New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-28
VI USIC,.
L" DON GIOVANNI.

II IS an unhappy state of affairs when the lovers
OF MOzarts masterpiece are obliged 10 deilore its
performance. 1t is an unhappier when the things
which cause the regret almost wholly such
could easily have been avoided. Don Giovanni
was performed las, night at the Metropolitan Opera
House. The performance began at the usual hour;
and three-quarters hours later the curtain went
W on what. In the book. IS the second act. Those
WHO are familiar with the will be able to
estimate how much o: the time was devoted 10
the performance. and how much TO waits between
scenes. once Il soerlel a. II some OF this time
had been We'll spent. The final scene OF the first
most sumptuOUsly set. and Signor Man
c.nelli made brave effort to bring out its music.
lie had TWO bands upon the stage. both composed
OF real musicians. His efforts TO do justice to the
clever purpose OF Mozart were frustrated however
By two circ.mstancos--the dramatic orchestra in
front overppve-el The stage bands. and the stage
manager, obviously ignorant OF what Mozart con-
tcnpa;ed. had his dancers execute only what was
supposed to be a minrct. How easy il would have
been, with the stage full OF people, TO have carried
out Mozarts invention and done justice not only TO
the music but 10 the pretty scene which the
generosity Of the management had provided! But
4: seems If II were vain ever 20 hope for an
Intelligent performance % this opera. Each repre-
sentaton makes 1t seem more and more archaic
and soon il will be sacred obligation TO the
names OF Mozart not to perform Il at al. Dut 70
In order 10. give the opera. Messrs Abbey and
Nine. Fursch- Aiadi engaged 10 sing Donna
Anna, and Miss Kate Rolla. Donna Evira- The first
engagement wholly iudicious Nine fnfscn-
Aladi is one of the few singers (perhhps IT would
be more the truth say the only woman SINGER
who has true appreciation Of Alozarts music. In
her performance Il possible 10 admire always
the Intelligent understanding ana tne hcnest ~
tentiOn even when he execution fell snort MS was
not the case with OF The others III me cast.
Signor de Lucia for instance. caricatured his music
from beginning 10 end. Don Ottawa is a lnlksop
az best hut when his representative knows how to
sing ne is, somebody has said, divine nllK-
seq The divine attributes were not in last niyht )
performance Miss Rolla laSored under many as
advanfaees not the least Of when was that which
AFFLICTED sor1e of the other singers. namely, wanS
OF understanding OF MOZarts music. In the matter
OF vocal style the part OF Donna Evira is the most
trc!ng one in the opera 1t requires the nost per
zee; art 10 make II interesting As'hma,ic cH9 y,
ming up OF phrases in its music Is fatal no n
Lnyy lovely the voice which sings IT, Miss Roi;
has = voice Of good quality and she mas sung trench
songs charmingly: but she has not the artistic ma
ture exacted by Mozart n This character. nine me
Arnoldson was arch and phluant In appearance ana
action Zerlina. but in the seInbes nef v0ig
could only be heard when her companions asreed
~ "agerayate'' their voices 10 that END or u
Iaseaii,'s Don Giovanni and NJ tdouaId de
Peszke'g Ieporeo the praise can be repeated which
was spoken two years ago