New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-20
USIC.
METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE.


Though not without numerous thrilling mo-
ments in action and music, and good deal of
pomp in the stage sets and costumes the greater
part of the brliancy in last nights performance
of Les HuguenOts" was In the audience-room
One of the largest audiences which have ever
gathered within the walls of the new Opera House
was assembled to see an opera or really
grand Dimensions, presented by company that
has won fame for notable achievements whenever
great demands have been made upon 1t. The
listeners were on the tiptOe of expectation and
had manifestly placed their standard so high
that only a phenomenal performance would
have stirred themup to pitch of lasting enthusi-
performance of such character was not
given As a whole 1t lacked elasticity and power.
Chorus and orchestra were frequently disappoint-
ing, and Signor Campanini. upon whom devolved 50
great a portion of the effective work of the
opera, was unequal to 1t in voice. lie
struggled herOically to bring out the high
notes of his music but when they came they wero
feless and devoid of color In action nothing moro
vigorous dignifed and appropriate to the situations
of the drama could have been asked than his pOr-
travail of the tempest-tOssed Raout, but In Les
Huguenots" it Is imperative that the musical
accomplishment shall go hand In hand
with the histrionic and failure in
this respect leaves flaw in the performance of tho
opera which the brilliant singing of the representa-
tive Of Marguerite or the most imprisoned singing
and acting of Ddlenine cannot eflace.
The opera opened lstlessly, and warmth Of FEEL
Ing was not infused into tho audi
ence until the scene reached IN
Marguerite de Vdlois's idyllic court wheer
the artistic vOcaizatiOn of Nine. Sombrich gave
the full measure of satisfaction for which the audi
ence was somewhat impatienty waiting once De-
fore there had been hearty ebulltlon Oh eh'hu.
siasm called out by Nine. scachs Singing VI
"Nobi Donna" 1t won her prompt recosii'ioN "'
the attest of all of Nine. Sembrchs associates
in tina east. and the warm interest
Thus excited followed her into the
sncceedinr scene. where her active partieIpa-
ton IN the opera ended along with that OK Mme'
con,hricb After that the dull feeling on tho
stage and in the room set IN again. anu
was only dispelled momentarily IN inc
ar nd duet between JdItniine and hooas
- which Nine. Nelson's clmmaud
Of the most thrilling, accents r 3t
dramatic defamation, and the I enorS
nassionate action atOned for the Noca shoItooni-
ings growing ont of the lack oil RESUMES anu
mss In the two voices. This wan. al ir p,e,s .',
rob ed Nine sson's impersonatIcno 'ea nc ~
;, .nns,derable portion of tho charm whl'h once ~
exerfed IL has made known the lhct that 30
must now labor TO OrhR oIt nio,,"a IL,
and that 10 win the old measure OF applause sho
,,s+ rsIv more upon her acting than her Singing
t. tfis 1royince however She ike Slgnof Oaiu-
nanini has grown TO heroic stature ana tAeir COM
Lnnd efforts I'm the climax OF the opera last uIen
rasuIte1 in a performance that created per'e.e
fIrorc Sienor Kaschmaun 9nd Signor Del Puento
in their parts were admirable. The open. WAS
piyen with the last act.