New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-05
MUSIC.
THE DEPARTURE OF TAMAGNoi

Sign0r Francesca Tamacno completed the term OF
MS engagement with NESTS Abbey and Grau last
night, and took his leave OF the American public in d
performance of ycrdi's "OellO~-the opera in which
he introduced himself to the metropolis. We cannot
Int believe that there is a special significance IN the
incidents connected with his brief New York
We had imagined that there was a considerable desire
among tho lovers of Italian opera 10 listen 10 the
singing Of one who is conceded to be the first Of living
tenors and VINO was chosen from among all the
tenors Of Europe by Verdi To cre-e7 the role which
stands for his lofes striving most serious aims and
most intense anXeties. We had imagined that the
peculiar interest surrounding the production Of that
work by "A troupe which the newspaper press Of Bos-
ton and Chicago acclaimed as the finest aggregation
Of vocal talent brought 70 America would insure
numerous and enthusiastic audiences at each perform
ancc Of IT, and OF course worthy Interpretation of IT,
book and score. We had fancied that tho much
mootea interest in Italian opera after comparatively
long period Of deprivation would disclose Itself in adj
miltion for masterpiece, Of the italian composers.
But IT appears That all these surmises were Incorrect
The lesson Of the hafseason which closes with the
departure SicnOr Tamagno j, that the Interest OF The
public devoted the Italian form OF operate enter
tainmcni In the works themselves i unknown
quantity, incalculaby small compared with the curios-
its t. hear Patti sing and -snor Tamagno emit tones
Of peculiar acuicnc,s and power There has been
vast difference between the audiences on the Patti
nights and those on which Tama-nO mas sung, and the
difference has al been on the side Of the prma DONNA
Yet the Taiaacno operas far and away the most
interesting and all things considered, have had The
most satisfactory performances. In one respect
already hntod at the conduct Of the aador has been
alike at all the reproscn When Patti has sung
-hc has been called before the curtain and over
again by what at first had the semblance OF tribute
approval gratitude for the pleasure given, but
which soon disclosed Itself to be nothing de
than an imperative demand for Home sweet IIom,'
She has sung the lovely ballad in the robes Of An
A>,yran queen. the simple dress OF Italian village
lass and the Orienta, tocsery Of Hindu maiden
twice between tie acts, after the last fail of
the curtain In the case Of Tamasno tile public
have remained almost Indifferent his superb acting,
his wonderfully truthful and impressive defamation.
his fine exemplfcaiion Of dramatic feeling In music,
and reserved their approval for few high and loud
shouts. A, little in case As in the other can \
spark of appreciation or reverence for the opera
art form be discerned.
And just as little reverence has been exhibited in
the representations Notwithstanding that the scenic
outfit OF the Metropolitan opera House seems to be al
the disposal of the Stage manager. the operas givea
have been so shabby and anonymously staged a;
to provoke derf-ion far "Otello7 l. con-
cerncd. its first act az least has appeared to be as
far away from the -ympaihcs OF understanding Of
the company il il We're Die Goet,cicacnimerun-.
The act i, not a particularly impressive compost.
ton, except I'm ts disclosure Of the new
and high aims of Verdi: but ii can
be made 1undredfod more effective than
il was by proper attention to the wishes
If Lotto and Verdi. All through the opera the COM
poser music with the pictures and the action q
thc TRAGEDY lefore him. lie treated the Molos VII
a consideration which. we dare say. i uneNamphh III
the operate literature Of Italy aud without sacrifice
of Tie right, of melody nu the higher conception 81
The icriui. srOye T. employ mu,lc for tne purpose
Of he-hcnmr The emotional potency OF wGN, aIe
and carefully pointed To the stage manager the inter-
dependence OF the @rioI> IN ms Am. s.a i O.o
of nj, suggestion, has been Eeedei, ana >lsoor
1amaeno alone has seemed to kno" uie ,ohp,'fts 10
wislc, aud how To realize them. FOR tlls ne ht'
deserved The gratitude Of all lovers OF me SiIc drani.
~ otco j. Gigantic ,irde away rom sns e t S0a rrs.t
merits atoned for The dl'anpontmen' caused oy te
quality Of his voice and The faults OF MS vocal Styis:
Finally. to make the dcnon.,,titoh Oh VIC
n,nccniy Of the interest IN Italian opera sd
loudly proclaimed In certain quarteis Vol con-,
,ner, IN. h,rn deprecated and decried by persons
who have insisted that the time was ripe LOT Nlan-e
Of policy at the Netnpotan vp.I@ hcns1i - syo5
The conviction that the demand for liauan opera means
Indifference the dramatic eS,entais 81 tne M".r
vr th high note, OF tenor proportionate to their al
titnie power and length. In "oiello there are nohs
- thcse cafchuenny effects, and II was IN the nlSle-s
degree credabc 10 the audience al last n-i n,R
r,sntaton that. though neither numerous nor bllnt
in ,nn.arance doubtless the fact that IL was ''o"i
FRIDAY Was partly responsible for tnisl seemed ioso
rcruiuclv apnlecatve Of the nature OF Neruls UpcH
and n -nor Tamaeno's merits tan tno>e auuie...o
tfaf shouicd thcmsolVc, hoar>e AZ ms efforts 10 h
,,,n whistle in " n rrovatOre7 BY the END OF mo
rond act the dramatic power II his singing ana se,
s Df ~ e public and he received the most genuine
art enthusiastic tribute that Ia, marked tne scas"
I'm. FAR IN, orchestra Joined in with a fihiac' .
Gnu, ,i'ncr, which /. mo- longer empty. Madame NJ
laui to-. lovely and deserved sueIuom -. Sp
plau~c for her singing Whch was s ~ s.,,onsy
tender In the last act. -, -. 4, .x....s
hi, afternoon Madame Patti will sing IN " MANA