New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-02
OPERATE ECHOES.
AuSrTCIoUS OPENING OF THE METRoPoI;-
ITAN SEASON

AuSFICIOUS OPENING OF THE METROPOL-
ITAN SEASON
Tho interest exhibited in the frs, week of opera at
the Metropolitan Opera House augirs well for the
success of the season. Doubtless the heartiness
Of the enjoyment given by the first three representa-
tons due In part to the fact that oreralovcrs
were hungry for their favorte form of entertainment
after their long vacation. but the satisfaction which
the performances gave well grounded by their
artistic excellence. The disturbing results Of insult
Gent rehcarsals were present. of course especially
in Les Huguenotsn and those familiar with the work
involved In putting the vast and varied machinery
Of opera house in motion have long wished that
plan could be hit upon for obviang the haste which
now marks all the preparatory work at the Metropoli-
tan. The most obvious remedy would seem TO lie In
reorganization Of the system and an extension
@; the Proportionslly season of six months
could be given much moro cheaply than one OF Jour-
for the artists naturally demand larger honorarums for
An engagement which leaves them without employ
nearly three fourtks OF the year than They would
for one employing them hall year. few success
full win simplify the problem by creating
feeling of confidence in the stability OF the enterprise,
and when once 1t is recognized that few unhappy
stockholders or a halfdozen unsuccessful representa-
lions Will not dis turb the underpnnlng OK the insti
tuition It will be much easier to strengthen the COM
pany year after year and maintain the performances
on a high level OF artistic excellence.
The members of tho German Cartonverband say
politan Opera House is to compel that institution to
develop its own singers instead of waiting until one
has burst into full bloom In their country and then
unceremoniUusly plucking IT and uansplantng IL 10
New-York 1t is a excellent contenton OF course,
and the plan suggested will be entirely feasible so
soon as the people Of NewYork are entirely weaneo
OF their old propensity (the fruit Of Italian coddling
for going 10 the opera for the sake Of the pima donna
or The primo tenore instead of the drama Nothing
would be more promising of success on these lines
than TO make beginning eth Fraeuiein Bettaoue'
II Is only a fcw years since she was choris'cr
at the Court opera In Berlin. ono ~
counr romely and talented, graceful
actress and well-schooled singer Her vocal
endowment IS extraordinary, but nevertheless con-
siderable and her work in Lohengrn' proved plainly
that she is still developing She Is made OF the KIM
of artistic metal that deserves cherlshing So far as
ran he forrsecn many years Of usefulness lie before
ber The same might he said OF Fraeulcn koschoska
and Of Herr Beck Who barring slightly dlscouraglhe
vibrato gave evidence in his singing OF the trying
music Of the Herald in "Lohengrin' that no Is
thoroughly musical artist
Three OF the newcomers who have pleased have
reached the zenith of their powers. They are Frau
Moran. Olden Herr Perott and Herr Grienauer The
artistic temperament Of the first and last OF these, we
should say Judging entirely by their accomplishments
since they came here and ignoring their antecedehts',
are more IN harmony with the spirit OF modern Ter
man opera than that Of the whose herocs are
uhelv 10 be bounded by the horizon Of Meyerbeer.
Ian Moran Oldens voice of remarkably fine quality,
but it's range is not quite equal TO the music OF
Valentine this shortcomng showing itseii
unpleassnty in her use Of that Vocai
vice which the Italian singing masters
call "cercar della notasthe reaching or feeling for
note-but which some critics seem to think Is de-
scrbed by the term "portamento." Whether ever
there came singer this country with the tremendous
volume Of tone which Frau MoranOlden has at her
command is doubtful Her emotional temperament
is warm, her defamation excellent las one misht
guess from her experience as singer In Wagnenah
roles and she Knows the use OF all the VehicieS o1
dramatic expression. We should say that ner I'm
personation of Bruennhlde will be splendid Herr
Grlenauer. who changed the Indifferent impression
which he crea ed in Les HugueGots" on the opening
night into one of enthusiastic approval by his singing
and acting in Lohengrin" IS a ripe and many-slueu
artist, In whose our only apprehension Is uh~'
be may run to excess of feeling and transform
pathos into baihos. There is no reason why inc
public should be led 10 fear that Teamund ever III
danger of being strangled by his own spleen.
For many years the diversion that our public has
derived from the entertainment which the saurcaI
Heine once described play In which Catholics ana
Pestants shoot each other to death to the c tune U
efforts to GET rid OF Msyerbeers nth act In me
time Of Mspeson Les hgguenos used 10 end VIII, WIN
sent homo with all the riddles lal,e9 .!
he action up to this point O %Sred' al 5p
the Metropolitan Dr. Damrosch brought the opera TO
an indub able end by gshe1ns 'S rnb afSa aoul
brief curtain the fourth act and dlspatcnng them
With yOey to 6ae S Se n1 Drssen muse regime anoSy
cxpedent is resoned to. Alter the love duet tand
Incidental fainting fit Raou rushes TO the window
Valent, ne revivrs in time make one more effort to
restrain him, when the door Of the room opens, NE
OF soldiers enter level their guns at Raou and kl
10th lovers This is prompt and eficacious. Hero
and heroine being dead. the opera cannot possibly
70 on, and the audience are satisfied