New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-11-23
BALLET AT THE METROPOLITAN.

inc quality OF the pleasure TO DO derived from thd
ballet "Vienna waltzes." prcsented for the second
| time at tho Metropolitan Opera House night,
depends upon the aesthetic point OF view chosen by
the spectator AZ simple spectacle. enlivencd by
pretty music and diversified ty ingenious and grace
full dances and elegant costumes. 1t s
exceedingly well. Yet there Ia something disap-
pointing In the reflection that all OF these things
might have been increased in effectiveness and other
elements OF beauty have been aided 10 them had
morn careful and Intelligent attention been bestowed
on the dramatic framework OF the en- erfainment Tho
ballet was designed TO Illustrate the DEVELOPMENT Of
the music and the movement OF the waltz from their
crude beginnings Of a century ago TO the highly
artificial state In which find them TO day. This
purpOse has been somewhat ohllterated by the vars
tons which have been intrOducei under the mistaken
impression that they necessary 10 make the
ballet appreciable by the American public. and still
further Obscured By the failure adequately TO exhibit
the older forms OF the dance Tho plot. IL plot 10
be called. Is worked out in the pantOmlme. and
its purpose. In addition TO furnishing for
the introduction OF the dances Ia TO provide
amusing sdeplay. the humOr OF which de- ends wholly
upOn tho skill Of the pantOmimists. This. IL may
well be said at the outset. ia exceedingly slight at
the Metropolitan representation. There three
acts which supposed to bo separad by intervals
Of fifty years. In the first have picture Of
merry making In one OF the public gardens OF Vienna
In the reign OF Joseph II. The peop'e supposed
to be dancing the "Langaus." early form Of tho
that the number of turns which the dancing pair
made around each other was restricted. Any
who has the Germans dance knows that tho
waltz is the roundest of round dances to them. and
1t from the beginning. The "Langaus" ought
to be recognizable " Americans advance on tho
topike style Of the original waltz to which the Ger
mans. especially In rural districts still cling. While
he "Langaus" Ia yet dancing, the mail coaches ar
rive and the Positions mingle with the crowd and
dance their favOrte waltz called "De Gstramrften."
TO a melody familiarity known as 80. Du Lieber
Augustin" which assuredly century older than
the period fixed for 1t here In the score OF the bal
let this old tune Is combined with the waltz in We
hers "Freischutz," bit OF musical ingenuity which
has been admired by two generations Of musicians
An artisan supposed to be just returned from tho
wanderngs which succeeded his apprenticeship takes
part In the dancing and causes amusement by his
awkward movements. rain storm interrupts tho
merry making.
The second picture is Viennese wedding In 1920.
The artisan has been married fifty years young
woman whom he danced with in the first act. and Is
celebrating the wedding OF his son. The old man
takes part In the dances and Of course old fash
Hope" Happiness" Innocence" and Si5re. IT,
lustrste the new dance forms that have sprung up
since the old mans youth. The thirl picture has
been changed so as to bring all the nations of tho
Bride and bridegroom Of the second act duly aged.
also there. tut their dramatic purpose has sunk
the German Mpland. Hungary. France AMI the United
States exhibit their national Dances respectively a
Bolero, H0rnpipe. LANDER CZarlas. fantastic Minuet
with modified can cam, and Virginia Reel Be-
tween the acts the orchestra plays watzes. which
ought TO be arranged in ct chronological order
tut not. In tho first act MI. Damrosch has in
troluced a mnuet by Haydn, which l. danced by
courers and ladies Of the last century. The cos
tunes extremely elegant and tasteful. but tho
stroyed partly by the fact that the dancers have no
conception of the character OF the dance they try
ing TO Illustrate partly because the skirts Of tho
ordinary ballet girl rfuse ~ observe the rules Of de-
corrm without which dance like the bea ltifu old
mnuet Ia incOnce al lie. IL will readily be under
stood moreover. that when the mana -emen is Obl ed
to depend ulOn chOrlsters for pantOmime and dane
ing a great deal that existed in the purposes OF tho
Composer of the ballet il missing at the representa-
ton This is Of the Metropolitan performance.
There Is nothing TO cause disappointment in tho
dressing of the ballet which IL sumptuOus and costly
throughout, unless it be tho want of taste exhibited
in the American department Of the International
terms chOreln exhibition. There Is evident. too,
ronnmendabIe degree Of the higher order OF ability
in the dancing OF Nine. Cavalazz. Faulen Leonharit
and Miss Braitbwa to- and the entertainment as
whole il a pleasant ore. The dancing and grouring
rive agreeable OCCUPATION to the eye while the meas
nres OF Tanner and the Strausses buoy up converse.
ton most admirably. Would that they were played
with the Alterations Of tnsnuatnS charm and IN,
nirit ny rhythmca crspness which would conrel
all TO listen. The magic is In the music OF these
pied Pipers OF Vienna: Mr.. DamrOsch ought u
ring il out with his excellent band