New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-11-20
N USIO.
OPERA AND BALLET.


and q threo-act ballet is much greater step than
was that from the trOgy to its satyrc afterpece in
he theatres of old Greece. II 1t were only step
from tragedy to comedy it would be unwise to do
plore it, There is time for serious thought and
time for amiabe pleasantly time for contcmpiat-
ng the tragical elements of human life and the
IONS begotten by them and time for diverting
ones self with gmpscs at the cheerful sides Of HUI
man nature The most tremendous seriousness In
art will not ilibcrality, and since the cart
Of Thespius first went round. he who could not smile
as well as weep has been unfit for the congregation
Of tho play house. We have supped our full of
horrors in "Die Walkurc," aida" and der Proph
Ct" and tho Golden Cross" performs welcome
service in dspelling the two weeks gloom. III the
choice of Brull's opera for representation at the
Metropolitan Opera House is open TO criticism at ALL
t is on grounds with which the book writer and
composer had nothing TO do. 1t is an idyllc little
landscape put in a frame designed for historical
pictures OF heroic sze-a comic opera Of modest di-
mansions played in theatre whose lines we're laid
out to accommodate pomp and pageantry OF tho
-randest proportions in the orchestra and on the
stage But this is an election for critics to urge.
and it is weakened by the circumstance that the
pera, in point Of fact, Is only prelude to the ballet
With which it shares the evening almost equally.
Against the latter entertainment no architectural pro-
test Is valid. 1t is open secret that among the
bOxhoders Of the Metropolitan the desire to see
ballet OF large Dimensions has been great since the
season began that the "Nienna Waltzes" bad to be
hurrod the stage before it was fairly ready for
representation This unwise haste wrought its revenge
night. 1t is to be hoped that greater care and
more Intelligent and thorough preparation Will be DO
slowed "Fata Morgana," the other ballot included
in the metropolitan list In this department, which,
we believe. will enjoy considerable popularity this
year, the management of the German Opera will find
that they have exceedingly dangerous rival in the
National Opera Company. The appearance and dane
ing of the ballet at the production of Faust" in
Philadelphia last Monday evening were not only
much more beautiful than at the Academy of Music
last year. but most admirable, and perhaps
Without exception the ballet OF the National Opera
Company is this year the tincst organization Of the
kind in this country Too great differ
encc, too sharp contrast between the balets Of
the two operate institutions which will occupy the
Metropolitan Opera House this season may put
strange notions into the heads of stockholders who
think Of pictures than of poetry, more of dane
ing than Of tho drama, moro of mimcry than OF
music
Br's opera need not deain us long. II belongs TO
species of opera which be much cultivated has
fewer examples in Germany each year. 1t is clever
specimen of the German form OF the opera eoniqte and
it follows closely its model it cultivated by
Lortzng and other German opera composers fifty years
ago The book constructed by MOsenthal. brettist
in ordinary to than generation of German
posers Its basis Is French play. The opera did much
TO popularize its composer when 10 brought
out in Berlin in December, 1875, in Vienna in March,
1876, and in London in March, 1873 In the latter city il
brought forward by Mr. Carl Rosa in English
son made by Mr.. John p Jacksonville clever
translation which printed opposite the text in
the house books at the Metropolitan. Such trans
latiOns are all too rare III our opera houses,
and the Metropolitan management deserve
the thanks OF the public for having utilized
Mr.. Jacksons book OF this opera, Die Walkire" and
Renzi" and for having commissioned him to provide
.~.s.
ducton. Before leaving this bit OF history it may be
teresting add that the original the
opera the Royal Opera in Berlin Frauein Lehman
enacted the part of Christine.
The story OF the opera Is OF the sim
plest description. The wedding festivities of a
young tayernkceper Nicholas are interrupted by mill
tary CONSUMPTION. and the young man is about TO be
marched of to fight the Russians under Napoleon. His
sister Christine and his alanced bride in dire dis
tess the prospective loss of brother and husband The
marrisce O' after tSo years to any one Of her
rural sutors who u, VIII become substitute
one and all decline, but Gouran young nobeman who
has recently been Tilted and therefore takes bilious
golden The country folk renew their merry making
While 'hf Three serseS es VIII" later ' t iUo' "'e ss
beginning Of the second act, On. isi.ns and
wounded the The captain Is the cynical
tram turned lover of hriSne, who declines his pro-
absent substitute. GOUHan declares his Identity but has
given the golden cross To comlade while lying in
recitation OF death the battlefield and vince
Christine the truth OF his story, until BODibardon ar
riyes and confirms il. Then. OF course, marriage
number two, and general rejoicing.
The Of Brulls opera essentially meOdous and
fresh and charming though II would be difficult point
out any strong individual characteristics it, The Ger
man loksiIed has exered by small Influence
II, and aud anon meets with bits which have
a familiar physioguomy though they ellde dcntihca-
ton. The whole spirit OF the piece is cheerful
and nspng, and II Is TO be said in praise OF the com
poser that he keeps modestly within the limits OF the
action. He does not turn torrent 10 float bit OF
cork The performance was bright aud fluent,
the stage pictures handsome the costumes
cut down 10 It's lowest denomination, and yet |
the little that was left acted depressng upon the per
tormance IL Is entirely out Of place house like the
Metropolitan. Madame seidl krauss. "A soulful |
ChriSins. both In her singing and acting while Madame
was pretty contrast In her archnesA To
Herr Fischer In French rcgimentals and hear him
sing ballad strains provided rather unique sensation