The sun., 1890-01-04
AMUsE1fENTS.
" TIE Barber or Baedad" Produced At the
Metropolitan Opera House.

hAetropoutan Obere "oubos
The new opera Barber Of Bagdad," by
Peter Cornelius, was brought out last evening
at the METROPOLITAN. preceding q ballet called
The Doll Fairy" The opera consists OF two
short acts b with i've minutes s'intermission. which
is bridged over by an orchestral interlude.
| There is scarcely plot enough in Cornolius's
work to M crit the name but incident follows
Incident closely enough to oil the time OF action
pleasantly. and to carry interest continuously
l. to the end. Both libretto and music were
| made by Cornelius, who was personal
friend as we'll rs a strong admirer
and ally OF Wagner. Cornelius himself was
patronized and encouraged by Liszt, this very
opera having first been given at Weimar. un-
der Llszts conductorship. The people Of We'll
mar received It coldly, however. and their re-
fusal to share LISTS enthusiasm for 1t was the
cause OF the maestro's resignation Of the d.
roctorshlp OF the opera in that city. Cornelius
was n most talented and highly cultivated
man. Destined at first to the profession OF
actor. he turned from this field to literature
and poetry. then to music. to which he after
ward devoted himself with industry and ardor.
ending his days at the court Of Munich as
followed Wagner to. Munich, for he was a
constant student of the methods OF this
theories. % e" Il is said that in his writings Corne.
Illus tried to follow his IDOLS manner, but IN
grbSr S eed
choruses which remind the listener OF parts OF
tho. Meistersnger." And. though at present;
Wanners peculiar musical thought Corno-
liuss music seems easy to follow ana Grasn.
we Vars fam ago SEcb Was the % The
ducton Oh O. this o. era. might have a found ID It's
raeye dq%t 81 NC ess Was
ner was, to make discords harmonious and
p9au.Iu. p1 Ca-,on,, bo, ,o,da , rarv on,p,
ing work. in which clover music abounds. The
love song In the first act, duet between tenor
iightfully sung last evening by Herren Fischer
ami Kalisch The role OF the BdrOr1 was in
imtnbly done by Fischer. whose CAPACITY for
his admirable efforts. The constant illusions
OF the garrulous Barber 10 his six brothers who
his description Of his own accomplishments
The song Bin AkademiSer" @ is remarSahie ls ,hie
day and generation. H.. In fact The libret!o is
full OF excellent terms of EXPIRE Ision, and shows
an extraordinary I command % 81 Language Gho borhor
New York public. and bring good income to
with " Die Pnppen- Fee" which is fascinating
ballet. It makes an enliveninG entertainment
stifT legs and arms caused shouts OF merri-
ment. Quite rs much art has 10 be used by
the members Of sgnor Am An mbrCgg9s corps to
iointed rs to simulate the ,gracGGul iairies
which they usually represent. To children The
Dol g Toy shop" would be an infinite Joy aud
delight. The opera house ought to be crowded
with little ones on many occasions when 1t Is to
be given. Mime. Urianska is OF cour.e. the
fairy who releases all the dolls from their i'm
prisonment and animates them: She looks
lo> ely in white gauze and silver fringe; with
crown OF electric stars. The blue doll is OF
all the dolls the most attractive. She says
mamma" and papa" and walks with the
most determined and realistic stiffness: There
are. however. dolls OF every nation and to suit
every taste. .
FrauIein Tlaubmann's voice was beautifully
fresh and clear last evening, She acted the
part OF Mdrgidud very gracefully, too.
Herr kalisch was iairly humorous and sang
well. He will do better undoubtedly, after
few moro performances. when he loses some OF
the embarrassment and consciousness which
always shows in his acting. Sedlmayer and
Beck as Cddi and the CdhDh did their small
parts well.
The chorus has considerable hard work in
the Bar ber OF Bagdad." 1t led conscientious
ly to do its duty. anC succeeded In overthrow
ing the difficulties OF the situation: a little
more practice will overtheless be beneficial
to the ensemble portions Of the opera.