New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-08
MUSIC.
MEYERBEERS "DAFRICAINE.s

It is q happy dspensaon which emancipases the
enjoyment Of "LAfricaine' from all considerations %
historical, geographical chronological truthulnsss
To harmonic Meyerbecr's last opera with tho de-
mands OF tho most rudmeDtay principles Of reason
is a task which no operatic manager, 90 far as We
know has been rash enough to undertake The In
possibility Of such accomplishment having boon
estopped by both Scribe and Mcyerbeer. directors and
stage-managers have given full license 10 their i'm
agnatons, ard permitted that wonderful ship OF the
third act (Which everybody familiar with me
opera knows, sails into regions that not even Van
derdecken with all his cruising about the Cape Of
Good Hope heard of, not having seiika TO In
struct him in geography and navigation to trans
port the operate public whenever the exgencies Of
the scene painters loft or the propcry-room sue
gested There is theory, based on close study OF
the book, that the country into which tho intrepid
Vasco da Cana was finally precipitated was NADIA
gascar. The dances, marches and customs OF ms
country as they exemplifed In the fourth @s
disturb a resful acceptance Of this theory. We GO
not know what the state Of civilization In Madagascar
trfe two centuries since. but to judge oy
the unfortunate Maagasy ambassadors who visited
this country few years ago they short, black
people who wore asonishingly high-heeled boots ana
when at home filed in their leisure moments by por-
forming the functions Of Wesleyan preachers, but 10
safe TO say that they went through such gor-
geous religious ccremonals as the TRADITIONS OF ths
Paris Grand Opera have given Us, nor invoked the go
OF India in the unctuous manner Of him whom tho
poly glot libretto last night denominsted the Gran
sacerdote d Bramar The fact is that the Land
which is the theatre Of the last two acts OF the
opera Is the fanciful home Of " The Black Crook
The White Fawn7 and other extravaganccs. Tho inS
agination Is not fetcred I'm equipping them, and SO
there was surprise when last night 1t was founo
that tho Mexico OF Ferdinand Cortcz' and the an
Client Britain of Merlin both contributed their moss
picturesque features to deck out the Kingdom OK
selka and its denzcns. 1t was a brave show, Dc
wilderlng spectacle that fairly rvaed rle moss
brilliant scenic achievement that the Metropolitan
management ever placed to its credit The SHIP TOO,
of the third act most striking piece OF ns'A
architecture and had versimlitude Of soidi'y winch
made its destruction almost verable catastrophe
Briefly the opera mounted at the Meropoitaa
as gorgeousy as the most reckless admircr OF thes'-
rlcal furniture could wish, and has seldom peen
equalled In this country
"LAfricainen last heard IN new"
York In November 1855. This was under the arcnon-
ship OF Mapeson at the Academy OF Ausic. Ito toy
gerry OF that show was lue t" be compared to tho
spectacle which Mr.. stanton has prepared for his
patrons as the musical performance. Last night all
was done that could be done to give the uneven WorR
dignfed musical and dramatic representation. FRAU
Moran odcn with art tastes that surely run on en-
tirey different lines than those called into exercise oy
scribe and Meyerbeer. played the part Of scika az
earnestly and devotedly as IL she were cAlcHu"s n''
powers upon a masterpiece Of lyric composition 20
did Herr Fischer who placed his superb voice at tbs
service not only OF Dom Pedro but also OF the Gran
sacerdote di Bramar aforesaid. Herr PerOtu was IN
his element Vasco da Cana, aud never snntcd his
clear ging ard inclsive voice. Peculiarly gratifying
TO all those who know that the firm establishment 81
German opera here largely dependent on the devel-
opment of local singers the effective singing Of
Miss Sophie Traubmann, who filed all the needs OF tho
role of Incz, while Robinson picturesque, and,
Of course, exceedingly energetic Nelusko. The opera
will be repeated on Monday.