New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-21
MUSIC.
MADAME CALvE IN "CARSlEy '

II seems as X those who are willing TO ann,,
their minds to the matter might this season solvs
several questions which have arisen now and ~.
concerning the morals Of the operate Carmen.
for instance. Would she steal watch? or Doc.
she really wear dagger in her corsage? Nm.
Calve, as was most amply demonstrated last n,yh,
at the Metropolitan, stands ready to answer ths,.
questions and many more having a similar ethic.,
bearing. Her Improvisation OF the operate char,
acter Is certainly as frank an exposition Of its con-
tents assuming that the composer and brettis,.
tried to reproduce the Carmen OF Mermee's noven
as the most ardent lover OF realism could wish
She would steal a watch she does wear a dagvo,
and she Is equipped as none OF her predecessors
have been with those charms of person and fasclna
lions of manner-with all those wicked wtcherlea
in short which explain. If they TO not PALATE thu
conduct Of unhappy Don JOSE. In some respects II
is best 10 leave her performance to the Imagination:
It Is a faculty which ought to be appealed to AZ
times in matters of art and If the reviewer does not
do 1t the appeal viii not be made for Nine. Caye'a
Carmen IS too obvious TO require the exercise OF
is no respect in which the equal OF her perform.
ance be pointed out. far as the local expert
indeed In the annals Of the opera, and Of that i'm.
personation 1t is related that the Project OF Police
Havins said tbs. it is difficult to discuss IN.
opera and its performance without going into the
realms OF morals instead OF art and this would bs
an unhappy and possibly profitess proceeding. con.
sdering, the marvellous manilestation Of genius
piece in lyrlco-dramatc construction. In all the
years Of It's existence II has lost not bit OF IL
strength truthfulness, freshness beauty. On
the contrary. ike Jealousy admiration for II makes
the flesh It feeds on. II Il most convincing Illus.
tratlon OF how dramatic dencation may be con.
sorted with music 10 the advantage Of both ee.
rents anl Messrs. Abby & irtu n2d occasion Ia
learn last nlgnt that works OF this character are
those which most surely be relied on
to win public support. The audience that
heard last nights performance was In nunbers
character and enthusiasm the equal o. the gather.
ings that have heard "Faust" Outside Of those
there have been none which might serve FOR pur.
poses OF comparison. The lessons which 10 in this
fact are that Il is Impossible 70 turn back the
hands upon the operate cock. AID that II Is only
wise to let them take their course. The cd
operate habit has given pace 70 something very
different and the craving cannot be satisfied
with the pabulum which once sufiiced. Carmen"
Faust and the hot-h,oodsi compositions 81 young
Italy are what the people want. Performances Ike
that OF last night Will find support; others will
not 1t was d performance wnca wanted only
better work IN the stage managers Department 10
challenge all the words OF cOmmerd3tOl al the
command Of the writer of perfunctory notices. The
merits Of Nine Caves Carmen" have been
limited at. They had companions in the .oye.nss3
OF Nine Eamcs's singing as Michae.a; the I'M
IassiOned e.oQCence Of Jean De Reszke's singing
and acting Don Jose and the many picturesque
ness Of NJ Lassalle's Escam!.io. Such quartet
a,ones for word Of shortcomings IN the minor
parts, especially when tne stage pictures are as
pleasing those on this occasion Il Is %
be hoped that Bizet's opera VII appear often
In the Metropolitan lis..