New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-14
FIDFLIOn IN ITALIAN.

To the minds OF q great many opera patrons tbs
performance of Fideo' In Italian at the MetIOpou-
tan Opera House last night must have suggested some
ruzzNng questions in values. Why Is "Fidelio'
done in Italian with cast half good, supposed by
the management to be worth a. seat more this
season than the same opera done With cast al
good two Of the principals being the sane in GerH"a
any time during the last seven years II the italian
language Is worth 81 per cent more than the Ger
man I'm an opera conceived In German, written IN
German and composed in German music IS uni
verSa language but there is nationality In its sp.
how much more is 1t worth in an opera
conceived IN Italian and written and composed
in italian We confess that tho questions too
much for us. Their solution must be left 10 the
agement. Again, IT, as seems exceedingly plausible,
there IS some virtue in singing "Le PropAetc' and
Romeo ct Juliettc' IN French because the music was
couposed originally to fit French words why was not
Fidcllor sung In German The troupe is sufficiently
povclot to accomplish the feat German IS a familiar
tongue 10 sgnora Lehman, Mademoselle Bauermeiser,
.gnor Kasch and Mr.. Edward de Reszle, all Of whom
were concerned in last nights representation and IL
the baritone. MaginiC oleu and The chorus had adj
her,d To their native tongue the phenomenon would not
have been novel, but which the socaled French
performances have accustomed Us In fact since Italy
ceased furnishing the word with opera Singers integrity
OF language has ceased be looked upon essential
in Italian opera. Mr. Curtis in his Easy Chair
essays writing about the opera In l9l, describes how
Faust "a mild, ineffective gentleman, sang
his dittles and passionate bursts In Italian.
While the poor Gretchen vowed and roaladed
in the German tongue" This sort of thing has been
going on ever since. and those who 20 10 the Italian
opera are used to it. We fear that the fact comph-
Gates the riddles whose solution We have been forced
4, leave to Messrs. Abbey and Grau, but since
have already confessed inability solve tem they
are concern OF ours.
1t IS not a very violent presumption that Fdelio'
tEt. % and
Gran for the purpose of gaining tie patronage If tbs
Germans who have been generous in the support OF
opera during the last years. The opera has
place In the Italian list. In fact, IL has never
Quercd an enduring abiding place In any Of the opera
houses outside OF Germany In London it was long
kept on the repertDry by the devotion and genius Ok
Tetlcns, but in Italy and France it Is book scaled
with seals 1t Is In the nature 4 proof Of this
fact that experienced operate artist Edouard
dc RcszSc sang in the opera until last night.
In complete truth he never even heard 1t before
Tho change in Italian traditions l.. however, none tho
less welcome because Il j. Il Change The opera ha'
singular local history. 1t never was popa-
lar until Mr.. scidl and his German forces dis
closed its dramatic heart to The public. Then.
however. It made complete triumph. Last season IL
WAS fourth on the list In respect to popularity. IL
was given three times and the average receipts, not
counting the subscriptions from the stockholders, was
20 25T. 1t led the season OF lso6'o1, with average
receipts for three Representatives Of SiOs'. For
reason which need not be dlscussed-it Is obvious
10 all who have taken tho trouble 70 Inquire INTO
the feelings Of the element in population which
supported the opera during the last seven ycars-thc
German, last night disappointed the expectations Of
the management. The audience was one Oh ue
smallest OF the season. , ,..
There was only feature OF the pcrf'smalco
of which IL Is pleasant 10 speak. The dungeon scene
was given with splendid power and dramatic ~
tensy Here Nine. Lehman, who all through IN.
first act had, Atlas Hike. tired TO carry worm ot
Incompetence and ignorance on her shoulders WI, wa.
relieved of constraint Her associates were INA INA
Kalisch Torestan signOr MaginiN Oleu lfzzAIOl anu
NJ de Reszkc (loccO) The latter two felt something t
the celestial fire which bla7es narvellousy In t,
scene and sang better than they had done before VIII"
Nine Lehman and her husband sang and 49,
rs If inspired. 1t the one thrilling mOme,e -,
the evening, and il atoned for much OF the h.Soy
which the lovers II Beethoven's divine work ""''
Obliged TO endure In the first act.