New-York tribune., 1891-12-17
q" III TROVATORED At THE METROPOLITAN

The second night OF the French and italian open
company at the Metropolitan Opera House came but
little short of the opening night in the brlliancy ard
spirit OF its outward show. The brave array in the
boxes became again in full evidence as the evening
advanced and the atmosphere of cheer and ex
pectancy. Another series Of the Messrs Abbey and
Grau's promises. which have shaped the hopes and
pectatons of the NewYork musical public for this
season of operatc activy fell due at this second per
formance. The further disclosure OF their resources
upon which the fnflment Of those promises depends.
therefore offered much of interest to the dispassonse
observer though that interest may have been in
the way of implication and the fOreshadowing Of futu
possibilities than OF present enjoyment Ths
opera was al Trovatore," sung in ltal-
ian-not in itself, as must be confessed,
material potent to beguie unusual attention Or 10.
sOrption on the part Of the New-iOrk public. The
circumstance Of chief significance in the performance
was the temperance of two artists who have won
particular place in the admiration and esteem Of
musical NewYork under different conditions and sur
roundngs-Frau Lii Lehman and her husband, Herr
Kasch In addition to which the programme indicated
the first appearance OF Mile Giula Ravog contrabo
of distinction for whose addition TO the company much
approval was expected.
1t was the first time that Frau Lehmann had sung
In this city in Italian, In an artistic environment
distinctly italian. Her singing with that OF her nus
DduQ, III WOfhs OF uc icuidH itpcipoly, ID 'Nh He,'
in the memory Of the opera going public as Is ts
knowledge that her art is not bounded by the conf
OF any one school. 1t well known, however tia,
Frau Lehman began her artistic career as cooiatIs
singer in which direction she had gained no small dis
tnction before her Interpreter Of Wagner
was founded. Her temperance therefore, showed
no side OF her art entirely unfamiliar TO this public.
1t revealed again. and in he fullest measure. the ex
tent and variety of her power a singer Her voice
L. ktno 80 ~. baaut
strength and nexbility while the skill and resource,
the dramatic intensity Of her acting made her the
dominating figure throughout IN an opera which is in
reality "tenors' opera, an opera with hero rather
than heroine. Upon her first entrance last evening
she was greeted with a most kindly and enthusiastic
outburst Of applause, TO which she was several times
compelled TO respond and in the of the opera
time and again recalled.
Herr Kalisch seemed at first In poor voice: Ger.
tain huskiness which veiled his tones in the nrsi
scenes. however. overcome as he warmed to tho
task before him, and he lavished upon the "D
quella pira" great power Of voice and fervor, and
intensity of style; and when he added thereto q
high c, IL would have put the traditions Of Italian
opera entirely at fault had he not been summoned b
repeat it.
OF Mile. Ravogli It is not perhaps possible to
speak with full justice yet. She seemed not entirely
selfpossessed last evening; apart from this or as
result of It, her voice lacking in color and beauty
of TONE and in resonance. Her acting, however is OF
high Order full Of vigor and variety. and convincing
in its denotement of the passionate gypsy character
Her future appearance will be watched with Interest
Another debut that of Sgnor Camera whose voice
is large and not Of bad quality but marred By nos'
pronounced tremol0. A.
1t cannot be said that the performance on I.s ms
whole was marked by that animation or brllAng
that ought to go the proper Interpretation OF 'eu
familiar measures. IL is pleasant however. to no.e
the great Improvement made by the chorus over "a
work of the opening night, as regards tuneumeSs'
attack and precision. 1t was an improvement as W..
expected it grateful and makes the prospess
OF the coming season by 50 much brighter asas ano
Is still room for Signor Vianesi TO work rennnss
and an inspirting process upon his orchestra, wheD
IS heavy aud coarse In many passages.