The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-15
OPERAS OPENING NIGHT.
SOCIETY PEOPLE AND MUsIo LOVERS
At THE METROPOLITAN


\ Performance &C sHs.se ana J.nst- d.
Freseh-The FIRST Appearances Here Of
ths Ne Resskes ana Eaaa EA1es-An
Exseaiest ferfernaace-Ia The Boxes.
Shall We call II italian" or French I"
operaf Romeo and Juliet" with which our
new season ct the Metror olitan opened last
evening. 10 certainly belonging to the lat
ter school: and. moreover. all the prin-
cipals sang In the French language.
Whether the chorus followed their example. II
was Impossible at frst to tell Only when the
male chorus In the second act said "andlamo"
instead OF "allons" 10 each other. was the So
cret revealed.
6ix new appearances were made last even
ing. those Of chief importance being Nine.
Emma Eames and the brothers Jean
and Edouard de Resxke Besides these
were the now comers, Mile Jane de
ViRne. Signor Ooletti. and M. Marta
poura Tho other names upon the bill
we're those Of SiGnor Victor Capoul favorably
known in the old days Of Nilsson. when he was
frst tenor in her troupe: with signor viviani.
6ignor vsschetta. and signor Rlnaldini. The
Latter three men filled their insignificant
roles acceptably enough. Capoul as 7tbax
showed. In every phrase and every gesture
the finished artist Such competent work a.
experience and talent like his can put into
secondary part, IL Of immense value In
STRENGTHENING performance
The usual disoomforts OF " first night"
were evidently felt By the company There
were several small defects Of stage manage
mont such IS the premature falling Of the
curtain and some uncertainty Of action among
the chorus: but, ON the whole. the auguries Of
tho evening were in every way propitioua
An audience Of the most brilliant appearance
and EXTREMIST amiability was present testi-
flying By every possible means their approbA-
Hon and delight
Though Miss Eames made . very pleasing
Impression from her graceful. refined appear.
Ance. "Delsarte" gestures and posturings.
and hor clear voice. which 10 managed with
ease. yet the sensation Of the occasion was
made BY N. Jean do Reskke. who sang
himself Immediately into the esteem and
affection Of his hearera
he II thoroughly manly. vital person Of
ardent temperament the nre and warmth
Of which shows itself plainly In the timbrs
Of bis voice. The voice ITSELF combines in q
wonderful manner all the sweetness Of q
fssors d ovasia. and tho resonance and power
of . tsnors rootsto. In the more tender or
lyric portions Of the opera his tones take
on an exquisite softness For passionate
phrases or striking olimaxes there seems no
end TO the volume and strength he 10
able 10 produce without, however. losing in
tho slishtest degree that sympathetic quality
which 70 IT. particular characteristics His
acting. too. Il most judioious and effective.
TO his brother. Edousrd. the basso. much
praise must also be given. notwithstanding the
fsct Of his having but small oppor-
tunity 10 display his gifts In the
short part which Ntsr Laurence plays in
the drama The artist did make known the
faet that he pcssesses . fine stage presence
and voice OF phSnomenal size and beauty
posed after Faust" TO which 1t cannot COM
p4re IN matter Of inspiration.
n spite q the charm Of plot which should
Prom Q composers brain. the music Is. In Z. 4.
Tor the sESAter part monotonous and unintsr-
Gently great - an art work to recommend It
yuaG Is very favorite role Of Miss Eames,
being: indeed: the one IL ThiS t her first and
yeaEe some Of the rebuks Of coldpess which
used to be given TO Miss EAmes must be taken
away. Though sSlll unimpassioned enough.
there IL much more Of ardor and Of pliability
n her action than could formerly be accredited