesh that which sezeS the dramatic
orchestra when Zerli40's scream IL heard. $780,.
We musi Se. hsred meanwhile by the reflection that
hen II becomes possible Will unqufsuhdOy De tNeD
With the appropriate spectacular de'Ome"eh wnl'h -
even more uncommon abroad IMAM worthy MUSICAL Iop-
rpseutatOn Of the end OF the htst act
I'm the d,HOnemehf last night lay the only dlHef.
ence between the representation ard those OF
the ran season. The tableau disclosed by ihs
Giorai,nj has met his fate, was omitted II was easy
shared Tor was but IA sorry makeshft. Don Giovanni
vs. constructed for the sake Of a lurid end
it might as well have IT, ridiculous req
Who VIII invent a tableau worthy Of toe dramatic ss
nation and the music. The Characters
were distributed among the same persons as heiorI
Nine Nj ssop sang the part OF Donna Elru ara at'rsea
the depth OF her artistic nature 10y her moving
decamatou and the beautiful manner IN which she sang
the Two great airs of the first act; Nine arnoith "s
the same pquAnt arch sI.S,c'" 70 %" the AZ.
sht ~ all Nine Fursch Nladi was model DpHhd 4hd
statey ana commanding IN voice, action aud uemtahot
ION figrauai had cuONatt represehAlNc htlr NaS .
pnened WIN bifoouery, good. The audience Nn
r..,ra numerous tnap Oh Monday.